Can CBD Oil Fix Your Skin Problems and Mental Health?

CBD (cannabidiol) oil is everywhere these days. Marketed toward people and even their pets, CBD has only continued to grow in popularity in the past couple of years. Recently many skin care companies also include this ingredient in some of their beauty products, and many supplement companies also market CBD as one of the best supplements for your skin that can improve skin health.

As CBD oil use continues to be adopted by millions of people throughout the country, it’s important to really investigate it and determine whether it does what it says, before you start investing in CBD skincare products.

The ultimate question is: does cannabidiol oil really offer so many health benefits and can it fix all your skin concerns? Or is this just another way of legalizing and making a forbidden drug, manufactured in another form, so it can be legalized and made available everywhere? 

Are there any risks and side effects and how to pick the ones that really work? 

We summarize in our guide below

• Origin of CBD Oil
• Difference between Hemp Oil and CBD Oil
• Benefits for Skin
• Cannabinoid Effects
• Is Cannabidiol Oil legal
• Source of CBD Oil
• How to shop for quality CBD 

First, What Is CBD Oil?

Cannabidiol oil is extracted from the flowers and buds of marijuana and hemp plants. THC, the compound in marijuana that gives you that “high” feeling, is removed from the plants used to make the oil. Thus, CBD oil itself will never make you feel “high” or intoxicated in any way. 

Source of Cannabidiol

The source of CBD is either the hemp plant (male cannabis crop) or the female marijuana plant. It can be derived from both sources. Marijuana contains higher levels of THC, which is the main difference between the two plants. The oil extracted from these sources contains phyto-cannabinoids like cannabidiol and of course other phytochemical compounds.

What About Hemp Oil?

Hemp oil is derived from the male cannabis crop and has low levels of THC (only about 0.3%). It is very high in beneficial fatty acids like omega-3s and omega-6s. These oils are also present in certain foods like salmon, and are considered very beneficial for heart health. One omega-6 fatty acid is gamma linolenic acid, GLA, which is an anti-inflammatory with various benefits for the body, such as alleviating the pain associated with PMS. Hemp oil has also been shown to be helpful in the treating of certain skin conditions like eczema.

The Difference Between Hemp Oil and Cannabidiol Oil

Hemp oil does not contain any cannabinoids like CBD and THC. Though both hemp and marijuana are cannabis plants, they are different in the sense of what they do for the body. Hemp oil has been sold in health food stores for years, because it is like a carrier oil (like sunflower seed oil and jojoba oil, for example) that can be used for cooking. Hemp oil is considered a superfood thanks to its fatty acid content. If you want specific CBD benefits like calming anxiety and reducing pain, you won’t get it from hemp oil.

Benefits of CBD Oil 

CBD (cannabidiol) oil can be helpful for chronic pain, anxiety, stress, acne, depression and heart disease. It might also have anti-cancer, antipsychotic, anti-tumor effects as well as be helpful in treating addiction and diabetes, although more research is needed in humans. Still, many people who use CBD oil can vouch for its effects.

Cannabinoid Effects

1. For pain

The human body produces endocannabinoids, which are neurotransmitters that bind to cannabinoid receptors in the nervous system, and scientists hypothesize that this binding helps reduce chronic pain and inflammation in the body. In studies done on rats, cannabidiol oil was observed to reduce pain from incisions. (1)

2. For anxiety

In one study for social anxiety, a group of people who received 600 mg of CBD oil were significantly less nervous and stressed when having to give a speech later, as opposed to the placebo group. (2)

3. For depression

When it comes to depression, CBD has shown to be effective because it acts on the brain’s receptors for serotonin, which is a neurotransmitter that helps regulate mood. (3)

4. For insomnia

In a piece on CBD oil for Health.harvard.edu, Peter Grinspoon, MD, said, “CBD is commonly used to address anxiety, and for patients who suffer through the misery of insomnia, studies suggest that CBD may help with both falling asleep and staying asleep.” (4)

5. For seizures/epilepsy 

The strongest evidence for CBD’s health benefits actually have to do with successfully treating seizures in • children. It is particularly effective for treating Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, which have been resistant to anti-seizure medication. (5)

CBD oil side effects

Side effects of CBD oil may include diarrhea, changes in appetite and fatigue. Before you start taking CBD oil, consult with your doctor because it may interact with certain medications. 

