Thyroid and CBD? 6 Things You Should Know

The instances of thyroid problems among the United States population are significant. Over 12 percent will develop a condition at least once in their lifetime, about 20 million are currently suffering from some form of a thyroid problem, and about 60 percent of those with thyroid-related diseases are unaware of it.

 Although thyroid-related issues impact a large population of people, women are more likely to encounter thyroid problems than men – by a factor of about five to eightfold. 

Being a hormone-producing regulatory organ, the thyroid is linked to a large number of disorders and diseases that influence our health in crucial ways. These include, but are not limited to, general hyper- and hypothyroidism, thyroid cancers, and Graves’ disease. 

Many people who suffer from thyroid-related issues face chronic conditions and symptoms, making life more difficult to manage. 

On top of these life-long complications, thyroid problems are hard to diagnose, making seeking medical treatment a lengthy and expensive process. Without treatment, thyroid problems can lead to more critical issues including cardiovascular diseases and infertility. 

Although medical research is currently making some progress to address problems with the thyroid gland and related diseases, its symptoms can impact everyday life in both subtle and vital ways. 

Hypothyroidism, one of the most common thyroid diseases, can cause fatigue, aches and cramps, sleep disturbances, memory impairment, depression, and joint pain. To combat the symptoms common to thyroid-related issues, an increasing number of people have turned to CBD and CBD oils, a natural substance that has recently become a regular alleviant. 

Although CBD is becoming a more widely used product, and it is supported by many people who have experienced its health benefits, there are a couple of important things to know before using CBD products. 

         According to Cool Things Chicago, CBD is a by-product extracted from the flowers of the hemp plant. And unlike marijuana, CBD is not psychoactive. It is actually one of the two primary compounds found in marijuana but is not responsible for the “high.” 

Below is a list of six things you should know about Thyroid and CBD: 

• There are still restrictions on CBD oil use and production.

The 2018 Farm Bill made the use and production of CBD oil legal. CBD was removed from the Controlled Substances Act, but a restriction on TCH concentration was put in place, limiting CBD products to no more than 0.3 percent THC by dry weight. This restriction is especially enforced on airplanes – so it is important to be careful when traveling with CBD products.

• CBD affects people differently.

The main factors that will change how CBD is metabolized by your body include body weight, whether or not you’ve eaten, and if you’re taking any medications. Since fat cells store more CBD, the effect of CBD will be prolonged in heavier people.

• There are many different ways to consume CBD – and this influences how it affects you.

While directly consuming CBD oil is one way to get it into your system, CBD can also be consumed by vaping, edibles, gummies, and drinks, and topicals. In short, there are different ways to take CBD, and some are better than others. 

Because these products change how CBD is introduced into the body, they will be metabolized differently. Vaping is regarded as an efficient way to consume CBD products but it also has its negatives.

• There is very little risk of overdosing.

CBD is technically a natural product. It’s not only naturally produced in hemp, but our own bodies naturally produce their own cannabinoids too. Taking too much CBD may result in temporary ailments like nausea and diarrhea, but there is little risk of lasting psychological or physical injuries. 

• The amount of CBD that stays in your system will depend on how much body fat you have.

As mentioned before, your weight will affect how CBD affects you. According to CBD Kyro, one week is typically the time it takes for CBD to be completely metabolized, but this will also be influenced by how much CBD is consumed, how much body fat you have and the potency of the CBD.

• Although CBD is widely used, the why and how it affects your body isn’t well understood.

The raving accounts on CBD’s use to reduce symptoms like anxiety and pain are primarily from subjective studies. According to U.S. News, a study has shown that CBD helped 79 percent of the participants reduce their anxiety, but the actual mechanism by which CBD decreases anxiety in the body isn’t fully understood.

In short, CBD poses a new solution to many chronic symptoms. While it has primarily been used to treat pain and anxiety, its variety of use is expanding, even being considered as part of treatments for neurological disorders. CBD oil has been shown to benefit those suffering from Alzheimer’s, a currently incurable disease. This suggests that CBD oil may have other great benefits to people suffering from thyroid diseases, who face similar symptoms as many others who use CBD to regulate keep their pain, anxiety, etc. under control. 

Although CBD’s benefits have been studied and documented to an extent, there is little to no definitive suggestion for the amount of CBD that should be consumed. As such, it’s important to speak to a professional about CBD dosage and to take caution when using new or unfamiliar CBD products.

        Also, even though CBD has generally produced positive results for people suffering from many different diseases and symptoms, it might not be effective for everyone.

For those who are considering using CBD to help treat their conditions, it’s important to do your own research. A lot of factors should be taken into consideration before consuming CBD products such as quality, potency, and method of consumption. 

           It’s also vital to account for your own body, which may metabolize the substance differently. This includes weight and the consumption of other medications that may lead to complications when taken with CBD.

 Lastly, it’s crucial to think about exactly what you’re trying to treat (i.e. pain, anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, etc.) before making any decisions about purchasing and consuming CBD.