It feels like CBD is on the tip of everyone’s tongue these days. You seemingly can’t tune in to a radio station or watch a TV show without coming across a commercial for CBD products, and all the health benefits associated with them. With such a wide range of products available on the market, it can be overwhelming to decide which product to try. Many of us have a basic knowledge that CBD comes from the cannabis plant. But that fundamental understanding often leads many to directly associate CBD with marijuana and its effects.
Let’s take a step back and look closely at what CBD is, where it comes from, and how it may work with the body.
CBD: A Long History
While CBD products may be relatively new in the global market, there is a long history of the cannabis plant being used for medicinal purposes; dating as far back as 400 A.D. Even in America, there is evidence that the cannabis plant was widely used for medicinal purposes in the United States for decades before cannabis was made illegal. It was even listed in the United States Pharmacopeia, a reference guide for medications.
Restriction on the possession and sale of cannabis began with a tax placed on the compound back in the ’30s. It escalated in the ’70s when the Federal Government added marijuana to its list of Schedule I narcotics, claiming at the time that it was an extremely high risk for abuse and addiction. But as we have gained knowledge and insight around cannabis and CBD in recent decades, the general public has begun to push back on the negative stigma and focused their energies on the medical interest in cannabis use.
CBD: The Acceptable Cannabidiol
As we began to touch on above, the past couple of decades have brought about different programs and research regarding cannabis and its effect on the human body. Back In the ‘90s, scientists discovered the endocannabinoid system (ECS). The internal and peripheral nervous system in the body is full of cannabinoid receptors. The body produces neurotransmitters known as endocannabinoids that function by taking in and sending out messages to these receptors, which help to regulate many internal functions. These functions include appetite, sleep, and brain function. It is a continuous task to keep these functions running smoothly. The cannabis plant produces cannabinoids that mimic the naturally produced compounds within our body.
Research shows that introducing additional cannabinoids into our bodies can boost the neurotransmitters in this system to help regulate the nervous system, which offers additional health benefits. But there is a difference in the cannabinoids found in marijuana and the cannabinoids found in hemp.
The cannabinoid from marijuana has tetrahydrocannabinol, which is what produces the “high” users feel when using marijuana. On the flip side, the cannabinoid extracted from the hemp plant does not contain tetrahydrocannabinol, so there is no psychoactive chemical reaction when used. The fact that the CBD extracted from the hemp plant does not show adverse side effects or any addictive traits has made it one of the most popular natural compounds for treating countless health issues and ailments.
A Deeper Look at Cannabidiol and Its Effect on the Body
When CBD is extracted from the cannabis plant in its natural form, the product is a thick, oily liquid. The process of turning CBD oil into a pleasant and palatable product consists of thinning out the liquid, often also introducing different essential oils, flavors, and aromas mixed into the product. CBD oil can be used in a variety of application methods.
When CBD oil is converted into its thinner liquid form, it can be heated and inhaled in a process known as ‘vaping.’ While this may be one of the most effective ways to introduce CBD into the blood system, it does come with some adverse risk. In light of those risks, we suggest alternative application methods that prove less dangerous for the user.
CBD oil in the edible form can be found in numerous types of products; everything from cookies and gummies to softgels. Edible options are great for the ease of use on the go throughout the day, and while they have to go through the digestive process and are not the quickest delivery of CBD, the effects can last for hours.
Tinctures, sprays, and oils are forms of CBD oil that are administered orally and are one of the fast-acting methods of CBD delivery. For those who don’t wish to consume CBD, topical creams and balms can be applied directly to the skin, acting to enhance your skincare regimen or relieve muscle soreness and aid in muscle recovery.
Whether ingested or applied topically, CBD oil attaches to the receptors in different areas of the body. CBD oil helps reduce the inflammatory response in the nervous system, which helps to decrease chronic pain, reduce skin problems, enhance mental clarity, improve sleep, and ease sadness and stress.
Lab certification ensures the consistency and quality of CBD oil used in a particular product, giving you the best possible results. Finding a CBD oil that you would like to try is a personal choice, but can be made much easier if you verify that a third-party testing laboratory has certified the product you are considering to use. Whenever beginning a new supplement routine, consult your doctor or physician to ensure that the product and the dose you are using are safe for you and will not negatively interact with any medication you may be currently taking.