The 7 CBD Oil Uses and Benefits That Are Most Popular

person Larry Ostrovsky
calendar_today Jan 06, 2021

CBD oil is a popular product for millions of people all over the world. One Gallup poll in 2019 discovered that 14% of Americans had used CBD products, and that number is rapidly increasing as more and more people experience the benefits of CBD oil for themselves. [1]

Why is CBD oil so popular? Is it because of its many uses, its numerous health benefits, or something else? Or maybe all of the above?

In this article, we’ll discover the different CBD oil uses and benefits.

Let’s start with a simple explanation—what is CBD?

1. CBD, Simplified
2. Making CBD Oil
3. Types of CBD Oil
3.1 Full-Spectrum CBD Oil
3.2 Broad-Spectrum CBD Oil
3.3 CBD Isolate
4. Benefits and Uses of CBD Oil
4.1 Anxiety
4.2 Addiction
4.3 Chronic Pain
4.4 Sleep Disorders
4.5 Acne
4.6 Cardiovascular Issues
4.7 Inflammation
5. How to Dose CBD Oil Properly for the Best CBD Benefits
6. Conclusion: CBD Oil Uses and Benefits

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1. CBD, Simplified

Cannabidiol, or CBD, is one of the two most prevalent compounds found in the Cannabis sativa L. plant. Together with tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, the compounds are responsible for providing multiple benefits to countless people. [2]

Although CBD and THC are present in the same plant, they’re not at all identical.

CBD is free from the famous psychoactive properties that the cannabis plant provides for recreational users. In other words, it won’t get you “high,” regardless of the way you consume it. However, it does guarantee that the benefits of CBD will be present in your body. (Click to tweet)

CBD is one of the most well-known compounds of the Cannabis sativa L. plant.

RELATED: What Is CBD?

Here’s the important question:

Why does CBD have such a positive effect on our brain?

It’s because of our endocannabinoid system, which regulates multiple functions in our bodies, such as: [3]

cognitive functionalities
pregnancy
appetite
mood
memory
and more

The ECS consists of three major components: endocannabinoids, receptors, and enzymes. There are two types of receptors present in our bodies: CB1 and CB2. The CB1 receptors are mostly found in our central nervous system, while CB2’s are located in the peripheral nervous system.

You may be wondering:

How is any of this related to CBD?

CBD and our bodies enhance each other.

Once inside our bodies, CBD interacts with these receptors; by doing so, it releases all of its positive effects. Therefore, our biological systems enhance the effects of CBD.

There are many forms of CBD, but CBD oil is one of the most popular and the most commonly used.

2. Making CBD Oil

To truly harness CBD oil benefits, an agricultural procedure needs to take place—and this was made legal in 2018.

Two years ago, the Farm Bill was accepted. With this bill, the hemp plant was legally categorized as a separate plant from marijuana in the U.S. Hemp is also in the Cannabis sativa L. plant family, but it contains 0.3% or less THC, making it a perfectly legal substance. [4]

Hemp plants are used for CBD oil extraction. The recipe is quite simple—use plants high in CBD and related cannabinoids and terpenes and respect THC’s legal limits.

Hemp plants are used for CBD oil extraction.

Some of the most popular methods for extracting CBD oil are CO₂ extraction, ethanol extraction, hydrocarbon extraction, and lipid extraction. Each of these methods is equally efficient in extracting CBD oil, but the CO₂ process is the most popular. [5]

Whether extracting THC or CBD, the use of carbon dioxide creates a healthier and cleaner product. Unlike solvents such as butane, CO₂ extraction creates no dangerous chemical residues.

Additionally, CO₂ extraction is better for the environment, as CO₂ is a natural gas. Therefore, if any CO₂ escapes during the extraction process, it’s harmless. CO₂ can also be recycled, making this form of extraction much more sustainable. As CO₂ is non-toxic, it’s safe to work with and has been labeled as such by the FDA, posing no health risks to people working in the CBD extraction industry.

Here at SOL*CBD, we use CO₂ extraction to procure the CBD for all of our premium CBD products. Once the entire extraction process is complete, the result is a CBD oil that can be used for multiple purposes.

3. Types of CBD Oil

If you plan to discover CBD oil’s benefits, you must first understand the different CBD oil types.

