CBD or Cannabidiol is the main medicinal compound found in cannabis.
Also known as medical marijuana, it is one of the major cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant family, along with several hundred other chemicals or natural compounds, including THC and terpenes.
THC for the psyche or psychoactive effects, terpenes for flavor and aroma, and CBD for medicine.
As the main counterpart to THC, CBD does not give you any “high” or euphoria.
Meant solely for therapeutic purposes, it is known to help with a variety of physical and mental ailments, such as sleep, anxiety, and pain management.
Along with all the health benefits, CBD can offer you plenty of practical advantages_ over other cannabinoids, especially, the infamous THC.
Without further ado, let’s take a closer look:
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Toggle1. CBD has been extensively studied by the scientists
That’s right, unlike THC, which the mainstream medical community has largely ignored due to its intoxicating and sedating effects, CBD has been accepted with open arms.
Be it due to the age-old anecdotal reports or its real-time positive effects on patients, the potential of CBD is being widely explored as we speak.
No wonder it’s been recognized by even those who don’t necessarily consume cannabis.
FYI, CBD, albeit existent across the entire weed genus, is mainly obtained from special cannabis plants called hemp. As opposed to marijuana plants which have a higher THC content, hemp plants contain only up to 0.3% THC to avoid any high.
As such, most of the CBD or medical cannabis that you can find is usually derived from hemp plants and not THC-rich marijuana plants.
2. CBD is non-psychoactive
With such a negligible amount of THC, CBD cannot give you any highs or paranoia, as is the case with THC or tetrahydrocannabinol.
At best, it can only put you to sleep when taken in higher amounts.
In other words, it does not temper your mental clarity unless taken in combination with THC.
And this is why CBD is also sold in a variety of isolated forms, including cannabis oils and concentrates.
Due to the lack of euphoria or high, CBD can be used by anyone, regardless of their age or medical conditions (if any).
3. CBD is a legalized form of marijuana
As of 2018, the sale, production, and consumption of CBD products have been legalized as long as they are strictly hemp-derived and contain no more than 0.3% of THC, thanks to the recent Farm Bill of 2018.
As such, they are no longer considered controlled substances under Federal Law; however, state regulations may still apply.
On the federal level though, any part of a hemp plant including its seeds and all the other derivatives such as cannabinoids, extracts, oils, and concentrates, can be used or sold legally in the market.
This is why we can see all kinds of CBD-infused products, be it edibles, oils, tinctures, or vape juices, coming out in the legalized cannabis landscape as of late.
4. CBD can be consumed in safer and healthier ways
CBD can be extracted from the cannabis plant material in several ways and forms.
As such, it is available in both isolated forms and in combination with other cannabinoids, including THC, in what’s called broad-spectrum and full-spectrum CBD products.
Therefore, there are dozens of CBD products in all kinds of formats that you can buy.
From healthy edibles like mouthwatering gummies and capsules to edible oils, tinctures, and vape juices, there is something for everyone.
As versatile as it is, CBD can also be infused in various topicals including soaps, shampoos, balms, lotions, sprays, and other types of skincare products.
Given the overwhelming number of products, it is recommended to consult with your doctor or healthcare provider before you pick your poison, especially if you have an underlying medical condition.
5. CBD regulates biological functions
Did you know that our bodies naturally produce cannabinoids?
Well yes, like most other requisite compounds, our body secretes most cannabinoids including THC and CBD in required amounts to regulate many of our internal processes and functions.
Better known as endocannabinoids, they help with mood, sleep, appetite, immunity, and so on.
It is only when we have a lack of production of these compounds that our bodies need them from external sources to meet the deficiency and regulate all the functions.
Better referred to as Clinical Endocannabinoid Deficiency (CECD), it can lead to various health issues such as:
- Fibromyalgia.
- IBS or Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
- Headaches & Migraines.
- Multiple Sclerosis.
- PTSD.
