It seems everywhere you look, there’s a new product, poster or person touting the benefits of CBD oil. Indeed, CBD oil use and sales are on the rise as its healing properties are being sung from the rooftops. From healing acne, anxiety, and depression to aiding in weight loss, it seems as if its list of uses is endless. Could this oil truly be as miraculous as it’s claimed? Could it really be an effective weight loss aid? Is it truly safe to use? What are full spectrum CBD oils? We provide the answers to all these pressing questions and more to help you decide if CBD oil is the right choice for you in your weight loss journey.
What is CBD Oil?
CBD is Cannabidiol Oil, one of over 100 cannabinoids found in hemp and marijuana plant, also called Cannabis. It is the second most active ingredient in marijuana plants however it is derived from hemp plants.
Does CBD Oil contain THC? Is it the same as marijuana?
CBD oil on the market commonly comes from hemp plants. Hemp plants are different than marijuana plants due to the amount of THC they contain. CBD oil does not contain THC unless it is added to the oil, therefore, it can not give you a high. Often, even if THC is added, it’s not in a significant enough amount to get one high. According to phys.org:
"Hemp and marijuana even look and smell the same," says Tom Melton, deputy director of NC State Extension. "The difference is that hemp plants contain no more than 0.3 percent (by dry weight) of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the psychoactive substance found in marijuana. By comparison, marijuana typically contains 5 to 20 percent THC…"
In other words, Cannabis plants with 0.3 percent or less of THC are hemp. Cannabis plants with more than 0.3 percent THC are marijuana.”
Is CBD oil safe to use?
While CBD is legal, the use of it for supplementation and food is currently questionable. United States government agencies are still reviewing it. The World Health Organization released a long and thorough report on it. It concluded:
“While the number of studies is limited, the evidence from well-controlled human experimental research indicates that CBD is not associated with abuse potential.”
In other words, Cannabis plants with 0.3 percent or less of THC are hemp. Cannabis plants with more than 0.3 percent THC are marijuana.”
What are the benefits of CBD oil?
Commonly, CBD oil is used to alleviate stress and anxiety, and can help with sleep issues. Many have found CBD oil to be an extremely effective form of pain management and helpful in reducing inflammation. Many people also take CBD oil to help them with nausea, and studies have confirmed this use. CBD has also been used by people to help treat seizures and epilepsy. It’s even been found to help people reduce acne. Depending on what website you land on, you may read that CBD oil is a cure-all. Some proponents have claimed it can cure cancer, however, it has not yet been conclusively proven. While CBD may help with other symptoms, they haven’t all been proven. That's why it’s important to remember that when deciding whether or not to try it.
Why might CBD oil help with weight loss?
CBD may help with weight loss for a few reasons. One reason CBD may help with weight loss is that it is thought to reduce appetite. Appetite reduction is one small but noteworthy piece of the puzzle. Weight loss can be a far more complex issue involving the body’s types of fat tissue, hormonal balance as well as overeating. It appears CBD oil may help to change the type of fat from white to brown, the type of fat associated with calorie burning and tends to be found in higher ratios in people with healthy body weight. There are other physiological factors that may play a role in the body’s weight loss in regards to how CBD may help. They just haven’t been studied extensively.
Current research is minimal but points to CBD oil aiding in weight loss. Additionally, CBD oil may help with an emotional factor that contributes to weight gain for some individuals, which is anxiety. Anxiety (and stress) raise cortisol levels which in turn may lead to weight gain. Additionally, some people react to stress and anxiety through emotional eating. Emotional eating can look like binging on healthy or unhealthy snacks. It can happen frequently or infrequently, potentially contributing to weight gain as a detrimental coping mechanism. If you experience anxiety and stress regularly and overeat as a coping mechanism, then CBD could be an exceptionally beneficial way to promote weight loss. Studies and anecdotal evidence suggest that CBD oil is extremely helpful with alleviating stress and anxiety and contributes to an overall sense of calm and wellbeing.
What forms is CBD available in? What forms are the best for weight loss? Is full spectrum important?
CBD is available in a variety of ways. Supplementally, CBD Oil is often found in a dropper bottle, although it can also be available in capsule form.
