CBD can be found in an increasing number of drugstores, pharmacies, smartshops, health stores and also online. More and more people are seeing and experiencing the special and wide range of health benefits of CBD. Despite this, there is still an aura of mystery and sometimes even a taboo surrounding CBD and the hemp plant which is completely unnecessary. We would like to clarify the following issues for you.
- Where does CBD come from?
- Difference between CBD and THC?
- What is CBD?
- What does CBD do in the body?
Where does CBD come from?
CBD is the shortened version of the name for cannabidiol, and has become an increasingly popular choice as a natural treatment for a wide range of health problems, such as reducing pain, helping with anxiety, promoting sleep, and boosting energy.
What many people do not fully understand is where CBD comes from. Those who want to buy CBD online may know that it is related to cannabis, but don't quite realise what the difference is.
CBD is one of the plants chemicals which are known as cannabinoids, they are only found in cannabis plants. Cannabinoids have been used historically as natural remedies for 5,000 years.
CBD can be extracted from both hemp plants and marijuana. Marijuana and hemp are both annual herbaceous plants that come from the same plant species known as Cannabis Sativa, which is why they are both often referred to as cannabis.
Difference between CBD and THC?
CBD (cannabidiol) and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) are the most common cannabinoids found in cannabis products.
THC and CBD are found in both marijuana and hemp. Marijuana contains much more THC than hemp, while hemp contains a lot of CBD.
CBD and THC have the same chemical formula: 21 carbon atoms, 30 hydrogen atoms, and two oxygen atoms. The difference lies in the way the atoms are arranged. This gives CBD and THC different chemical properties, and they have different effects on your body.
Both CBD and THC work on receptors that release neurotransmitters in your brain. They can affect things like pain, mood, sleep and memory.
THC is the main psychoactive substance in marijuana. It is what makes people feel "high". CBD, on the other hand, offers the most health benefits and is not psychoactive.
What is CBD?
CBD is an active ingredient found in hemp plants. Unlike CBD's infamous cousin, THC, CBD is not psychoactive and does not get you high. It is extracted from the flowers of the hemp plant and used to make a wide variety of CBD products for ingestion as well as external skin and body care products.
There are many active ingredients in CBD oil that work together with your cannabinoid system to make the body function better, leading to better health and well-being.
CBD products are legal if they contain less than 0.2% THC. The many reported health benefits of CBD include reduced inflammation, a sense of calm and reduced stress.
What makes CBD so special is that it interacts with the same receptors within the endocannabinoid system as our body's own cannabinoids (endocannabinoids). The endocannabinoid system is distributed throughout the body and helps to balance and maintain our overall health (physical and mental). Not only humans have an endocannabinoid system, but also most animals. Because the endocannabinoid system is located throughout the body, CBD offers a wide range of physical and mental benefits.
What does CBD do in the body?
The list of CBD benefits seems truly endless and continues to grow. Both consumer testimonials and a growing body of research suggest that this sustainable plant can have a significant impact on your health and well-being.
In the 1990s, scientists discovered the endocannabinoid system (ECS). This system in the body helps to absorb CBD. The ECS is a physiological system that is connected to all other systems in the body.
There are ECS receptors all over our body. They are located in our brain, spinal cord, organs and skin.
The cannabinoids in CBD bind to these receptors and bring balance to the body, helping it to function more efficiently. Our bodies can also produce these compounds, and when we do, they are called endocannabinoids. When plants produce them, they are called phytocannabinoids. In both cases, these natural compounds are thought to reduce inflammation, boost your immune system and reduce the effects of stress.
Always consult your doctor or physician to check it’s OK for you to use CBD products. Especially when you are already using other medicines.