What is CBD, hemp or hemp oil and what is it for? How is it taken? What are the secondary effects? Is it legal? Surely lately you have heard about CBD (abbreviation for cannabidiol) everywhere, in magazines, movies, TV series, radio, at meetings, in short! everywhere and you will be wondering why so much publicity, what is so special about it; Well, in this article we will clarify all your doubts about this powerful medicinal compound from the cannabis plant.
CBD is one of the most powerful medicinal compounds of the cannabis plant that is becoming more famous every day as a therapeutic agent for different diseases and conditions. Before showing you its innumerable therapeutic properties, we first want to make you a BIG clarification:
Cannabidiol (CBD) oil is a natural botanical concentrate that has been extracted from hemp plants (Hemp) and is one of more than 100 cannabinoids found in cannabis plants, with high concentrations of CBD and low of THC (short for Tetrahydrocannabinol), unlike the marijuana plant which is the opposite.
Cannabidiol (CBD) is neither psychoactive nor addictive, which provides the opportunity to benefit from all the natural properties of cannabis without having to experience a state of euphoria, caused by the THC in marijuana. In addition, it has antioxidant properties and is rich in omega 3 and 6 fatty acids. A product – oil, extract, tincture, edible – made with the entire cannabis plant and not just synthetic or natural CBD, will always be better due to the synergistic effect of all the components of cannabis, including terpenes and flavonoids, which act as an entourage effect.
For all of the above and for the benefit of millions of Mexicans, on June 19, 2017, the Congress of Mexico 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 the consumption of CBD oil is, such as chlorophyll, lycopene, lime tea or the millions of natural compounds that do not They threaten Public Health.
Obviously Mexico has not been the only country to remove restrictions on CBD consumption; the European Union, the United States, and other Latin American countries such as Colombia and Peru did so previously, and the list will surely continue to grow rapidly. Last November, the World Health Organization (WHO) recognized that cannabidiol is not addictive or psychoactive: «The WHO, an organ of the United Nations, determined that cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive molecule from the Cannabis sativa plant, "It is not a dangerous substance, on the contrary, it has a high therapeutic potential." Even the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has recently removed CBD from the list of banned substances, so athletes in the NFL, Olympics, UFC and many other major leagues can use CBD before and after of training and events.
How does CBD oil work?
As we have already mentioned, cannabidiol is one of the most important cannabinoids present 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 that it is not psychoactive, like THC, another of the more than one hundred cannabinoids in the plant. CBD even helps level the effects of THC in strains with a high presence of the latter, reducing anxiety attacks, palpitations and other adverse effects that it can cause.
CBD works by communicating with your body's Endocannabinoid System (ECS), which is an incredible network of cellular receptors that scientists have discovered to be the largest neurotransmitter system in the human body. It is believed that our body's Endocannabinoid System is what enables the beneficial effects of CBD.
One of the latest and outstanding discoveries of 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 that the ECS can act as a biological defense system. Researchers and scientists around the world are doing studies on 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 RECEIVERS
CB1 receptors are best known for their function 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 in 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 that we don't even know about. They have been found in many other places, such as in the urinary tract and in parts of the reproductive system. Scientific research continues to find more and more ways these receptors impact our daily lives.
CB2 RECEIVERS
CB2 receptors are also found in the brain, although not as prominently as CB1. CB2 receptors are primarily known for their role in the immune system (i.e., white blood cells, spleen, and tonsils). A critical function of cannabinoid receptors in the immune system is the regulation of cytokine release. Cytokines help in communication between cells during immune responses. They also strengthen the appropriate cells to respond to inflammation and infection. In these processes, the stimulation of CB2 receptors can 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 come from its properties:
- Anxiolytics
- Painkillers
- Antiemetics
- Antiepileptic
- Antitumor
- Antioxidants
- Anti-inflammatory
- Antipsychotics
- Antibacterial
- Antifungal
- Antirheumatic
- Neuroprotective
- Immunomodulatory
- Sleep inducers
Clinical and scientific studies show that it has therapeutic potential for many pathologies, including:
- Alzheimer's
- Arthritis
- Asthma
- Autism
- Anxiety due to alcoholism
- Cigarette anxiety
- 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
- General neurological problems
- Tourette syndrome
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Vertigo
- Etc.
