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This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at UFL chapter.

In today’s world, there’s always a new medical phenomenon being discovered. It seems like one of the most recent movements has been toward natural remedies for health issues. One product that I find really fascinating is CBD oil. When asking around, I found that most people hadn’t even heard of CBD. In an age where natural supplements are the norm, I think CBD is an important one to learn about.

So, what is CBD?

Some are taken by surprise when they find out that CBD is one of the chemicals found in cannabis. It seems as if it would be a mind-altering drug, but it’s not. The oil extracted is actually very safe. According to USA Today, “CBD, one of the more than 100 chemicals in cannabis, is emerging as a popular wellness ingredient/” This is exactly what I had heard the first time I heard about CBD oil. When it emerged as a new fad, I heard many claims that it helped with anxiety and calmness, which I found extremely interesting. There are so many natural supplements available to soothe anxiety, but it’s really difficult to know which ones actually work. This is why CBD is a really cool thing to talk to about.

When I first found out about CBD, my good friend told me that her mom sells the oil at her boutique in New York, so I decided to talk to her to get another opinion.

“CBD is probably the most important breakthrough for the coming years. It has helped so many people naturally without the help of big pharmaceuticals. The U.S. is far behind, and in the next couple years, it’s going to be the big thing.” she said. I really enjoyed getting her perspective as someone who took a chance on this product. This is just one opinion that helped me get a better understanding.

The benefits

In order to understand the benefits, I dug into some research in relation to a study posted on the U.S. National Library of Medicine titled “Cannabidiol (CBD) as a Potential Treatment for Anxiety Disorders.” The study supports the idea that CBD helps with anxiety. CBD can also help treat pain, epilepsy and other neurological disorders. Overall, it can be beneficial for a variety of issues.

How to use CBD oil

According to The CBD Oil Review, CBD can be ingested through liquid, smoked or used as a topical treatment. There are also drinks such as Kombucha teas that can be infused with CBD. The review includes the pros and cons of the different ways CBD can be consumed. Some methods work quickly, while others take a while to settle into a person’s system. In addition, some methods are better than others for specific types of diseases. I have heard a lot about using the oil under your tongue, as well. If you choose to use CBD oil, it’s important to research which way will work best for you. None of them are shown to be harmful. However, a particular method may work at a better pace for you.

Are there side effects?

It seems that many medications tend to help us but end up having annoying side effects. Most anti-depressants are helpful in the long run but can have negative side effects such as nausea. These side effects can be discouraging when deciding what to take. One promising thing about CBD is that you can’t overdose. You should only take the suggested amount, of course, but it won’t be harmful in that way. According to Heathline, side effects may include changes in appetite, diarrhea and fatigue, but these are not guaranteed. It’s also important to make sure CBD won’t negatively interact with other medications you are taking. Overall, though, CBD is considered to be a safe, natural oil.

An article published by NPR details the medical breakthroughs with Dr. Esther Blessing, a psychiatrist and researcher at NYU. He found CBD in particular to be very interesting. In April 2018, Blessing had planned a clinical trial to see if CBD oil would help PTSD, as well as alcohol disorder. He was afraid that his results were a bit off, but the Food and Drug Administration confirmed the possible benefits and “recommended approval of the first pharmaceutical grade CBD, called Epidiolex, to treat severe seizure disorders in children.” I find it to be a very promising medical break-through that something as severe as seizures can possibly be treated through a natural substance.

A consensus

There’s clear evidence that CBD is helpful for many different things. Since it’s a newer finding, some may be skeptical. I find it comforting that it’s natural. Studies are still being done and will continue to be done. Personally, I’m a big advocate of natural products. If I’m able to use something natural to help my sicknesses, I do it. We also don’t have to worry that it comes from cannabis, if that’s a concern for anyone. It doesn’t provide the kind of effects that medical marijuana would if that isn’t something a person treated would want. It’s very safe. Researchers are doing all that they can because it seems to be something that can help in the future. From what I’ve seen and heard, CBD is here to stick around.