2 Major Health Benefits of CBD and 4 Things to Keep in Mind when Buying CBD products

CBD or Cannabidiol is extracted from the hemp plant and is very beneficial for the human body. It offers a myriad of health benefits including reducing pain and anxiety, improving cardiovascular health, improving your concentration level, etc.

CBD is a bit different from many types of marijuana. Some types of marijuana have psychoactive effects which can give a high sensation. Whereas, CBD is a non-psychoactive compound.

1. CBD helps act against superbugs

A new study conducted by researchers in Brisbane, Australia has shown that CBD has promising antimicrobial activity against some strains of Gram-positive bacteria, such as varieties of strep and staph bacteria.

In the study, a synthetic form of CBD was placed in lab dishes containing the bugs being investigated. The cannabis compound showed the same level of antimicrobial activity as two existing prescription antibiotics (daptomycin and vancomycin). The synthetic CBD even went as far as killing some strains of strep and staph bacteria that no longer responded to the two prescription antibiotics.

Additionally, the synthetic compound also acted against bacterial biofilms. These biofilms are formed when proteins are secreted by bacteria on surfaces. Such surfaces can become slippery, and the resulted infections are very difficult to treat. The in vitro tests showed that CBD can combat such biofilms.

In spite of all these, the researchers have cautioned that people should not start treating themselves against infections using CBD since this research was an in vitro (in test tubes) study and the findings aren’t a guarantee that similar results will be observed in humans.

2. CBD can improve your concentration levels and focus better

Whether you are a professional or not, your ability to focus can have a great impact on your life.

CBD is chemically similar to your body’s endocannabinoids. They interact with your cannabinoid receptors, which can result in the release of neurotransmitters. These neurotransmitters are responsible for relaying messages across a chemical synapse and have roles in immune function, pain, stress, and sleep.

In the brain, dopamine is in charge of focus, memory and regulating body movements. If dopamine levels are low, you will face problems in focusing. CBD can increase dopamine levels and helps in enhancing focusing. Other cannabis compounds like THC can also help in enhancing focus but it has some side effects as well.

CBD also helps in enhancing focus by maintaining serotonin levels. Serotonin is an important neurotransmitter in the human body and is linked to depression. It can regulate mood, social behavior, digestion, and memory. If the serotonin level is low, you will feel anxiety which will affect your ability to focus. CBD can increase serotonin levels allowing you to focus more easily.

4 Things to Keep in Mind when Buying CBD products

There are indications that the FDA will draft rules to regulate CBD products which are added to food and drinks. Until these come in force, the tips below will go a long way in ensuring that you buy the best CBD products available.

1) Always buy from Licensed Dispensaries / Brands

There’s a reason why McDonald’s, Starbucks and, other major brands attract thousands to their doors each day; buyers are sure that the products they purchase will be of the same quality that they have learned to expect. Consequently, you stand a high chance of getting the best CBD products if you shop from such establishments when compared to another person who takes their chance with any random supplier online or offline.

2) Don’t blindly trust Online Reviews

Product sellers know that the opinions of buyers matter when potential customers are making a buying decision. Some sellers will, therefore, do everything they can to tip buyer opinions in their favor, including writing fake reviews. It is therefore helpful for you to read through the product reviews with a critical eye. Do you see several reviews posted at approximately the same time? Are the names or photos of the people who posted those reviews questionable? These may be pointers that the reviews aren’t authentic, so be wary of buying that product. You can also go a step further and use an online tool that ranks sites on how genuine their product reviews are so that you are sure that the reviews upon which you make your buying decision are genuine.

3) Make a thorough comparison of different product prices

The CBD industry is relatively new, so most manufacturers use the same methods to extract and package products. This means that there shouldn’t be a big variation in the price of comparable products. If a certain product has a price that is significantly lower than the price charged by other sellers, investigate further to ascertain the authenticity of that product. Beware of products whose price seems too good to be true!

4) Analyze the product benefits mentioned on the packaging

While there is still limited scientific research about the health and wellness of benefits of marijuana and its derivatives like CBD, the benefits listed on the packaging shouldn’t be too outlandish either. Do your research and only buy products whose stated benefits are realistic given the available information on the subject.