What is CBD, hemp, or CBD oil and what is it used for? How do you take it? What are its side effects? Is it legal? You've probably heard about CBD (short for cannabidiol) everywhere lately—in magazines, movies, TV series, on the radio, at meetings, and so on! And you're probably wondering why it's getting so much hype, what's so special about it. Well, in this article, we'll clear up all your doubts about this powerful medicinal compound from the cannabis plant.
CBD is one of the most powerful medicinal compounds in the cannabis plant, gaining increasing popularity as a therapeutic agent for various diseases and conditions. Before showing you its countless therapeutic properties, we'd like to first clarify a few things:
Cannabidiol (CBD) oil is a natural botanical concentrate that has been extracted from hemp plants and is one of over 100 cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant, with high concentrations of CBD and low concentrations of THC (short for Tetrahydrocannabinol), unlike the marijuana plant which is the opposite.
Cannabidiol (CBD) is non-psychoactive and non-addictive, allowing you to benefit from all of cannabis's natural properties without experiencing the high caused by the THC in marijuana. It also has antioxidant properties and is rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. A product—oil, extract, tincture, or edible—made with the whole cannabis plant, rather than just synthetic or natural CBD, will always be superior due to the synergistic effect of all cannabis components, including terpenes and flavonoids, which act in an entourage effect.
For all the above and for the benefit of millions of Mexicans, on June 19, 2017, the Mexican Congress officially published the “Decree by which various provisions of the General Health Law and the Federal Penal Code are reformed and added” , which stipulates that CBD is not considered an illegal substance in Mexico within the list prohibited by the Federal Penal Code and regulated by COFEPRIS, as long as they “contain concentrations equal to or less than 1% of THC”, that is how harmless is the consumption of CBD oil, such as chlorophyll, lycopene, linden tea or the millions of natural compounds that do not threaten Public Health.
Obviously, Mexico hasn't been the only country to lift restrictions on CBD consumption. Previously, the European Union, the United States, and other Latin American countries such as Colombia and Peru did so, and the list is sure to continue to grow rapidly. Last November, the World Health Organization (WHO) recognized that cannabidiol is neither addictive nor psychoactive: "The WHO, a United Nations body, determined that cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive molecule from the Cannabis sativa plant, is not a dangerous substance; on the contrary, it has high therapeutic potential." Even the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) recently removed CBD from its list of prohibited substances, allowing athletes in the NFL, Olympic Games, UFC, and many other major leagues to use CBD before and after training and events.
How does CBD oil work?
As we've already mentioned, cannabidiol is one of the most important cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. These compounds are the chemicals that activate cannabinoid receptors in the brain and body of all mammals.
Cannabidiol has many medicinal effects, with the advantage of not being psychoactive, unlike THC, another of the plant's more than one hundred cannabinoids. CBD even helps balance the effects of THC in strains with a high presence of the latter, reducing anxiety attacks, palpitations, and other adverse effects it can cause.
CBD works by communicating with your body's endocannabinoid system (ECS), which is an incredible network of cell receptors that scientists have discovered is the largest neurotransmitter system in the human body. Our body's endocannabinoid system is believed to be what enables CBD's beneficial effects.
One of the latest and most important discoveries in science.
Endocannabinoids, called cannabinoids, are receptors on the surface of cells. There are two main receptors, CB1 and CB2. Cannabidiol (CBD) has been shown to strengthen and improve the effectiveness of mitochondria, the energy source for every cell in your body. Studies on the endocannabinoid system (ECS) have shown that, in addition to being a regulator of homeostasis, the ECS also supports the repair of damaged cells. Research has also shown that cannabinoids can attack diseased cells without affecting normal cells, meaning the ECS can act as a biological defense system. Researchers and scientists around the world are studying cannabinoids and other compounds to see how they interact with the endocannabinoid system. The ECS regulates a variety of biological processes such as relaxation, eating, sleep, certain inflammatory reactions, and even cognitive function. In short, your ECS is responsible for your body's optimal function.
CB1 RECEPTORS
CB1 receptors are best known for their role in the nervous system. They are also found in many other parts of the body. CB1 receptors have been found to impact:
- Pain management through the spinal cord.
- The immune system through the spleen and white blood cells throughout the body.
- Motor control through the cerebellum and basal ganglia.
- Memory processing in the hippocampus, stress and energy through the endocrine and pituitary glands.
- The gastrointestinal tract (with cannabinoids as a possible treatment for irritable bowel syndrome).
CB1 receptors may have many functions we don't even know about. They've been found in many other places, such as the urinary tract and parts of the reproductive system. Scientific research continues to uncover more and more ways these receptors impact our daily lives.
CB2 RECEPTORS
CB2 receptors are also found in the brain, although not as prominently as CB1 receptors. CB2 receptors are primarily known for their role in the immune system (i.e., in white blood cells, the spleen, and the tonsils). A critical function of cannabinoid receptors in the immune system is the regulation of cytokine release. Cytokines aid in communication between cells during immune responses. They also strengthen the appropriate cells to respond to inflammation and infection. In these processes, stimulation of CB2 receptors may play an important role in regulating discomfort in the body and promoting numerous health benefits. (1)
(1) Progress in lipid research, P. Pacher, R. Mechoulam; 2011.
CBD and its therapeutic effects
The most important therapeutic effects of CBD are given by its properties:
- Anxiolytics
- Analgesics
- Antiemetics
- Antiepileptics
- Antitumor drugs
- Antioxidants
- Anti-inflammatory
- Antipsychotics
- Antibacterial
- Antifungals
- Antirheumatic
- Neuroprotective
- Immunomodulators
- Sleep inducers
Clinical and scientific studies demonstrate that it has therapeutic potential for many pathologies, including:
- Alzheimer
- Arthritis
- Asthma
- Autism
- Anxiety due to alcoholism
- Cigarette cravings
- Drug anxiety
- Insomnia
- Cancer
- Skin conditions
- Depression
- Diabetes
- Muscular Dystrophy
- Chronic Pain
- Epilepsy
- Chronic Stress
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Schizophrenia
- Cardiovascular diseases
- Crohn's disease
- Huntington's disease
- Parkinson's disease
- Fibromyalgia
- Glaucoma
- Antibiotic-resistant infections
- Traumatic Brain Injury
- Leukemia
- Lupus
- Malaria
- Migraine
- Neurological problems in general
- Tourette Syndrome
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Vertigo
- Etc.
