Hailed as an effective treatment for sleep disorders, anxiety, addiction, and other medical problems, CBD oil has fueled a billion dollar industry seemingly overnight. In states across the U.S., the once-controversial natural remedy is being infused into gummy bears, baked into muffins, and blended into lattes.

Although there’s no shortage of CBD oil products on the market, there is  deficiency in authoritative information on how CBD works, its benefits and risks, and how it can promote healthy sleep. If you are interested in learning more about CBD oils, this guide will provide unbiased information on the background, benefits, risks, side effects, and legality of this product.

• Crystalline isolate. This type of oil has been purified to remove THC and all other cannabinoids, so only CBD remains.
• Full spectrum or whole plant CBD. When CBD oil is referred to as  full spectrum or whole plant, the product contains other cannabinoids. This could include trace amounts (0.3 percent or less) of THC, along with cannabinol (CBN) and tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV). Some studies have shown that full spectrum CBD may be more efficient due to its synergistic reactions with the terpenes and minor phytocannabinoids present. Keep in mind that the trace amounts of THC in full spectrum CBD oil could compromise a drug test.

Virtually non-existent levels of THC make it impossible to get high on CBD oil that has been extracted from industrial hemp.

Note that in states where marijuana is legal, CBD oil can also be extracted from marijuana plants. When extracted from marijuana plants, CBD oil may have higher levels of THC — as much as 30 percent — and include psychoactive effects.

Cannabidiol and tetrahydrocannabinol are two of the most widely used and best-known of the 100+ compounds in the cannabis genus. While they are extracted from the same family of plant, the two compounds interact with your body in dramatically different ways.

Tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, is a psychoactive compound. By stimulating dopamine release and activating cannabinoid receptors, THC can alter the brain in a variety of ways and induce a “high” or sense of euphoria.

On the other hand, CBD is a non-psychoactive compound and does not induce a high. On its own, CBD can treat health problems like sleeplessness, stress, anxiety, and depression. When combined with THC, CBD may actually minimize the psychotropic effects of THC by inhibiting the THC from binding to cannabis receptors. Research suggests combining the two compounds may help reduce the negative effects of THC, such as paranoia and increased anxiety.

After decades of villainization with the rest of the cannabis industry and scheduled as a narcotic, cannabidiol has only just begun to be researched and understood. Even in the early stages of research, medical scientists have discovered CBD oil could be used to treat a variety of physical and mental ailments.

Specifically, researchers have found CBD oil may be therapeutic for the following physical conditions:

• Cancer. After avoiding cannabinoids for fear of unwanted psychoactive effects, some scientists are becoming increasingly interested in the non-psychoactive CBD oil as a potential anti-cancer drug. Recent research has found that CBD oil and cannabinoids can hinder the spread of cancer and induce the death of cancer cells.
• Heart disease. A growing body of evidence suggests CBD can help treat heart disease and strengthen the cardiovascular system by protecting against inflammation and other damage.
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Studies have named cannabidiol as an effective treatment for IBS because of its ability to control the neuroimmune system, a network of structures connecting the gut microbes, immune system, and central nervous system.
• Glaucoma. Researchers have discovered CBD could potentially be used as a topical therapy to treat glaucoma. CBD and other cannabinoids have been shown to protect neuron cultures from glutamate-induced death.
• Seizures and epilepsy. In recent years, medical researchers have become increasingly interested in CBD as a treatment for seizures and epilepsy, particularly for children. CBD contains anticonvulsant properties like other cannabinoids, in addition to the advantage of being non-psychoactive.
• Acne. Thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, cannabidiol has been introduced to lotions and other skincare products to treat acne.
• Chronic pain. CBD has been demonstrated to help ease pain and inflammation in a variety of chronic pain diseases, including arthritis and multiple sclerosis.

Beyond treating physical conditions, studies show CBD may be able to treat the following mental ailments:

• Sleep disorders. One of the most intriguing properties of cannabidiol is its ability to promote restful sleep. CBD has been used for centuries across many cultures as a sleep aid. Modern research  finds that CBD can help improve sleep in a variety of ways, including regulating sleep patterns, alleviating pain, and reducing stress.
• Anxiety. Mounting evidence shows that cannabidiol may be able to help reduce anxiety symptoms. CBD may be a powerful treatment for a variety of forms of anxiety, including social anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
• Depression. Abnormalities in the endocannabinoid system have been linked to depression and suicide. Research finds that CBD oil can help increase and stabilize the release of serotonin, a natural mood regulator.
• PTSD. Studies find that the endocannabinoid system may be an ideal avenue for treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). CBD oil can be used to help minimize PTSD symptoms, including anxiety, nightmares, and insomnia.
• Stress. Scientific findings link the endocannabinoid system to the regulation of stress and other emotional behaviors.

A review of studies with humans and animals has shown the following risks may be associated with CBD oil:

• Lack of data. While many of the potential benefits of CBD oil have been observed in animals, a limited number of studies have been performed with humans. There is also a lack of data regarding how CBD may affect children or long-term users after several decades.
• Toxicology. Although research shows CBD has a relatively low toxicity, not all potential interactions have been studied. Further research may be warranted on CBD’s effect on hormones, the immune system, and embryonic development.
• Lack of regulation. Due to uncertainties about marijuana legality, there is limited FDA regulation surrounding CBD oil. Lack of regulation means CBD products may vary widely in quality, labeling, purity, and reliability.
• Interactions with other pharmaceuticals. Studies suggest that CBD oil may interact adversely with certain drugs. CBD and other cannabinoids can inhibit the liver enzyme P450, which metabolizes many medications. At certain doses, CBD could impact the metabolization of pharmaceuticals like anti-epileptics, steroids, and antihistamines.
• Overdosing. As with other cannabinoids, there have been no reported fatal overdose levels of CBD oil. Studies show that patients can tolerate quite high doses of cannabidiol. That said, high doses of CBD may increase severity of side effects such as drowsiness and nausea, and an excessive dose of CBD oil may be less effective than a moderate amount.

Side Effects

Some mild to moderate side effects have been observed in humans taking CBD oil. Reported side effects include:

• Changes in weight and appetite. Like other cannabinoids, CBD oil may induce feelings of hunger. An increased appetite can lead to a change in eating patterns, which in turn can result in weight gain.
• Tiredness. A natural sleep remedy, CBD oil may incite feelings of drowsiness. Feelings of tiredness could last for two to six hours, depending on the method of consumption.
• Dizziness. CBD oil may cause a minor drop in blood pressure, resulting in an initial feeling of dizziness or lightheadedness.
• Diarrhea. Diarrhea has been reported as a side effect accompanying high levels of CBD oil. To avoid diarrhea, users are advised to lower their dosage.
• Dry mouth. As with other cannabinoids, CBD oil may interfere with saliva production and cause dry mouth or “cottonmouth”. This condition may lead to feelings of thirst and mild discomfort.

How to take CBD Oil

Amid the CBD oil industry boom, an ever-expanding variety of cannabidiol products are joining the marketplace. Different CBD oil products can be taken in a variety of different ways, including topical application, oral ingestion, sublingual administration, and inhalation. The best method for taking CBD oil may depend on your unique health goals and personal preferences.

Learn more about the four main methods of taking CBD oil below.

Touted for a variety of health benefits, CBD is flooding the marketplace in the form of topicals, edibles, tinctures, and vape oils. If you’re considering purchasing CBD oil, it’s important to consider your health goals to determine the best form of CBD oil for you. For those seeking to promote restful sleep or relieve insomnia, consuming cannabidiol edibles or mixing tinctures into food or beverages is recommended. For more information on cannabinoids and sleep, check out the resources below.