Ok. Soapbox time. I don’t do it often, but I am frustrated. Not many things cause a hot divide like the topic of CBD or medical marijuana. CBD, or cannabidiol, is a hemp derivative. But, before I explain why I am frustrated, let’s clear the air and separate myth from fact. That way, we are both on the same page in this conversation.
Myths and Facts about CBD Hemp Oil
- Myth: CBD oil gets the user high
Fact: The cannabinoid CBD is non-psychoactive. So, no. CBD Hemp Oil will not get you high. Hemp naturally produces a higher concentration of non-psychoactive CBD than it does the psychoactive cannabinoid THC. Federal legislation dictates that all cannabis products must contain less than 0.3% THC to be considered hemp and legal for use and consumption at the federal level. - Myth: No scientific evidence exists to support CBD efficacy.
Fact: Sweeping scientific studies indicate that CBD has many beneficial properties. When ingested, it improves mood, reduces anxiety, and relaxes the body. In more astounding studies, it shows promising results in combating panic disorder, epilepsy, diabetes, schizophrenia, and MS. Don’t worry. I cite my sources at the end for interested parties. When used externally, CBD impacts acne and other skin issues. Bonus fact: As far back as the 11th century, people used hemp derivatives to combat epilepsy. I could go on, but you get the picture.
Non-Medical CBD Oil Uses
- Dietary supplements. It is naturally high in vitamin D and antioxidants. The government even has a 1999 patent recognizing these facts.
- Since it increases focus and concentration, it helps improve athletic performance.
- Due to its natural anti-inflammatory effects, CBD improves post-workout recovery.
Types
CBD Hemp oil comes in a variety of formulations. It is available in both oils, creams, and lotions. You can use the oils just like liquid vitamins: dissolve them in a beverage, stir them into your food, or drop them under the tongue. Some people even mix them into their post- or pre-workout smoothies, mix them into salad dressings, or bake it into goodies. I would love to try this baked into my Nature Muffins!
Producers, like Receptra, also package CBD oil topicals useful for fighting free radicals (think anti-aging), deep moisturizing, combatting acne, and reducing bruises. Athletes and people with arthritis also enjoy the anti-inflammatory effects on the joints and muscles, making it a natural option for over-the-counter rubs.
I am particularly interested in this body butter Receptra Naturals produces. It calms skin irritations, and David suffers serious adult acne. Also, it’s good for bruising and moisturizing the skin. Since I frequently do kickboxing workouts, I often have unsightly bruises.
Receptra also offers a targeted topical for muscle and joint pains. Since I get sore from working out and have had to skip workouts because of arthritis, I would love to try that product as well. Unfortunately, I cannot. This fact saddens me since Receptra ships nationwide without a prescription. I just cannot order it because of Florida’s state laws.
Legalities
So here’s the reason for my vent. Despite hemp oil being legal under Federal Law (7606 of the US Farm Bill Act of 2014), some states still ban or strictly regulate its sale or use. I live in Florida, and it appears that you must first obtain a doctor’s prescription. Then, the patient must register for the compassionate use registry (381.986 Compassionate use of low-THC and medical cannabis). The law sets up five dispensaries in my state, and the nearest is 180 miles away. The law seems to require me to try all other known conventional treatment before resorting to an all-natural plant derivative.
In other words, I can obtain Xanax (an addictive benzodiazepine), easier and without registering as a drug user with the state. Government-enforced registration hasn’t worked out well for people in the past. I do have a script for Valium, but I rarely use it because of its addictive nature. Exercise helps mitigate my anxiety some, but I have to take further measures. I also limit my exposure to the outside world, which is very lonely at times.
Keep in mind that many states do not prevent CBD’s sale at all – and it’s legal at the federal level.
Why do I care? Because I suffer from Agoraphobia induced panic attacks and CBD could help me. I care because I have an aunt with schizophrenia. I care because I know many people with diabetes.
So, yeah! I’m a little miffed.
