Ever since its dramatic introduction back in 2018, CBD has become one of the most popular new treatments for an assortment of different ailments people experience. It has been proposed that CBD is able to help minimize inflammation, improve sleep, decrease anxiety, and much more. While the hype and excitement surrounding CBD are in full swing, it is important to understand just what it is and how it works before you buy into its purported healing powers.
But just how powerful is CBD, and what has the research really demonstrated about CBD up until this point?
Cannabadiol is a cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant. This cannabinoid, alongside THC and many others, is what helps to give cannabis the effects that it is known for. Until recently, THC was the most well-known compound in cannabis. It is the most active constituent, and it is what causes the psychoactive “high” that you experience when using cannabis.
CBD, in contrast, is not psychoactive. It does not change a person’s state of mind when they use it.
However, it may produce significant changes in the body, and research has demonstrated that CBD may have a variety of potential health benefits. While many of these health benefits have not been rigorously proven by science just yet, the findings do report that those who use it report an improved quality of life. This has made CBD become widely popular and available in products ranging from skin creams and lotions to vaporizers and edibles.
All cannabinoids react with the human body through the natural endocannabinoid system.
The body contains two main cannabinoid receptors:
CB1 receptors are present throughout the body, particularly in the brain. They coordinate movement, pain, emotion, mood, thinking, appetite, memories, and other functions.
CB2 receptors help modulate inflammation and immune response. They are found within the nervous system, with high concentrations also being present in the spleen, gastrointestinal tract, and immune system. Unlike CB1 receptors, however, there are very few CB2 receptors in the brain. CB2 receptors play an essential role in immune function, pain management, and inflammation. They also govern behaviors associated with reward and addiction by regulating dopamine production.
The body’s naturally-occurring endocannabinoids, such as AEA and 2-AG, are very similar to cannabis-derived cannabinoids like CBD and THC. In fact, researchers currently believe that consuming cannabinoids may help the ECS maintain homeostasis within the body. Unlike THC, CBD does not bind to CB1 or CB2 receptors. While some cannabinoids bind directly to cannabinoid receptors, CBD interacts indirectly with the receptors. This relationship creates a variety of positive effects within the body, including promoting a sense of well-being and encouraging higher levels of chemicals responsible for regulating pain, depression, appetite, and memory.
One of the most commonly misunderstood aspects is the proven benefits that it can offer to users. While the benefits of CBD are widely reported by those who use it, the science is still out on its real, concrete long-term benefits to conditions such as chronic inflammation, pain, Parkinson’s disease, migraines, and other hard-to-treat ailments.
While this is true, one thing research has proven is that those who use CBD consistently report a mild improvement in their symptoms as well as their overall quality of life. This finding is one of the main reasons CBD has gained so much popularity in recent times. While THC has historically been the most famous cannabinoid, CBD’s ability to improve quality of life without the stigmatized “high” has propelled it to become one of the most sought-after health-improving supplements.
Some of the most common benefits of CBD include:
These are just a few of the preliminary findings associated with the everyday use of CBD. This demonstrates the potential of this special cannabinoid and highlights the importance of future research delving into these areas.
Every year, it seems that there is increasing interest in CBD due to its ability to help improve quality of life and the body’s ability to mitigate the symptoms of some of the hardest to treat conditions people suffer from. While science continues to understand the CBD world and its true benefits, it seems likely that CBD is here to stay. Be sure to consult with your doctor about the benefits and risks of use in order to learn more about if it is right for you.
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