CBD school - Start your CBD education the right way!
By now, you’ve probably heard someone mention CBD, especially if you live with a chronic condition like pain or anxiety. If you’re looking to try CBD but aren’t sure where to start
CBD school - Start your CBD education the right way!
By now, you’ve probably heard someone mention CBD, especially if you live with a chronic condition like pain or anxiety. If you’re looking to try CBD but aren’t sure where to start, we put together this handy guide to answer your questions and help clear up some of the common misconceptions surrounding CBD.
What are Cannabinoids?
Cannabinoids are active chemical compounds involved with appetite, memory, movement, pain, and the immune system.
Some Cannabinoids are part of the Endocannabinoid System in mammals, but they can also be found in plants or produced synthetically. Cannabinoids bind to cannabinoid receptors located on the cell membrane causing different effects.
Cannabinoids can provide relief to humans (and other animals) for many conditions: inflammation, chronic pain, seizures, anxiety, nausea, fibromyalgia, insomnia, etc. There are three types of cannabinoids: endocannabinoids (naturally produced in the body), phytocannabinoids (found in plants), and synthetic (lab-produced) cannabinoids. The most well-known cannabinoids are THC, CBD, and CBN. All of them are phytocannabinoids.
What is CBD?
Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of over 100 chemical compounds known as cannabinoids found in the cannabis or marijuana plant, Cannabis L Sativa. Unlike THC, CBD is not intoxicating.
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the main psychoactive cannabinoid found in Cannabis and causes the sensation of getting “high” that’s often associated with cannabis. CBD causes the sensation of getting “grounded”.
Hemp vs Marijuana
Hemp and marijuana are usually referred to as “species” or “strains” of Cannabis, but they actually do not qualify as either. Simply said, the amount of THC in the plant determines if a plant is considered hemp or marijuana. These words, jargon really, were created as a marketing technique by Henry Anslinger, a known racist, who started the movement called “Reefer Madness” intended to marginalize and penalize black people who consume cannabis at the same rate as whites but are disproportionally incarcerated due to the “war on drugs”.
- Marijuana refers to varieties of Cannabis that contain more than 0.3% THC, and it can induce psychotropic effects.
- Hemp is a term used to classify varieties of Cannabis with THC of 0.3% or less. It is used in health food supplements, skincare products, clothing, and industrial products.
The number of species within the genus Cannabis is disputed. Three species may be recognized: Cannabis Sativa, Cannabis Indica, and Cannabis Ruderalis (C). Ruderalis may be included within C. Sativa. All three may be treated as subspecies of a single species C. Sativa, or C. Sativa may be accepted as a single undivided species.
Endocannabinoid system and CBD?
CBD works with the body’s endocannabinoid system, a network present in all mammals that controls key aspects of our biology. Introducing CBD into the body creates homeostasis, or balance, within this system, promoting holistic health and well-being.
Scientists discovered the Endocannabinoid System recently, and research suggests that it is involved in many physiological and cognitive processes:
-Maintaining homeostasis (experts believe this is the main function of ECS)
- Appetite and Digestion
- Memory and Learning
- Liver function
- Immune system
- Nervous system
- Cardiovascular system
- Muscle formation
- Bone remodeling and growth
What are the health benefits of CBD?
CBD has been the subject of much research over the past few years. Cannabidiol is a potent antioxidant, has sedative, relaxant effects, and does not impair mental or physical function.
It is an antioxidant; anti-psychotic; helps fight: anxiety, inflammations, tumors, relieves symptoms of nausea and vomiting, relieves chronic pain and migraine, helps treat eating disorders, etc.
Extensive research validates the efficiency of the cannabinoids in treating complex diseases such as cancer, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer's, Multiple Sclerosis, PSTD, AIDS, etc. Aside from its own effects, CBD combined with THC enhances the therapeutic effects of THC while reducing the adverse effects.