How to Choose
You do need to be careful as you venture into the world of CBD oil manufacturers. You need to know what’s in your bottle. Some processors are snake oil salesmen filling desperate consumers with false promises. The FDA sent warning letters to several because they had less CBD content than their labels claimed. Be sure to ask for a company’s certificate of analysis (COA) certifying their potency and ingredients.
Receptra provides their COA right on their site. Their products are organically grown in the United States. In my opinion, this even exceeds Florida’s quality standards, because Florida does not require their dispensaries to use organic growing practices.
Your Turn
So your turn to talk back. Have you considered using CBD oil? Do you know the laws concerning it in your state?
Scholarly articles
- Epilepsy – Epilepsy and Behavior – Feb 10, 2017
- MS – Neurobiology of Disease – Volume 59, November 2013, Pages 141–150
- Panic Disorder – Current Neuropharmacology – Volume 15, Issue 2, Pages 291-299
- Schizophrenia – Translational Psychiatry – March 2012
- Diabetes – Neuropharmacology – Volume 54, Issue 1, January 2008, Pages 244–249
- Acne – Journal of Clinical Investigation – Volume 124, Issue 9 (September 2, 2014)
This is a sponsored post, but I gathered all the information myself and all opinions are mine.
Alicia Taylor
We enjoy hosting parties and my husband and I are both avid gamers. You can find me on PS4 as SunshineFlaGirl. We also play tabletop RPGs and eurogames.
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72 Comments
John
April 21, 2018 - 2:21 amMany people believe in CBD myths that you mentioned in your post. I really like how you explain the actual fact behind the myths.
Alicia Taylor
April 21, 2018 - 11:18 amThanks John. I believe in research to the core. Especially when there is so much hype.
Angela Milnes
April 14, 2017 - 3:12 amWhat a god post, I haven’t heard about this but so glad that you share this good info with us.
Peachy @ The Peach Kitchen
April 9, 2017 - 2:54 amMy questions about hemp products were answered by your post!. Hemp Oil do have some great benefits.
Suruchi
April 9, 2017 - 1:59 amA very well written detailed post. I knew about hemp oil but had never included it in my daily life. Will like to explore these products in India and add to my routine too. Thanks for sharing this.
Alicia Taylor
April 9, 2017 - 12:04 pmThanks for the compliment – and I’m glad to have helped.
elizabethbrico
April 8, 2017 - 9:14 pmOh I do have a question though: How can it relieve anxiety etc, if it’s not psychoactive? Like, doesn’t it *have* to be psychoactive to do those things? Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for full cannabis legalization, and I know CBD doesn’t get you “high” the way THC does..but isn’t it still technically psychoactive?
Alicia Taylor
April 9, 2017 - 12:05 pmThat’s a great question. I’ll see if I can a response from Receptra.
elizabethbrico
April 8, 2017 - 9:13 pmI used to live in Florida. It’s super behind on cannabis laws.
Thankfully I now live in Washington! Where it’s ALL legal!
courtneyrandrews
April 8, 2017 - 2:06 pmVery informative read. I had heard of CBD before but didn’t really know what it was or how it was different from marijuana.
fromjesstoyouservices
April 8, 2017 - 9:40 amGreat information and write-up! It goes into what my cousin does too. Very well done.
The Belly Rules The Mind
April 7, 2017 - 4:12 pmThis oil sue does have some great benefits. Will check it out. It’s not an easily accessible product
Alicia Taylor
April 8, 2017 - 7:31 amYou can order it online, actually. If you are interested. Check out the links to Receptra I posted above.
Gennifer Rose
April 7, 2017 - 11:00 amI have always loved hemp products. I have a hemp skin cream that I love, works great 🙂
Gennifer Rose | http://www.GenniferRose.com
Jenni Petrey
April 7, 2017 - 6:20 amI use a hemp oil cream on my hands, as they are often very dry. It makes such a huge difference.
