Cannabidiol, or CBD, is currently taking the United States by storm and has been gaining in popularity since the passage of the Farm Bill in December 2018. The Farm Bill legalized Cannabidiol possession and use in the US and regular drugstores have begun to carry various Cannabidiol products.
What is Cannabidiol (CBD)?
Cannabidiol is one of over 100 cannabinoid compounds found in the cannabis sativa and industrial hemp plants. For Cannabidiol to be considered “federally legal” it must be procured from the industrial hemp plant and contain less than .3% THC.
Cannabidiol derived from the cannabis sativa plant is legal in U.S. states where recreational cannabis use is allowed, including California, Oregon, Colorado and Michigan, among others, and usually contains some THC as well as CBD.
Cannabidiol derived from the industrial hemp plant is considered a non-intoxicant as it does not make the user feel “high” such as the cannabinoid THC does, however it shares many beneficial traits of THC, such as the ability to relieve pain and anxiety.
How Does CBD Work?
CBD enters the body and acts on the CB1 and CB2 receptors of the Endocannabinoid System (ECS). These receptors work like a “lock and key” system where cannabinoids provide the “key” to “unlock” the CB1 and CB2 receptors.
The ECS is responsible for regulating many of the body’s functions including mood, pain, inflammation, hunger, and temperature among many others. It is important for the CB1 and CB2 receptors to be “unlocked” in order to send the correct chemical signals to different parts of the body to maintain normal function. Endocannabinoid receptors are located throughout the body and the ECS makes up the largest physiological system in the human system.
Many individuals experience dysfunction of the ECS and do not naturally produce enough cannabinoids to maintain proper function of the body. This phenomenon is known as Endocannabinoid Deficiency. When the CB1 and CB2 receptors do not have enough cannabinoids acting on them they cannot be “unlocked” and may cause unwanted symptoms.
If an individual is cannabinoid deficient it will often manifest as unwanted physiological symptoms. Using Cannabidiol will boost the level of cannabinoids available to “unlock” ECS receptors and in turn return the body to homeostasis.
How is CBD Consumed?
CBD can be found in various forms such as oils, tinctures, creams, lotions, capsules, patches, edibles and more.
Cannabidiol is typically taken orally as oils, tinctures and capsules, however Cannabidiol can also be vaporized and is available as a liquid for vape pens. The benefits of Cannabidiol are slower to manifest when it is ingested orally as opposed to vaping. Vaping CBD allows the cannabinoid to enter the bloodstream and reach endocannabinoid receptors almost immediately.
Medical Benefits of Cannabidiol
Up until the passage of the Farm Bill, it has been difficult for researchers to study the effects of CBD due to its illegal status. Now that CBD products derived from industrial hemp are federally legal it is likely that their medical benefits will be scrutinized and studied thoroughly, and data will be forthcoming to support the use of CBD in managing a wide array of medical conditions.
Subjective reports and early studies show that CBD may be used to combat a wide range of medical issues including pain and inflammation, stress and anxiety, nausea, seizures, chronic pain, PTSD, and may reduce the effects of diseases such as Fibromyalgia, Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson’s.
CBD may also be useful in treating the opioid crisis that has worsened over the last ten years in the United States. Subjective reports show that CBD may assist in lessening opioid withdrawal symptoms as well as managing the pain for which opioids were being used. Many individuals report that they were able to terminate opioid use with the assistance of CBD.
Enjoy Relief Without the High
If an individual is looking to return their body to homeostasis and manage unwanted symptoms without the associated “high” experienced with THC, CBD is a great alternative.
CBD can safely be taken throughout the day without experiencing intoxication. As CBD helps to manage a vast array of symptoms it is excellent at improving feelings of overall wellness.
Elyon Offers CBD and CBD 1:1 Prerolls. Click here for a list of dispensaries near you to pick some up today!
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