How To Safely Use CBD With Your Medical Treatment Plan

CBD, aka cannabidiol, is one of the many cannabinoid compounds found in hemp.

Hemp and healthcare go way back. The earliest known recorded use of hemp as medicine is by Chinese Emperor Shen-Nung in 2737 BCE. From there, hemp was recognized as useful for a wide range of ailments all over the world.

Modern science is starting to prove what those old school healers observed. That is, hemp and the compounds in it — like our BWF (best wellness friend) CBD — have amazing benefits.

Now that we’re starting to understand the potential of CBD oil, many are using it as part of their treatment plans and daily life. This surge in CBD popularity might have you wondering...

• Should I tell my doctor I’m using CBD?
• Is it safe to use CBD with medications?
• Is CBD oil even legal?

Let’s clear the air on that last one first.

Medical CBD Laws

Hemp became a federally controlled substance in the United States in 1970. Before that, the 1937 Marihuana Tax Act more or less made it impossible to grow hemp in America. The United Kingdom had a similar prohibition in 1928.

So, while western medicine advanced leaps and bounds over the past century, hemp was left out. (Sad trombone sound here!)

As of 2018, the US Farm Bill says industrial hemp products — including CBD — are now legal from coast to coast. (Hoots and hollers of jubilation here!)

Note that the federal law splits cannabis into two categories:

• Marijuana, which contains high concentrations of THC and has psychoactive effects. It’s still considered a controlled substance with no legal medical use.
• Industrial hemp, which only has trace amounts of THC (≤ 0.3%) with high concentrations of CBD. You’re free and clear to buy and use CBD sourced from this hemp.

States have their own cannabis, hemp, and CBD laws. Some have medical cannabis programs that allow CBD with higher THC concentrations, or medical marijuana.

Depending on the laws in your state, you might qualify for medicinal cannabis products. Even if you don’t — or if you don’t want to jump through the hoops to get it — you could use CBD made from industrial hemp.

This is great news for patients who may not have a medical condition that fits into their state’s list of eligible conditions. It’s also the bees knees for anyone wanting easy access to CBD in general.

Since the regulations on medical CBD vary from state to state, we’ll focus on working federally legal hemp-derived CBD into your treatment plan in this article. But, you can pop over to our CBD Laws blog to see options in your state.

Now that we’ve cleared the air on the legality of CBD oil for medical use, let’s move to the waiting room. Shall we?

Don’t worry, we brought the reading material.

Talk To Your Doc About CBD Oil

Western medicine can accommodate age-old Eastern remedies. In fact, there’s even a term for this — Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM). No need to disqualify something just because it didn’t come in a pill bottle from your pharmacy!

The first step to incorporating CBD into your medical treatment plan is to tell your physician that you’re using or planning to use CBD.

Say it with us: “I will tell my doctor if I’m using or planning to use CBD.”

Great. Now, you should also know that your doc might not know a whole lot about CBD. Remember, CBD oil is the new kid on the [Western] medical block.

Wait, didn’t you just say...

Before you think we’re totally off our rocker, bear in mind that your doctor doesn’t have to know everything about CBD oil to help you incorporate it into your treatment.

Your doc is your go-to resource to make sure the CBD products you’re using play nicely with your medications and health conditions. Which is super important. Because the last thing you want to do is make yourself sick when you’re trying to feel better.

Be ready to explain what you’re looking to achieve by using CBD so you’re on the same page about your goals.

Taking over-the-counter medications for your medical condition? Chat with a pharmacist to see if there are potential interactions with CBD oil you should be aware of.

Do Your Own CBD Research

If you’re a savvy CBD consumer — and we know you are — you should do some research of your own after talking to your doc or pharmacist.

For starters, you’ll need to figure out which CBD products are best for your needs.

If you’re looking for, say, CBD for arthritis pain relief, a CBD topical might do away with those aches and pains.

This looks different from someone who may be using CBD for anxiety. In that case, a daily regimen of CBD oil softgels or a CBD tincture for sleep could be his or her bearer of sweet relief.

You’ll also need to hone in on your CBD routine so you remember to take your CBD oil consistently.

If you want to get nerdy, there’s a ton of research out there to help you take a scientific approach. Here’s some of the latest.

• Your endocannabinoid system is home to your cannabinoid receptors. Basically, it’s the key to how you respond to CBD. Continued research is opening the door to new possibilities for CBD in medical applications.
• A study published in Nature in 2020 observed that CBD disables cells that cause inflammation in patients with arthritis.
• Multiple studies show promising evidence that cannabidiols may have an anti-tumor and anti-cancer effect.
• Neuroimaging has shown that CBD changes how our brains respond to stress, while psychological studies point to it being helpful in reducing anxiety.
• To date, the FDA has developed one CBD drug called Epidiolex. It’s approved for the use of seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome.

This is just the tip of the CBD research iceberg. Keep your peepers peeled to our CBD for Health publications and the latest studies for updates.

Find Effective & Tested CBD

Make the investment in your health count by choosing quality CBD products. Here’s what to look out for.

Pure & Clean

Unnecessary additives and pesticides can aggravate existing conditions and create new ones. Check the label and make sure it’s made from organically grown hemp and doesn’t have any weird fillers. We check these boxes for you at Pure Craft.

Certificate Of Analysis

Look for a certificate of analysis, which proves third-party lab testing to ensure your CBD doesn’t contain any unwelcome surprises. You’ll find ours on every product page.

Bioavailability

The more bioavailable CBD is, the easier it is for your body to absorb it. At Pure Craft, we use MIT-researched nanotechnology to create the most bioavailable CBD on the market. We also use broad-spectrum CBD for the entourage effect without the influence of THC.

You’re In Control Of Your CBD & Your Health

Possibly the best thing about CBD oil is that it gives you an alternative (or additional!) option. You have the right to choose CBD if you feel it’s a sensible choice for you. And it candovetail into many modern Western medical treatment plans.

You don’t have to worry about the law now that CBD’s federally legal. That also means you can (and should) ask your healthcare team for support when you need it. 

You’re your own best health advocate. So, keep yourself informed, stay on top of your care and CBD regimens, and never compromise on the quality of your CBD.