Hra Karidi
April 7, 2017 - 1:37 amI haven’t heard about this oil, but it seems so useful and awesome!! Thanks for info <3
toastycritic
April 6, 2017 - 11:04 pmI have not considered using the CBD oil, but to be honest I didn’t even know that it existed before now. Given the fact that the state of California made Marijuana legal, I imagine they wouldn’t ban it like Florida. However, I know that certain municipalities ban substances, even if its legal statewide. So you have to check your local ordinances as well unfortunately.
Alicia Taylor
April 8, 2017 - 7:32 amWell, it’s not marijuana, which really makes me scratch my head even harder. The legalities in Florida are pretty confusing – especially for something that has so many useful benefits.
Obi
April 6, 2017 - 8:45 pmLove using hemp products. Very good and moisturize my skin well.
themomnoms
April 6, 2017 - 8:31 pmI’ve honestly never heard of hemp oil, but it sounds like it has a ton of uses. I would probably use it for concentration. Thank you for all of the information.
xxxgingerpawsoutdoorsxxx
April 6, 2017 - 7:59 pmOh good, thank you for clarifying it. I also believe in the powers of CBD it’s just not everyone is open minded about it. I hope it could be legalized in my country as well.
Bridget
April 6, 2017 - 5:09 pmI have some friends that were talking about this the other day, they have knee issues and rubbing it on their knees has helped tremendously!
Deanna
April 6, 2017 - 4:56 pmThat body butter sounds nice. One of my favorite lotions is made with hemp. My daughter has very dry skin and it is one of the few that really helps.
Alicia Taylor
April 8, 2017 - 7:34 amI am so pleased it works for your daughter 🙂 It’s supposed to be pretty effective for eczema, too.
Mike Cotton (@MikeCjourno)
April 6, 2017 - 12:24 pmHemp does have so many helpful uses. You have ask, who benefits from the continued bashing of hemp and marijuana?
Alicia Taylor
April 8, 2017 - 7:35 amFollow the money… That’s always my thing. I believe CBD is Federally legal. You can buy it online from companies like Receptra. There is even an FDA process to verify how much CBD is in the oil. It’s only certain states that seem to have issues.
missy35000
April 6, 2017 - 10:27 amI don’t blame your frustration! I found it to help with Endometriosis pain, but I live in CO where it’s available (and legal) everywhere. It’s sad when people hear you use products with hemp or CBD and think “pothead” or “druggie”. We need more posts like this informing people of the truth!
Nati
April 6, 2017 - 9:19 amOh, how interesting, I didn’t know this oil even existed! I ignored all the benefits it had. However, I doubt this is legal in my country.
Leticia
April 6, 2017 - 8:41 amThank you so much for sharing, really interesting and you clearly know your stuff! I learnt a lot ☺️
Krista Bel
April 5, 2017 - 11:22 pmThe more you know huh. I had no idea this even existed. IT’s good to know. Very helpful. I still think it’ll meet a lot of hostility though.
Dani Muñoz
April 5, 2017 - 11:00 pmI didn’t know much about CBD but this was very interesting. It’s amazing how many intense, side-effect heavy chemical pharmaceuticals are allowed but many natural remedies aren’t.
Crystal (The Busy Mom Diary)
April 5, 2017 - 10:34 pmOk, I have to admit I didn’t even know what this was all about, very informational post.
Andrea Broom
April 5, 2017 - 9:38 pmDidn’t know it had all these uses, what an interesting read. It is really hard to educate people properly when people thing CBD is illegal.
Ursula
April 5, 2017 - 4:47 pmThanks so much for such an informative post. I have always wondered about those myths now ive all the answers
corinneandkirsty
April 5, 2017 - 3:55 pmI had heard of CBD before but didn’t know it could do all that. Really informative. Don’t know if it is legal in the UK, doubt it. xx Corinne
leuchocojummy
April 5, 2017 - 3:55 pmI had heard lot of googood things about CBD oil. A lady once told me she use it to massage sorsore muscles.
