ELI5 what does CBD oil actually do to the body to numb/reduce pain or stop seizures? What makes it a “snake oil” or a “magical cure-all”?

I'm no expert, though I've looked into CBD a bit for my dog since he has crippling anxiety. What Id like to say is that there is a huge distinction between "cure" and "treat". CBD sounds like snakeoil because the incorrect terminology is used and our brains naturally refute it. It's not your fault you used the word "cure" since that's the word you've heard other people use, and you may even consciously know you mean "treat", but for some I think "miracle cure" is the first thing that comes to mind, and CBD is not yet known to "cure" anything. You need to keep taking CBD, and should you stop, your symptoms will return, whether those symptoms are anxiety or back pain or seizures.

With that in mind, it's easier I think for people to consider CBD like ibuprofen or some other common OTC drug. Ibuprofen has many effects on the body and can be used for temporary treatment of swelling, pain, or even fever. No one ever says, "But how does it do all those things?" We simply accept that it's a chemical reaction within our body, which is exactly what CBD is doing.

/r/explainlikeimfive Thread