Thanks to legalization and less stringent laws surrounding CBD, the industry has flourished in the last several years. Most states in the United States and other countries such as Denmark, France, Greece and Germany have legalized hemp-derived CBD.
Even though CBD has been used since 2727, it has undergone production and extraction improvements, resulting in its huge demand today. In this article, we are going to look at the pros and cons of using CBD in the form of CBDcreams and lotions. However, before we dive in, it’s important to first understand what CBD is.
What is CBD?
Also known as cannabidiol in the scientific realm, CBD is a compound obtained through extraction from the cannabis plant. CBD is categorized under cannabinoids, one of the many compounds found on the cannabis plant. THC and CBG are other examples among the 100’s of the cannabinoids.
CBD products are believed to cause intoxication, but this could not be further from the truth. The cannabis plant contains numerous cannabinoids and THC is among the prevalent. THC is the substance responsible for the high or psychoactive feeling you get when you consume marijuana. However, CBD does not have these properties and is actually known to reverse the psychoactive effect. So, if you are looking to enjoy the benefits of marijuana and don’t like the high effect or can’t indulge due to work-related reasons, then don’t be afraid to try CBD.
THC percentage depends on the product and type of extract. Full-spectrum CBD has a higher THC quantity than isolated CBD. However, the accepted amount of THC in CBD products is 0.3%, which is not enough to make a human being anywhere near high.
The Various Types of CBD
There are numerous types of CBD products. The following is a broad classification of Cannabidiol:
1. Cannabidiol- This does not have traces of THC and it’s extremely potent in terms of CBD percentage.
2. Hemp-Derived Oil- Similar to Cannabidiol, it doesn’t contain THC, but the quality is slightly lower compared to cannabidiol oil.
3. Marijuana-Derived Oil- This contains small amounts of THC and causes intoxication.
4. Rick Simpson Oil- This mostly constitutes of THC and close to nil cannabidiol.
How Does CBD Work?
CBD affects your body when it interacts with receptors distributed throughout the body. The compound interacts with CB1 and CB2 receptors found in the ECS (Endocannabinoid System). The ECS is an important biological system found in all mammals and controls functions relating to the immune, nervous, and cardiovascular system.
Pros of Cannabidiol Creams and Lotions
1. Your Skin Will Thank You
CBD lotions are effective in helping revitalize the skin. They are rich in antioxidants that help reduce wrinkles and crow’s feet. These products also contain hydrated fatty acid, which fights dry skin.
3. Lasts For Lnger
CBD lotion and creams takes a while to take effect. However, once the effects hit, they last for up to 6 hours.
Cons of CBD Lotions & Creams
1. They Take Long to Work
The cannabidiol content in CBD lotions is significantly lower compared to others like ingestion and vaping. Not just the CBD concentration but also how it functions. Cannabidiol creams interact with receptors found on the skin or epidermis and don’t necessarily make it into the bloodstream. This means Cannabidiol creams take longer to get to take effect. CBD bioavailability is between 4-6%, in comparison to sublingual and vaping, which are between 20-40%. Bioavailability is the actual CBD amount that ends up getting absorbed in the body.
2. It is Largely Unregulated
One of the main issues with CBD regulation is that the law is still in a grey area. The Farm Bill was passed without a solid regulatory framework, in an industry that has dramatically boomed. We expected regulations to follow soon after CBD legalization; however, these expectations are yet to be met.
As you can see, CBD lotions and creams have both ups and downs, but the benefits far outweigh the cons once you do your homework.