Gina
April 5, 2017 - 3:32 pmInformative post, I actually have never heard about this before. But am also not surprised with how the government is treating it. It’s really unfortunate but thanks for making me more aware.
emmaeatsandexplores
April 5, 2017 - 2:07 pmI’ve not heard of this before. It sounds great – I’m always sore after a workout so anything that aids muscle recovery is great for me!
Denni
April 5, 2017 - 10:02 amNatural source is always the best , I’m not totally against chemicals but where is a natural solution that it should be used first.
Only By Land
April 5, 2017 - 4:09 amThe body butter interests me as I often go to Thai boxing camps. When I first start kicking you can imagine the bruises I get and nothing sorts them. Maybe this is the answer.
Manavi Siddhanti
April 5, 2017 - 3:52 amHere in India, I don’t think I’ve come across too many brands using hemp (maybe smaller brands who do it locally)…the only hemp product I tried was from The Body Shop
Kyla T.
April 4, 2017 - 9:44 pmThis is so informative! Thanks for posting.
alisonrost
April 4, 2017 - 9:00 pmWhat in informative post. I know the topic is one many people have strong opinions about. The only experience I have is via a friend and neighbor. He suffers from M.S. and hemp goes a long way toward eliminating his symptoms. While I understand the other side of the argument (my son was an addict from age 15 – 22) .. something seems wrong if we deny it to people with clear medical needs
The Oryx Land Blogger-Sahar
April 4, 2017 - 4:47 pmTo be frank I haven’t ever heard of CBD. The laws are pretty strict here as well regarding what goes into pharmaceuticals. Thatnks for shating thia. A new info to me.
MONICA Y
April 4, 2017 - 2:34 pmI have never heard about this products before and now I am interested on trying them, thanks for the useful information about how to use them and the myths about them. I will research some more and maybe order them
Bites for Foodies
April 4, 2017 - 1:06 pmThis is a very informative post. I of the opinion that this should be legalized. Why choose synthetic medication when you can get to the natural source?
marianna
April 4, 2017 - 11:30 amI’ve actually been on the lookout for a good body butter, thanks for sharing!
Shelah
April 4, 2017 - 11:02 amThere are many benefits from using medicinal plants. CBD can be very effective for pain treatment without any psychotropic effects.
NYCTechMommy
April 4, 2017 - 7:48 amI’ve heard of CBD oil but didn’t realize all these benefits. I could use a little help in the increase of focus, vitamin D and anti-inflammatory department. I need to look into this!
leuchocojummy
April 4, 2017 - 6:48 amI would love to try CBD oil for Skin rejuvenation and hair growth.
Perla
April 4, 2017 - 6:20 amI don’t know what the law in my country says about this, but I’m not taking into consideration to use this product. Nice review!
annalisanuttall
April 4, 2017 - 3:13 amI never heard of this. i really should look into this and see if I can get this on here in the UK.
The Travel Ninjas
April 4, 2017 - 2:03 amI’ve heard a lot about the benefits of CBD oil, even with some cancer patients. If it has benefits with few side effects it should be available. Sure control it’s sale like we do with other medications, but it seems wrong to make it illegal and unavailable when you can buy what is basically heroine in the form of legal perscription Oxy’s.
Emily
April 3, 2017 - 11:43 pmThis is all great information, thanks for explaining it all! At times information can be hard to find, so having it all in one place is so helpful.
Stephanie Jeannot
April 3, 2017 - 8:33 pmI had read once before that hemp w
Had some great medicinal value to it. I have used hemp shampoo and the conditioner before and it was great.
Heather
April 3, 2017 - 8:20 pmThanks for setting us straight here. I don’t know much about hemp, but I know more now thanks to your post! I love a good body butter – my skin’s so dry!
Liz Mays
April 3, 2017 - 7:43 pmI didn’t know CBD oil could have so many benefits. This is helpful in distinguishing the appropriate form of it for use on symptoms!
