CBD oil offers safer alternative to marijuana

Savannah Brewer | Reporter

CBD oil has been used since the mid-1900’s as a soothing liquid for a variety of different ailments, ones that could stem from either physical or mental health. It is derived from a common cannabis sativa plant, a name that most students would know as marijuana. CBD oil, however, only extracts the medically beneficial properties of marijuana needed to help people or patients, making it legal in all 50 states.

“A lot of science says CBD is helpful in lots of different things, such as pain or anxiety,” EMT instructor Shay Haude said. “It uses the benefits of marijuana without being affected by the actual THC impairment.”

Although Haude does agree there are benefits from the usage of CBD oil, people who need to do a drug test for any reason would not be in luck, as the oil can still register as positive on a drug test, even if you have not been in contact with any marijuana.

“Some people rub the oil into their arms, while some ingest it. Ingesting can sometimes test positive on a regular drug test,” Haude said.

CBD oil can also help those with troubled minds, such as those who struggle with severe anxiety or even symptoms of depression. The relief that the oil brings is quick and immense, bringing serene, clear waters to a mind that usually has waves upon waves of mental health struggles strung upon it.

“I’ve seen the effects of CBD helping mental health for sure, anxiety being the number one thing,” Haude said. “It’s definitely not a miracle drug, but it’s something to consider as an alternative to more standard care.”

CBD oil does not affect the body negatively in Haude’s experience, unless one would count it not passing drug tests at times when ingested. It instead can help to sooth joints, to give someone a sense of calm in the midst of their anxious mind, or even help someone to fall asleep. Although it won’t work for everyone, CBD oil can help with numerous bodily problems that a number of people in the world experience on a daily basis. Even if the oil does not work for everyone, even the mere thought of ingesting it and it helping your body can affect you in a positive way.

“Honestly, if the CBD oil doesn’t work and only the placebo effect does, that’s awesome,” Haude said. “One of my kids had a lot of anxiety when she was young and would be very hard to deal with, and she became a lot calmer when she started to take her CBD oil.”

CBD oil can be used for minors and adults alike, soothing whatever the person in need needs help with in their life at the time. Since there are no ‘psychedelic’ effects inside of the oil, there is no need to worry if a child uses it.

“There isn’t any difference between adults and children using CBD oil,” Haude said. “Because it doesn’t have the necessarily bad things that would hurt children.”