How Does CBD Oil Work?
CBD is all the rage, with coffee shops selling CBD lattes and beauty companies adding it to shampoos and facials. But how does it work, and is it safe?
How does CBD affect anxiety?
CBD comes from the cannabis plant, and is mixed with a carrier oil to make CBD oil. It is a chemical that interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system, which helps regulate things like mood, pain, and appetite. It does not have the psychoactive component of marijuana called tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
Some studies suggest that cbd oil cannabidiol may help ease anxiety, reduce seizures, and reduce the severity of symptoms related to multiple sclerosis. It also appears to protect against the deterioration of brain cells in people with Alzheimer’s disease. It can help with other neurological disorders, including Parkinson disease and a muscle disorder called dystonia.
The FDA has approved a prescription drug, Epidiolex, made from CBD to treat Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome, two rare forms of epilepsy. More research is needed to test how effective and safe it is for other conditions.
It’s important to talk to your doctor before trying CBD. It may interfere with some medications, including benzodiazepine sedatives like Klonopin (clonazepam) and Ativan (lorazepam), antidepressants like fluoxetine and paroxetine, and immunosuppressants like cyclosporine. It may also cause higher blood levels of caffeine, so it’s best not to take CBD with a stimulant like coffee. It may also affect how the body processes other drugs, such as opiates and morphine.
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