Carol Bryant
April 3, 2017 - 7:12 pmThanks for sharing these points. I had no idea about a lot of this and hemp CBD is also big in the pet space, too. I am glad that you shared the truth and reality of it all. Very well done.
Milena Barrett
April 3, 2017 - 7:02 pmMy friend has Stage 4 cancer and would like so much to have access to the oil. She really feels it would help her and her symptoms. Still can’t get any here.
Rebecca Bryant
April 3, 2017 - 6:17 pmWow what an interesting post. I do believe I learned a lot here. I still don’t think I truly understand it all but I am learning.
loisaltermark
April 3, 2017 - 5:10 pmSo much great information here and so much I – and I’m sure many others – didn’t know. I am all for anything that helps people heal.
Censie Sawyer
April 3, 2017 - 4:55 pmThis is all great information. People are so misinformed when it comes to hemp products. Living in Colorado I am well aware of the great benefits that I hope others will finally start to buy into. Very sorry for your frustration. I totally get it.
Debra Hawkins
April 3, 2017 - 4:00 pmI have been reading a lot about this lately. I feel like it could help my mom a lot with the pain in her back. It is frustrating to find things that could really help and not be able to access them. I wish people could separate their feelings about the two different types.
Catherine Sargent
April 3, 2017 - 3:30 pmI can understand your frustration. This is good information that I didn’t know about CDB Hemp Products.
Nikki Nurtures (@NikkiNurtures)
April 3, 2017 - 1:51 pmI use CBD for sleeping and menstrual cramps. I’m a naturalist. I feel bad taking ibuprophen sometimes. My boyfriend is sober, but he supports that I use something natural for what ails me. He said “Trust God, question man”. Made me feel better about it.
Alicia Taylor
April 3, 2017 - 7:08 pmThe thing about CBD is that it doesn’t get you “high”, so you can still be sober and take it. I love you “Trust God, question man” philosophy, though.
Erinn S
April 3, 2017 - 12:52 pmIt is so hard to educate about the benefits of hemp because so many associate all hemp with drug use. There are so many great benefits from CBD. It will take time to educate people about the health benefits of certain hemp products
Alicia Taylor
April 3, 2017 - 7:08 pmAgreed. Some people don’t even want to discuss it because they don’t understand the difference between hemp and marijuana – but it’s not the same plant.
Angela Banister
March 30, 2017 - 5:02 pmi looked up the laws in my state and from everything i am reading Alabama has some of the harshest in the country. Don’t get me wrong I am a Huge believer that the States have rights and that the Federal Government should not impose on state laws. However, I do find that natural and organic have become such a stand for battle for them. I have to question why after all of the years of marijuana being around why is it only now that states are doing so much research on the positive aspects that it has in the medical field. I do no personally think I should have to take the prescribed “western” drugs just because any government branch says that I should. If I refuse then my insurance can be cancelled. I am held hostage. I recently had a bad accident that left us going to the ER (which I NEVER do). they sent me home with 3 narcotic “pain” killers and “muscle relaxers” (honest THREE)- seriously I was out of my mind upset. Sadly I did end up having to take them for a short time until I was able to get me some natural anti-inflammatory ingredients to whip up my own. Doctors have no issues passing out RX with highly addictive qualities but continue to buck so many other natural options that have none. This is why and how people are made into addicts. I personally have lost a dear friend that never did any drugs, but as she got older she ended up an addict of prescription drugs- which eventually laid the path to street drugs when they abruptly stopped the prescription cocktail.
Angela Banister
March 30, 2017 - 5:05 pmand btw….great read
Alicia Taylor
March 30, 2017 - 5:07 pmThank you, Angela
Alicia Taylor
March 30, 2017 - 5:10 pmThank you for your response. I hope you have fully recovered from your accident and I’m deeply sorry for the loss of your friend. In this case, I’m not sure why some states seem confused about CBD. It’s non-psychoactive – unlike many other pharmaceuticals available. While marijuana is still federally illegal, CBD is not. Marijuana and CBD aren’t the same thing. I wish the states would stop treating them as such.