A Concise Guide To Cannabidiol
How much do you know about the cannabis plant? Science is uncovering more about marijuana, a Schedule 1 drug that received much backlash during the War on Drugs.
There are 80 different cannabinoids in the marijuana plant. All offer distinctive effects, but they also offer health benefits.
Among them is cannabidiol, or CBD. CBD doesn't produce any psychoactive effects.
Rather, it offers a wide range of health benefits. The secret comes from our endocannabinoid system. It triggers our cells to react in a certain way caused by the various marijuana components.
Continue reading and discover CBD cannabidiol's amazing benefits and why it helps our body.
What Is CBD?
CBD cannabidiol is the cannabis compound that offers various health benefits.
But unlike other marijuana compounds, CBD doesn't produce the marijuana “high.” CBD is specific to the marijuana plant and makes up 40% of the plant. It is found in both psychoactive cannabis and non-psychoactive hemp.
CBD is one of the many cannabinoids that help our body. CBD attaches to our CB2 receptors, which are found in our brain, nervous system, immune system, stomach, and many other areas.
CBD isn't psychoactive because of our endocannabinoid system. Unlike THC, which attaches to our CB1 receptors, CBD doesn't control the same areas that THC controls.
CB1 receptors benefit the brain and stomach, but they alter mood and the mind. CB2 receptors benefit many bodily functions and can prevent health ailments such as pain, sickness, and even disease.
This is why CBD is beneficial for healthy people and those suffering from health ailments.
Technically, CBD is legal almost everywhere. When extracted from the hemp plant, there is a very little stigma associated with CBD. But the stigma still follows its medicinal use, especially when extracted from psychoactive cannabis.
CBD's History
Today, CBD cannabidiol is used extensively. Most CBD users are medical patients with physical or mental ailments. But CBD has been around longer than we think.
Throughout history, humans have used marijuana.
But marijuana's medical benefits weren't discovered until the 1970's. Scientists found a way to isolate THC; but when they did this, they discovered CBD. After the discovery of CBD, experts tested its effects.
But CBD isolation wasn't fully understood until the late 90's. British researchers at the Foundation of GW Pharmaceuticals experimented with high-quality Dutch marijuana strains. They extracted and isolated CBD.
Around this same time, marijuana became legal in California. American researchers also found CBD's therapeutic benefits. But because of lack of technology, it was difficult to sell isolated CBD to consumers.
But ten years later, high-CBD strains were formed.
Farmers started cultivating marijuana strains specific for CBD production. Among them is a high-CBD strain used consistently today: Cannatonic. Other CBD-dominant strains, such as ACDC and Sour Diesel, were also formed.
Around this time, CBD extraction occurred. Due to marijuana's popularity in California, users wanted a consumption alternative to avoid smoking marijuana and didn't want to taste or smell marijuana.
CBD was extracted using carbon dioxide, making CBD oil a safer consumption alternative.
Why Doesn't CBD Get You High?
Out of the 80 cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant, most will activate the typical “high.” Even compounds such as terpenes — which are responsible for the marijuana plant's smell and taste — contain some euphoric aspects.
The reason why CBD cannabidiol doesn't generate a high has to do with our endocannabinoid system.
Our CB1 receptors alter our mood. THC and other various marijuana components activate this sensor. But CBD has no interference with our CB1 receptors, only our CB2 receptors.
But does CBD generate any feeling? You'll feel slight effects of CBD, but they're different than the “high” from the rest of the marijuana plant. It's normal to feel relaxed, even sleepy, from the marijuana plant.
Keep in mind, everyone is different. Some say they don't experience any effects from CBD. Others state they experience slight euphoria after taking CBD.
What Health Benefits Does CBD Offer?
CBD treats several different ailments. CB2 receptors are prevalent throughout our body. CBD acts as a director for our cells. When cannabinoids attach to receptors, they control the function and movement of cells.
Here are some of the benefits most receive from CBD cannabidiol.
Pain
Those who have chronic pain can benefit from CBD cannabidiol. This type of pain includes non-malignant pain such as migraines, post-op pain, and even the pain associated with certain diseases such as fibromyalgia.
The secret lies within your nervous system. CB2 receptors exist in your nerves and your brains. When you experience pain, nerve cells act as messengers to brain cells, signaling pain. CBD helps stop this communication.
When your nerves cells don't communicate with your brain, you don't feel pain.
In addition to nerve pain, CBD also helps the joint and muscular pain.
CBD is especially beneficial for those who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis.
Since CB2 receptors are found in the immune system, CBD helps reduce the pain and inflammation associated with arthritis. This helps decrease the tension and inflammation of your joints.
Many athletes are bodybuilders take CBD for its physical benefits. CBD from indica-dominant cannabis strains helps relax the muscles and the body. This helps during the recovery process.
Epilepsy
One of the many reasons why CBD cannabidiol emerged into the spotlight was because of Charlotte Figi.
This little girl has Dravet Syndrome, a severe form of epilepsy. Because she experienced hundreds of seizures each day, Charlotte was close to death.
But the Stanley Brothers created Charlotte's Web, a high-CBD strain that is designed to help epileptic patients. Charlotte's seizures decreased; from experiencing hundreds a day, she only experienced a couple of seizures.
Because of this incredible story, more parents and adult epileptic sufferers turned to CBD for therapy. CBD is said to decrease epileptic seizures by 23%.
Because CBD doesn't contain psychoactive THC, it's safe to administer to children. Because of this fact, the FDA approves this form of medication.
