What is CBD?

CBD, or cannabidiol, is one of over 100 cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant.It’s non-intoxicating, non-addictive, and has a wide range of potential health benefits.

Cannabidiol (CBD) oil has gained popularity for its use in wellness and lifestyle products. Recognized for its cbd safe profile with minimal side effects and fast-acting properties, it has become a popular choice for individuals seeking natural solutions for their health concerns.

In this guide, we will explore the origins of CBD, including its extraction from hemp and cannabis. You will also learn about the key compounds found in hemp, including CBD and THC, as well as the endocannabinoid system and its role in maintaining homeostasis.

What Is CBD? And How It Can Help? 

CBD was first isolated in the 1930s by a group of researchers at the University of Illinois led by Roger Adams.

Later in the 1960s, Raphael Meshulam and his research group at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel identified CBD as the second major cannabinoid in cannabis after THC.

In addition to CBD, the cannabis plant contains other cannabinoids, including tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC is known for its psychoactive effects and is the main compound responsible for the psychoactive (“high”) feeling associated with the use of cannabis.

Unlike THC, CBD is not psychoactive and it does not produce mind-altering effects. This makes CBD an attractive option for people looking for the potential benefits of cannabis without the psychoactive effect.

According to the World Health Organization, CBD has a good safety profile and is generally well-tolerated, non-intoxicating (“high”), and non-addictive. CBD is a focus of ongoing research and discussion in the wellness community among other medications.

These potential therapeutic benefits are largely attributed to the way CBD affects our endocannabinoid system (ECS). This system is a network of receptors that regulate biological processes such as mood, sleep, pain, and inflammation.

In recent years, CBD has become increasingly popular as a dietary supplement due to a wide range of potential benefits, including:

• May Reduce tensions, stress, and worries

• May promote a sense of calm & relaxation

• May improve sleep quality

• May support mental resilience

• May support pain relief

• May support cognitive performance

CBD can be consumed in various forms, including oils, capsules, gummies, and vape products. The consumption method can be chosen according to personal preference and the reason for use, therefore it is important to experiment in a variety of ways to find the best product and dosage for you.

Where Does CBD Come From in the Cannabis Sativa Plant?

CBD is a natural compound found in both hemp and cannabis plants, along with other cannabinoids such as THC and over 100 other compounds. The majority of CBD products are sourced from hemp, which typically contains higher concentrations of CBD and lower levels of THC than marijuana.

Hemp must contain less than 0.3% THC to be legally categorized as hemp under the federal controlled substances act, making it non-psychoactive. This means that a CBD product sourced from hemp can be widely available online and in stores across the United States.

Marijuana, on the other hand, is a variety of Cannabis Sativa L. which usually has higher levels of THC (5-35%).

Therefore, CBD derived-marijuana products are more strictly regulated and not widely accessible. The cbd legal status of these products varies significantly by state, and consumers should be aware of the regulatory challenges and implications for safety and efficacy.

Hemp vs Cannabis

What Is The Difference Between CBD and THC?

Cannabis contains dozens of different cannabinoids, but two of the most well-known are THC and CBD.

THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is responsible for cannabis’ psychoactive effects; it’s what causes people to feel “high” when they use marijuana. In contrast, CBD, or cannabidiol, is non-psychoactive and has been gaining recognition in recent years as a therapeutic compound with numerous benefits.

THC acts on the brain’s cannabinoid receptors, primarily CB1 receptors. These receptors are found throughout the body and play a role in many physiological processes – including pain sensation, emotion, and memory formation.

When THC binds to these receptors, it kickstarts a series of reactions that can result in feelings of euphoria or intense anxiety in users.

On the other hand with medical marijuana, research has shown that CBD interacts differently with our endocannabinoid system – rather than directly activating cannabinoid receptors, it stimulates our body to produce more cannabinoids on its own. This makes CBD less likely to be associated with undesirable side effects than THC.

Additionally, studies have found that high doses of CBD can actually reduce some of the adverse effects associated with THC – like paranoia and anxiety – making it an effective tool for balancing out one’s cannabis experience.

What Are the Health Benefits of Cannabinoids?

Cannabinoids are a group of compounds found in the Cannabis plant. These compounds interact with the body’s endogenous cannabinoid receptors and have been studied for their potential to treat several medical conditions, from cancer to chronic pain.

Cannabinoids are divided into three categories:

• Phytocannabinoids – compounds found in the Cannabis plant and are the most common type of cannabinoid. Some examples include THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), CBD (cannabidiol), and CBN (cannabinol). These molecules interact with specific receptors found in the body, activating the endocannabinoid system which works to maintain homeostasis within the body. CBD can also be integrated into various forms, including dietary supplements, emphasizing its role as a natural remedy for health issues. When considering a CBD product, it’s important to understand that these products are largely unregulated and can vary significantly in composition and effects.

