The boom in the cannabis market in recent years indicates the outreach of the plant on a global level. The steady growth indicates the change in customer attitude towards cannabis-based treatments as well as welcoming cannabis-infused products into their everyday lives.
For many years cannabis was misunderstood. Most of us have known the plant to cause psychoactive effects in users. But one of the many reasons why the plant was an integral part of society and culture several decades ago is due to its many health benefits. From healing pain to aiding in the treatment of mental ailments, the chemistry of cannabis is a miracle that could change the future of medicine in ways we never imagined.
A notable aspect of the cannabis boom is cannabidiol, also known as CBD. With users reluctant to use a psychoactive ingredient even as a medicine, the emergence of CBD, a non-psychoactive compound, gave a ray of hope for the cannabis industry.
CBD or cannabidiol refers to one of the many cannabinoids present in the cannabis plant. These molecules interact with receptors of the endocannabinoid system and other parts of the body to regulate several functions. It does not initiate any psychoactive effects in the users and is responsible for several health benefits. CBD oil is becoming widely popular in various parts of the world. What is the science behind the many miracles this compound brings? Well, let us find out.
Understanding THC and CBD
Both THC and CBD are a class of chemical compounds known as cannabinoids present in the cannabis plant. There are several cannabinoid receptors all over our bodies and they all belong to the endocannabinoid system. CB1 receptors tend to accumulate in the brain and central nervous system, whereas CB2 receptors are predominantly present in the immune system and the lower body. Apart from these, there are other receptors called serotonin, GPR55 and Vanilloid that also influence pain and memory.
Our body produces natural cannabinoids that signal the regulation of several functions such as sleep, appetite, hormone, inflammation, and pain. When consumed, the cannabinoids of the cannabis plant bind tothe CB receptors and initiate similar effects in the body that helps it to receive several benefits. In the case of THC, the compound has the power to mimic the properties of anandamide, a natural endocannabinoid. Hence it binds at the receptor sites and causes effects such as influencing mood and creating a euphoric effect.
But CBD, on the other hand, has a unique way of interacting with the body. While it has a meager affinity towards CB receptors, its minimal interaction of activating and blocking at these sites helps the body create more receptors. It means that CBD improves the efficiency of the endocannabinoid system naturally, rather than substituting, like in the case of THC. Also, CBD interacts with several other receptors such as GPR55 and serotonin that bring various benefits such as reducing the perception of pain, regulating inflammation, mood, memory, and sleep. It also modulates opioid receptors to provide effective pain relief properties and muscle-relaxing effects.
The non-psychoactive properties of CBD open a wide spectrum of applications that are beneficial for regular users. It has powerful medicinal properties that can help users receive these benefits with minimal side effects.
A little about terpenes
Understanding the nuances of terpenes present in the cannabis plant helps us to understand more about CBD oil, and differentiate between types of CBD oil. Apart from cannabinoids, the cannabis plant also houses a palate of terpenes, which are aromatic compounds that offers flavor to the plant.
One of the biggest reasons behind the efficiency of cannabis for treating ailments is the Entourage effect. The many constituents of the cannabis plant not only complement each other but also help to regulate side effects. Apart from providing vibrant flavors, terpenes also exhibit properties that help elevate the effects of cannabinoids, such as enhancing feelings of relaxation. Terpenes thus play a crucial role in giving the user a worthy experience as well as providing many health benefits.
The different types of CBD oils
Another important point to note about CBD oil is the different kinds available on the market. Any CBD oil or infused product will carry information about the type of oil used on the label. It could be full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, or isolate. CBD full-spectrum oils contain the same concentration as that of the plant. It means that the oil contains the entire profile of terpenes, flavonoids, vitamins, minerals, cannabinoids, and traces of THC. The oil offers the best benefits for treating various ailments due to the Entourage effect.
Next, we have broad-spectrum CBD oils that are very close to full-spectrum oils, except that they do not contain THC at all. Finally, we have CBD isolates that contain nothing but cannabidiol. While isolates have shown promising applications in offering specific treatments, full-spectrum and broad-spectrum are the preferred varieties as they give maximum benefits.
The Benefits of CBD oil
Pain Management
CBD oil has proven effective in treating several chronic pain conditions such as arthritis and multiple sclerosis. The compound interacts with the receptors to reduce the sensitivity of the body`s response to any trigger that helps regulate inflammation and reduce pain. CBD also influences various other receptors to reduce the perception of pain and cause euphoria that helps them get rid of discomfort.
Anxiety and Mental Ailments
CBD is among the few powerful aids for treating mental illnesses such as anxiety. CBD-based medication is becoming popular because the substance does not initiate a psychoactive effect, nor does it come with side effects, such as addictiveness, like in the case of general medication. CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system to balance the chemicals that cause anxiety. It relaxes the body and enables the user to feel calm and composed and helps them get through challenging situations without panic. The effects of CBD in treating mental illnesses also extend to problems such as depression and PTSD.
Sleep and Appetite
CBD plays a crucial role in regulating sleep and appetite in users. Unlike THC, CBD does not have an intoxicating effect on the body. Instead, it relaxes the body and makes the person feel at ease. It can be beneficial for users suffering from conditions such as insomnia. CBD also influences a healthy appetite in users and weed gummies Canada can be consumed by fitness enthusiasts for overall health. It is also useful for chemotherapy patients who tend to suffer from loss of appetite, a side effect of the treatment.
Several clinical trials have been undertaken in the areas discussed above to confirm the effectiveness of CBD. Research is also underway in other areas, namely:
- Anti-cancer
- Improving blood circulation and regulating blood pressure
- Stimulating bone production
- Anti-diabetic
- Antibacterial
- Anticonvulsant
- Reliving autoimmune disorders
What is the difference between CBD and Hemp oil?
Both hemp and marijuana belong to the cannabis family. While marijuana exhibits higher levels of THC concentration,, hemp, on the other hand, produces high levels of CBD.
With the legal aspects of CBD becoming clearer, a common doubt among users is the difference between hemp seed oil and CBD oil. Given the source of both products is the hemp plant, how are they different, and why do they exhibit varying properties?
Hemp seed oil is derived from the seeds of the hemp plant, whereas CBD oil is derived from the leaves and flowers. Hence CBD oil contains a profile of terpenes and other cannabinoids of the cannabis plant apart from THC, whereas hemp seed oil does not contain any of these compounds. You can shop online CBD flower superstore, industrialhempfarms.com a trusted store for Cbd products.
Legal Status of CBD
Medical marijuana is currently used globally for treating various ailments. The US Farm Bill 2018 made a remarkable step toward promoting CBD through its hemp cultivation regulatory policies. The bill indicates that CBD oil derived from hemp as the source which contains less than 0.3% THC is legal for production, sale, and use. Beginners can from CBDfx make the best CBD pills that are legal for therapeutic use.
Dosing
The strength of the CBD oil used influences dosage levels. For example, if you have a bottle containing 10 CBD capsules with an overall concentration of 250mg, for a user requiring a 25mg dosage the intake would be 1 capsule, whereas another user might look for a higher dose, say50mg, in which case they need to take 2 capsules. The dosage will vary if the strength of your CBD oil varies. Understand your requirements before you leap to shop for any products.
There are research and clinical trials underway to explore the compound in detail. It could mean that the future might give way to a CBD based medication in a more organized manner as compared to today.
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