A long time ago, there was only one type of CBD oil—the isolate variety. However, with its lightning-fast technological developments, the CBD industry reached a point where multiple forms of CBD oil were made.

There are three types of CBD oil: full-spectrum, broad spectrum, and CBD isolate.

At the moment, there are three types of CBD oil: [6]

full-spectrum CBD oil
CBD isolate
broad-spectrum CBD oil

Let’s look at the differences between them.

3.1 Full-Spectrum CBD Oil

Full-spectrum CBD oil is an unfiltered version of CBD oil. It contains all the other components a Cannabis sativa L. plant would have, including THC and fatty acids. (Click to tweet)

Many scientists believe that CBD’s effect is enhanced by omega-3 and omega-6, the healthy fatty acids, alongside the rest of the vitamins and minerals found in the Cannabis sativa L. plant.

Full-spectrum CBD products are closer to what nature intended, as they contain multiple compounds derived from the Cannabis sativa L. plant. In addition to more than 100 compounds including CBD and THC, there are many flavonoids and terpenes present in the Cannabis sativa L. plant.

Full-spectrum products contain traces of the flavonoids, compounds, and terpenes, and all of these ingredients work in synergy to enhance the overall beneficial effects on the mind and body. This phenomenon is known as the “Entourage Effect,” and it’s the reason that we create full-spectrum CBD products for our customers.

3.2 Broad-Spectrum CBD Oil

Broad-spectrum CBD oil is what people call “a golden mean.” This type of CBD oil contains all the cannabinoids from the Cannabis sativa L. plant, except for the THC.

In a nutshell, it’s a full-spectrum CBD oil without the THC.

Broad-spectrum CBD oil is an excellent choice for anyone who likes to reap the benefits of the Cannabis sativa L. plant, like vitamins, minerals, and acids, but without consuming any THC. It’s a perfect choice for athletes and people dealing with severe medical conditions who can’t consume THC, as it provides the benefits but without the “high” effect.

3.3 CBD Isolate

Isolate CBD oil can contain CBD of up to 99%.

As the name says itself, this CBD oil is made exclusively of CBD. Isolate CBD oil can contain CBD of up to 99%. All the other natural ingredients, like acids, fats, and cannabinoids—including THC—are extracted from the oil, and the result is a near-pristine CBD oil. [7]

Now that you know more about the different types of CBD oils, let’s explore their benefits.

4. Benefits and Uses of CBD Oil

CBD oil is found to be extremely useful in alleviating and improving the following health problems:

4.1 Anxiety

CBD oil acts as one of the best remedies for anxiety, and one of its first detected benefits is CBD’s calming effect when reducing high levels of stress. (Click to tweet)

In the last few years, there were multiple studies completed to support this theory. One study from 2015 by the journal Neurotherapeutics proved that animals’ anxiety levels were significantly lowered by consuming CBD oil. [8]

Lower doses of CBD are excellent for treating symptoms of anxiety. This is due to CBD’s effect on the brain, acting as an agonist and enhancing positive responses.

Here’s more evidence:

In 2019, a study was published in the Brazilian Journal of Psychiatry that explored this topic. During the study, 57 participants were given CBD oil right before a public speaking event. All of them reported a lower level of anxiety as well as lower blood pressure and heart rate. [9]

CBD can help lower anxiety, blood pressure, and heart rate.

RELATED: CBD Oil for Relieving Anxiety

4.2 Addiction

As a result of its non-psychoactive properties, CBD can be used as a remedy for dealing with addiction.

In 2015, a study was published in the Sage Journal containing 14 other reviews—nine of them were conducted on animals and five on humans. All of the reviews had one central topic to explore: can we use CBD oil to treat addiction and addiction-related behavior? [10]

The results showed multiple benefits for treating addiction with CBD, demonstrating that CBD may act as a remedy for cocaine, psychostimulants, or opioid addictions. Some of the studies even showed that CBD could also help deal with tobacco addiction, but further research needs to be completed in this area.

CBD can help treat and overcome addiction.

4.3 Chronic Pain

Medical marijuana is often used to treat people living with chronic pain. CBD, as part of the Cannabis sativa L. family, has contributed to that fight.

However, more studies related to CBD are conducted on animals than humans, and the results are questionable. Animal studies indicated that CBD increases the serotonin levels in the brain, which automatically increases pain tolerance.

CBD for pain relief.

