What is Cannabidiol (CBD), what does it do, and how does CBD work?
It seems everywhere you look these days; people are talking about CBD. But what is cannabidiol (CBD), how does it work, and what does it do? CBD products are becoming more and more popular, with several large grocery stores and outlets now stocking their brand CBD products.
But what is CBD, and how does CBD work? In the following article, we’ll take a closer look at what CBD is, whether it will get you high, what the health benefits of CBD are, how it interacts with your body, the best ways to take CBD, and whether CBD is legal.
What Is CBD?
Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the two dominant cannabinoids found in the cannabis sativa plant, with the other dominant cannabinoid being tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). You may be interested to learn that there are over 100 different cannabinoids that scientists and researchers have identified so far!
Almost all CBD products are made using CBD, which is sourced from hemp plants, not marijuana, the other primary type of cannabis sativa plant. This is because hemp is naturally low in THC. The popularity of CBD is primarily thanks to the 2018 US Farm Bill, which legalized products made from hemp which contain less than 0.3 THC at a federal level.
Will CBD Get Me High?
No! CBD by itself will not get you high in any way or form. Unlike THC, which has psychoactive properties, CBD doesn’t interact with your body in the same way and, even in high doses, will not get you high or have any hallucinogenic properties.
While most legal CBD contains less than 0.3% THC, some CBD products sold in states where marijuana is legal may contain more THC. It’s important to always check the active ingredients of any CBD product before consumption.
What Are the Health Benefits of CBD?
You’ve most likely read a lot about the potential benefits of CBD. However, it’s important to note that no two people or their conditions are the same, and what works for someone may not work for someone else.
Currently, we have a lot of positive studies about CBD and other cannabinoids but not a lot of clinical data. There has only been one drug that contains CBD as the active ingredient, which was approved by the FDA.
Some of the most popular reasons why people use CBD include:
- Inflammation
- Chronic Pain
- Appetite
- Sleep
- Skin Care
- Stress
- Mental Health Conditions including Depression, Anxiety, and PTSD.
How Does CBD Interact with Your Body?
Inside all of us is something known as the Endocannabinoid System (ECS). The ECS is a complicated cell signaling system that is made up of receptors (CB1 and CB2) and spread throughout the body. Scientists believe that the ECS is responsible for regulating bodily functions such as hormones, sleep, mood, memory, and appetite.
Everyone, regardless of whether they have tried CBD or other cannabinoids, has an ECS. It’s believed that the ECS is responsible for maintaining balance and harmony. Our body naturally produces endocannabinoids, anandamide (AEA), and 2-arachidonoylglyerol (2-AG). However, when we aren’t producing enough of these endocannabinoids or are processing them too quickly, our internal systems can get out of alignment.
Cannabinoids such as CBD could supplement the endocannabinoids that our body produces and help the ECS to restore balance and harmony.
What’s the Best Way To Use CBD?
One of the best things about CBD is it’s naturally versatile. There are a variety of effective ways that you can incorporate CBD into your daily health and wellness routines. Each delivery method varies on how quickly the effects are felt and how long the effects last.
Some of the most popular delivery methods include:
- CBD Oils and Tinctures – Because oils and tinctures pass through the digestive system, they are slow acting but long-lasting.
- CBD Vape Liquids – CBD vape liquids are designed to be inhaled where the CBD enters the bloodstream via the thin tissue in the lungs. CBD vapes are fast acting, but the effects wear off faster than oils and edibles and require more frequent doses throughout the day.
- CBD Edibles – There are various CBD edibles, including CBD gummies. Edibles, like oils, pass through the digestive system, so they are slow acting but long-lasting.
Is CBD Legal?
Thanks to the 2018 US Farm Bill, CBD products made from hemp, which contain less than 0.3% THC, are legal at a federal level. While almost all states in the United States moved to follow suit and apply the same regulations, it’s essential to check your local laws before you buy any CBD.
Also, always check the active ingredients to ensure that you’re getting a CBD product made from hemp, which contains less than 0.3% THC, and not a CBD product made from marijuana which is higher in THC and lower in CBD.
What Is CBD – Conclusion
There you go! Everything you ever wanted to learn about CBD. As the popularity of CBD increases, we’re seeing more and more studies and clinical trials being conducted. This means that the more popular it becomes, the more we learn.
It’s always exciting when you can take a 100% natural product and utilize it instead of something pharmaceutical, and that’s what CBD could potentially allow you to do it.
It’s important to note that how you react to CBD, and how someone else reacts to CBD may be very different. No two people are the same, and the effects of CBD can vary greatly. If you have any existing health or medical, always speak to your doctor or healthcare professional prior to trying CBD, as it can interact with some pharmaceutical medications affecting how quickly or slowly your body processes them.
If you have any questions about CBD or would like to learn more, then please don’t hesitate to contact us directly. Our professional and friendly team is happy to assist you with your CBD-related questions.