What Is CBD?
Cannabidol, more popularly known as CBD, is a chemical substance present in the cannabis plant (which includes hemp), but in its precursor form CBDA (cannabidiolic acid). Since all cannabinoids produced by cannabis plants are in the acidic form, you tend to find the decarboxylated forms only after processing. Conventional extraction and purification will convert CBDA to CBD, or THCA to THC.
CBDA is one of more than 100 compounds called cannabinoids found in hemp and marijuana plants. Unlike THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), CBD is non-psychoactive and does not provide a high effect.
There are two general forms of CBD oil: CBD isolate and full spectrum CBD.
CBD oil is produced from high-resin cannabis plants of the hemp variety, and is different from the medical cannabis that is high in THCA. In the production of full spectrum CBD, the flower from the cannabis plant is used to create an oil containing all the variety of cannabinoids and terpenes. On the other hand, CBD isolate means it does not contain any other cannabinoids other than pure cannabidiol, and is typically sold in bulk as a powder.
Does CBD Oil Make Your Eyes Red?
For marijuana users, red eyes are not an uncommon side effect when smoking weed. Weed is a high THCA cannabis plant, and when smoked, the THCA converts to the psychoactive form, THC. When smoking weed, you are consuming much more THC than when smoking high CBDA hemp flower.
THC is the compound in cannabis that causes psychoactive effects. What happens when smoking cannabis is that THC enters the blood vessels, it causes stimulating effects. One of these effects is increased blood flow. Increased blood flow also dilates blood vessels and increases blood pressure all over the body.
The eyes contain many tiny vessels and when there’s an increased blood pressure in the eyes, also known as intraocular pressure, it leads to the tiny blood vessels in the eyes to erupt. This finally results in bloodshot eyes which is prevalent in heavy cannabis users.
Eye redness associated with smoking marijuana is temporary and subsides within a few hours. However, if the problem persists, it’s essential to consult a healthcare provider. You may also want to try eye drops that can help alleviate the symptoms and reduce redness.
Now, CBD products that are full spectrum only contain trace amounts of THC, not enough to cause symptoms associated with the use of high THC cannabis products. So does CBD make your eyes red? The short answer is no. Taking CBD products will not cause red eyes similar to when smoking weed. The long answer is that while CBD use won’t cause your red eyes, other factors that may do so.
It’s essential to remember that although some CBD users do experience red eyes, CBD is not the sole culprit. In reality, the majority of people taking CBD products do not experience any issues at all. However, if you do experience red eyes after using CBD oil, there are a few things you should be aware of regarding the potential causes.
Following CBD use, your eyes may appear red for the following typical causes:
- You have an allergic reaction to CBD flower.
- You might have been excessive drinking or smoking cigarettes.
- You have naturally dry eyes and are exposed to smoke or vapor that causes irritation to your eyes. If you are smoking CBD, the other compounds consumed may cause eye irritation.
- You have a pre-existing condition that causes high blood pressure leading to ocular vasodilation. This dilation of blood vessels in the eye can result to eye strain leading to eye redness.
Is CBD Oil Safe to Use?
The CBD oil has been around for quite some time now. It’s been utilized for many potential beneficial effects. While we do know that it has been used to treat many illnesses, scientists are still researching to fully understand how CBD affect the human body. But here’s what we’ve known so far:
CBD is not addictive and non psychoactive. This means that if you use CBD, it will not significant alterations to your mental state nor cause any withdrawal symptoms when you quit. Moreover, there won’t be any physical reliance when using CBD oil as it does not cause drug dependence. The only actual risk, like with any supplement in the market, is from taking too much or taking it inappropriately. So we suggest taking CBD with caution.
There have been reported drug-drug interactions at high CBD oil amounts, but these are typically only reported for 1000mg and above daily amounts. Speak with your health care provider if you are on multiple medications before taking large doses of CBD.
How Does CBD Oil Work?
CBD works by interacting with the endocannabinoid system, which is located through the brain and the body. The endocannabinoid system maintains homeostasis and regulates the immune response, appetite, sleep, and mood to name a few. It contains cannabinoid receptors and when CBD interacts with them, it produces a biphasic effect leading to therapeutic benefits.
Benefits of CBD Oil
Here are most popular ways CBD can help:
Reduce pain and inflammation
Research suggests that CBD is proven to reduce pain and inflammation. It can also be used to relieve cancer pain, arthritis and other joint-related pain.
Help with anxiety and depression
According to studies, CBD can stimulate serotonin production in the brain, which may help alleviate anxiety and depression.
Improve sleep quality
In some research, CBD has shown to help people with insomnia or other sleep disorders that could harm physical and emotional health. This results in better quality sleep.
Boost Mood
Research also revealed that CBD may increase the serotonin levels in the brain, thus possibly beneficial to people with mood disorders like depression, bipolar, and anxiety disorders.
Alleviate symptoms of schizophrenia
One research showed that CBD reduces schizophrenic symptoms by soothing the brain’s overactive synapses. This suggests that CBD may be helpful for treating psychosis brought on by schizophrenia.
How Much CBD Oil Should I Take?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer on how much CBD oil you should take. Depending on your health condition and intended use, you may require a different dosage to achieve your desired results. Additionally, the THC content of the CBD product that you’ll be using is another factor to consider. Some may have a little to none while others may have more THC content.
Always check the third party testing results in the certificate of analysis (CoA) before buying CBD products. These will tell you if your product has THC and how much. If you do not know how to interpret a CBD testing report, see our CBD CoA guide.
A typical starting dose is between 20-50mg, and often, people will take this multiple times a day.
But in general, there are guidelines to help you decide what dosage is right for you. For example, if you’re trying to manage anxiety or inflammation, a lower dose may be sufficient. But if you’re looking to reduce discomfort, higher doses may be necessary. Health professionals also recommend taking CBD oil in a gradual dose until you find what works for you.
What Is The Best Way To Take CBD?
CBD oil can be taken in various methods. CBD can be in the form of tincture, inhalation, capsule, or edible. When selecting the best method for you, consider convenience, affordability, and tastes.
While some people choose to inhale through the use of a vape pen or under-the-tongue drop, others prefer to ingest capsules. In contrast, edibles are a fun and discreet way of taking CBD, thus some people prefer them over the other methods. The best method of taking CBD will ultimately depend on your needs and preference.
Takeaway
In conclusion, CBD oil does not cause red eye. It is safe for use by people of all ages. While there are some side effects to keep in mind when using CBD oil, it is a very effective treatment for many different medical issues.
If you are looking for a way to treat pain and other symptoms associated with various medical conditions, CBD oil may be the answer. This product can be purchased online or at many dispensaries across the country.
–Team Dos