Although humans have used cannabis for thousands of years, one of the plant’s specific components has recently exploded in popularity. Cannabidiol, or CBD, has become a household phrase since the 2018 Farm Bill legalized it. But for many, there are still countless questions surrounding it - questions like “what is CBD,” “how does it work,” and “how can I use CBD?”
Below, we’ll help answer those questions and analyze them in-depth.
What is CBD?
It seems like CBD is everywhere these days. From health shops and grocery stores to bodegas and gas stations, CBD remains prevalent. But what is it exactly?
CBD belongs to a family of organic compounds called cannabinoids. Researchers have discovered hundreds of cannabinoids, which marijuana plants naturally develop during their life cycles.
Cannabidiol is one of the most abundant cannabinoids in nature. It appears in high concentrations in hemp plants. It’s less common in marijuana, which belongs to the same family but it selectively bred to produce different compounds.
What Effects does Cannabidiol Have?
Researchers have been exploring the possible effects of CBD for decades. According to data from several studies, the compound demonstrates several possible health benefits. These include, among others:
- Anti-inflammatory properties: perhaps the best-known property of CBD is its ability to reduce swelling.
- Epilepsy relief: the FDA has even approved a CBD-based drug as a treatment for certain forms of epilepsy.
- Analgesic traits: data suggests that it can reduce or eliminate the sensation of pain.
- Anti-anxiety: CBD may help users relax and unwind, banishing stress.
One notable trait of cannabidiol is that it’s non-psychoactive. While cannabis may have a reputation as an intoxicating agent, CBD isn’t responsible for that. Instead, its cannabinoid cousin THC gives marijuana its trademark “high.” As a result, CBD users can harness the compound’s possible benefits without feeling any altered states of consciousness.
To make these effects happen, CBD “hacks” a subsection of the central nervous system called the endocannabinoid system, or ECS. The ECS helps regulate unconscious functions like immune system response.
The ECS does this using endocannabinoids, a type of neurotransmitter that the body creates itself. Endocannabinoids bind to receptors throughout the body, telling the ECS to perform certain functions.
How to Use It
Today, CBD appears in a number of forms. It’s commonly available in orally-consumed beverages, foods, oils, and tinctures. You can eat or drink any food- or beverage-based CBD normally. In addition, oils and tinctures can be swallowed, added to food, or placed under the tongue for faster effects.
CBD also regularly appears in vape juices. Vaporizing cannabidiol allows it to pass through the lungs instead of the digestive tract, hitting the bloodstream in a matter of seconds. Some companies even make pre-filled vape cartridges containing it.
Finally, smoking CBD flower is another emerging trend. CBD flower is bud harvested directly from hemp plants and then either smoked from a pipe or rolled into a joint. Like vaping, the CBD from flower passes through the lungs and into the bloodstream almost instantly.
With a better idea of what CBD is, you can develop a regimen that’s perfect for your individual scenario. Don't forget to look into terpenes as well!