• Endocannabinoids – Molecules that occur naturally in humans and animals. They activate cannabinoid receptors throughout the body and play an important role in regulating bodily functions such as sleep, mood, pain perception, appetite, memory and even reproduction. (for example, 2-AG and anandamide)

• Synthetic cannabinoids – Manufactured chemical analogs of natural phytocannabinoids. While they may provide similar therapeutic effects to those of natural cannabinoids, they can also be much more potent – creating potentially dangerous side effects when used incorrectly or excessively. (for example, the FDA-approved drug Epidiolex)

The physical structure of phytocannabinoids is nearly identical to endocannabinoids meaning they can interact with our internal system of chemical passageways that endocannabinoids use, known as the Endocannabinoid System (ECS).

What Is The Endocannabinoid System?

he Endocannabinoid System (ECS) is an important biological system that has been identified by scientists in the past few decades.

It works to regulate a wide range of functions throughout the body, such as mood, appetite, memory, immune function, and more. The ECS does this through its interaction with cannabinoids, chemicals found naturally in our brains and bodies.

When stimulated by cannabinoids, the ECS will activate cell receptors throughout the body to produce various physiological effects.

These effects can range from calming stress to pain management.

One of the most important aspects of the ECS is how it helps the body maintain homeostasis, or balance among its many essential processes. Through communication with cannabinoids and other substances found naturally in our environment, the ECS plays a significant role in regulating our health and well-being, making the use of CBD safe for many individuals.

Cannabinoid Receptors

Cannabinoid receptors are specialized protein molecules found on the surface of cells throughout the body and play an essential role in how cannabinoids interact with our bodies.

These receptors, also known as CB1 and CB2, are activated when they come into contact with cannabinoids like Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or Cannabidiol (CBD). This interaction results in a variety of physiological effects, such as increased appetite, memory formation, pain relief and more.

It’s important to note that cannabinoid receptors don’t just interact with cannabinoids—there are also endocannabinoids produced naturally within our brains and bodies that activate these receptors. Collectively, these elements make up the Endocannabinoid System (ECS), a complex network responsible for maintaining homeostasis within the body through communication with cell receptors.

• CB1: These receptors are found mostly in the brain and central nervous system. They regulate appetite, memory, pain, mood, and other functions.

• CB2: These receptors are found mostly in the immune system. They are known to regulate pain and inflammation.

Endocannabinoids

Endocannabinoids are compounds produced naturally within the body that interact with cannabinoid receptors in order to maintain homeostatic balance throughout the body.

They are part of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) that works to regulate various bodily functions such as pain, appetite, immune response, sleep, metabolism, and more. Endocannabinoids are made up of three components – a fatty acid binding molecule, an endocannabinoid precursor molecule, and an enzyme that helps synthesize those molecules when needed.

The two most studied endocannabinoids are:

• 2-AG: The most prevalent compound in the ECS. Plays an essential role in maintaining homeostasis, immune response, and inflammation.

• Anandamide: Named after “Ananda,” the Sanskrit word for “bliss” and “happiness.” Responsible for regulating a range of physiological processes such as appetite, pain sensation, memory formation and mood.

In addition to their known roles within the nervous system, endocannabinoids have also been linked to other functions such as appetite regulation, immune response modulation, memory formation, and more.

While there is still much to learn about their exact roles and mechanisms of action, research suggests that endocannabinoids play a key role in maintaining homeostasis throughout the body by interacting with cannabinoid receptors located throughout cells.

Metabolic Enzymes

Metabolic enzymes play an essential role in the Endocannabinoid System as they are responsible for breaking down endocannabinoids into smaller molecules, which can then be used to produce new endocannabinoids or metabolized by other enzymes.

Specifically, some of the metabolic enzymes involved in this process include:

• Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase (FAAH): Responsible for breaking down anandamide, one of the primary endocannabinoids.

• Monoacylglycerol Lipase (MAGL): Responsible for degrading 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), another significant endocannabinoid.

• Cyclooxygenase (COX): This enzyme helps to break down arachidonic acid, a precursor of several cannabinoids such as anandamide.

By mediating the breakdown of these important molecules, metabolic enzymes help regulate the activity of the Endocannabinoid System. Additionally, their activity also plays an important role in controlling inflammation and maintaining homeostasis.

CBD has been shown to inhibit the activity of FAAH, which means it helps keep anandamide levels balanced in our body. In this way, CBD supports the endocannabinoid system balance.

What Is Endocannabinoid System Deficiency?

Endocannabinoid system deficiency, also known as clinical endocannabinoid deficiency (CECD), is a condition in which an individual has an inadequate amount of endocannabinoids – the chemical messengers that help regulate the body’s functions.

This can lead to a wide range of physical and mental health problems, including:

• Poor appetite

• Chronic pain

• Depression

• Stress 

• Insomnia

• Migraine & headaches

Summary – What Is CBD

CBD is non-intoxicating, non-addictive, and generally considered cbd safe for consumption, though there are potential interactions with medications and unknown risks due to the unregulated nature of some products.

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a cannabinoid that interacts with the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in the body.

The ECS is responsible for regulating a variety of functions, including sleep, appetite, mood, and pain.

CBD oil has been shown to support the balance of the ECS, which helps to maintain homeostasis in the body.

Homeostasis is important because it helps to keep the conditions in the body that are necessary for life.