CBD oil is the substance extracted from cannabis that has been found to have an effect similar to that of medical marijuana. Cannabidiol, also called CBD, is a natural phytocannabinoid found in 1940. It is one of only a handful of known cannabinoids found in marijuana plants and accounts for approximately 40 percent of the cannabis plant's active ingredient. The compound is derived from a non-psychoactive component of hemp, which is called delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol or THC. While there is no known cause of CBD oil's anti-inflammatory effects, researchers believe it may be responsible for its ability to reduce blood pressure. For many years, doctors prescribed medical marijuana in patients with ailments such as epilepsy or Alzheimer's disease, but there are growing concerns about the potential side effects. For example, THC can be converted into delta-9-tetrahydrocannbinol, or simply THC, which is the chemical that makes marijuana so addictive and has adverse psychological effects on people. Scientists are still trying to determine exactly how CBD oil relieves pain, but it does seem that the substance helps lessen the effects of chronic pain. CBD oil has been shown to reduce swelling, itching and inflammation and can even improve mood, depending on the type of ailment being treated. In some scientific studies, CBD was administered by injecting it into the muscle tissue of mice. Mice that were not given any other treatment for a week showed fewer signs of arthritis, a sign that CBD is able to slow the progression of arthritis. In a similar experiment, the mice who received CBD showed less aggressive behavior. There are some drawbacks to medical marijuana, as well. It is illegal to grow or use marijuana in many places, meaning that only the most mature plants are available for medical use. The plant also takes many months to produce a single gram of the drug, so that marijuana users have to have their supply shipped to them in order to get high. Those who suffer from debilitating ailments can try CBD oil in combination with medical marijuana to see if it can be of some benefit. Even if the results are inconclusive, it is encouraging to know that CBD is available in pill form, so patients who cannot smoke can take a supplement instead. Some doctors are now recommending CBD oil for the relief of pain in patients who have chemotherapy or cancer surgery. Research on mice suggests that CBD can help relieve the symptoms of such ailments, but the process of determining the exact effectiveness of CBD will require more research. Even if medical marijuana becomes widely accepted, the use of CBD oil might face opposition from some groups, especially if the substance is seen as a gateway to using more dangerous substances. But CBD is relatively safe, and the research on mice indicates that it is not addictive and poses no long term harm. If doctors can figure out how to produce a pill with all the active ingredients, doctors will be able to provide medical marijuana to people who are trying to use CBD for medicinal purposes.
