CBD 101

What is CBD?

CBD, short for cannabidiol, is one of nearly 100 different cannabinoids found in the hemp plant. The interaction of CBD with the human endocannabinoid system makes it an awesome wellness treatment. Today the therapeutic properties of CBD are being tested and confirmed by scientists and doctors around the world. CBD is a natural, safe and non-addictive substance with a robust therapeutic profile.

While CBD won't get you high, it does change cognition. It affects mood, which is why people take it for anxiety and feelings of alertness.

Hemp is a variety of the cannabis plant.  It may look similar to marijuana but hemp is actually a distant member of the cannabis family. The cannabis plant has many naturally occurring compounds called phytocannabinoids (or cannabinoids for short). CBD and TetraHydroCannabinol (THC) are examples of two of better known cannabinoids that exist in the cannabis plant. Both hemp and marijuana are members of the same cannabis species but are genetically different. Hemp refers to varieties of the Cannabis Sativa L plant. Hemp and marijuana, which also have different leaf patterns, can be further differentiated by use.  Hemp contains only about 0.3% – 1% THC while marijuana contains at least 5% – 10% THC and sometimes more.

 

Will CBD get me high?

No, CBD will not get you high. CBD is non-intoxicating and non-addictive.

 

 

What are cannabinoids?

Cannabinoids are active compounds produced by all hemp plants, and they are responsible for most of the benefits of cannabis. Cannabinoids found in plants are technically called phytocannabinoids (plant-based), while cannabinoids produced by the human body are called endocannabinoids. Cannabinoids directly interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS), which promotes balance, ie. homeostasis.

With more than 100 different compounds identified in both hemp and marijuana, CBD and THC are the two most abundant of the many cannabinoids found in cannabis. Their chemical makeups are similar to the body’s own endocannabinoids, which allows them to interact with the endocannabinoid system’s cannabinoid receptors to alter the release of neurotransmitters in the brain.

 

What is the Endocannabinoid System?

The Endocannabinoid System (ECS) is a central regulatory system that affects a wide range of biological processes like our immune system, nervous system, and all of the body’s organs. These beneficial effects can be placed in two categories: the first is to help the body heal itself in the face of injury and disease, and the second is to modulate pleasure, energy and well-being. Recent research reveals that every part of the body is producing cannabis-like compounds, all the time, and these compounds are being used to keeps key systems balanced and running smoothly.

The endocannabinoid system is made up of a series of receptors distributed throughout the body, namely CB1 and CB2 receptors. These receptors interact with cannabinoids like CBD resulting in various wellness benefits.

 

How does CBD work with our endocannabinoid system (ECS)?

Cannabinoids are natural compounds that interact with receptors in our Endocannabinoid System (ECS). The ECS is crucial to regulating homeostasis, the tendency of organisms to auto-regulate and maintain a stable, balanced environment. While we naturally produce cannabinoids, phytocannabinoids (plant-based CBD) enhance our ability to make more of our own endocannabinoids.

The cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2) regulate important functions such as digestion, inflammation, mood, sleep, pain, and immune function. By communicating with the receptors in the endocannabinoid system, CBD assists the ECS in maintaining homeostasis, energy, stress reduction, and immunity.

As the benefits of the ECS are being more well-established, some medical researchers are suggesting a diagnosis called Clinical Endocannabinoid Deficiency, a condition wherein an individual produces a lower amount of cannabinoids than required in the promotion of health, vitality, and well-being. Hemp-derived CBD can augment the body's ECS, acting as a reboot for homeostasis, or balance, in our bodies by communicating with interconnected biological systems. The key lies in how proper doses and strains of CBD are adjusted for our body’s specific needs.