Mailbag! Your CBD Questions ANSWERED
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted December 14, 2021
What CBD would you recommend? I’ve read lots about the benefits and I’d love to get started.
–Roberta from College Park, MD
Hi Roberta,
CBD (or cannabidiol) is an extract from the cannabis plant (marijuana) that doesn’t get you high.
And, yes, the health benefits are amazing!
Here’s what some research is showing CBD can do:
- Pain. Early research has shown promising results for CBD and chronic pain. Some studies have even shown that CBD can reduce joint inflammation, the pain that comes from inflammation, and may be beneficial for people with arthritis. One trial, in particular, of 58 patients with rheumatoid arthritis showed it could improve pain and sleep quality.
- Anxiety and depression. Anxiety and depression are closely related, as anxiety often leads to depression,. CBD has the ability to activate serotonin (a brain neurotransmitter) which regulates mood, sleep, and even appetite. Many studies have shown CBD’s ability to notably reduce anxiety and depression.
- Cancer. Many people use CBD oil to ease cancer symptoms or to help cope with the side effects of cancer drugs (including nausea). But CBD may also be beneficial in inhibiting the progression of many types of cancer including breast, lung, and prostate cancers.
- Epilepsy. Perhaps CBD’s greatest contribution has been in the area of epilepsy – or at least the most famous. A specific CBD extract called Charlotte’s Web has been shown to help epilepsy specifically in children. And a Johns Hopkins study showed that CBD can help folks on anti-epilepsy medicine tolerate it better.
- Antipsychotic. Many more studies need to be done, but CBD appears to have antipsychotic properties which can help people with schizophrenia and Parkinson’s disease.
- Substance abuse. It’s a bit strange to talk about using a drug to get off another drug, but CBD actually counteracts the activity of many drugs, including marijuana, alcohol, and even opioids.
- Diabetes and heart disease. The consistent use of CBD has been shown to improve diabetes and cardiovascular disease Because of CBD’s anti-inflammatory and blood sugar regulating properties, consistently using CBD has shown to be beneficial for those struggling with diabetes and/or heart disease.
But now the real question: how do you know if you’re purchasing a quality CBD product? Because, the truth is, not all CBD products are created equal.
I’ve heard it from a lot of people who come to see me… they tell me they have tried CBD, but it didn’t seem to work.
To me, that just means that they haven’t gotten a good enough product.
I have three things I look for when I am choosing a CBD product: concentration, water solubility, and third-party testing.
First off, a good CBD product has to be water-soluble… which simply means, it dissolves in water. This is essential if the CBD is going to move from your digestive tract and into your blood stream.
Secondly, it must be concentrated. All of the top research uses highly-concentrated forms of CBD.
And, lastly, you need a product that’s been thoroughly tested by a third party. This means that someone other than the company selling you the product looks at it and sees that the product in the bottle lives up to the claims it has on the label. ConsumerLab.com is a great resource where you can look up any supplement, including CBD products, to find honest third-party reviews.
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
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