Although the legality of CBD products still raises some eyebrows, they have surely made its way to Bermuda and have even become their own section in pharmacies. So, what is CBD and how is it different from Marijuana? Cannabidiol, or CBD, is one of the chemical compounds found in the Marijuana plant, and because it contains very low levels of THC, it lacks psychoactive properties and thus won’t give you a “high”. In Bermuda, Cannabinoid oil products with less than 1% THC were classified as an over-the-counter medicine in 2017, and ever since we have seen CBD products grow in popularity and become more accessible to locals.
Many studies have proven CBD oil to be effective in reducing pain, and although Marijuana has been used to treat pain for centuries, CBD’s accessibility and decriminalization in many countries has made it a very popular and natural way to treat chronic pain. It has also been proven to have anti-inflammatory properties, becoming popular amongst athletes due to faster recovery time, and even those who suffer from acne, as it has made its way into skincare products as well.
But perhaps its most popular use is to treat insomnia, as studies suggest CBD can help with both falling and staying asleep, as well as anxiety and depression. According to the World Health Organization, depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide, and 1 in 3 people globally suffer from anxiety. Anxiety and depression are often treated with pharmaceutical drugs that can have significant side effects, so it comes as no surprise why CBD, a natural alternative, is growing in popularity. Many CBD products market themselves as “relaxing” and claim to aid anxiety and depression.
Naturally, everybody is getting into the CBD hype and it’s seemingly anti everything-you-don’t-want properties. But it does come with some side effects. Cannabidiol can cause nausea, fatigue, and irritability, as well as potentially interfering with other medications in your bloodstream.
Currently, it is being marketed as a supplement, rather than medicine. And because we don’t know enough about it, it should not be a replacement for traditional medicine. But with the help of a physician, it can be very useful for relieving the symptoms of serious conditions.
Besides being the latest “it” ingredient, making its way into gimmicky products profiting off the hype, CBD has real potential to be here to stay, as more people prefer the natural way over pharmaceuticals that sometimes do more harm than good. Decriminalization has open the door for some much-needed research, to understand its full potential, as well as side and long-term effects. Taboo-aside, we cannot overlook scientific evidence and the potential CBD seems to have, not only as natural medication but to improve the quality of life for many.
Have you tried any CBD products? How do you feel about it? Let us know!
