WHAT IS CBD?
CBD (also known as cannabidiol) is a cannabinoid, a chemical compound found in the flowers and leaves of the hemp plant.
Hemp contains many cannabinoids besides CBD. THC, the cannabinoid that gets you "high", is the most famous, but there are over 100 different cannabinoids! Unlike THC, CBD won't get you high, but it does have a broad range of beneficial effects on the body.
Hemp and marijuana are different varieties of the same plant: cannabis. Cannabis has been bred for thousands of years to produce different effects. Breeding can have a powerful effect on the way a plant develops. Plant breeding is very common. Let's use peppers as an example: you can grow a bell pepper that is mild with no heat at all, or an ultraspicy ghost pepper that's so hot it's practically inedible. Similarly, cannabis is bred for different qualities; some varieties are good for seed or fiber, while others contain high CBD or high THC.
Hemp and marijuana are both cannabis; the only difference between the two is that hemp has high levels of CBD and low levels of THC (<0.3%), while marijuana has high THC and (usually) low CBD.
CBD and THC aren't the only beneficial compounds in hemp. All the cannabinoids, plus other chemicals in the the hemp plant such as terpenes, bioflavonoids, and fatty acids, work synergistically in what's know as the "encourage effect". This is the theory that all the compounds in cannabis work together, and when taken together, they produce a more powerful effect than when taken alone.
In fact, CBD alone, known as CBD isolate, is much less effective than a full-spectrum CBD product which contains the full range of plant compounds. Without THC and the other cannabinoids, the entourage effect cannot occur, and the beneficial effects of CBD will be much less. The small amounts of THC present in hemp aren't enough to cause a high, but it makes a big difference in how well a CBD product works!
How does CBD work?
CBD works by by supporting the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS), a network of cell receptors, neural pathways, neurotransmitters, and enzymes which plays a critical role in balancing our bodies’ most important functions:
inflammation
sleep
mood
pain
digestion
metabolism
reproduction and fertility
and more!
Cannabinoid receptors are plentiful throughout the body and brain. The main job of the ECS is to maintain homeostasis or balance in the body. Our bodies strictly regulate physiological processes to maintain conditions within a narrow range. For example, our body temperature, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels cannot deviate from a certain range without causing some serious problems. When we begin to deviate from the safe range, our ECS brings us back to a normal range. Another example: if you injure yourself and have pain and inflammation, the ECS kicks in to reduce the pain and inflammation and restore balance. The ECS works constantly to keep cells, tissues, and organs in balance as they face countless stressors and challenges.
Your body naturally produces its own endocannabinoids, but deficiencies are common. An endocannabinoid deficiency may be caused by genetics or by external factors, such as lack of sleep, poor diet, lack of exercise, stress, injury, or disease. Your ECS may need extra support, especially in times of mental and physical stress. CBD provides this support and helps the ECS do its job better, so your body functions more optimally.
Plant cannabinoids like CBD are structurally similar to the endocannabinoids our bodies produce. Plant cannabinoids can mimic and augment our own cannabinoids, giving our ECS a boost when it's deficient. Additionally, CBD blocks the breakdown of our own endocannabinoids, so our bodies have more endocannabinoids available to keep everything functioning optimally. CBD also interacts directly with neurotransmitter receptors in our nervous system.
In health, balance is everything! If some part of our system is thrown out of whack by our ever-changing environment, we can develop symptoms. If the imbalance goes on too long, disease can result. Maintaining the functioning of the ECS is critical for a healthy body and mind, and CBD can be a game-changing addition to your wellness routine.