Everyone is talking about CBD products and how they can rock your world in one way or another, but finding out how it actually works and why can be difficult among all of the anecdotal evidence out there.

The Food and Drug Administration may be unwilling to say definitely that CBD helps or doesn’t help in a medicinal way, but some researchers have found that it does.

What is CBD and How Does it Work?

There are two major cannabinoids in marijuana that have been purported to have health benefits - CBD and THC.

CBD, or cannabidiol, is usually derived from industrial hemp and is legal to distill and distribute throughout the United States. It usually works as a mild sedative which can help with a lot of issues from high blood pressure to anxiety and depression.

THC, or tetrahydracannabinol, is the psychotropic cannabinoid that gives marijuana its high. It’s also illegal in most of the United States and other countries around the world.

Both cannabinoids work with the endocannabinoid receptors that are spread all throughout your body’s systems to get your body to come to a state of relaxation.

How Could CBD Help You?

Help Manage Pain

Pain management is one of the main reasons that many people take CBD. CBD acts as an anti-inflammatory, which can reduce joint pain that is either acute or chronic. It’s also helpful with general pain, according to that same study.

Improve Sleep Quality & Quantity

In addition to helping relieve pain, it can also help to improve both the quantity and the quality of your sleep. This is for two reasons. It helps to reduce pain and anxiety, which are two of the main reasons that people struggle to sleep. It also helps to trigger melatonin production, which helps your body to feel tired.

Improve Skin Health

By reducing the amount of sebum, or oil, your sebaceous glands produce, you are less likely to run into issues with acne. If you do get acne, you’re less likely to see a lot of inflammation with it, thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties.

How Could CBD Harm You?

Allergic Reaction

Like any other substance you put on or in your body, there is a possibility that you could have an allergic reaction. Before taking a dose, test some on your arm or the back of your hand, so you can treat it if you do have a reaction.

Medical Interactions

It can also interact with your other prescription medications in ways you don’t intend, or cause additional strain on your kidneys or liver. Before taking CBD products internally, talk to your doctor to make sure it’s safe for you to use.

THC Levels

While all products marketed as CBD oil can only have a THC content of 0.3 percent, this can still cause problems if you take high dosages of CBD. THC will show up on drug tests, which can be a problem if you work for a no-tolerance company.