There is a lot of talk around cannabidiol (CBD). Many stores sell it, and many people use it. The question is, why?
There are the more common answers to that question, which we will go into in a minute. But there is also one reason to use CBD that is not talked about as much; some CBD products may have essential minerals. More specifically, they may have zinc.
What is CBD, and why do people use it?
Cannabis plants (like marijuana and hemp) have a type of chemical compound called cannabinoids. There are over 113 different cannabinoids in Cannabis. CBD is just one of them. CBD is found in high concentrations in hemp and lower concentrations in marijuana.
Another well-known cannabinoid is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). People are generally more familiar with this cannabinoid because it is the main psychoactive cannabinoid in Cannabis. This means that it is what gives Cannabis users the high so commonly thought of when Cannabis comes up. CBD is very different from THC, but despite this, they are often equated. This leaves many people thinking that CBD can get you high. It is important to remember that CBD has no psychoactive effects. The most you may mentally feel while using CBD is a heightened sense of calm.
In December of 2018, the United States legislature federally legalized industrial hemp, which is defined as Cannabis with less than 0.3% THC content. This made it so people could grow, sell, and buy hemp and hemp-derived products, as long as they have less than 0.3% THC content. This essentially legalized the hemp plant, which is not only low in THC content but also high in CBD content.
CBD can be used for a number of purposes. Many of these have scientific studies to back them up. For example, CBD is often used as an anti-inflammatory. Many studies have looked at how CBD may help with inflammation, including this one, which found CBD to be effective in reducing intestinal inflammation.
One of the biggest uses for CBD is aiding with epileptic seizures. There have been a plethora of studies about CBD’s impact on epilepsy, but that’s not all. Recently the FDA approved the first CBD based medication. It is called Epidiolex, and its purpose is to reduce seizures.
However, there may be another use for CBD. It may be a source of zinc for those who are deficient.
What does zinc do?
Zinc is a very important nutrient for humans. It helps boost our immune systems so that we can fight off infections and viruses. It can even help injuries, like cuts and scrapes, heal faster. Everyone needs a different amount depending on their age and gender, adults and men generally needing more.
Most people get their zinc from the food they eat. Red meats and poultry are rich in zinc. Beans, grains, and dairy also have some zinc, but not as much. Zinc deficiencies are a concern for those who are vegetarian or vegan. If someone does not eat meat, they may not be getting all of the zinc they need.
This is where CBD may be able to help. Most Cannabis plants require zinc to stay healthy, just like people. This means that there is zinc in the plant. When CBD is extracted, other compounds often come with it. Usually, when we look at these other compounds, we focus on other cannabinoids, but that’s not all that is in the extract. The CBD will likely have minerals from Cannabis plants, as well. This may include zinc, making CBD a potential option for those who don’t eat meat and are not getting enough zinc.
You are more likely to find zinc in CBD that is either full-spectrum or broad-spectrum, rather than CBD isolate. This is because CBD isolate has nothing but CBD in it. Broad-spectrum CBD has everything that came with the CBD in the extraction, except the THC. Meanwhile, full-spectrum has nothing taken out of it. Whatever compounds come with the CBD stay in the concentrate.
How much should I take?
This can be a tricky question to answer. It varies from person to person, from product to product. The best way to figure out how much CBD you should take is to start slow and low. It is best to start with a small amount of a low concentration and wait an hour or so and see how it sits with you. If you feel fine but are not getting the desired effect, then try taking more. It will take some experimentation.
This is a good time to talk about the potential side effects of CBD. There are not many, and they do not appear to be very serious. They are often things like fatigue and mild nausea. So, they are not necessarily life-threatening, but they are not very pleasant either. They are also mainly felt by those who take high, consistent doses of CBD. So, if you are careful with how much you take, you are likely to avoid the side effects.
Before you start taking anything new, you should always consult with a healthcare professional. CBD is no exception. While it does not have any serious side effects, CBD may not mix with other medications well. So be sure to consult with whoever prescribed your medications before starting CBD.
There are many ways that you can get the zinc you need, but sometimes those options just are not for some people. If that is your case, you may want to look into whether CBD could be a zinc resource for you.
Have any comments, questions, or concerns? Want to explore the world of CBD more fully? Check out the rest of Panacea Life Sciences’ website. There you can read more about CBD, shop for some great CBD products, and contact a member of our team.
Source:
https://www.dixiebotanicals.com/what-nutrients-are-in-cbd-oil/
