As more and more states legalize marijuana, I think taking a look at some other products that can come from these plants is a good idea.  In particular, the focus on hemp and what it can be used for in the past several years has really started to pick up.  A lot of people are left wondering whether it is safe, though, and if you can possibly get addicted.

This article aims to answer that question and address any other concerns you might have regarding this substance.  You can get some basic background information on what it is on this page, if you want somewhere to get started. 

What is Hemp?

Many people conflate hemp and cannabis, but they are fundamentally different.  Despite being in the same family of plants, it’s important to keep in mind that the former has significantly lower levels of THC compared to the latter.  THC is the chemical within these plants that gives people the sensation of being high.

Still, both of them do contain something known as CBD, which are cannabinoids.  These are not inherently bad things, though.  In fact, they help many people with a variety of health issues.  There are laws in place that prohibit plants denoted as hemp from having more than zero-point-three percent of THC in them.

Uses for Hemp

As I alluded to earlier, there are many applications for this substance when it comes to our daily lives.  It can range from mitigating mild to severe illness symptoms to being used to calm down pets, even.  You can see in the picture above a dog being treated with some canine safe oil.

There are places such as The Hemp Collect LLC which source wholesale hemp ethically and safely.  What can it be utilized to help with, though?  Chronic illnesses are one of the most common afflictions that can benefit from it.

This includes chronic conditions such as arthritis or psoriasis, for one.  Both of these can cause a significant amount of pain and discomfort for those that live with them.  Having a treatment that can assist with those feelings and managing them is quite helpful.  While there is technically not much research to back up these claims, even if it is a so-called “placebo effect” that people are experiencing, they are finding some relief.

Is it Safe?

This is a question that could be referring to a variety of aspects of hemp, so I’ll start with legality.  It is not the same of cannabis.  This means that it is perfectly legal to purchase, sell, and use in most, if not all, of the United States. 

There are minimal side effects, based on the research that does exist.  So, if you are looking to ingest it orally, you will be safe for a minimum of six months straight.  It is highly likely you will be fine after that as well, but this article is not medical advice.

There are a few circumstances in which you should exercise caution.  One such is during pregnancy, which you can read about here: https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/what-you-should-know-about-using-cannabis-including-cbd-when-pregnant-or-breastfeeding.  There is not strong evidence that it will cause adverse effects, but it is still recommended that you do not use any CBD products while pregnant or breastfeeding.

Additionally, it is not recommended that you give it to children often, if at all.  There are cases of children having cases of insomnia.  In addition to that, they could end up overly sleepy, or develop eyes that are blood-shot.  So, limit their use if you do administer it.

A final note I would like to make here is that you should likely limit your usage of hemp oil if you are about to undergo a surgical procedure.  This is because it can lower blood pressure.  While this is good in some situations, before surgery is not one of them.  It is a good idea to stop using CBD products roughly two weeks before you will get your procedure done to prevent serious risks during.

On the topic of addiction, there are no known cases of someone getting addicted to hemp oil.  Cannabis in general is not a highly addictive substance, though it is known as a gateway drug.  CBD feels good and can relieve pain, but it does not cause the characteristic “high” of something that might result in a substance misuse disorder.

So, in general, it is rather safe to use.  While there are some circumstances in which you should be wary and perhaps not utilize it, for the most part, you will be safe.  Just know that if you are on current medications, it could interact with them.  One example is estrogen – it can boost any side effects that you experience.

I would consult with your primary care physician before you begin if you have any concerns.  That is a good idea to do in general before starting any new medication or substance that you think could interact with other things you are taking.  It is better to be safe than sorry, even if there is good evidence to demonstrate that the effects are a net positive overall.

Just be careful and use it responsibly.  Most importantly, do not get it mixed up with cannabis.  They may come from the same type of plant, but their THC contents make all of the difference.  You don’t want to get them confused and use one when you think it is the other!