What is CBD and why should I use it?
What is CBD?
CBD (short for cannabidiol) is a cannabis plant chemical compound. It is a naturally occurring substance that is used to give a sensation of relaxation and calm in products such as oils and edibles. It is not psychoactive, unlike its cousin tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
It's not a stretch to say that one of the most interesting and promising compounds presently undergoing strict medical and scientific research is CBD. In recent years, CBD has produced headlines for some pretty amazing outcomes. Due to the widespread awareness of this amazing compound however, misinformation and confusion about CBD is still fairly prominent.
How does CBD work?
Your body already has an endocannabinoid system that is very complicated, affecting various regions and functions. This system is full of "receptor" sites awaiting the presence of cannabinoid molecules. When the cannabinoid approaches, the receptor binds it to itself, establishing a complex chemical interaction that modern science is only just beginning to scratch the surface of understanding.
Unlike its sister molecule THC, CBD doesn't make you feel high - but don't believe an absence of psychoactive or intoxicating impact means nothing happens. On the contrary, it is very evident that when CBD binds to these cannabinoid receptors, there are many chemical reactions that happen. That said, the endocannabinoid system in the human body is omnipresent, affecting almost all significant functions (particularly homeostatic regulation) in some manner. Because of this, discerning all that CBD does, precisely when the binding happens, is quite a challenge. That’s where the research is at right now: trying to solve that very mystery.
What are the benefits and side effects of CBD?
Emerging studies demonstrate that endocannabinoids can play a part in controlling memory, sleep, and mood functions, as well as metabolic processes such as energy balance.
Common Uses
Proponents of CBD oil claim that it can treat a wide variety of health issues, ranging from everyday ailments to chronic medical conditions. These issues include:
- Acne
- Anxiety
- Chronic pain
- Depression
- Epilepsy
- Glaucoma
- Insomnia
- Loss of appetite and body weight
- Muscle spasms
- Parkinson's disease
It’s also said that CBD oil can promote sounder sleep, reduce inflammation and pain, fight oxidative stress, improve heart health, support weight loss, and protect against some forms of cancer.
Side Effects
As with most medicines, some research indicates that the use of CBD oil may trigger some side effects, including:
- Anxiety
- Changes in appetite
- Changes in mood
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Dry mouth
- Nausea
- Vomiting
If you're thinking about using CBD oil to treat a health problem (and it's legal where you live), be sure to first consult with your health care provider to discuss whether or not it's right for you.
In future articles, we'll be covering the different methods in which you can take CBD, how it's extracted and where the CBD we carry in stock comes from!