CBD Oil: Are Hemp-Derived Products Safe and Effective?

More health-conscious consumers than ever before are turning to herbal supplements and holistic treatments to support their body’s natural ability to rejuvenate and repair. While a significant number of people interested in natural health and wellness are also investing in CBD oil, many still wonder if hemp-derived CBD products are safe and effective.

Based on current reports and the feedback of more than 2000 internal survey responses, that answer appears to be yes, on both counts. Not only does The World Health Organization (WHO) consider this non-intoxicating cannabinoid safe for most people,1 but most CBD users report favorable results for some of their most pressing ailments.

While it’s important to remember that CBD is not a cure or approved treatment for any known health conditions, knowing how others perceive their experience could help you decide if CBD oil might be an option for you.

Many People Are Initially Skeptical About CBD Oil

Many people are intrigued by the health and wellness potential of CBD, yet skeptical because they consider some of the claims made by CBD users a little too good to be true. Some find it difficult to believe a natural product could be beneficial for such a wide range of seemingly unrelated concerns. More often than not, learning what CBD is and how it works resolves those suspicions and reservations. If you’re not quite convinced that CBD could have a noticeable impact on the way you feel, maybe the following explanation could do the same for you.

Understanding What CBD Is and How CBD Oil Works

CBD is an active plant element, a cannabinoid found in the stalks, stems, and flowers of the plant. Research shows that CBD and other plant-based cannabinoids mimic the effects of important chemical messengers made in the body to relay urgent signals to its largest regulatory system, the endocannabinoid system (ECS).

CBD’s interaction with that regulatory system, a messaging system that influences nearly every essential function in the body, explains how this single plant element delivers such a wide range of potential health and wellness benefits. Individual results tend to depend on which essential functions might be restored to balance through ECS support.

CBD Users Report a Considerable Number of Benefits Using Hemp-Derived Products

CBD’s ability to interact with ECS receptors explains the cannabinoids reported calming properties.2 The ability to produce so many possible effects through ECS support translates to significant therapeutic potential. Based on the results of our 2019 survey, most CBD users find the cannabinoid helpful for a wide range of common concerns.

Calming Mild or Temporary Anxiety Symptoms

Nearly everyone deals with occasional bouts of mild anxiety. For some, symptoms are relatively short-lived. Others find symptoms intensify over time.3 While there are medications available, many people are hesitant to use them because of the high risk of side effects. That leaves a considerable number of people searching for natural ways to resolve their symptoms.

According to survey results, 88% of CBD users claim hemp-derived products calm mild anxiety symptoms. You may also find it helpful to know that 82% prefer CBD to yoga, and 79% prefer CBD to meditation, activities commonly recommended to minimize anxiety symptoms.

Soothing Tension and Promoting Relaxation

Stress can leave you feeling tense and overwhelmed. Left unresolved, stress can also take a considerable toll on your physical and emotional health, draining your energy, stealing your focus, and increasing your risk of serious health concerns.4

Survey results suggest CBD could be a game-changer for stress reduction. Eighty-nine percent of our survey participants tell us that CBD helps calm their mind, 76% say they prefer the soothing influence of CBD over alcohol, and 92% find the effects of CBD more relaxing than smoking cigarettes.

Alleviating Pain or Discomfort from Physical Activity

The discomfort triggered by stressing joints and overworking muscles is often the result of microscopic injuries to sensitive tissues. The resulting damage initiates an immune system response that can cause pain, inflammation, and reduced muscle strength, especially after vigorous exercise.

Of the nearly 2000 CBD users responding to our internal survey, 8 out of 9 tell us that using CBD-infused products helps alleviate pain after physical activity, and 88% prefer the impact of CBD to the effects of turmeric, a natural supplement shown to have considerable anti-inflammatory potential on its own.5

Promoting Restful Sleep and Improving Sleep Quality

During sleep, immune system function swings into high gear, and the body has the time it needs to rejuvenate and repair. While sleep benefits nearly every essential function, most people get by on far less sleep than their system requires. The long-term effects are cumulative and increase the risk of developing severe health complications.

After taking CBD 30 minutes to an hour before turning in for the night, 9 out of 10 survey respondents report improved sleep. Eighty-nine percent tell us that CBD helps calm their mind, 8 out of 10 report less discomfort after a physically taxing day, and 73 percent prefer the relaxing effects of CBD over wine.

Calming Inflammation Caused by Physical Activity

There are many potential causes of inflammation, from the foods you eat to physical and emotional stress. The inflammation triggered by physical activity is typically the result of natural defense mechanisms, a signal to the immune system to repair an injury. When that inflammation involves muscles and joints, uncomfortable fluid retention can impair strength and mobility.6

Our internal survey reveals that 89% of our CBD users prefer their hemp-derived products for inflammation triggered by physical activity to the anti-inflammatory potential of turmeric. That’s the same percentage as CBD users who say they would rather use CBD than turmeric for pain after physical activity.

The Non-Intoxicating Cannabinoid Generally Considered Safe for Most People

According to The World Health Organization, CBD is well-tolerated by most people and has a good safety profile. Noting “no evidence of public health problems,” the organization’s Critical Review Report concluded that most side effects related to CBD use were caused by drug interactions.1

While CBD may not be your best option if you’re using prescription or over the counter medication, unless approved by your physician, the risk of side effects is relatively low for most people. Most CBD users responding to our internal survey (93%) have never experienced adverse effects.

How Often You Use CBD Could Influence Your Results

Some people use CBD products as needed. Others prefer supporting ECS function with daily use. If you’re considering your options, you may find it helpful to know that most survey respondents reported favorable results within two weeks of daily use. Sixty-two percent of participants using multiple products, for example, using a tincture daily and a topical as needed, felt they achieved better results than using just one.

To learn more about CBD use and the many potential benefits of ECS support, visit CBDistillery™ to download The Ultimate CBD User Guide and browse our collection of high-quality CBD tinctures, softgels, topicals, and CBD sleep products. To ensure purity and potency, all CBDistillery™ products are third-party tested and US Hemp Authority™ certified.

Additional Source:

1. World Health Organization. (2018 June) Cannabidiol (CBD) Critical Review Report.
2. Physiology.org. A Ligresti et al. (2016 September 14) From Phytocannabinoids to Cannabinoid Receptors and Endocannabinoids: Pleiotropic Physiological and Pathological Roles Through Complex Pharmacology.
3. Help Guide.org. (2020) Anxiety Disorders and Anxiety Attacks.
4. Healthline. A Pietrangelo, S Watson. (2020 March 29) The Effects of Stress on Your Body.
5. Well Seek. M Radloff. (2019 May 04) Here’s How Turmeric Can Boost Recovery for Athletes.
6. HHS. V Bykerk. (2015 April 07) Understanding Inflammatory Arthritis: An Introduction.