5 Reasons to Use CBD Instead of Over-the-Counter Drugs

Posted by Hilary Famolare on Aug 4th 2022

A pile of medications

CBD is a miraculous chemical that has fantastic effects on the human body. The specific ways it benefits people are too much to list in one place - it has an incredible medicinal impact on every part of our bodies, from our psyches to our hearts. It works amazingly at what it does, and there’s a good reason there are campaigns for it to be more widespread than it already is. This is especially true compared to over-the-counter drugs, which have numerous drawbacks that frequently get glossed over in the medical industry. That’s why we will count down five reasons to use CBD instead of traditional over-the-counter medicine.

Disclaimer

Nothing in this article should be seen as medical advice. If your doctor recommends you take a medication, it’s likely in your best interest to take that medication. CBD is not a replacement for all drugs on the market, and medical professionals do not write this article. In addition, disclose to your doctor if you aim to take CBD for any medications. Your doctor must know everything you’ll be on to avoid adverse health effects.

Related: CBD for Anxiety

CBD Isn’t Addictive

One of the necessary disclaimers of many over-the-counter drugs is that they could be addictive if taken in high enough dosages. When talking about addiction, I’m specifically referring to physiological dependence, in which your body gets attached and dependent on whatever you’re taking. Unfortunately, this is commonplace with many over-the-counter drugs and is a frequent warning you’ll find on many of them.

CBD, on the other hand, doesn’t have this concern. While it is possible to become psychologically dependent on CBD, it’s not a concern in the same way that addiction is. Likewise, it is impossible to become addicted physiologically to CBD as it lacks any associated properties that you’ll typically find in addictive chemicals. Simply put, compared to most over-the-counter drugs, CBD is just much safer to take.

Pills being placed into a pill organizer

You Know What’s Going In You

One of the biggest concerns that might be had with over-the-counter drugs is that you don’t know everything that goes into them. There are often a lot of chemicals with large, scientific names that can take up the bulk of your interest. After all, what exactly are those long-named substances you’re taking?

This is commonplace across many over-the-counter drugs. In comparison, CBD is simple - you know exactly what you’re going to take, and you know exactly what’s going to be inside you. It’s elegant and to the point, being just CBD. There are no unique bells and whistles; no add-ons will make you question whatever it is you’re doing. It’s just right to the point with what you’re getting - pure CBD!

Related: CBD Dosage: Directions & When to Take It

There Are Minimal Side-Effects

We’ve all seen those drug commercials on TV. A long list of symptoms follows an ad with a family playing happily as the commercial lists off ten things they can suffer from that are way worse than the ailment the drug is supposed to treat. This is very common with over-the-counter medications, as they’re experimental and factory-produced, so naturally, they come with an extensive laundry list of symptoms that could be experienced as a side effect of the main drug.

CBD, on the other hand, has far fewer side effects than most over-the-counter drugs and comes instead with several health benefits. It sports only mild side effects - dry mouth, less appetite, drowsiness, fatigue, and, at worst, diarrhea. Comparing this to some over-the-counter drugs that can give you seizures or death in the worst-case scenario, these are a preferable list of side effects to experience. There are also side effects if it mixes with your medication, so be aware of that and be sure to talk to your doctor before using it.

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It Has Mental Health Benefits

One of the things no one expects from their over-the-counter drugs is to experience mental health benefits from them. So it makes sense - you’re typically taking them for one express purpose, most often to alleviate some physical ailment plaguing you. Or, if you are taking a medication for mental health reasons, then it’s typically just for one thing - your antidepressants and mood stabilizers working just for those express purposes.

One of the unique benefits of CBD over and above your standard over-the-counter drugs is its wide array of health benefits, including for your mental health. For example, if you’re experiencing a bunch of anxiety all at once, CBD helps to alleviate the physical feelings of anxiousness and terror. If you’re feeling depressed, CBD can help to bring up your mood. If you’re even suffering from things like post-traumatic stress disorder, CBD can help. It can even help you go to sleep!

Related: Best CBD for the Active Elderly

Someone holding cannabis plants in their hand

There are Physical Health Benefits

Not only are there extraordinary mental health benefits to using CBD, but there are also numerous physical health benefits. For one, if you’re experiencing chronic fatigue or pain, CBD can help alleviate that. For another, if you have high blood pressure and are at risk of a stroke or heart attack, CBD can help.

This isn’t to say CBD is a supplement for any medications you’re on, but it can help not just whatever you’re experiencing but everything you may not even have treatment for yet. There’s a large sum of benefits to using CBD, and being in better physical health is only one of those upsides.

Final Thoughts

CBD has a wide array of health benefits and some advantages over traditional over-the-counter medications that should warrant consideration. Now, CBD isn’t a supplement for your doctor’s opinion; if your doctor advises you to take a particular medication, you should take it. But if you’re weighing your options as to whether or not CBD is more beneficial for your well-being and should be taken, hopefully, this article helped to give you some clarity on that subject.

Remember to stay happy and stay healthy!

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