Are Patients Turning to CBD as a Cheaper Alternative to Prescriptions?

It's no secret that prescription drug prices in the United States can be astronomical. If you don't have excellent insurance coverage, then you could find yourself coming out of pocket for expensive, critical medications. Unfortunately, some people even end up having to choose which prescriptions they need most and leaving the rest at the pharmacy.

Many Americans have illnesses they can't afford to let go untreated and pain they can't manage without some kind of relief. What do people like that do? What is CBD, and are people really using it in place of their prescription medications? Continue reading to learn what people all over the US have found in CBD and how you can get the relief you need for less money.

What is CBD?

The question in many people's heads right now is “What is CBD?” CBD is short for cannabidiol and as you may have guessed, it's a cannabinoid. Many people confuse CBD with THC — the high-causing cannabinoid found in marijuana — but CBD won't leave you feeling high the way THC does.

CBD is one of the many cannabinoids in marijuana, but research has shown that it actually counteracts the effects of THC. It's even considered an alternative for people who are trying to quit smoking tobacco or recover from opioid addiction.

As far as medical applications, CBD has many, but as a form of alternative medicine, it hasn't been tested nor is it certified by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The fact that the FDA hasn't given CBD the thumbs up doesn't mean CBD is dangerous or ineffective, but it takes years and millions of dollars to get a drug tested and certified by the FDA. Only big pharma has that kind of time and resources.

What is CBD good for?

As you read in the previous section, some experts believe that CBD can be used in the treatment for nicotine and opioid addiction, and that's just the tip of the iceberg. Aside from its possible effectiveness as a treatment for certain types of addiction, people also use CBD for many medical applications as well.

One of the main ways CBD is used is to relieve discomfort. For many people suffering from chronic pain from accidents or illness and wear and tear from arthritis, CBD has been heaven-sent. Even cancer patients use it to alleviate the discomfort of other symptoms related to their illness and treatment.

There are also several ways to take CBD, but CBD oil is by far the most popular. You can use the oil topically or ingest it depending on what you're using it for. People who enjoy smoking can also enjoy CBD hemp cigarettes and cones.

Once again, CBD isn't FDA approved, so doctors can't prescribe it for the diagnosis or treatment of a sickness or injury. However, CBD is legal and you can buy it right over the counter at your local pharmacy, convenient store, or smoke shop.

Are there cheaper options for prescription medications?

While CBD works for many people, like any complementary or alternative form of medicine, it's not for everyone. So if not CBD, how do you get the prescription drugs you need without having to milk your retirement fund or your children's' college fund?

Believe it or not, there are ways to get your prescriptions at a much more affordable price than you're used to. Websites like CheapoMeds.com help patients find prescription drugs at the lowest possible prices. They also offer deals and coupons that you can use at almost any United States pharmacy.

Even though you can get CBD over the counter, it's a wise decision to check with your physician before making CBD a part of your care regimen. Even though people have reported generally mild side effects, it's still better to get the opinion of a medical professional before trying it for yourself.

Tags: CBD vs Prescriptions, What is CBD good for