Pros and cons of using CBD

Image by Erin Stone from Pixabay

Hemp is coming up with a lot of fame all over the world in diet plans, health products, and various supplements. It is farmed and used for its multiple herbal health benefits in the form of various hemp products. The different parts, seeds, flowers, and leaves are used to produce other products. Its production is also beneficial for environmental purposes as it helps in the reduction of the need for fossil fuels, improves soil structure, and many others.

CBD currently is being studied as a treatment for a wide range of conditions, including Parkinson’s disease, schizophrenia, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and anxiety,  however, research supporting the drug’s benefits is still limited.

Coming back to the health benefits, the hemp plant that is also known as Cannabis sativa L is cultivated for non-drug use because it does not contain any high amounts of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). Cannabidiol is a well-known form of the hemp plant, also known as CBD that is used for a variety of health problems. CBD is extracted from the leaves and flowers of the hemp plant (using it as a whole) that can be obtained in Baltimore from 529hemp.com.

There are about 130 beneficial components in the cannabis plant, out of which CBD has received great popularity and interest due to its enormous medicinal properties. There are various ways to consume the substance like dripping oil tincture under the tongue, vaping, edibles like gummies, swallowing pills or tablets, or topical ointments.

Most CBD consumers now break the chains from these traditional CBD consumption practices and enjoy smoking CBD hemp flowers. Some of the benefits you will reap by vaping CBD hemp flowers are:

Pros of using hemp

1. It won’t get you high

Many people believe hemp gives the same feeling of excitement as weed. In fact, cannabis is a plant with different forms, that include Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica etc. The hemp is currently obtained from strains that contain high CBD levels and negligible THC levels. Thus vaping CBD flowers means that you obtain most of the medicinal benefits without any concern about the psychotropic effects.

2. It is affordable

As the popularity of cannabis has increased over the last few years, its production has amplified too. Various CBD products like CBD oil tinctures, vape juices, and gummies may be costly, but CBD hemp flowers are budget-friendly and available in dry form to buy in bulk.

3. Fast Action

Vaping hemp is the fastest way to get the most of the therapeutic effects. The effectiveness depends on the method it would be consumed, and vaping makes it most efficient as it is directly absorbed by the lungs and into the blood. Vaping, however, can cause several lung diseases. Consult a doctor before deciding to vape CBD.

4. Medicinal benefits

CBD is anti-inflammatory, anti-analgesic, and helps in anxiety. It plays a big role in treating neurological issues like Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease. It can relieve symptoms of pain, stress, epilepsy, inflammation, etc. You may also use them to regulate and improve your mood, appetite, and various cardiac issues.

Cons of Using CBD

1. Side effects

Using CBD products may cause possible side effects in some people like throat irritation, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, reduced appetite, dry mouth or hypertension.

2. You cannot use CBD products while on specific medications

You should avoid ingesting hemp while on blood thinners, cardiac glycosides and diuretics. Consult your doctor before using CBD. Those include the following:

  • Anti-arrhythmia drugs like quinidine
  • Anticonvulsants like Tegretol (carbamazepine) and Trileptal (oxcarbazepine)
  • Antifungal drugs like Nizoral (ketoconazole) and Vfend (voriconazole)
  • Antipsychotic drugs like Orap (pimozide)
  • Atypical antidepressants like Remeron (mirtazapine)
  • Benzodiazepine sedatives like Klonopin (clonazepam) and Halcion (triazolam)
  • Immune-suppressive drugs like Sandimmune (cyclosporine)
  • Macrolide antibiotics like clarithromycin and telithromycin
  • Migraine medications like Ergomar (ergotamine)
  • Opioid painkillers like Duragesic (fentanyl) and alfentanil
  • Rifampin-based drugs used to treat tuberculosis

3.  Purity issues

A study of 84 CBD products purchased online showed that more than a quarter of the products contained less CBD than labeled. THC also was found in 18 products.

4. Avoid CBD if pregnant

The American Academy of Pediatrics warned in a 2018 study that women should avoid marijuana during pregnancy due to the potential risks to a baby’s development. Doctors advise CBD oil should be avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

5. CBD oil can increase liver problems

Studies indicate that CBD oil may increase liver enzymes (a marker of liver inflammation)