By Anna Salisbury, COM 250 Reporter
Edited by Carlie Little, COM 303 Editor
MOUNT BERRY, Ga. — As CBD gains respect in the medical field, Rome and Berry community members see the substance as a new cure-all remedy to treat various diseases and disorders.
CBD is an abbreviation for Cannabidiol, also known as Cannabis Oil. This product affects the endocannabinoid, a part of the brain and body’s regulatory system that helps maintain homeostasis within the body.
CBD comes in many forms, including oils and pills, and has helped treat diseases and disorders including: epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, neuropathy, diabetes, chronic pain, multiple sclerosis, and PTSD.
CBD is a natural substance used as a treatment for many kinds of illnesses.
Larry Lassiter, the co-owner of The Herb Shop On Broad, believes that CBD is also a great all-around remedy.
“We have had many people come in here with severe symptoms, ranging from different disorders to pains but have come out with little to no symptoms because of our products” Lassiter said.
Although discourse surrounding the substance has been heated, CBD has proven to be effective at easing symptoms of a wide range of conditions.
CBD is the non-psychoactive portion of the marijuana plant, so it does not make users high, unlike other cannabis-based substances. Consumers should also know that CBD is legal in every state and can go across all state lines. It is considered a supplement and The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers its ingredients to be food items, so there are no legal restrictions on consumption. Additionally, CBD is not limited to any age. There is a large age range in the consumers who frequent The Herb Shop On Broad, Lassiter said.
“Our youngest consumer is three-months-old and our oldest is retired and 96-years-old,” Lassiter said.
Although CBD use is not restricted to any age, 18 is the recommended age for purchasing products.
Andrew Hendrix is a freshman at Berry College who uses CBD products for his dry and damaged skin.
“I would recommend it because it is a naturally grown substance, healthier for the skin, and it works,” Hendrix said.
Hendrix can easily purchase 12 ounces of cream for $10 and does not need a medicinal prescription. He uses a hand cream that he applies after the shower to absorb into the skin, and said he has seen improvement thanks to the product. He has tried other products such as hydrocortisone, but they ultimately made his skin worse by causing him to break out in hives.
According to Lassiter, there are many other medical benefits to using CBD products besides external symptoms. It is also a powerful pain reliever that is effective in both peripheral neuropathic pain and central pain, Lassiter said. It can act as an immunomodulator, which means that helps the immune system function more effectively. Lassiter said that the consumption of THC, on the other hand, results in symptoms such as paranoia, intoxication, quick heartbeat, and memory loss.