What Is CBD?

What is CBD you ask? Get ready for a science lesson that is fun and relevant to our everyday lives! CBD (short for Cannabidiol) is a natural compound found in the resinous flower of the cannabis herb. CBD is a safe, non-addictive substance and one more than one hundred “phytocannabinoids” unique to the cannabis plant. A phytocannabinoid is a molecule that is synthesized by plants, and interacts with the same receptors as our “endocannabinoid” system, or ECS.

Our ECS is thought to be responsible for regulating and balancing many processes throughout our body, including communication between cells, immune response, memory, appetite and metabolism among many others (this why smoking a joint may make you really hungry, so we’ve heard). So “phytocannabinoid” = plant receptor, “endocannabinoid” = human receptor. Two primary endocannabinoids are Anandamide and 2-ArachidonoylGlyceral (try saying that three times fast) or 2-AG. Anandamide is a molecule that runs all throughout the ECS and works with stimulation, appetite and memory. Cannabinoid receptors are in almost every part of the body, according to recent studies. Our two primary receptors are CB1 (which is primarily our Central Nervous System or CNS consisting primarily of the brain and spinal cord) and CB2 receptors (most commonly found in our immune system. CB1 receptors are thought to be responsible for a healthy brain and our among the most common receptors in the nervous system, regulating mood, memory, pain, and motor function. CB2 receptors are responsible for inflammation and immune response, so autoimmune disorders or digestive issues can potentially be relieved by restoring balance to these receptors with CBD.

Among the most well known and researched phytocannabinoids are THC and CBD. THC is what makes one feel “high” or intoxicated when you ingest it, which CBD DOES NOT. Most cannabinoids can bind to both CB1 & CB2. This is true for the two endocannabinoids (anandamide & 2-AG) as well as phytocannabinoids like THC. However, CBD does not directly bind to either receptor, it modifies the receptor’s ability to bind to other cannabinoids. Because of this, CBD can play a huge role in balancing out the endocannabinoid system to promote general well being.

Now that we got that science lesson, we can now get down to what CBD is useful for. Hemp derived from CBD has a host of potential benefits, but we will be narrowing down the scope to five.

 

1. Sense of Calm: Usage of CBD on a regular basis can promote a sense of overall calm. Users report feeling more relaxed after ingesting a product with CBD. This is arguably the main benefit from these products, as modern society is so hectic. We are so wired to information that it is inescapable. Picture your room: you’ve probably got a TV on the cabinet, while you’re on your computer, and all the while have a steady stream of social media updates on your phone. The overall amount of information that we are passed is enough to inundate us in a sea of nervous energy. According to this study, users who utilized a CBD product had less anxiety, cognitive impairment, and overall discomfort than those who had taken a placebo prior to public speaking. More people are afraid of public speaking than they are of any other phobia, including death! This is a good indication that overall, CBD derived from hemp products are among the best ways to promote a sense of bliss so that we can tackle our day. The effects can be priceless. Who knows how much better your day would be if you just had that extra sense of calm?

2. Stress Relief: Stress is among the most prevalent issues in modern society, with most of the leading diseases having an underlying connection to stress like heart disease. We can all relate to a time where we felt a stress weighing on us, and came out feeling like a weight was on our shoulders. With the hours piling up at the office, lecture hours, classwork, family, relationships, and a calendar that is likely overbooked we now need healthy brain habits more than ever. In today’s “hustle culture,” we must take care of our minds so that we can function at an optimal level.

3. Exercise recovery: CBD has risen in popularity among fitness instructors, chiropractors, and physical therapists for its healing properties. When one exercises, the body is challenged and this causes minor tears in the tissue. As the body heals those tissues, it grows back stronger. Meanwhile, the body experiences soreness and pain due to inflammation from healing the tissues. CBD may aid in the recovery of the body due to the anti-inflammatory properties.

4. Pain: CBD has been shown to have effects on the ECS and serotonin receptors that deal with the perception of pain. The signaling network of CB1 and CB2 receptors control the stimulation of nerve cells which increase and decrease and pain. Usually, antidepressants and painkillers target neurotransmitters, but at the cost of a multitude of side effects. However, because of the ECS role in the perception of pain, one can use CBD to stimulate these neurotransmitters in a more natural fashion. These allows us to go about our day with the weight of pain off our shoulders and go through our everyday lives without the shackle of constant pain or harmful side effects.

5. Improved Sleep: Many of us have dealt with insomnia before, and it can be a real nightmare. Staying awake for hours on end, running through the events of the day, while your heartbeat can be heard through your eardrums. Does this sound familiar? Well this has to do with your sleep hygiene is maintained. CBD can be one of the many components of a healthy sleep routine due to its ECS regulation (the ECS contains receptors specifically for the regulation of sleep). Among this routine should be familiar advice such as keeping the bedroom strictly for bedroom activities (limiting watching TV or being on a cell phone), shutting down electronics an hour before bed, settling into a certain time of night to sleep, and taking CBD before bed. Although CBD will not make one feel drowsy enough to knock out like melatonin, it should ease some of the thoughts racing through the mind and the racing heartbeat, allowing one to settle into a good sleep cycle.

Overall, CBD derived from hemp does NOT have psychoactive properties, so therefore does not cause the feeling of “high” that cannabis that contains THC produces. CBD users also report a feeling of calm, and the ability to function at a normal level without the shackles of pain, stress and anxiety. CBD has a high safety index according to the World Health Organization, but it can cause some discomfort when too much is taken. Some dry mouth, nausea, and light-headedness can occur too high of a dose is consumed. This shouldn’t be a deterrent, however, because most people report feeling good when taking an optimal dose.