In recent years, there have been numerous advances in cannabis preparation and consumption methods. Concentrated items, for example, oil and rosin (a sap-like item separated by heat and pressure) have considered cleaner consumption approaches, such as vapes which have become quite popular. These new methods have brought in more consistent, recognizable doses for patients and recreational users. In the natural product industry CBD, short for cannabidiol, is a trending ingredient and it is currently the focus of many cannabis research.
CBD is one of the numerous cannabinoids or particles derived particularly from the cannabis family. In contrast to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC, the essential psychoactive component in marijuana), CBD is non-psychoactive, which means it doesn’t strongly affect psychological brain action and doesn’t cause the “high” related to weed. If you want a more detailed answer to the question of “What is CBD?” then please read on.
What is CBD?
Cannabinoids are naturally occurring chemical compounds that are produced in human bodies and in some plants; they’re called endocannabinoids in humans and Phytocannabinoids in plants. The most common cannabinoid in cannabis is Cannabidiol (CBD), and although it has little to no intoxicating effect, it can have an effect on both the mind and body. It mostly occurs in the trichomes on the cannabis flower of many cannabis strains, including hemp. The extracted CBD from the trichomes of the flowers is available as an oil or in capsule form. It can be applied topically as a cream or ointment, inhaled, or ingested in the form of dried flowers. It is also ingested as an oil or in an edible product.
Types of CBD
The three most common types of CBD are Isolate, full-spectrum, and broad-spectrum and each is created in its own unique ways.
Isolate CBD
Isolate is a type of CBD that is separated from the rest of the compounds that are available in the cannabis plant. After extracting any remaining waxes, terpenes, or cannabinoids through a winterization process, the CBD concentrate is extracted and separated from the rest of the compounds in the plant. This results in the creation of a CBD product that constitutes 99% pure CBD.
Full Spectrum CBD
Full-spectrum CBD is a type of CBD that extracts a full range of beneficial cannabinoids and terpenes from the cannabis plant. Often referred to as whole plant CBD, full-spectrum contains enough trace amounts of THC, but not enough to get you “high.”
Broad Spectrum CBD
When someone tries to find a middle ground option between isolate and full-spectrum CBD, Broad-spectrum CBD is the ideal alternative. With the full range of beneficial cannabinoids and terpenes, It starts as a full-spectrum oil but goes through an elaborate refinement process to remove all THC compounds.
Potential Benefits of CBD
A huge variety of health and wellness reasons are reported by consumers using CBD, but significantly more research is needed to determine whether CBD can actually effectively treat the symptoms and ailments. In recent times, there are over 60 clinical trials are ongoing which are examining the effectiveness of CBD for a variety of medical conditions. These benefits can be felt even more with the new CBD products being manufactured. This was possible mostly due to the farm bill of 2018.
It’s always a good idea to do some research to know about the dosage details of your CBD products. Young children can endure daily doses of up to 20 milligrams per kilogram of body weight. But for a 175-pound (79.4-kilogram) adult, the dosage goes as high as 1,500 milligrams. Sleepiness and drowsiness are some of the most common side effects of big doses of CBD.
Research done on CBD has been conducted for the following medical conditions:
Pain relief and anti-inflammation
The research found that when CBD enters our endocannabinoid system, it prevents the body from absorbing a pain-controlling compound called anandamide which is an endogenous cannabinoid. Restricting the absorption of this compound pushes excess quantities into the bloodstream that helps in pain reduction. CBD is also known to target specific spinal receptors which in return helps to suppress pain and swelling. In both human and animal trials, the anti-inflammatory properties of CBD were found.
Epilepsy and Seizures
Anticonvulsant properties are considered one of the key medical benefits of CBD. CBD has been reported as a potential antiepileptic since 1881 and it was legalized by the Food and Drug Administration in 2018 for treating severe symptoms of epilepsy in children. Nevertheless, its anticonvulsant mechanism still remains a mystery. A possible explanation that can be accepted for CBD’s perceived neuroprotective effects is its interaction with neuroreceptors, which play a big role in the type of neuronal action that is closely related to epilepsy.
Addiction treatment
Mental Health Issues
Researchers from the University of Montreal conducted a thorough study on CBD in 2015, regarding its properties to treat addictive behaviors. They established that CBD might have a positive impact on cocaine, opioid, and psychostimulant addiction. Numerous other studies have also suggested that CBD may be helpful in the treatment of tobacco addiction. Many consider it to be the reason that may be CBD’s prospective ability to ease the anxiety that leads addicted people to crave less.
Final Thoughts
Depending on the form of the product, CBD can be taken both orally and topically. From gummies and soft gels that ease anxiety to soothing bath soaks, creams and oils, and even beer, the options are practically unlimited. Most of the products are known to ease pain and anxiety. But they’re not approved by the FDA, whether these products actually contain the amount of CBD they advertise is up for question. After testing various products FDA has found that many didn’t have the amount of CBD they had advertised in their products and also sent warning letters to companies that make baseless health claims.