CBD is increasingly finding its way into foods, such as chocolates, candy, sodas and more. Some of these foods are healthy and use high-quality oils with specific doses in the food to serve as a healthy way to imbibe CBD. Many foods that currently are sold at gas stations and convenience stores, however, do not use high-quality CBD oil. Often, the food that is CBD-infused is not healthy, to begin with, such as processed candies. It’s important to differentiate between the two and seek out healthy foods with high-quality sources of CBD oil if you choose to enjoy your CBD in food form from time to time. If you’re hoping to target a specific health concern such as weight loss, it’s best to seek out CBD in a supplemental form.
Full Spectrum CBD Oils
"Full Spectrum" appears on a lot of CBD bottles, yet many people aren’t clear exactly what this means. Full-spectrum refers to CBD oil that has not been removed and isolated from the other components in the oil. These other components make the CBD oil more effective and in lower doses than the isolate, which is CBD that is isolated from those components often in powder form. As ForiaWellness explains it simply:
“The idea that the strength of cannabis lies in the teamwork of its many active compounds has been nicknamed the “entourage effect.””
It’s clear that when using CBD oil, it’s always a wise choice to seek out brands that have Full Spectrum CBD oils for potency and efficacy.
What’s a typical dose of CBD oil?
CBD oil doses range wildly, so there is not one standard dose on the market. Additionally, doses will vary depending on the individual's size, goals and how they react to the product. While it is always wise to talk to your healthcare professional before you begin any new supplements, tuck.com has a great article about CBD doses to help you better understand what the bottle contains versus what the actual dose is per dropper:
“Concentration, or strength, refers to the total amount of CBD in a given product. Concentration is measured in milligrams (mg). This is different from dosage, which indicates the amount of CBD per serving. For instance, let’s say a bottle of CBD tincture has a concentration of 1500 mg and contains 30 milliliters (mL) of tincture, with 1 mL as the standard serving size. This means each 1-mL serving will contain approximately 50 mg of CBD; the consumer is not ingesting 1500 mg with each dosage.”
Additionally, they have a helpful chart that bases dosage on body weight to give you an idea of where to begin if you are unsure.
The Best Full Spectrum CBD Oils For Weight Loss
There are a lot of CBD oils available, so it can be hard to figure out what company to buy from. Especially since it’s a bit more expensive than some supplements. The following list has the best CBD oils on the market. Most are certified organic, full-spectrum and extremely high-quality strains. We’ve tested a few of these ourselves and absolutely love them while others we’ve admired from afar. Whatever you choose, if it’s from this list, we promise you won’t be disappointed with the quality.
Brand: Endo Scientific
Why We Love It:
This company truly cares about the product they create while also caring for the earth. This company has specific strains that are high in beneficial terpenes. Additionally, this company uses small family farms to grow their plants sustainably and using organic methods. Not only are these hemp plants high quality, healthy and organic. But they also make the CBD oil in small batches and test it regularly to ensure high-quality products. This is a full spectrum CBD Oil.
Doses Available
Brand: Pacific Daze
Why We Love It:
This company was born out of a desire to feel relaxed and free and the CBD absolutely hits that feeling. It’s made without GMO’s and is certified organic. It goes through third-party testing to ensure quality and make sure that no pesticides have ended up in the product. It’s an exceptionally potent full-spectrum CBD oil.
Doses Available
Brand: Living Nutritionals
Why We Love It:
This company has two types of CBD oil that are both grown with organic methods and are both full spectrum. The first kind of CBD is a certified raw product, meaning it’s never heated over 100 degrees. Therefore, it’s nutrients and properties are more bioavailable. The raw CBD oil is a truly unique product on the market. However, it takes more oil to create it, thus, creating a higher price tag. The non-raw product is a great CBD oil with a variety of flavors and strengths, so there's an option for anyone wanting to use it. Both products are solvent and paraben-free as well, making them some of the healthiest options available.
Doses Available
Brand: NuLeaf
Why We Love It:
NuLeaf uses sustainable and organic methods to create high-quality CBD oils. Their oils are made with little heat and no solvents. This means that most of their healing properties are highly available and in tact. Additionally, this CBD oil is full spectrum.