Give Your Joint Health a Boost with a Touch of CBD

Many millions of Americans will experience some kind of poor joint health, particularly as they age. Prolonged joint problems can lead to difficulty walking and moving around, and may require medication or even surgical intervention. 

As an alternative, natural therapies have increased in popularity in recent years, CBD has emerged as a potential relief or symptoms associated with poor joint health. It is not intended as a cure for any underlying condition but may help to reduce inflammation and support overall joint health via this method. 

So, what is CBD? Where has it come from? How does it work? 

CBD: what is it? 

Cannabidiol, or CBD, is one of many compounds found naturally in the cannabis plant. CBD can be extracted from the plant and used for other purposes. In recent years it has become incredibly well-known, and the market for CBD products has exploded, but the compound was actually discovered a long time ago. 

History has shown that burial mounds from as far back as 3000BC contained small amounts of charred cannabis seeds. It was also used by Ancient Chinese royalty and even Queen Victoria! George Washington used to grow hemp on his plantation. 

However, marijuana has had a long and complex relationship with the law, and the resulting stigma associated with its use has caused many to question if it is, in fact, useful. However, what cannot be denied is that the human body has an entire network of receptors that interact exclusively with cannabinoid compounds – the endocannabinoid system. 

The endocannabinoid system is comprised of two types of receptors: CB1 and CB2. The CB1 receptors are mostly located in the brain and help to regulate mood, appetite, memory, and coordination. CB2 receptors are found in the immune system and help to regulate immune response, pain, and inflammation. 

While THC interacts with CB1 receptors and is therefore psychoactive, CBD interacts with CB2 receptors. It does this by helping the body to produce more of its own natural cannabinoids. This is why it can help to support healthy joint function; by reducing inflammation. 

What causes joints to become inflamed? 

Inflammation is caused when the body’s immune response is triggered unnecessarily. When this happens, chemicals from the white blood cells are released into the blood and tissues to protect the body from invading substances.

This increases the blood flow to the area and can result in swelling, redness, and the area feeling warm to the touch. Most people who are experiencing inflammation will also experience pain, as the increased blood and substances in the area cause irritation. Prolonged inflammation may also cause joint cartilage to wear down. 

As well as redness, swelling, and pain, other symptoms of inflammation include joint stiffness and loss of joint function. You may also experience more general symptoms such as fever, fatigue, headaches, muscle stiffness, chills, or loss of appetite. 

CBD and Joint Health 

While CBD’s exact mechanism of action remains largely unknown, its ability to interact with cannabinoid receptors that control inflammation and immune response mean it has the potential to support healthy joint function even as we age. It activates the vanilloid receptor, which controls inflammation, and blocks the GPR55 receptor, which controls how the nervous system responds to harmful stimuli. 

CBD is also thought to prevent the absorption of an endocannabinoid called anandamide. This is the body’s most prevalent natural cannabinoid and controls the body’s response to inflammation. As CBD prevents the body from absorbing anandamide, it leads to higher levels in the bloodstream and may reduce inflammation this way. 

Another endocannabinoid, adenosine, is also responsible for suppressing inflammation. CBD also reduces the absorption of adenosine and leads to higher levels in the bloodstream. This reduces inflammation. 

Legality 

Although CBD is increasingly widely available right across the United States, whether or not it is legal is still a complicated issue.  

One of the primary reasons that marijuana remains illegal in several states is the presence of THC, or tetrahydro cannabidiol, which is the other primary compound found in the plant. It is THC that causes the feeling of being ‘high.’ CBD, by contrast, is non-psychoactive and does not have the same effect. So even if marijuana isn’t legal, is CBD legal? 

Since the Marijuana Tax Act of 1937 that made the use and sale of all marijuana products illegal, and the following Controlled Substances Act, several states have made steps to legalize cannabis for either medical or, in some cases, recreational use. 

As a general rule, CBD products that contain even small amounts of THC remain illegal at the federal level. However, CBD products that contain no THC are potentially legal to use even in states that have not legalized marijuana. 

The 2018 Farm Bill, an update of an earlier 2014 law, made cultivating hemp legal across the country as long as it is produced under regulations stipulated by the bill. Hemp – the plant from which most CBD is derived – is now, therefore, effectively legal at the federal level. 

To sum up – whether or not a CBD product is legal depends on where you are, what your local laws are, and how the product has been produced. If you are not sure, or can’t find out the right information about a product, avoid it and move on. It’s not worth the risk. 

Side Effects 

While CBD is generally considered to be safe to use, not everyone will react to it in the same way. If you are already taking certain prescription medications, you will need to ask your doctor about potential interactions that could cause problems. 

As CBD is a natural product that interacts with the body’s natural systems, most people will not experience any side effects. However, some side effects that may occur include tiredness, fatigue, diarrhea, changes in appetite, and weight loss or gain. It is also believed that CBD may interfere with an enzyme that helps the liver break down toxins and may, therefore, increase the risk of liver toxicity. 

There is currently no evidence that states that CBD has any addictive properties or that it fosters any kind of chemical dependency. 

There is also the possibility that taking CBD can cause you to feel drowsy. If your day to day life involves any activities where drowsiness could be dangerous, such as driving, taking care of others, or operating heavy machinery, you should take this into account when making a decision about CBD.

It might be a good idea to take a few days out of your responsibilities and see how your body responds; if you feel drowsy, it might not be for you. It’s also important to take this potential side effect into account if you are already taking other medications to aid sleep. 

Understanding Dosing 

Before purchasing a CBD product, you need to make sure you understand the concentration of CBD the product contains. The concentration of CBD present indicates how potent the product is.

CBD oils are generally the most potent and are taken orally by placing a small amount of the oil under the tongue and holding it there for up to a minute before swallowing. These work best for people who have widespread joint issues. 

CBD edibles or food/beverage products are also a good fit for people with widespread problems. However, these aren’t ideal for people who need instant relief as they need to be digested before the effects are felt. It can take up to two hours, but the effects do generally last longer than other CBD products. You can also choose capsules if you’d prefer. 

If you need to work on more specific areas, a CBD topical product such as a cream or salve is probably a better bet. These products are simply massaged right into the skin where you need them. CBD is also readily available as bath products, which are simply dissolved in bath water and offer relief as you soak. 

Because of the ongoing lack of federal regulations around CBD, there is almost no information out there about what constitutes the correct dose. If you are beginning a new CBD regimen, it’s a good idea to start with a very low dose and see what happens. If you need more, you can add more – but do it gradually, so you gain an understanding of how the product and your body are responding to each other. 

In the last few years, the CBD market has exploded with new products, but its complicated legal status means that these new products are unregulated, and some contain less CBD than the label states or even none at all.

Some may even contain other substances that could cause negative reactions. You should look for user reviews before buying anything. Try https://whatiscbdoil.health/zilis-ultra-burn-review/ 

As CBD becomes even more widely available, and its legal status continues to change, it is possible that guidelines for dosing will appear.

Until then, caution is absolutely essential – even though CBD is not psychoactive and does not cause dependency, that doesn’t mean you want to be taking any more than is necessary.  

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