CBD Information Guide

Welcome, welcome to our CBD Information Guide. We hope this serves as a reliable resource to further your CBD education. The following information should help debunk some CBD myths as well as teach you about this powerful natural ingredient that’s been in use for thousands of years. (Really). And, better yet, we’ll continue to add to this guide with the most up-to-date and accurate information, so you’ll never miss a beat in the world of CBD.

So, why is CBD so popular? While it has shown incredible promise for a wide range of symptoms in both humans and animals, there is still a lot to discover about what it can and can’t do. Since people have been using it for medicinal purposes since 2727 BC, it may not necessarily qualify as a fad, per se.

That being said, no matter how empowered you feel after reading the following sections, you still need to consult your physician before you add CBD to your regimen. He or she understands your health history the best, and can best advise whether or not CBD will benefit you. Happy learning!

WHAT IS CBD?

 

If you’ve landed on this page, chances are that you don’t know too much about CBD. And that’s totally OK, and why we’re here. Or, perhaps you feel pretty confident about your CBD knowledge thus far, and you want to put it to the test.

CBD (Cannabidiol) is a cannabinoid, one of 113 found in Cannabis sativa or the hemp plant. This compound is not to be confused with THC — the psychoactive relative of CBD, which also comes from hemp. CBD is also different from hemp oil and offers different benefits.

>> Continue reading the blog post, What is CBD?

HISTORY OF CBD

 

Important dates in the history of CBD.

HOW DOES CBD WORK?

How Does CBD Work? The endocannabinoid system - or ECS - regulates many bodily functions, such as sleep, pain, mood, appetite, and responses from the immune system. CBD blocks harmful compounds from entering these receptors.

How is CBD Absorbed?

Cannabinoids must attach to a fatty acid binding protein to pass through the membranes of our cells. Once its inside the cell, CBD starts to be broken down by fatty acid amide hydrolase, a metabolic enzyme. From there, the CBD can start interacting with the receptors and compounds in our bodies!

The Endocannabinoid System

As we already mentioned above, CBD is one of over 100 compounds called cannabinoids that come from the hemp plant. Among these is CBG, which is actually the preliminary form of CBD, THC, and CBC. From THC also comes CBN, which is gaining some ground.

The human body already produces some cannabinoids on its own — these are called endocannabinoids. Since these compounds are naturally produced in the body, the body also has a system in place for dealing with the signals it receives from cannabinoids. This system is called the endocannabinoid system or ECS. The ECS regulates many bodily functions, such as sleep, pain, mood, appetite, and responses from the immune system.

The receptors in the ECS are divided into two categories: CBD1 and CBD2.

CBD1 receptors are typically found in the nervous system, and a small proportion of them may be found in the kidneys, lungs, or liver. These receptors are the ones known to interact with the neurotransmitters and affect sensations like appetite, concentration, and more.

CBD2 receptors, on the other hand, are a huge part of the immune system. These receptors have a hand in modulating the pain sensation along with other immune responses.

According to studies, CBD may not bind to the ECS itself — but it actually activates or inhibits other compounds and receptors. This may also be why CBD doesn’t produce any psychoactive effects. Delta 8 THC, another one of CBD’s relatives, is psychoactive. You can learn more about how delta 8 and CBD relate in this post.

 

How Does CBD Affect the Body

How Does It Affect the Body?

So, what does CBD actually do once it’s absorbed and interacting with the body? Here are a few of the ways that studies show CBD can affect your body.

One study shows that, at high concentrations, CBD can directly activate the 5-HT1A (hydroxytryptamine) serotonin receptor. This receptor is a factor in a large range of conditions and symptoms, such as nausea, pain, sleep, addiction, appetite, and anxiety.

Another study shows how CBD can bind to TRPV1 receptors. TRPV1 is known for mediating temperature, inflammation, and pain.

By stimulating the adenosine receptor, CBD can promote dopamine. Dopamine affects processes like motor control, motivation, reward, and cognition. CBD may also promote glutamate, which affects learning and memory production.

CBD can interact with the GABA-A receptor to enhance its ability to bind with GABA. GABA is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in our nervous system, and CBD can allow the GABA-A receptor to amplify the natural calming effect of GABA, which is helpful in addressing anxiety.

 

 

 

CBD Side Effects

With all of these complex chemical reactions mentioned in the prior section, it’s understandable if you’re curious about side effects. Are any side effects guaranteed if you take CBD? Does it depend on your unique body system, usage patterns, as well as any other health conditions you may have? All yesses! The best way to manage any potential side effects is to keep your physician in the loop.

Some side effects of CBD include, but are not limited to the following:

  • Extreme drowsiness
  • Lethargy
  • Upset stomach
  • Diarrhea

Though side effects aren’t fun, they’re not guaranteed. They’re certainly not guaranteed if you do your best to follow product instructions, either. Wondering how CBD will make you feel in general? This comes down to a variety of factors, such as:

  • The type of product you take or use
  • Your unique body system or biome
  • The symptoms you’re experiencing

You may also wonder if CBD causes any sort of body “high.” Though CBD can address and symptoms of anxiety, as well as boost healthy sleep patterns when combined with ingredients like melatonin, CBD still does not affect you as THC would.