Helps Mental Ailments
CBD cannabidiol doesn't alter your mood the way THC does, but CBD can still help patients with various mental disorders.
CBD helps those with general anxiety and depression issues, as well as helping more severe conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and schizophrenia.
Even though CBD doesn't produce a “high,” it does leave a calming effect.
This helps relieve anxiety, especially when the CBD is extracted from indica-dominant cannabis strains.
CBD also helps improve serotonergic and glutamate cortical signaling. In other words, CBD strengthens the neurotransmitter serotonin and induces changes in our glutamate neurotransmission (which controls stress).
This is why CBD is effective at treating PTSD as well as other anxiety disorders such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and social anxiety. Unlike anti-depressants and other pharmaceuticals, CBD isn't habit forming.
Since CBD also interferes with serotonin, it also improves depression.
When serotonin is heightened, your mood is improved. Most anti-depressants induce activity from these neurotransmitters, but CBD can perform the same task with no side effects.
Even if you don't have a mental disorder, CBD will assist you after a long day or work or through a rough period of your life.
Fights Sickness
CB2 receptors are prevalent in your immune system.
This means CBD cannabidiol can fight a variety of sicknesses, including viral ones. While you should always go to the doctor if you experience severe sickness symptoms such as a fever, CBD can heighten the healing effects.
CBD has been shown to reduce the symptoms associated with the common cold. Since CBD is anti-inflammatory, it can help reduce inflammation in the sinuses.
Because of CBD's calming effects, it can help treat insomnia associated with the common cold.
While you should always use CBD along with other medications, CBD's anti-bacterial properties help fight off the sickness.
Since CBD controls immune cells, CBD strengthens your immune system. This helps fight sicknesses in the long-run.
Reduces Oxidative Stress
When your cells endure oxidation, bad cells and free radicals form that kill off good cells. This process is responsible for several health ailments, including cancer.
Other ailments caused by oxidative stress include stroke and cardiovascular disease.
CB2 receptors help form a barrier around good cells. When bad cells try to attack, they won't be able to destroy the good cells. CBD also helps kill off bad cells by depleting them of oxygen, forcing bad cells to endure necrosis.
This is why CBD cannabidiol is considered to be a potent antioxidant. Because of our toxic environment and the preservatives found in food, more free radicals enter our system.
This is why ingesting antioxidants, such as CBD, is more important now than ever.
CBD Consumption Methods
So now you're convinced CBD will benefit your health. But how do you use it?
Since CBD cannabidiol is extracted and isolated, you can't consume the whole cannabis plant (unless you choose a CBD-dominant strain). Fortunately, CBD extraction opens up a multitude of marijuana consumption varieties.
These include:
Vaporizing
CBD cannabidiol is typically consumed as vapor. When CBD is extracted, it's made into an oil.
This oil can be applied to a vape pen. The pen burns the oil at low temperatures. But rather than producing harsh smoke — which is what occurs when you ignite plants at hot temperatures — the oil turns to a slight vapor.
Tinctures
When CBD cannabidiol is extracted, it's combined with either alcohol or vegetable glycerin.
This results in less concentrated CBD oil, which is perfect as a tincture. Tinctures come in a bottle with a dropper. You administer the oil with the dropper, either under your tongue or in food or a beverage.
Topical
CBD cannabidiol oil can be made into a cream, which is applied to the skin. These creams are ideal for those who have isolated pain and inflammation. Even if a topical product contains THC, they're not psychoactive.
Spray
Similar to a tincture, a spray contains the same CBD cannabidiol properties. But instead of being administered with a dropper, you administer the tincture with a spray bottle. You usually spray the tincture under your tongue.
Will CBD Work For Me?
CBD cannabidiol helps a wide variety of health issues.
But every patient is different. Some patients reported CBD saved their life. Others reported no to little improvement in their various health ailments. Therefore, consider some facts before trying CBD.
The Strain
All CBD strains are different. Some CBD cannabidiol strains are created for specific health issues.
Other strains are more generalized. Some are also more potent than others. As a first-time CBD user, you'll have to experiment before finding your perfect strain.
THC
If you tried CBD cannabidiol and didn't experience any CBD medical benefits, don't give up on medical marijuana. Even though THC is the potent mind-altering marijuana compound, it contains several health benefits.
CB1 receptors are found in other areas of the body, other than the brain; specifically, in the stomach.
THC helps relieve nausea and vomiting. THC also has benefits for your muscles, helping deal with symptoms of serious diseases such as multiple sclerosis.
But since CB1 receptors are strongest in the brain, they help control mood and mental factors.
These include insomnia, depression, and even anorexia. Since CB1 receptors also interfere with brain-to-nerve cell communication, THC also offers pain relief.
If your CBD medication didn't work for you, you probably need a dual CBD and THC strain. You will experience the psychoactive effects, but you'll also receive more healing.
Certain Disorders
Certain disorders work better with CBD cannabidiol. CBD is strong enough to reduce seizures, lower blood pressure, and recover from pain.
But CBD can't heal hepatitis, HIV and other ailments. While CBD assists with symptoms, you'll need to take CBD along with doctor-prescribed medications.
Start Taking CBD Cannabidiol
More research is released that supports CBD as a potent medication.
CBD is known for treating several symptoms and even whole diseases. CBD's strong medicinal benefits come from their involvement with our endocannabinoid system.
CBD also has no psychoactive effects, making it safe for children. CBD can be administered in a variety of different ways, including vaporizing and ingestion.
If medical marijuana is allowed in your state, see if you qualify for CBD.
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