WHAT IS CBD?
BEFORE WE CAN SAY WHAT CBD IS AND WHAT IT DOES, WE MUST GET TO KNOW CANNABINOIDS AND THE ENDOCANNABINOID SYSTEM
WHAT ARE CANNABINOIDS?
Cannabinoids are naturally occurring compounds found in the Cannabis sativa plant. Of over 480 different compounds present in the plant, only around 66 are termed cannabinoids. The cannabinoids most well known and found in the highest concentration are delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is the main psychoactive ingredient in cannabis and Cannabidiol or CBD, the non-psychoactive compound. Outside of THC and CBD, other cannabinoids, such as CBG, CBN, CBC, and THCV are often present at lower levels in the plant and in some commercial cannabis products. Other cannabinoids exist but are often founds in very low levels that make it difficult for scientists to accurately detect them and understand their potential medicinal benefits.
THE SIX MAIN CANNABINOIDS WHAT THEY DO FOR THE BODY:
OTHER CANNABINOIDS
CANNABICYCLOL (CBL), CANNABIELSOIN (CBE), CANNABITRIOL (CBT), CANNABIGERIVARIN (CBGV),
CANNABIDIVARIN (CBDV), CANNABICHROMEVARIN (CBCV)
THE ENDOCANNABINOID SYSTEM & EFFECTS OF CANNABINOIDS
The six main Cannabinoids are known to imitate compounds our bodies naturally produce, called endocannabinoids, which activate different parts of the nervous system, including the brain, to control body function and maintain internal health and stability. To put a complex system simply, they mediate communication between cells, and when there is a deficiency or problem with our Endocannabinoid System, unpleasant symptoms and physical complications occur. Cannabinoids can work to correct functionally of the system in different ways.
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN CANNABINOIDS
When cannabis is consumed, cannabinoids bind to receptor sites throughout our brain and nervous systems to receptors called the brain CB-1 and body/immune system CB-2. Depending on a cannabis product’s cannabinoid profile, different types of relief are achievable as the cannabinoids have different effects depending on which receptors they bind to as they can “tell” the body to “do” and/or “feel” different things. For example, THC binds to the brain CB-1 receptors and may signal a response in a spinal nerve while CBG might bind to a CB2 receptor in your immune cells. Cannabinoids may also be differentiated based on their degree of psychoactivity, whether they get you “high” or not, such as THC.
Cannabinoids
SO WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF CBD AND HOW DOES IT WORK?
Ironically, Cannabidiol (CBD) does not interact directly with endocannabinoid system (ECS) and has a minimal binding affinity to CB1 or CB2 receptors. Instead CBD influences several endocannabinoid molecular signaling systems, their receptors, and ion channels, such serotonin and dopamine receptors, to enhance or inhibit certain bodily functions. The functional properties exhibited by CBD at a cellular and molecular levels help produce a wide range of physiological effects. CBD is shown to counteract the psychoactive effects of THC, has no lethal dose and very few known serious medical side effects. It is considered very safe even in high doses.
*The statements made regarding these products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The efficacy of these products has not been confirmed by FDA-approved research. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. All information presented here is not meant as a substitute for or alternative to information from health care practitioners. Please consult your health care professional about potential interactions or other possible complications before using any product. The Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act requires this notice..