What are the health benefits of CBD?

CBD is being marketing as a bit of a cure-all, with manufacturers claiming it can do everything from relieving anxiety to stopping the spread of cancer. However, cannabis's classification as a Schedule 1 drug has severely hampered American scientists' ability to study CBD, making it hard to support or refute these claims. The studies that are available tend to be small or are done on animals or in laboratories. 

That said, CBD oil is showing promise. Early experiments suggest that it may help fight anxiety, ease schizophrenia symptoms and reduce pain (though the latter is often done in conjunction with THC).

The strongest evidence of CBD's effectiveness, though, is in relation to epilepsy. Last year, the FDA approved Epidiolex, a medication used to treat Lennox-Gastaut and Dravet syndromes, two rare and severe forms of epilepsy. It was the agency's first approval of a cannabis-derived drug.

How is CBD used?

CBD is available in a variety of forms. Some of the most common CBD delivery methods are listed below, but how it's ultimately used depends on personal needs and preferences. The delivery method of CBD affects how quickly it works and what kinds of effects it has on the body.

CBD is available in many different forms, including oils and tinctures seen here.

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• Edibles are broad range of products to eat or drink, like gummies or chocolates. Edibles can take anywhere from 20 minutes to four hours to take effect. 
• Oils and tinctures are processed and concentrated forms of CBD that are often placed under the tongue using a dropper and absorbed into the bloodstream. 
• Pills and capsules are ingested orally and look similar to the vitamins and/or drugs you'd find in a drugstore. They typically contain CBD oil or CBD isolate.
• Topicals are CBD-infused oils, creams and lotions that are intended to be used directly on skin, hair or nails. They're a popular way to treat localized pain, but are also used as skincare, haircare and massage oil as well. 
• Vaping, like e-cigarettes, involves inhaling a vaporized liquid that contains CBD oil. Nicotine is not usually present if CBD is, though it is possible to mix them.