Nowadays, you can find cannabidiol in almost any wellness product. Furthermore, it has become a common ingredient within the cosmetic industry. One of the latest discoveries is CBD eye drops.
This product combines traditional viscous formula with cannabidiol extract. It is presumed that cannabinoids can help with numerous eye issues and improve their function.
Items such as hemp eye drops are even more important because of how sensitive eyes are. You can’t put anything in your eyes because it can lead to a very volatile reaction.
Because of that, CBD seems like a great solution. This substance rarely leads to adverse effects and irritations, and, what’s more, it might even have certain anti-inflammatory properties.
In this article, we will talk more about CBD eye drops and what makes them so unique among similar products. Check it out!
What is CBD?
CBD or cannabidiol is the most common cannabinoid found in the hemp plant. It can also be extracted from cannabis, but most companies prefer going with hemp because of its low THC content (THC is a psychedelic compound that gets you high).
There are still a lot of questions surrounding CBD. Although it is often presented as a potent wellness substance, experts believe that cannabidiol reaches its maximum potential when it’s combined with other cannabinoids and substances found in hemp.
Regardless, CBD carries a unique set of properties and potential benefits to the human body.
How does CBD work?
According to the limited data, it is presumed that CBD is able to bind to endocannabinoid receptors found in our bodies. These receptors are a part of a larger endocannabinoid system.
Like with CBD, there are a lot of questions surrounding this system. This makes sense because we’ve only just discovered it (in 1990, to be precise).
Based on primary data and a limited number of studies, this system might be responsible for processes such as sleep, focus, regeneration, etc. In theory, by affecting the endocannabinoid system, you are able to harmonize all these processes.
But, the true power of CBD doesn’t lie in this. Instead, it is based on the presumption that the substance has strong anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties. This is especially important for a product such as CBD eye drops that have to be sensitive and neutral for your mucous membrane.
There is another thing that has to be considered. As you probably know, the first medicinal hemp and medicinal cannabis products were explored as a potential pain treatment.
Although there are still no hemp-based or CBD-based drugs for pain, there are a lot of people who believe that the substance can be used for this issue. The same presumption was made when CBD eye drops were created. In other words, a lot of manufacturers believe that it can be used for corneal neuropathic pain.
Unfortunately, there isn’t enough scientific data to corroborate any of these claims, and if you were to use the product in such a manner, it would be at your own responsibility. Keep in mind there is just one hemp-based product on the market, and that’s Epidiolex, which is used for certain types of muscle spasms.
What are CBD eye drops?
As already mentioned, these products are a combination of viscous formula and CBD oil. During the 1970s, there were studies that explored cannabis’ potential as a product that might help with pressure caused by glaucoma.
Participants in these studies would smoke and eat cannabis and hemp. At that time, we didn’t have eye drops.
Besides glaucoma’s pressure, scientists are hoping that this substance may provide mild relief for eye pain.
Are there any issues creating the product?
The main issue that hindered the creation of CBD eye drops is the fact that substances with a lipophilic profile are hard to be dissolved in water. Oil is a substance that floats on water, meaning that you cannot create a proper combination by using them together.
This was especially problematic with CBD-infused eye drops because they need to enter the tear layer of the cornea so they can deliver the benefits. But, with the implementation of modern technology, we finally have a solution for it!
Eye drops should work in a similar fashion as other medicinal hemp products. Unlike other similar items on the market, CBD eye drops usually focus on just one substance: cannabidiol.
Most producers avoid putting other cannabinoids and substances that are otherwise present in the hemp. This is especially true for THC.
By limiting the number of chemical compounds, it is easier to control the process and avoid adverse effects.
Are CBD eye drops safe?
Generally speaking, CBD is regarded as a safe substance. It does cause certain side effects, though.
For example, when you use the substance, you can experience issues such as dry mouth, drowsiness, change in appetite, and blood pressure. Topical CBD is a bit better as it can only cause minor irritations.
In that sense, if you were to experience some issues, they will likely be similar to those of topical CBD creams, ointments, and balms. But, keep in mind that the eye’s mucous membrane is much more sensitive than the regular skin tissue, so these problems might be a bit more severe in this particular case.
Finding the right dose for CBD eye drops
It is really hard to determine the right dosage for CBD products. These substances are just becoming mainstream, and for the most part, we have very little data regarding their potential long-term effects and what would happen in the case of an overdose.
When it comes to oral substances, experts recommend a very small dose of 5 milligrams.
You can increase the quantity as you go, and especially if you don’t notice any improvements. But, recommending the right dose for CBD eye drops can be much harder.
Like with all medicinal hemp products, it is better to be conservative. Start with a smaller quantity and ramp it up as you go.
We don’t know much about potential interactions with the eyes’ mucous membrane so it is better to be on the safe side.