Nowadays, Cannabis or CBD is everywhere. From online shops and pharmacy chains, the word about the new therapeutic phenomenon is spreading around. Today CBD is a multi-billion dollar industry, with revenues and growth climbing new heights every market season. According to one survey, only a small fraction of Americans haven’t heard of CBD, making it an extremely popular compound.
However, hearing about CBD isn’t enough. You should always practice safety and caution with any compound, whether old or new. Here are some things you should keep in mind before incorporating CBD into your health regimen.
CBD Has more than 100 Family Members
CBD is the epicenter of the cannabinoid world. It’s talked about even more than THC – the main psychoactive component of cannabis responsible for causing a high. This is because it has mild side effects and is well-tolerated in consumers.
However, cannabis doesn’t contain only CBD. Rather, it is a treasure trove of more than 100 cannabinoids, which have yet to be discovered and scientifically explored. Some cannabinoids that are expected to rise to mainstream popularity like CBD in the coming decades include CBC and CBC.
CBD Strains Are a Hot Commodity
The vast benefits of CBD haven’t gone unnoticed or unchecked. Today, an enormous amount of high CBD cannabis strains are present in the market. Cannabis farmers are especially breeding for the compound due to its soaring demands.
This is a significant shift from old patterns when THC-high strains were widely cultivated and consumed.
However, after THC was linked to a hold of adverse side effects and aggravation of mental disorders like Schizophrenia, it was relegated to the back burner, allowing CBD to take its crown. CBD offers many THCs medicinal benefits without the high.
CBD was First Discovered in 1940
While CBD has seen exponential growth in the past few years, its origins date back to the 1940s when a Harvard alumnus, Roger Adams, first discovered the compound in a lab experiment. One of the first CBD-focused studies was conducted in 1946 when the compound was tested on lab rats.
The results of the study were promising, with subjects showing no indications of substance abuse. In the same year, Ralph Mechoulam, the father of CBD, published his findings on the chemical structure of cannabidiol.
In 1980, a breakthrough study conducted on a massive scale found CBD to have medicinal value as an antiepileptic drug. This followed the approval of Epidiolex, the first CBD-based pharmaceutical-grade drug, in 2018. Today, physicians are prescribing Epidiolex to help children living with two rare forms of pediatric epilepsy.
Charlotte’s Disappointment Was the First Discovered CBD Strain
The credit of the First CBD strain goes to Charlotte Figi. Charlotte used CBD for therapeutic purposes and didn’t get any high. After this, people called the strain Hippies disappointment because it lacked THCs psychoactive properties.
CBD May Counteract the Negative Effects of THC
In cannabis, many cannabinoids work together to produce the entourage effect. For instance, CBD and THC alone are not the same when combined. In synergy, CBD counteracts the negative psychoactive properties of THC, allowing for much safer and more effective consumption. In the 1980s, THC alone was shown to exacerbate the symptoms of stress, paranoia, and anxiety.
However, when combined with CBD under certain controlled parameters, the researchers noticed a significant reduction in negative psychological symptoms. Some theories suggest that this is because CBD regulates the activity of CB1 so that less THC binds to the receptor.
While a small group of studies suggests CBD can reduce THC-associated stress, no evidence exists that CBD can somehow reduce a THC high. Like many other avenues of cannabis, more research is needed to put forth something conclusive and concrete.
You Can Use CBD for Pets
Yes, pets also have an endocannabinoid system. Although this system varies from humans, CBD can influence it. Adding CBD into your furry friend’s health routine can bring a positive change in their lives.
Many CBD pet products are now flocking the market, including CBD pet tincture, gummies, and treats. If your pet doesn’t like the smell of CBD oil, you can simply add the oil to their food bowl, and promote palatability.
There are also CBD topical products on the market for localized skin treatments. If your beloved pet has a bad rash or some skin infections, and traditional medications are not doing the job, giving a CBD topical a try is not such a bad idea.
CBD topical applications have also shown good results for pets living with muscle soreness, arthritis, and other chronic pain conditions.
CBD Doesn’t Directly Interact with the ECS
You already know a lot about CBD and ECS. However, there is confusion that needs to be cleared. Although THC directly binds to CB1 and CB2 receptors, CBD doesn’t. This is the reason why THC induces psychoactive effects, whereas CBD doesn’t. However, despite having no binding affinity for either receptor, CBD plays a huge role in overall ECS activity. CBD acts as an indirect antagonist of endocannabinoid receptors. This means it inhibits the activation action of other cannabinoids, thus reducing the activity of cannabinoid receptors that these compounds bind to. The compound also blocks the activity of certain enzymes.
For instance, CBD blocks FAAH, an enzyme that metabolizes anandamide in the body. As anandamide levels increase in the body, the ECS is restored to a more harmonious and balanced equilibrium.
CBD is Extracted From Hemp and Marijuana
While you can only legally harvest CBD from hemp, it is also present in Marijuana. The problem with sourcing CBD from marijuana is that marijuana contains high THC levels — the psychoactive component of cannabis. According to the Farm Bill of 2018, products containing more than .3% of THC are illegal. However, Farm Bill is a federal law. At the state level, many regions have legalized cannabis for both medicinal and recreational use. This is where cannabis containing high amounts of THC is not a problem. Check with your state marijuana laws to see where you stand.
