These days, many of us could certainly go for a miracle cure-all, especially those of us who struggle with chronic pain, overwhelming anxiety, cancer-related symptoms and/or hard-to-treat neurological disorders. So, it’s no wonder that CBD oil is popping up in our search results. But can we really count on CBD oil to positively impact our symptoms in the ways we hope? Internal medicine specialist Paul Terpeluk, DO, explains why CBD oil may not be as effective as we’d like.

What is CBD?

CBD, or cannabidiol, is just one of more than 100 chemical compounds found in the cannabis sativa plant. But it’s THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), not CBD, that’s the main psychoactive compound in cannabis that gives you a euphoric high.

CBD is pulled from hemp, a type of cannabis plant that contains very low levels of THC, so it doesn’t get you high. CBD oil is simply a product that contains CBD extract and an oil, like coconut oil, typically for topical use.

It’s important to know that since the implementation of the 2018 Farm Bill, the production and sale of CBD products in the U.S. has been legalized on the federal level as long as they contain less than .3% of THC. However, it’s still illegal under some state laws.

Plus, Dr. Terpeluk explains the market has been oversaturated with CBD products — from bath bombs to gummies, lotions, creams, tinctures and oil — none of which are Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved and may not be 100% pure CBD. As of mid-December 2021, the FDA has only approved one cannabis-derived and three cannabis-related products, all of which you can safely get with a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider. Check out the best and more cool marijuana weed pipes.

“There’s no oversight of the majority of CBD products from a regulatory authority,” says Dr. Terpeluk. “Most of the CBD that you’re buying, unless they have a rigorous marketing campaign and quality control that says it’s 100% CBD oil, more than likely, it’s contaminated with other cannabinoids, including THC.”

What are some of the benefits of CBD?

Several studies show the benefits of pure CBD may have wide-ranging positive effects, though. To understand those benefits, it’s important to consider our body’s endocannabinoid system, a complex system of enzymes, neurotransmitters and receptors that plays an important role in the development of our central nervous system. This system helps regulate a variety of functions, including pain, motor control, memory, appetite, inflammation and more. By further studying CBD’s effects in these specific areas, we may better understand how CBD impacts a variety of conditions and disorders.

Helps with neurological-related disorders

The FDA has approved Epidiolex as a treatment for several seizure disorders, including two rare disorders known as Duvet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. Several case studies suggest CBD may also be beneficial to patients who are resistant to anti-epileptic drugs. “With epilepsy, there’s a threshold in your brain that gets excitatory, and you go into a seizure,” says Dr. Terpeluk. “CBD increases that threshold.”