Not All CBD Products Are Created Equally

For decades, most products derived from cannabis were off-limits, thanks to the association with marijuana’s role as a recreational drug. Today, new attention is being focused on cannabis, more specifically on the cannabidiol component, thanks to its efficacy in treating chronic pain, anxiety, depression, and more.

At McHugh Plastic Surgery, Dr. Thomas McHugh’s medical interests extend beyond his plastic surgery services and into overall health and wellness. Dr. McHugh has studied how cannabidiol acts in the human body and determined that CBD products can, indeed, help our patients overcome a wide range of mental and physical health problems.

Here’s a look at what CBD is, its role in healing, and why choosing the right product matters.

CBD 101

As we mentioned, CBD stands for cannabidiol, which is derived from the hemp plant, a close cousin of the marijuana plant. The first point to note about CBD is that this ingredient isn’t psychoactive, which means it doesn’t deliver the “high” that’s associated with marijuana — that comes from THC (tetrahydrocannabinol).

What’s worth noting from a biological perspective is that your body features a natural endocannabinoid system that regulates several of your functions, including appetite, sleep, and pain, as well as your immune system. 

To activate this system, your body produces neurotransmitters (endocannabinoids) that bind to cannabinoid receptors in your nervous system, where they go to work to reduce inflammation and quell pain. Our goal with a CBD supplement is to create more activity within this system.

While it may seem as if the use of CBD in medical circles is relatively new, the fact is that hemp and marijuana have been used for thousands of years to address any number of ailments. The reason for its resurgence now is due to the legalization of marijuana and an increasing awareness of the health benefits of hemp that are unrelated to marijuana as a recreational drug.

CBD and your health

Treating certain health conditions using cannabis isn’t necessarily new in the United States, as medical marijuana has been around for decades, helping people with:

• Nausea and vomiting due to cancer treatments
• Seizures
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Chronic pain
• Insomnia

With the increasing availability of hemp-derived products, we can now offer these same benefits to a wider population of patients.

Choosing the right CBD supplement

To put some numbers to the rebirth of CBD, the market is expected to increase from $292 million in 2016 to more than $2.15 billion in 2021.  Unfortunately, what this means is that suppliers large and small are jumping on the CBD bandwagon, and there’s very little regulation in place to ensure that consumers receive products that truly benefit their health.

Dr. McHugh has studied the field of CBD products and settled on UltraCell®, which offers science-backed and evidence-based products that deliver. According to the company’s research, many CBD products only offer 3% absorption rates because the active ingredient isn’t extracted properly. 

With Ultracell, you enjoy an absorption rate that’s 30 times higher, which means you’re receiving the full benefit of the supplement. Ultracell products come in sublingual drops or as a topical cream, and Dr. McHugh can help you choose the best supplement and dosing for your needs.

If you’d like to learn more about the benefits of CBD oils, please contact our office in The Woodlands, Texas.