QuietMonkCBD, or cannabidiol, is a compound found in the hemp plant that is being added to everything from drink mixes and beauty products to skin salves and bath bombs. It’s also being used to help manage pain and anxiety and may even prevent cancer cells from growing. But with so many options and little regulation, it can be hard to know where to start.
The FDA has only approved one CBD product: a prescription drug called Epidiolex to treat rare seizure disorders in children. But more research is needed before we can say for sure whether it’s effective for other conditions, such as PTSD or cancer, or for chronic pain or depression.
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For now, experts recommend talking to your doctor if you’re considering trying CBD products. There’s also not much evidence it’s safe to take during pregnancy or breastfeeding, and it might interact with certain medications.
To reduce your risk of getting a low-quality product, look for a label that says “organic,” “all-natural,” or uses other health-focused marketing terms. Also, make sure the company has a certificate of analysis (COA) on its website and that it comes from a reliable lab. And be careful not to use CBD products with added chemicals or flavor additives, which can cause allergic reactions in some people.