If you’ve been looking for an all-in-one guide that explains exactly what CBD is, you’ve come to the right place! At Cannabotech, our goal is to provide as much education as possible to our customers. Giving you more information so you can make informed decisions and ultimately find the right CBD products for them.
Unfortunately, by law, we are unable to talk about the medical benefits of CBD but please feel free to conduct your own research online around various medical benefits.
THC and CBD are the two most studied cannabinoids in cannabis, but they are not the only ones. There are a wide range of other cannabinoids, each with their own unique benefits and effects. Many of these cannabinoids interact with the body's Endocannabinoid System (ECS) and its CB1 and CB2 receptors. This interaction is thought to be responsible for the potential therapeutic effects of cannabis, such as reduced inflammation, pain relief, improved mood, and more. Researchers are continuing to study the potential benefits of cannabis and its various cannabinoids, with the hope of uncovering new ways to use this amazing plant to improve our health and well-being.
So with that, let’s get CBD explained!
What is a Cannabinoid?
For us to explain what CBD is, we need to first talk about cannabinoids.
There are two types of cannabinoid – the ones produced by plants like cannabis (phytocannabinoids), and the ones we produce in our own bodies (endocannabinoids).
Endocannabinoids play an important role in affecting the body both emotionally and physiologically and have various effects including eliciting the promotion of overall well-being. Endocannabinoids interact directly with the body's Endocannabinoid System (ECS), helping to maintain homeostasis – a state of balance – inside our bodies.
Our bodies respond to phytocannabinoids in much the same way it does endocannabinoids. Through this specialised connection within our existing biological networks, external phytocannabinoids lend their innate abilities to modulate perception, mood, behaviours and physical sensations. All natural cannabinoids interact with specific receptors throughout the human body known as CB1 and CB2 receptors. Researchers believe these interactions create traditional therapeutic responses such as eased symptoms and temporary relief from infliction.
There are over 100 different cannabinoids in cannabis, but so far only two have really been studied extensively—THC and CBD.
What is CBD?
Cannabidiol (often shortened to ‘CBD’) is a naturally occurring cannabinoid found in cannabis plants - although in much smaller quantities than the more commonly known cannabinoid THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol). THC is the psychoactive cannabinoid – the one that gets you ‘high’. This means that taking CBD won't get you “high” like smoking recreational cannabis would.
How Does CBD Work?
CBD interacts with our bodies through our endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS plays an important role in regulating many of our bodily functions including sleep, appetite, pain response, immune system response, and more. All mammals have an ECS which consists of endocannabinoids (which are produced by the body) as well as receptors throughout the body that interact with these compounds. When we ingest cannabinoids like CBD or THC, they bind to these receptors and interact with them. This can produce various effects depending on which receptor they interact with and how much they bind to it.
When we intake phytocannabinoids like CBD through CBD oil or CBD edibles, it activates receptors within the endocannabinoid system allowing them to work in tandem with each other.
The interactions between CBD and the endocannabinoid system will vary based on dosage and intake method. For best results, always remember to consult with your physician to ensure you know how much you should take.
It is important to note that the effects of CBD on the endocannabinoid system can vary significantly based on individual factors such as age, lifestyle, and health conditions.
Furthermore, the way you take CBD can also affect how it interacts with the endocannabinoid system. For instance, CBD oil and edibles may be broken down differently in the body, resulting in different levels of absorption and effects. Therefore, it is important to experiment with different intake methods to find the one that works best for you.
How Was CBD Discovered?
We already know that CBD is one of many cannabinoids found in cannabis sativa plants. But exactly how was CBD discovered?
The first time CBD was discussed in mainstream literature was during Jerusalem's 23rd Imperial Pharmaceutical Conference in 1940. In the study completed by freelance scientist Dr. S Croley, experimentation with CBD indicated medicinal effects like those we know and appreciate today.
During the 60s, Israeli scientist Dr. Raphael Mechoulam further investigated individual cannabinoids such as THC and CBD.
Dr. Raphael Mechoulam is an Israeli organic chemist and professor at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He is renowned for unravelling the chemical structure of cannabis, identifying tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) as its main active component back in 1964.
This groundbreaking discovery also opened up new areas of exploration into the pharmacologic activity that cannabis has on the dcannabinoid receptors within our bodies. This quickly led to additional work studying how we can benefit from cannabinoids and helped ignite interest in more comprehensive reports on how the chemicals could be used therapeutically and medically.
Major strides forward in recognising intersections between physiology, endocrinology and brain function have been made since Mechoulam's innovative scientist journey began with cannabis – all thanks to this leader in biomedical research!
With more than 100 published peer-reviewed journal entries, his work is credited as having been largely responsible for ushering widespread acceptance and advancement in a once quietly falling field of medicine. Not only did he unlock multiple mysteries around how cannabis works with us physiologically, but he also discovered unique nuances in things such as endocannabinoids – merging pure science with soulful ingenuity to generate cutting edge therapy applications throughout the medical world.
Continued Research of CBD
CBD is really making its mark on the modern healthcare industry, and research on this natural compound continues to showcase its promising potential. For example, studies over the past decade have aimed to reveal how CBD could be harnessed for various therapeutic endeavors. Landmark discoveries further reveal how CBD may play a role in managing certain physical ailments, as well as psychological and neurological disorders.
Numerous organisations are conducting post-marketing clinical trials with CBD products to gather more evidence on their effectiveness. Experts are earnestly studying data from these trials to expand our collective understanding of how CBD works on a biochemical level. We eagerly await their newest findings to come soon!
As always when starting something new for your health routine, consulting a doctor beforehand is recommended if you have any specific questions or concerns about taking CBD products specifically tailored for your individual needs and lifestyle habits!