Using CBD Oil for Your Skin

CBD oil is non-comedogenic, meaning it won’t clog pores or exacerbate acne. It is also an anti-inflammatory. In fact, it has shown promise in being able to help treat acne. It has shown further promise in alleviation of eczema symptoms.

1. Reduce Inflammation

CBD oil helps relieve inflammation by inhibiting cell proliferation, preventing cytokine (molecules that regulate immunity and inflammation) production and suppressing T-regulatory cells (cells that regulate the immune system and prevent autoimmune diseases). (6)

2. Cannabidiol Oil for Acne

One study showed that CBD oil prevents oil glands from producing excess sebum (oil), helps curb inflammation and prevents the activation of inflammatory cytokines, which can trigger infection and pimple formation. However, this was a test-tube study and human studies are needed. (7)

3. Treat Eczema and Dermatitis

There are receptors in skin that interact with CBD, and could potentially help reduce certain symptoms of eczema like itching. Since CBD exhibits anti-inflammatory properties, it can relieve the inflammation that is such a key indicator of atopic dermatitis. (8)

4. CBD Psoriasis Treatment

Psoriasis is an autoimmune skin condition. Thanks to CBD’s ability to suppress certain cells that regulate the immune system, it stands to reason that it can help with psoriasis treatment as well. It can also slow down cell growth, which is important because psoriasis causes cells to build up too rapidly resulting in itchy scales on the skin. (9)

Can CBD Oil Help Aging Skin Stimulate Collagen Production? 

At this point, more human studies are needed to determine exactly how the best CBD oil have an impact on stimulating collagen production and skin rejuvenation. Of course, it is important to note that certain animal studies have been promising. Collagen peptides, on the other hand, has been extensively studied. Many studies have shown improvement in skin density, firmness and hydration.  Collagen is the protein that keeps skin firm and tight (preventing the appearance of wrinkles and sagging), but that deteriorates as we age and as we expose ourselves to the sun’s UVA/UVB rays.

Taut’s Liquid Collagen Advanced Formula is a great way to stimulate your skin collagen production. Does drinking collagen work? This potent product includes marine collagen as well as other superstar ingredients like grape seed extract, which is a very powerful antioxidant that prevents the type of free radical damage that leads to skin cell damage and accelerated aging. This formula also helps hydrate skin from within to further promote youthfulness and glow. With regular use, you will find that your skin appears more supple and lifted.

Is CBD Legal?

CBD is legal in certain states where marijuana is also legal for recreation or medicinal use. Meanwhile, other states where marijuana is not yet legal, like Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama, among others, there are laws that regulate CBD oil use. Many of them allow CBD use for certain conditions like seizures. (10)

How to Shop for CBD Oil

CBD oil is so popular that it is now manufactured by many companies, and there isn’t necessarily a lot of quality control. Furthermore, there are so many different ways to extract CBD oil, and different grades, that it is almost difficult to know which one is a better product with greater efficacy. Thus, it’s important to do some research and homework before you take the plunge and buy some type of CBD oil.

1. Know The Source

To find out the source of the CBD oil you’re thinking of purchasing, you can ask the company where they obtain the cannabis plants that is used to produce CBD oil. If they obtain the plants directly from farmers, that is best as opposed to if they go to a wholesale provider.

2. How It’s Extracted

CO2 (carbon dioxide) extraction is typically the standard method of extracting CBD. It involves using pressurized CO2 to extract the substance before compressing it into a cold liquid state. CO2 extraction helps preserve the purity of CBD.

3. Study The Grade And Potency

Check that the CBD oil you’re purchasing only contains 0.3% THC (the compound that gives you that marijuana “high”). Also, check the ingredients list. An ingredient list that contains mostly natural substances is best. If you can’t identify the ingredients, you can do a quick online search to find out what those ingredients are exactly.

4. Is The Company Legitimate?

One thing to do when purchasing CBD oil is to ask whether the product has been studied by a third party laboratory. If it has, you will be able to find paperwork that states as much. Because many companies have sprung up that sell CBD, many of them are just riding the wave and using good marketing strategy to sell low-quality products. A third party lab’s testing can help you weed out the bad apples.

Lastly, make sure to do your homework before you try any CBD oil. It is better to be safe than sorry.