There is no doubt that CBD is becoming a buzzing topic of the internet, and for good reason, too! CBD can be found in many places around the world and is legal almost everywhere, making it an interesting discussion for many individuals. With its wide range of growing benefits, it is no wonder that it has increased in popularity! In this article, we will be looking at the basics of CBD and how it works on/with the mind and body.
What is CBD?
First and foremost, let’s talk about what CBD actually is before getting into the more technical side of things. CBD, or Cannabidiol, is 1 of 113 Cannabinoids that can be found in the Cannabis plant. You may have heard of Cannabis’ most popular Cannabinoid, THC, which gets most of the spotlight.
THC is well-known for its psychoactive effects and healing properties. CBD, on the other hand, is non-psychoactive, meaning you will not get high from taking it. You can take as much Cannabidiol as you please and it will never result in any high whatsoever.
Pure CBD can be extracted from either Cannabis or Hemp. This makes it a fantastic alternative for those wishing to get the healing benefits from THC without the high. There are often higher quantities of Cannabidiol found in Hemp, meaning it is most commonly extracted from Hemp rather than traditional Cannabis.
It is also worth mentioning that CBD has no known negative side-effects! Cannabidiol is not addictive or harmful in any way that we know of. The market for CBD has expanded so much over a short period of time, resulting in hundreds of different products popping up every day! From lotions to drinks, to chocolate, to different types of oils.
Although this is exciting and makes it easier for the consumer, it is wise to look out for low-quality CBD products sold by companies solely involved in the market for the sake of sale and profit. Try to look for a CBD company that is focused on helping people with CBD rather than just the retail part of it. Please keep in mind that this article is focusing on CBD oil specifically and its effects on the mind and body.
Now that you know a little bit more about Cannabidiol, you may be wondering… ‘Okay, but why should I be taking it? What benefits does it actually have?’. Let’s look at that now!
What are some of CBD’s most commonly reported benefits?
CBD has a long list of benefits. So long that some individuals even find it a bit unbelievable! This is understandable. Not everyone seems to get the same benefits out of their CBD journey, however, there are a few from the list of benefits that are more commonly reported than others.
To make this simple, here is a short list of some of the more popular positive side-effects one may find from taking Cannabidiol, specifically in the form of drops:
- Decreased Stress/Anxiety
- Increased Mood
- Neural-Protective
- Pain Relief
- Reduce, Stop, or Even Prevent Seizures
- Reduced Blood Levels
- Improved Quality of Sleep
- Reduced Inflammation in the Body/Brain
- Protect Joints and Muscles
But- how does it all work?! I am glad you asked! Let’s begin by looking into how Cannabidiol directly affects our physical bodies.
CBD and its effect on the body
Although it may seem like it would be a complicated process, and it may be to some, I will try to explain it very simply so it is easy to absorb.
Essentially, humans seem to be built for Cannabinoids! We have an entire eternal system within our bodies that is designed to receive Cannabidiods. Across our bodies, we host over 800 Cannabinoid receptors! This means when we take Cannabidiol, it reacts/binds with these receptors, making it the perfect aid for physical healing. Since these receptors are spread out across our entire body, taking CBD will target the direct part of the body and work with it, meaning CBD should help any physical pain or discomfort almost anywhere in the human body.
Have a sore arm? CBD oil! Dealing with weak joints? CBD oil! Experiencing inflammation? You guessed it –CBD oil!
Due to studies and individual patients, Cannabidiol has successfully treated many individuals around the world who suffer from chronic pain. It is also a great aid for women that deal with nasty PMS pain each month. It works better for some vs others, but it is definitely worth a try!
But what about the brain? Does it help with the mental and neurological side of things as well? Yes, it does! Now that we know about the physical effects, let’s move onto the mental effects!
CBD and its effect on the brain
It is the same system as in the rest of our physical vessels. Just as in the rest of our bodies, we also have Cannabinoid receptors throughout our brain, as well! Because of this, CBD can have a tremendous effect on both mental and neurological issues.Â
CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system which forms part of the nervous system. Relaxation in the nervous system is promoted by GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid). This neurotransmitter is critical in helping the nervous system wind down and relax. This is why Cannabidiol can help with things like Anxiety, Depression, and stress.
In more serious cases, studies also show that CBD can reduce seizures! A groundbreaking report from 2016 treated 74 epileptic patients with CBD for a period of 6 months. There was an outstanding 89% reduction in seizures across the board of patience! This was a very important study as the results were so positive, which has made a harder push for more studies such as these to be conducted.
We are a lot more aware of how CBD works on the body, but we have a long way to go when it comes to CBD and the brain. Understanding how both the mind and body work with CBD will further the accuracy of our usages and treatments with this promising Cannabinoid. Although we have learned a lot in recent years, we still have so much to learn!
The world of CBD is massive and this article is just touching the very surface of the workings of Cannabidiol and how we can use it to improve the lives of people all around the world! The best thing we can do is continue to conduct more research and educate ourselves. Hopefully, we will be able to know the in and outs of the workings of Cannabidiol so we can optimize our usage of it and get the most we possibly can with every dose!
