Deal Finder: CBD Products are potential natural alternative for some medical conditions

By LaTina Emerson, The Deal Finder

Some people who suffer from persistent pain and other serious medical conditions might be searching for natural alternatives to prescription drugs. Cannabidiol, or CBD, is one option to consider.

Jan Smit, a registered pharmacist, sells pharmaceutical-grade CBD at Newnan Health Solutions, a medical supply store at 15 Baker Road, Suite 2, in Newnan, which he co-owns with his wife, Suzette Smit. Newnan Health Solutions has a full range of CBD products, including oils, capsules, gummies, lotions and creams.

Smit discusses the financial and health benefits of CBD products below.

What is CBD?

CBD, one of the main active compounds found in the cannabis plant, is considered to have many possible health benefits, including reducing inflammation and pain. This extract of the cannabis plant is not psychoactive, so it doesn’t result in the high associated with cannabis, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

In contrast, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the other main active compound in the cannabis plant, is primarily responsible for creating the mind-altering high linked to cannabis. Though CBD and THC come from the same plant and have the same molecular structure, their atoms are arranged differently, so they affect the body differently. CBD produces the same benefits without the high, which is desirable for medicinal use.

CBD does not appear to have abuse potential or cause harm, according to the WHO Expert Committee on Drug Dependence. In animal and controlled human studies, no physical dependence on CBD was identified. CBD also didn’t appear to have intoxication, physiological or psychotic effects.

Based on these findings, WHO recommended that CBD shouldn’t be internationally scheduled as a controlled substance. Many countries, including the United States, have relaxed regulations around CBD, and the market for CBD products is steadily growing.

What Are the Benefits of CBD?

CBD products aren’t necessarily cheaper than prescription drugs, but the price is competitive compared to the costs associated with obtaining prescription drugs, such as the doctor’s office visit and the price of the medication. CBD products, on the other hand, don’t require a prescription, Smit said.

“The main thing with CBD is not just price; it’s the fact that it gives you an alternative,” Smit said. “A lot of people don’t want to be on narcotic pain medication, especially. There’s a lot of side effects and a lot of drug interactions with the stronger medications, whereas taking CBD instead or taking CBD to lower your dose on those medications reduces the side effects and the chances of drug interactions. It’s a healthier way of treating pain.”

What Medical Conditions Can CBD Help Treat?

CBD is a complicated drug that can do a lot of things, Smit said. His patients primarily use CBD for several health conditions: pain, inflammation, anxiety, migraines and sleep difficulties.

“It’s most often used for pain and inflammation,” Smit said. “Because it breaks down inflammation, it helps with all different forms of arthritis, as well as joint pains and things like neuropathy for your diabetic patients. It is good for any kind of pain that is associated with inflammation.”

A number of Smit’s patients find that CBD helps to relieve migraine headaches. “It’s very effective for migraine headaches,” he said.

His patients who suffer from tremors and seizures also report the benefits of CBD. “Parkinson’s patients find it very useful,” Smit said. “Seizures are a more difficult condition to treat, but we do have patients that have problems with seizures that use it, and it gives them relief as well.”

In addition, CBD is also a very good sleep agent and helps his patients sleep, he said.

CBD products have very few or mild side effects, Smit added.

“The main side effect is the drowsiness that it might cause, but that’s actually a good thing because a lot of patients use it to help them sleep,” Smit said. “The other benefit is there is no drug interaction. It doesn’t affect the prescription medication that they’re on. They can take it on top of their prescription medication without a problem.”

For more information about Newnan Health Solutions, visit www.newnanhealthsolutions.com or call 770-683-6772.