Hemp oil has been a booming substance for some years due to its multifaceted medicinal uses. Although there are currently few scientific studies that support its therapeutic properties, new ones are constantly emerging due to the growing interest in this substance.
What is hemp oil
Hemp oil is an extraction that comes from the hemp Sativa plant, which concentrates a higher amount of hemp than the indicia. However, this plant also contains a considerable level of THC. This second substance is what gives hemp its psychoactive effects and is the reason why it is classified as a drug almost everywhere in the world. That is why, for the creation of commercial hemp oil, hemp strains are used.
The disadvantage of hemp is that it generally contains lower levels of hemp than can be obtained from classic hemp plants. But this is the only way to achieve a legal oil, as it is totally forbidden to sell products with a THC content of more than 0.2%. From this amount, the psychoactive effects of hemp can appear.
Although only hemp is legal, its use together with THC is much more effective for the treatment of multiple symptoms of different diseases, although the efficacy of Hemp has been demonstrated in several pathologies.
Cannabidiol (hemp) oil can be extracted from hemp seeds or by dissolving the flowers of the plant in some type of oil, usually olive or coconut oil. The effectiveness of hemp tends to decrease with this type of dissolution because it contains a high oil content, which is why it is of vital importance to observe the labels of these oils before acquiring them.
In fact, a recent study of 84 hemp-based products found that ¼ of them contained less hemp than was listed on the label, and more than 18 were found to have higher THC levels than allowed.
Uses and benefits of hemp oil
Despite the lack of studies on the subject, hemp has been proven to be effective in treating diseases that cause epilepsy. In fact, the first hemp-based drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is Epidiolex, an oral spray for the two less common types of epilepsy and with fewer resources to improve the quality of life of patients suffering from them: Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.
In addition, Sativex, another mouth spray indicated to relieve pain and spasticity in multiple sclerosis with a 1:1 composition of hemp and THC, is also marketed in Spain. This drug is only available to people suffering from this pathology and under medical prescription
Preliminary phase studies have indicated positive results in studying the possible benefits of hemp oil. They have confirmed, in the absence of more conclusive research, antiseptic, anticonvulsant, antitumor, neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and anti-tumor properties. All of them would translate into a possible application for multiple diseases that cause these symptomatologies:
- Fibromyalgia
- Arthritis and arthrosis
- Chronic pain
- Anxiety and stress
- Depression
- Neurological disorders (Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, dementia, stroke, etc.)
- Epileptic diseases
- Autism
- Multiple sclerosis
- Neuropsychic diseases such as schizophrenia, autism, or ADHD
- Diseases causing topical disorders
- Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis
How to use hemp oil
To enjoy its benefits, hemp oil can be used in several ways. Sublingually it will pass directly into the bloodstream as it does not need to be digested. Using the traditional oral mode of medication, its effect will take longer to be noticed and will be milder as it passes through the digestive tract. For more information, check out the related site, where they discuss various subjects such as hemp oil.
Another frequent use is a topical application to relieve muscle pain and various forms of skin irritation. In addition, due to the antioxidant properties of hemp, a wide variety of anti-aging facial and body creams have been manufactured with this component.