The biggest concern those new to the world of CBD have is whether or not it’s safe to use: can CBD lead to any harm or issues with your body? In this post, we’ll dive into some of the details about how our endocannabinoid system works and provide you with a deeper understanding of why using CBD is safe when done responsibly and using products that come from a reputable source.

What Is CBD Used For?

Cannabidiol (CBD), derived directly from hemp plants, has increasingly become a popular and effective option for pain relief, stress-reduction, and the treatment of seizures. The World Health Organization (WHO) reaffirms the safety of CBD in a report stating that “In humans, CBD exhibits no effects indicative of any abuse or dependence potential…. To date, there is no evidence of public health-related problems associated with the use of pure CBD.” In 2018, the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) approved the use of CBD to treat seizures and epilepsy, which the World Health Organization states affect over 50 million people worldwide. 

What Makes CBD Effective?

One of the most significant affirmations of our ability to process CBD comes down to a neurological level – humans have cannabinoid receptors within their central nervous systems. The endocannabinoid system holds a crucial role in both synaptic activities in our brain as well as its functionality during homeostasis. So, how does this work, and why is it important? Scholastic breaks it down:

“Since cannabinoids act on presynaptic cells, they can control what happens next when these cells are activated. In general, cannabinoids function like a ‘dimmer switch’ for presynaptic neurons, limiting the amount of neurotransmitter…that gets released, which in turn affects how messages are sent, received, and processed by the cell.”

So, essentially, CBD can help us address pain and other negative responses by limiting the severity with which they manifest on the tiniest, most specific, and targeted neural level. Our body’s natural ability to respond to CBD in this way is helpful in our understanding of CBD’s overall safety and functionality.

Who Can Use CBD?

Many renowned celebrities have spoken openly about their use of CBD and how it has positively impacted their lives. For This Is Us actress, Mandy Moore, CBD has provided immense relief from the pain of aching feet after attending red carpet events in stilettos for hours on end. Moore discussed her use of CBD with The Coveteur, mentioning that before she started using CBD oil, she had been in “so much pain she felt like she was walking on glass.” Celebrity stylist, Karla Welch, stated that CBD is a fantastic product that is “the absolute cure for aching feet on the red carpet,” recommending CBD to her high-profile clients, such as supermodel Karlie Kloss and actress Sarah Paulson.  

A study from Consumer Reports on CBD states that 22% of the people in the study taking CBD for health issues used CBD as a replacement for an over-the-counter medication,  prescription drug, or opioid. Within this group of people, 47% used CBD as a replacement for over-the-counter medicine, such as Advil or Tylenol. 36% of people used CBD instead of a prescription opioid like Oxycodone or Percocet, and 33% of people substituted CBD in place of a prescription anti-anxiety drug, such as Xanax or Ativan. Lastly, 22% of people decided to use CBD rather than take a prescription sleep drug like Ambien or Lunesta. This Consumer Reports study demonstrates that it is evident that more people are turning to CBD as an effective replacement for current over-the-counter and prescription drugs offered in the market, leading researchers even to consider the possibility of using CBD as a way to combat the ongoing opioid crisis. 

How Do I Know CBD Is Safe?

Making sure that you’re buying your CBD products from a reputable source is the best way you can go about protecting yourself from potentially being exposed to any products that have not been properly made or tested. All reputable CBD brands will third-party lab test all of their products and will have a verified COA (Certificate of Analysis) to confirm all the details about where and how they were produced. If you are considering adding CBD to your daily health routine, you should talk to your doctor.