Although CBD is a relatively new commodity, there’s already a huge demand for it worldwide for many great reasons. If you’re learning about CBD for the first time, then you might be wondering what those reasons are – and that’s what we aim to answer with our blog. By the end of the article, you too will be able to answer the question “What is CBD?” and name some CBD benefits.
The Origin of CBD
CBD is an acronym for cannabidiol. It’s an active compound (known as a cannabinoid) found in cannabis, and while there are over a hundred other cannabinoids which are naturally produced by the plant, CBD is one of the most prevalent. With that being the case, it should come as no surprise that it was discovered by chemist Roger Adams two decades earlier than its more famous cousin, tetrahydrocannabinol – otherwise known as THC. How’s that for trivia?
CBD vs THC & Other Cannabinoids
So, what makes CBD different from other cannabinoids? Isolated as an individual compound, cannabinoids have different properties. For example, while THC is known to have a psychoactive effect, the same is not true for CBD. Instead, CBD is often sought after by people who desire the therapeutic benefits of cannabis without feeling intoxicated. In fact, CBD is sometimes used to counteract the high of THC because of its calming nature.
In addition to these two better-known cannabinoids, there are others such as cannabinol (CBN), cannabigerol (CBG), and more – all of which vary in their effects. For instance, CBN can be used to promote better sleep while CBG can be used to support the immune system. With that in mind, we always encourage consumers to learn more about the compounds present in a product before trying it out firsthand.
Benefits of CBD
Now that you know a little more about how CBD varies from other cannabinoids, let’s dig deeper and answer the question, “What are the benefits of CBD?”
With its legalization, there is more research being done on CBD currently than ever before, and the results are quite promising. According to data from several studies, CBD exhibits anti-inflammatory, immuno-modulatory, and neuro-protective benefits. It has even been used in clinical studies to help reduce the frequency of epileptic seizures, manage anxiety disorders, alleviate aches from arthritis, minimize nausea during anti-cancer treatment, and much more.
Here are some other examples of why people commonly use CBD.
- to combat insomnia
- to manage everyday stress
- to minimize chronic pain
Of course, CBD is not a cure-all and should still be used with care. The effects of the cannabinoid can vary from person to person, such that some may be more biologically tolerant to the compound than others. As such, we recommend that you consult your physician first before changing your diet – especially if you have a medical condition and are using other medication or if you are pregnant or nursing. Doing so will ensure that taking CBD is safe for you.
Explore CBD Further
With consideration to all the potential ways in which CBD can help improve your overall wellness, why wouldn’t you want to explore CBD further? For more information about CBD, we invite you to check out our other blog posts. Otherwise, set your sights on the market and discover all the great products now available for you!
Works Cited
1. Atalay S, Jarocka-Karpowicz I, Skrzydlewska E. Antioxidative and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Cannabidiol. Antioxidants. 2020; 9(1):21. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox9010021
2. Huntsman, Richard J.*; Tang-Wai, Richard†; Shackelford, Alan E.‡ Cannabis for Pediatric Epilepsy, Journal of Clinical Neurophysiology: January 2020 – Volume 37 – Issue 1 – p 2-8 doi:10.1097/WNP.0000000000000641 https://journals.lww.com/clinicalneurophys/Abstract/2020/01000/Cannabis_for_Pediatric_Epilepsy.2.aspx
3. Jessica W. Skelley, Crystal M. Deas, Zachary Curren, and Jonathan Ennis. Use of cannabidiol in anxiety and anxiety-related disorders. Journal of the American Pharmacists Association, Volume 60, Issue 1, 2020. Pages 253-261, ISSN 1544-3191. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.japh.2019.11.008.
4. Erin M. Rock, Cheryl L. Limebeer, Roger G. Pertwee, Raphael Mechoulam, and Linda A. Parker. Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research. Aug 2021. 266-274. http://doi.org/10.1089.can.2021.0041
5. Moltke, J., Hindocha, C. Reasons for cannabidiol use: a cross-sectional study of CBD users, focusing on self-perceived stress, anxiety, and sleep problems. J Cannabis Res 3, 5 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1186/s42238-021-00061-5
