are seeing deeper relief with topical applications. With the overwhelming lack of scientific studies and clinical trials available, people who are experiencing a lack of relief from traditional options are trying CBD as a remedy and finding results. The Arthritis Foundation conducted a poll of its community and discovered that 29 percent currently use CBD in a liquid or topical form and reported improvement in physical pain, stiffness, and function.
Promoting skin health and beauty
Inflammation is one of the largest contributors to skin stress or conditions, so CBD is showing promise in topical applications for the treatment of conditions like eczema, acne, psoriasis, and dryness. Early studies and a new clinical trial are indicating that synthetic CBD specifically is proving beneficial in the treatment of acne. (You can read more about synthetic CBD in Chapter 2.) The antifungal and antimicrobial properties of CBD also lend themselves to addressing skin concerns.
CBD isn’t believed to bond with the endocannabinoid receptors in the ECS system (which involves your body’s internal human cannabinoids, chemicals in hemp and cannabis). It does interact with the receptors, and a whole host of other receptors, including the vanilloid and gamma receptors I discuss in the earlier section “Relieving pain and physical ailments.” The vanilloid receptor is responsible for balance (homeostasis) in the skin. The gamma receptor is responsible for cell regulation, including inflammation relief.
STARTING WITHIN TO ADDRESS ROOT CAUSES
Westernized individuals often have the urge to hide or suppress symptoms, which only perpetuates the larger disease or issue. For anyone looking to topical CBD for skin relief from external stressors, I suggest turning inward first. Think about the potential internal and psychological root causes. For example, if you break out in hives each time your judgmental in-laws come to visit, perhaps that isn’t a coincidence. Try to accurately identify your stressors and then use the topicals as a secondary point of skin relief.
Looking at the Pros and Cons of Supplementing with CBD
CBD is to homeopathic supplements what Madonna was to the ’80s: It’s just hit after hit with widespread groups of people. The diverse nature of CBD, and the considerable variety of systems within the body capable of interacting with it, makes it incredibly compatible with a wide scope of needs. Because of these chameleonlike qualities, supplementing with CBD may well be beneficial for many individuals. Supplementing not just in terms of complementing and layering with your other (compatible) treatments, but also taking it as a general support to your existing health and wellness regime to maintain a level of balance — as a preventative — potentially staving off any pending conditions.
Adjusting to daily use
Because CBD comes in so many forms and has so many uses, incorporating it into daily life can be quite simple. After all, building a routine takes only 21 days!
Personally, I’ve found that as a supplement, just 10 milligrams of CBD twice a day does the trick for me. I take a tincture under the tongue or add it to my morning beverage. Then I dose myself again as the early evening approaches. You can use gummies, capsules, or even snacks the same way.
Acknowledging potential drawbacks
Every single body and operating system is different. What works for you may not work for others and in fact may really harm another person. The CBD itself isn’t the only factor; you also have to consider the carrier, the packaging, the extraction process, and the consumption process. Everything matters.
That said, data is still limited. Remember to tell your doctor(s) about all the supplements, medicines, and self-medication that are part of your world, even if you don’t use them regularly. As I note in the following section, CBD and other medications aren’t always compatible, so doctors need to know what they’re working with. Fully commit to full disclosure, even if you think that the item isn’t significant enough to share or that the doctor may judge you.
Checking how CBD interacts with medication
Maybe the single most important consideration is how the body metabolizes medications. The process of breaking down your medications is an intimate part of how the medications themselves were designed to be efficient.
CBD and other cannabinoids are metabolized by various enzymes. Among those enzymes is one specifically responsible for metabolizing almost 60 percent of clinically prescribed medications. That single enzyme can be inhibited by CBD. When this single enzyme isn’t functioning optimally, it can’t break down the other medications in your body properly, potentially compromising the function of the medicines.
Taking responsibility for being informed
Like with anything new, you must pay attention and be responsible for anything you’re introducing into your routines. Currently, CBD isn’t part of a regulated market (much like supplements in general) so knowing whether you’re getting what you think you are is hard. (That’s why knowing what to buy, how to read labels, and so forth is important; I cover those topics in Chapter 6.)
If you’re supplementing, you must be aware of all the other things you may encounter: reactions and side effects to just through repeated use. For instance, I have used coconut oil and MCT oil (a supplement made from medium-chain triglycerides, a type of fat) for at least ten years, on and off, in recipes. When I started supplementing with CBD, I consumed at least 1.5 milliliters of MCT oil daily for over two years. At some point, I noticed a little scratchy feeling in my throat. I had developed a minor allergy to the MCT oil, which I was able to uncover by testing CBD in other carrier oils.
Weighing the Risks and Challenges of General CBD Use
Many of the perceived risks of CBD use are based on misconceptions and misinformation (as I discuss in