what is cbd?

What would you say if someone asked you what CBD was? Something that could improve your mood or help you sleep better? Something that can improve your living but you’re not sure how? You’re unlikely to say, ‘CBD is one of many substances known as cannabinoids found in the Cannabis Sativa L. plant.’ Who could blame you? We’ve all heard about CBD, but that doesn’t particularly help us define what it is and what it can do.
 
CBD, or cannabidiol, is a plant component obtained from hemp. Not to be confused with marijuana, which some people use. THC and CBD interact with the human body through the endocannabinoid system, abbreviated ECS. The ECS is in charge of regulating biological functions such as sleep, our immune systems, and our mood. Whereas THC causes a distinct ‘high,’ CBD has no such effect. This has made it a highly appealing and legal option for many people who want to adopt it into their lifestyle in order to balance their health and wellbeing.

So What Does CBD Actually Do?

We’ve covered the details of what cannabidiol is, and its basic properties. Now, let’s look at what this powerful little compound can do.

For valid reasons, cannabidiol dominates the conversation about the medical use of cannabis. All of the 60-plus cannabinoids unique to the plant genus cannabis interact with our bodies thanks to a network of neurons called the endocannabinoid system.

The endocannabinoid system runs throughout your body and it is full of receptors that bind to the cannabinoids you introduce to your bloodstream when you consume CBD. It’s the chemical interactions of those bonds that create a wide and largely unknown series of responses in your body.

Now, without distorting the science too much, you could argue that humans are hard-wired for CBD. The endocannabinoid system runs deep and touches all of the major systems of the body. And that’s why CBD can do so many things for us, from altering and regulating moods to stimulating appetites and reducing pain.

And even though cannabidiol has no toxicity for humans, meaning it doesn’t make you intoxicated (i.e. high) it is highly reactive with the endocannabinoid system. To put things simply, CBD makes things happen in your body. When it binds to the endocannabinoid system’s receptors, it stimulates all kinds of changes. Most of those changes are incredibly beneficial, and researchers keep discovering real and potential medical uses for them.

Will CBD Get You High?

One of the most crucially important qualities of CBD is its lack of psycho-activity. This basically means that cannabidiol won’t get you high. Unlike THC, the cannabinoid with the power of producing euphoric sensations, Cannabidiol is dormant.

So when taken on its own, users experience none of the sensations of being stoned. And this is the single most important property of the cannabinoid from the medical and legal perspective.

Overview Of CBD Products

It’s easy to get confused by what type of CBD to buy. Many brands are now offering a wide range of products, including capsules, lotions, tinctures, and more. The Paradox of Choice can easily cause more stress.

So, to make it easier for everyone, we broke it down and created a list of the top ways to take CBD.

Overall, the top 5 ways to take and use CBD are (listed in no particular order):

  1. Tinctures (oils)
  2. Vapes
  3. Capsules
  4. Topicals
  5. Sprays

When buying any of these products, we highly recommend that you do your own research on CBD and hemp extract.

The Bottom Line

CBD oil has been studied for its potential role in treating many common health issues, including anxiety, depression, acne and heart disease. For those with cancer, it may even provide a natural alternative for pain and symptom relief.

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 still much to be learned about the capability and safety of CBD, results from recent studies suggest that CBD may provide a safe, powerful natural treatment for many health issues.