What is CBD?

There’s been a lot of hype built around CBD, or cannabidiol in recent years. Of course, as with many trends, there’s a lot of information and misconceptions that can make learning about this natural supplement a bit overwhelming. The gist is that CBD is a legal, plant-based, natural supplement that has become a popular alternative supplement to promote health and wellness.

Some History:

Like many plants, cannabis has been used for hundreds of years for its medicinal properties. Modern technology has helped us understand the various compounds found within the cannabis plant, including CBD and tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC. CBD is the second most prevalent compound found in cannabis, exceeded only by THC. THC is the psychoactive ingredient that creates the mind-altering “high” people experience when consuming marijuana.

There are various forms of cannabis, such as marijuana and hemp. The main difference between these two cannabis plants is that they have different content levels of both THC and CBD. Both compounds are found in these plants, however, hemp carries less than 0.3% THC, while marijuana carries more than 0.3% THC.

CBD can be derived from both hemp and marijuana, however, the THC content will differ, which affects the legality of the CBD product you may be consuming. This is important because in December of 2018 the Farm Bill removed hemp-derived products, including CBD, from the Controlled Substance Act. This change legalized CBD, which is why it has become more widely available and used in the past few years.

Keep in mind that CBD is legal if it comes from hemp and it contains less than 0.3% THC. So, it is important that you know the source of your CBD products! Now in terms of products, you can get CBD in various forms including tinctures, gummies, soft gels, and salves. Each of these methods has its benefits and drawbacks. You can learn more about topicals and ingestibles by reading these posts.

The Benefits of CBD:

There are continuous studies that focus on the effect of CBD on anxiety, depression, PTSD, and sleep disorders. There are also ongoing studies related to how CBD may improve cancer-related symptoms and side effects of treatments such as nausea and pain. And the results, thus far, suggest that CBD can be helpful in treating some ailments. The best part is that CBD is an all-natural compound that may be used to alleviate a myriad of symptoms without the negative side effects or dependency on pharmaceutical drugs.

How does it work?

Now, you may be wondering how CBD works and it is quite simple. Our bodies are very complex and made of various systems that work to keep us going. One of these systems is the endocannabinoid system which regulates various functions including mood, cognitive functions, and immune system responses. CBD stimulates the receptors in the endocannabinoid system and serves as a shield against enzymes that break down endocannabinoids, such as anandamide a.k.a. the “bliss molecule.”  

In essence, CBD supports health and wellness by protecting the molecules that affect your mood, pain sensation, and other cognitive functions which is why it has proven so beneficial in alleviating symptoms of various ailments.