CBD

Your guide to CBD

Wondering if CBD is for you? With this guide, I hope to bring a little more clarity around CBD and explore the ins and outs of the widely popular medicinal purpose.

What is CBD?

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a chemical in the Cannabis sativa plant, also known as cannabis or hemp. The primary active ingredient in cannabis is THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), which is responsible for the mood altering effects. But it also contains cannabidiol (CBD), a non psychoactive compound. The effectiveness and safety of manufactured medicinal cannabis products will depend on the balance of THC and CBD in each.

Why is CBD taken ? The benefits and impacts associated with cannabis use

CBD products have shown promise in helping users with health concerns like anxiety, insomnia, chronic pain, arthritis, and inflammation. Both types of CBD products with /without THC work by interacting with the endocannabinoid system to produce a range of health and wellness benefits, some including:

• Easing of; chronic pain, joint pain, arthritis and MS 
• Helps manage; stress, anxiety, depression and PTSD
• Lowers inflammation and allergic symptoms 
• Creates a better bodily state for sleep and can help with insomnia
• Has been known to help with Cancer, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.

Known these are pretty big promises from CBD, but to understand how and why the drug actually works, we have to get scientific.

How CBD actually works?

Cannabis is a plant that makes a thick substance full of compounds called cannabinoids. There are more than 100 of these chemicals in cannabis. They cause drug-like reactions in your body. CBD (cannabidiol) and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) are the most common cannabinoids found in cannabis products.

Both CBD and THC work with receptors that release neurotransmitters in your brain.

CBD interactions happen within the cb1 and cb2 receptors.

CB1 & CB2

CB1 receptors are connected to the body and the brain. CB1 receptors are also found on peripheral nerves and synapses. The CB1 effects are initial body and brain reactions, think the feelings and the thoughts.

CB2 receptors are play a role in regulating immune signalling and inflammatory responses throughout the body. They carry out anti inflammatory effects via CB2 receptors, whose activation changes the way signals of inflammation are transmitted. This is where the collective effect of taking CBD shows its positive results in our immunity and inflammation levels.

The difference between medicinal use and recreational use of cannabis?

THC and CBD are in both marijuana and hemp. Marijuana contains much more THC than hemp, while hemp has a lot of CBD. The main difference between medical cannabis and recreational cannabis is the Cannabidiol (CBD) and Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content. Recreational marijuana has more THC content than the medicinal CBD, THC is responsible for making users feel high.

The primary active ingredient in cannabis is THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), which is responsible for the mood altering effects. But it also contains cannabidiol (CBD), a non psychoactive compound. The effectiveness and safety of manufactured medicinal cannabis products will depend on the balance of THC and CBD in each.

Is Hemp CBD ?

Hemp is a cannabis plant like the drug marijuana but containing little to no tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the chemical that gets people high. Instead of THC, hemp contains cannabidiol (CBD). So the CBD levels in hemp products are present yet THC levels almost are not. The main difference between the two plants is the amount of each compound they contain. Cannabis contains more THC, and less CBD. Hemp contains more CBD and less THC. Most importantly, the benefits of CBD do not change whether it is cannabis derived CBD or hemp derived CBD.

Where is it accepted?

CBD is now widely available in many forms of wellness and lifestyle products.With it also being excepted and welcomed in multiple other countries such as Canada, The Netherlands, Jamaica, Spain and many South American countries, for recreational use. Cannabis is now legal for medical use in about thirty American states, and recreational use of the drug is legal in nine. Laws are changing and altering currently on cannabis. Many states allow medical marijuana, containing THC, for several uses, but it is still illegal under federal law to use recreationally. Some states have made recreational marijuana with THC legal for personal use, however it is something that is not legal in most.

Negative health impacts associated with cannabis use?

With everything, not everyone will get along with a supplement or substance. Short term effects may include: panic reactions, confusion and feelings of paranoia. Some may experience  nausea, headaches and reddened eyes. As well as increased heart rate and dizziness, which may impair concentration. It’s important to remember both THC and CBD may interact with other medications. For example, THC may decrease blood levels of antipsychotics or antidepressants and decrease their effectiveness.

Over the long term, cannabis smoking damages lung function.

Misconceptions 

The biggest misconception is that you have to get “high” to get the medicinal benefit from the plant. In many studies of cannabis or cannabinoids for pain, people were getting pain relief with minimal to no psycho activity.

Forms of CBD

You can take CBD through the following wellness oriented non smoking forms:

• Oil
• Creams
• Capsules 
• Edibles 

CBD can be added easily into your day, through your beauty routine, night time wind down rituals, beverages and cooking. Without any requirement for a smoking of vaping process. 

CBD for the future 

Research on the potential health benefits of CBD oil is ongoing, so new therapeutic uses for this natural remedy are sure to be discovered. Though there is much to be learned about the efficacy and safety of CBD, results from recent studies suggest that CBD may provide a safe, powerful natural treatment for many health issues.

If this post sparked your interest to start your own CBD journey, I suggest you know your source, seek out quality, and get clear on your motives on why you feel CBD would benefit you. 

Some reliable CBD brands that I have used

High line wellness 

https://highlinewellness.com

OTO

https://otocbd.com/