A Cannabis Doctor Talks CBD Benefits

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Self-care is an important and growing trend in the U.S. and throughout the world. From yoga and meditation to float deprivation tanks and plant-derived tinctures, we are focusing on ourselves more than ever before. CBD benefits the self-care movement on several different levels. However, many consumers remain in the dark about CBD uses and benefits, and still stigmatize cannabidiol, since it’s derived from the cannabis plant. We spoke with Dr. Mauricio Consalter out of Chicago to obtain important answers to questions about CBD every self-care enthusiast should know.

What is your background, and how long have you been prescribing cannabis and CBD to patients? 

My background is in internal medicine and palliative care. I have been certifying patients for the medical cannabis program in Illinois since 2015.

Upon uptake, what is the bodily response to CBD, and what does it do to our physical/mental state? 

The experience is a little bit different for each patient, but most patients report a calm, clear-headed feeling after ingesting cannabidiol for the first time, and overall, decreased discomfort – both mental and physical.

What are the best CBD products? What are the most bioavailable ways to consume CBD? 

There are so many forms of ingestion for CBD, and we encourage patients to try them all. There are a lot of variables that tie into absorption of cannabinoids, so while a pure MCT infusion may be the most bioavailable for some patients, that may not be true for patients dealing with certain types of digestive issues [due to the carrier oil being MCT]. The most important part is finding the method that is most effective for each patient’s specific ailment, and using your products consistently to help regulate the body’s endocannabinoid system.

What is a good dose of CBD? 

Studies are showing the optimal dose for adult patients is about 25 milligrams to 40 milligrams of cannabidiol daily, but patients need to work up to this dose. Cannabis is safe enough that patients can easily titrate on their own, so we recommend they start with approximately 5 milligrams once a day, and increase as they feel comfortable.

What are the medical benefits of CBD, and what is CBD used to treat?

Because cannabidiol works with our body’s endocannabinoid system to regulate homeostasis, almost every chronic health condition can benefit from its consumption. Our patients report relief from a long list of chronic conditions.

Although the CBD oil benefits list seems endless, do our bodies have a CBD capacity? 

Our body’s endocannabinoid system is made up of specific receptors that allow us to intake certain amounts of various cannabinoids. There has never been an overdose of cannabidiol in the thousands of years humans have been interacting with this plant. As for tolerance, most patients find that building a little bit of a tolerance to cannabinoids allows them to ingest higher doses that are even more therapeutic for their conditions.

Click here to learn more about how to shop for the best CBD brands, and what your product should – and should not – contain.

Although the spotlight shines primarily on CBD health benefits, which other cannabinoids should we pay attention to? Should the best CBD oils shift toward including other cannabinoids in the future? 

I believe that all cannabinoids are important, and work together in an Entourage Effect with other components of the plant. When possible, patients should consider full-spectrum [and broad-spectrum] products that offer them other cannabinoids, such as CBG, CBC and CBN, which may play critical roles in the plant’s effectiveness.

To learn more about how the body interacts with CBD, click here. 

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