- Huntington’s disease.
- Parkinson’s disease.
- Autism.
It is for this reason too that taking cannabis makes us feel happy and peaceful.
Speaking of which, some of the common benefits of CBD include:
- Lowering the blood pressure.
- Reducing pain and inflammation.
- Inducing sleep.
- Treating gastrointestinal disorders.
- Improving heart health.
- Preventing diabetes.
6. CBD offers physiological benefits
Along with its biological effects, CBD also offers plenty of physiological benefits when taken in ideal amounts.
These include:
- Reducing acne.
- Weight loss.
- Menstrual cramps and pain management.
- Better bone health.
- Relief from headaches and migraine.
How does it do that?
Well, the general perception is that CBD tends to bind with our endocannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2 that are located across our bodies through various systems such as the brain, nervous system, gastrointestinal tract, endocannabinoid system (ECS), immunity cells, and so on.
By connecting with our endocannabinoid receptors, CBD happens to regulate many of our physiological and biological functions.
7. CBD alleviates mental disorders
Thanks to its neuroprotective properties, CBD is also known to have numerous health benefits for our minds.
Considering the hectic modern lifestyle, many people consume CBD and cannabis as a whole solely for its mind-altering properties.
Keeping THC aside for a while, CBD alone can offer multiple mental health-related benefits including relief from anxiety and depression by maintaining the right serotonin levels- the hormone that regulates our mood.
Being anti-psychotic allows it to control and manage psychotic symptoms of conditions such as schizophrenia, psychosis, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Due to its neuroprotective properties, CBD is claimed to be quite beneficial in overcoming insomnia or lack of sleep.
8. CBD prevents epileptic seizures
Similarly, CBD is also known to have astounding positive effects for those suffering from epilepsy and seizures.
The scope of CBD in containing or controlling seizures can be understood by the fact that a growing number of those suffering from these conditions are turning to it over traditional medications. And for all the good reasons.
Compared to traditional medicines, CBD has shown to be more effective in treating epilepsy in its rare forms such as Dravet or Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.
It is for this reason that FDA has approved Epidiolex- the only CBD medicine, for treating epilepsy and seizures.
9. CBD helps with cancer treatment
We have long heard of CBD being a potential cure for cancer and tumors.
Be it word-of-mouth or clinical reports, the fact of the matter is that CBD does produce some promising results in those going through cancer treatments such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and hormone therapy.
Known to cause a variety of serious side effects, these cancer treatments often lead to insomnia, nausea, lack of appetite, pain, and poor digestion.
As an organic regulator, CBD can significantly reduce these effects by improving our appetite, mood, and sleep. At the same time, it is known to prohibit the multiplication of affected cells to minimize the spread of cancer to different organs and the body as a whole.
In addition, it also helps patients absorb other medications that are rather strong and sedating. Thus, increasing their potency and bioavailability.
10. CBD fights addiction and dependency
Speaking of which, CBD can also help you fight any addiction or dependency that you may have developed towards a specific drug or prescribed medicine.
While it may sound harmless; developing a tolerance for prescribed medications even after they have done their part in treating the condition can cause long-term damage to the body, especially, in kids and older adults.
In that, CBD has shown to be completely non-addictive with minimal side-effects which makes it a suitable alternative to traditional medicines.
At the same time, it can significantly lower your cravings for tobacco, alcohol, and opium, thus reducing the chances of substance abuse as is the case with most of these products.
All-in-all, CBD is a multi-dimensional compound that offers numerous health benefits in different aspects.
Be it physical, emotional, or mental, taking CBD in ideal amounts can promote a lot of health benefits including our day-to-day cognitive and motor functions.
To recap, these include:
• Relief from anxiety, pain, and inflammation.
• Better quality of sleep, digestion, and brain health.
• Weight loss, maintaining blood pressure, and improving cardiovascular health.
• Tumour and Cancer Prevention.
• Non-addictive.