Most people ask what CBD or cannabidiol is. CBD and cannabidiol are the same. CBD is a compound that comes from cannabis. It is known to have numerous medical and therapeutic benefits. CBD proponents present anecdotal evidence that the compound can help deal with psychosis, inflammation, seizures, anxiety, and chronic pain, among many others.
Defining Cannabidiol
It is one of the most prevalent compounds derived from the cannabis plant. Another compound from cannabis is THC. CBD differs from THC since it is not psychoactive. This means it won’t give you the high. This is one of the benefits that users confess to enjoying. You can get relaxation and therapeutic benefits from CBD without the high.
CBD used for medical and therapeutic purposes comes from the hemp of a cannabis Sativa plant. It’s the same thing with marijuana. However, even if the two come from the same plant, they are very different. Marijuana farmers make sure that their hemp plants have high THC, but those who are farming for CBD oil make sure that there is only a minimal amount of THC.
How CBD Works
When CBD is used, it attaches itself to particular receptors in the brain. When someone takes CBD, it affects the endocannabinoid system composed of receptors found all over the body and brain. CBD does not stimulate the receptors, unlike THC that stimulates the CB1 and CB2 receptors. These cannabinoid receptors within the human body can help regulate various processes that we experience every day like mood, memory, pain sensation, and appetite. Once the receptors are activated, they end up being endocannabinoids and the plant cannabinoids in cannabis and hemp.
CBD activates particular receptors like serotonin and adenosine. Due to this activation, when CBD hemp oil is used, it can alter our pain perception and inflammation. When CBD activates the adenosine receptors, it can help relieve anxiety since the adenosine receptors release dopamine. There are some instances when users prefer higher concentrations of CBD since it can activate the 5-HTIA receptor, a serotonin receptor. This gives the users the feeling that CBD has an antidepressant effect. When CBD is used, it blocks THC’s psychoactive effects. This means that people can enjoy the therapeutic benefits of CBD without the adverse effects of THC.
Is CBD Addictive?
Based on a 2011 study titled “Safety and side effects of cannabidiol, a Cannabis sativa constituent” revealed that CBD has a better safety profile than THC and other cannabinoids. High doses of CBD that can reach up to 1,500 milligrams every day were tolerated well by humans. CBD was also observed to be not affecting the motor or psychological functions and not altering the heart rate, body temperature, and blood pressure.
A 2013 study titled “Cannabidiol for the treatment of cannabis withdrawal syndrome: a case report” shows that CBD can help fight off the unwanted effects of THC, such as cannabis withdrawal symptoms. Existing research also reveals that CBD oil can help prevent addiction to various dangerous substances like opioids.
