With the rise in medical marijuana legalization in state after state, it seems that natural medicine is finally beginning to beat out the entrenched corporate lobbyists in Washington, but what exactly is CBD? What is natural medicine? This article will answer all those questions and more.

What is CBD?

Cannabidiol, which is what CBD stands for, is an active ingredient found in the hemp plant. CBD typically comes in an oil form, produced by extracting the compound from hemp via a complicated laboratory procedure.

Because cannabidiol comes from the hemp plant, also known as marijuana, people often suffer from the misconception that it is an addictive substance. However, that claim couldn’t be farther from the truth. CBD actually demonstrates absolutely no “high” whatsoever in humans and poses no risk of dependence or addiction in patients who use it.

Unfortunately, CBD is not strictly legal in all states. Although it is not illegal, many states have strict regulations on the legal usage of CBD. Provided that the patient only purchases CBD when given a prescription from a licensed medical practitioner, however, that problem becomes null and void.

What are the Benefits of CBD?

CBD poses a wide array of benefits with little costs (which will be discussed later in this article). One of the most noteworthy benefits of CBD can be seen in its effectiveness as a treatment for people suffering from severe epilepsy syndromes, including Dravet Syndrome and LGS (Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome), neither of which typically respond to anti-seizure prescriptions.

Cannabidiol can also serve to alleviate chronic pain from a variety of different sources without posing any risk of the patient developing a dependence on or an addiction to the medication. 

Pain management is one of the major benefits of CBD as opposed to the highly addictive and potentially fatal (in terms of overdose potential) opioids Percocet and OxyContin, which are typically prescribed for the same purposes.

What are the Risks of Taking CBD?

Although the research on CBD is currently limited by federal law, the existing data shows that there are few, if any, negative physiological or psychological side-effects of taking CBD. That said, there are a few financial and practical disadvantages of CBD as a treatment option.

One of the more frustrating risks is the potential for financial loss associated with CBD treatments. CBD treatments can typically cost between $300 and $1,500, but no nationwide insurance provider in the United States will cover it because of the federal prohibition of mariuana, which is still listed as a Schedule One narcotic by the Drug Enforcement Agency.

Aside from the difficulty in obtaining CBD, there are only a few other mild disadvantages of taking it. Compare that to the increased risk of death, liver failure, and so on associated with many other prescription medications and you can quickly come to understand why healthcare professionals are pushing so hard for the federal legalization of CBD.

What Other Natural Medicines are Out There?

When it comes to natural medicine, there are hundreds upon hundreds of possible treatment options other than medical mariuana and CBD. Depending on your symptoms, you might even be able to see significant improvement while enjoying a relaxing evening at a med spa, although the benefits of doing depend entirely on your symptoms. For instance, if you suffer from chronic seizures, you might want to stick with the CBD.

In the words of Dr. Sarah Bennett, the naturopathic doctor at Natural Med Doc, “The phrase ‘natural medicine’ really just refers to a treatment option based on organic methodology.” Under that definition, anything from meeting with a dietician to receiving deep-tissue massage therapy can be considered a facet of natural medicine.

Important Notice About Medicare

When it comes to natural medicine, private insurance can be quite a headache. If you happen to be on Medicare, then that headache can feel more like a throbbing, aching migraine.

Because of the fact that medical marijuana is illegal on the federal level (despite the fact that it might be legal in your state), federal programs such as Medicare cannot be used to finance treatments that include it.

This has led to an increased number of medicare fraud attorneys having to defend innocent people who simply didn’t know any better. In order to avoid fines and potential jail time for the “crime” of seeking treatment for your healthcare needs, make sure to inform your doctor if you are on Medicare and ask for any possible workarounds.

Conclusion

Navigating the healthcare industry can be quite a challenge for even the savviest shopper. However, by committing to memory the facts listed in this article, you should have an understanding of CBD and other natural medicine detailed enough to decide which course of treatment is right for you.

All that’s left standing between you and your perfect health now is the time it takes to make a doctor’s appointment!

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