One case study was performed on 47 people diagnosed with multiple sclerosis who reported that after combining CBD and THC, they experienced fewer muscle spasms and less pain while walking.

One of the benefits of CBD oil is that it can decrease pain intensity with its anti-inflammatory properties. However, more studies are necessary to prove its effect on specific medical conditions.

CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties can decrease pain intensity.

RELATED: CBD Oil and Pain Management

4.4 Sleep Disorders

CBD can help many people experiencing sleeping problems, and plenty of studies support this theory. (Click to tweet)

One particular study, published in 2019 by The Permanente Journal, monitored 72 adults with sleeping issues. Within the first month of using CBD oil to treat sleep issues, 48 patients reported decreased sleeping problems. [11]

Only three patients reported intolerance to CBD, which is not only uncommon but quite rare!

CBD can help many people experiencing sleeping problems.

4.5 Acne

More and more companies expand CBD oil uses by adding CBD to skincare products. CBD has an extremely positive effect on the skin, especially if you’re dealing with moderate or aggressive acne problems. (Click to tweet)

Living with acne is a bigger problem than having just a few zits—it can be detrimental to self-confidence.

Luckily, CBD can help.

In 2014, a study that explored the effect CBD had on the skin found out that with regular use of CBD, the creation of sebum is significantly decreased. CBD does this by preventing the sebocytes from creating too much sebum, which is the first cause of acne. With its anti-inflammatory characteristics, CBD prevents the activation of the cytokines, which are known as acne triggers. [12]

CBD helps alleviate and prevent acne and its triggers.

4.6 Cardiovascular Issues

Some studies indicate that CBD could help to reduce blood pressure. In 2017, a study treated nine healthy males with a single 600 mg dose of CBD oil. As the study concluded, it revealed that all of the participants’ blood pressure was reduced in comparison to a placebo. [13]

The same study exposed the men to stress tests that typically increase blood pressure. The men who had taken 600 mg of CBD oil had a smaller increase in blood pressure than normal to these tests.

Some researchers have suggested that the anxiety- and stress-reducing properties of CBD are responsible for its ability to help decrease blood pressure.

Several animal studies have shown that CBD oil could reduce cell death and inflammation associated with heart disease thanks to its powerful stress-reducing properties.

4.7 Inflammation

CBD can reduce inflammation caused by arthritis and other chronic conditions.

CBD could be an excellent resource in the battle against inflammatory conditions. A 2015 study from the European Journal of Pain discovered when testing animals that when applied to the skin, CBD lowered pain and inflammation caused by arthritis. [14]

Another study back in 2009 demonstrated how CBD can inhibit both neuropathic and inflammatory pain, which are two of the hardest forms of pain to treat. [15]

Although more human studies are needed in this area, the relationship between CBD and inflammation looks promising for the future of pain management in humans. This also means that CBD could potentially be beneficial in helping with the effects of coronavirus as an anti-inflammatory. [16]

5. How to Dose CBD Oil Properly for the Best CBD Benefits

Now that you know the benefits of using CBD oil, we only have one more thing to cover: proper doses.

Here is the lowdown:

CBD dosage depends on several factors, including age, weight, gender, and CBD tolerance.

If you’re new to CBD, it’s always better to start with low doses and notice the effect CBD will have on your mind and body. Also, be sure to check the CBD concentration, which should be written on the label of your CBD oil product. A lower concentration of CBD in your oil will require a few more drops to reach the desired effect.

Starting small and gradually increasing your CBD dosage is key.

For example, in clinical studies, scientists used CBD dosage ranging from 100–800 mg per day.

Starting small and gradually increasing your CBD dosage is how we recommend moving forward with CBD usage. Of course, it’s always best to consult with a medical professional before incorporating CBD oil into your daily routine.

RELATED: CBD Dosage for Inflammation

6. Conclusion: CBD Oil Uses and Benefits

Nowadays, there’s truly no debate regarding the benefits of CBD oil. More and more studies are being conducted on human participants, and the future looks promising for CBD as an all-around well-being supplement. (Click to tweet)

Depending on your lifestyle and needs, there are some fantastic alternatives to CBD oil as well. These can include capsules, skincare infusions, balms, and sleep formulas, each with CBD as their active ingredient.

With countless CBD uses currently, we have yet to discover even more benefits of CBD oil that will hopefully help a lot of people live happier, healthier lives.

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