Everything You Wanted To Know About CBD!
If you are new to CBD and considering giving this natural compound a try for yourself, then here is everything that you ever wanted to know about CBD!
It seems that everywhere you look at the moment, you see something new about CBD, what it is, what it does, and what people are taking it for. Many people consider that CBD could well be the next natural ‘superfood,’ but what is CBD, and what does it do? Let’s take a look at the history of CBD and learn everything you ever wanted to know about this natural plant compound.
What is CBD?
Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the main cannabinoids that can be found in both the hemp and marijuana plants. Both plants belong to the cannabis sativa plant family, but while they may look and smell the same, they are, in fact, actually quite different. Hemp is low in tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and high in CBD, while marijuana is higher in THC.
CBD, unlike THC, has no psychotropic properties. What does this mean? It means that CBD isn’t going to get you ‘high’ like marijuana that’s high in THC would. The hallucinogenic high that many people experience when they consume marijuana products is because of the THC content.
There are actually over 113 different cannabinoids found in both marijuana and hemp. While CBD and THC are the most prevalent and abundant of all cannabinoids, many of the other cannabinoids could hold useful medicinal properties that scientists are rushing to discover.
What is the history of CBD?
CBD was first discovered by Dr. Roger Adams in 1940 by him and his team at the University of Illinois. However, it wasn’t until much later in 1963 that scientists and researchers began the process of mapping its structure.
Civilizations around the world have been using the cannabis plant for both its recreational and medicinal properties for thousands of years. The earliest recorded medical use of the cannabis plant dates back to 1400-2000 BC. However, for the last century, research into the cannabis plant has been hampered by the plant’s classification as a narcotic.
How does CBD interact with our bodies?
Inside, everyone is a system known as the Endocannabinoid System (ECS). It’s believed that the ECS is responsible for maintaining homeostasis (balance and harmony) inside our body. The ECS is made up of a series of receptors that are spread throughout the body but firmly focused on the central nervous and immune systems.
Our bodies naturally produce compounds known as endocannabinoids, but phytocannabinoids (cannabinoids from plants) such as CBD and THC can also interact with the ECS.
Cannabinoids function like the eyes and ears of our cells. They monitor what’s happening, and when something is out of balance, they send a message to our cells to act, which triggers a variety of different responses in our body, restoring balance.
What is CBD conclusion
While anecdotal evidence suggests that CBD could have massive potential as a natural treatment for conditions such as anxiety, stress, depression, PTSD, skin conditions, eating disorders, cancer treatments, and much more, additional research is still required.
Over the last twenty years, we have seen an enormous increase in the number of studies into the potential medical benefits of CBD, and the future is looking very bright indeed for this natural plant compound!
If you have had a positive experience with CBD and would like to share, then please don’t hesitate to let us know or comment below.
In our last blogs we have learnt about the benefits of CBD for humans but what about our four-legged friends? CBD can be just as an effective treatment for them, for a variety of reasons. Got a dog or a cat? Read on…