Looking for a basic understanding of what CBD is (and isn’t)? We’ve got you covered.
CBD, short for cannabidiol (pronounced canna-bi-dial) is a chemical compound found in the cannabis plant. Cannabis actually contains 80+ similar compounds called cannabinoids, which include THC. The reason you get high from marijuana is due to the effects of THC—but other cannabinoids (like CBD) don’t get you high at all.
The more we learn about CBD, the more it seems poised to revolutionize medicine as we know it. Because CBD is safe and doesn’t get you high, CBD-based products aren’t restricted by the legal ban on marijuana.
Where Does CBD Come From?
Is it hemp? Marijuana? Cannabis? There’s actually no need to be confused about this. Hemp, marijuana, and cannabis are different names for the same thing! These all fall under the plant species called Cannabis Sativa L.
Hemp and marijuana are simply different varieties of this plant. Both of them contain CBD.
Some people have been misled to believe that hemp plants can’t have CBD in them—this is 100% false. But it’s important to know that CBD doesn’t come from the hemp seeds that many people are familiar with—hempseed oil, which you might have seen in your local health food store, is not a source of CBD. CBD comes mainly from the flowers of the hemp plant. Today, growers are smart, and they’ve learned how to cultivate hemp that’s higher in CBD concentration.
Hemp CBD extract that’s made from a CBD-rich strain of hemp is an incredibly powerful substance with natural healing properties. And remember, CBD derived from hemp is legal, so you can get it hassle-free. That’s why at Indie Hemp Company we use only the best-quality, American-grown hemp we can find—we want to get the healing power of CBD into the hands of people who need it.
The bottom line is that whether your CBD comes from a hemp plant or a marijuana plant, it’s all CBD to your body. Finding a high-quality hemp CBD source means you’ll get a product that’s clean, safe, and 100% legal.
CBD Won’t Get You High
Click here to read HOW CBD MAKES YOU FEEL
We said this earlier, and we’ll say it again. People who are new to CBD often worry that it can get you stoned, thanks to the association with marijuana and THC. But you don’t have to worry about this one bit. Study after study and thousands of CBD users will tell you that there is no way, no how, that you can get high from using CBD. It’s biologically impossible!
Actually, CBD and THC are like twin siblings, chemically speaking. Their makeup is very similar but slightly different. This slight difference equals vastly different effects. In fact, studies tell us that CBD can have the opposite effect of THC in many scenarios—especially when it comes to getting high. You can take as much CBD as you want and while you might feel a little woozy if you take a lot, you will never experience anything psychoactive. This is why CBD is so great for people who are dealing with problems like chronic pain, who probably need to take a fair amount throughout the day.
The Potential Health Benefits of CBD Are Worth It
The cannabis plant has been used in communities all over the world for centuries. Healers, kings, and queens wouldn’t keep coming back to it if it didn’t help them in some way. Scientists now know that CBD interacts with various systems in your body that control and regulate different functions. Because of this, it can be your best friend in helping to treat a variety of health problems.
The biggest reasons people look to CBD are to alleviate pain, reduce stress, soothe anxiety, and get better sleep at night. Time and again, we hear from our customers about how they struggled for years with different prescription and over-the-counter options to help with these problems, with disappointing results. Well, here’s some good news to brighten your day: If you’re one of those people, CBD might just bring you the hope and relief that you seek. CBD has been shown to be effective in helping with all of these conditions, and more. And it’s not just effective, but all-natural and safe!
Why Does CBD Work?
Remember how we mentioned “regulating functions”? The reason CBD helps your body to do this has been scientifically established. In your body, you have an intricate system of neurons and receptors that have evolved over thousands of years to regulate your major biological functions. This is known as the endocannabinoid system, or ECS, for short.
You probably don’t know it, but your body makes its very own cannabinoids, which interact with the ECS to create balance. Sometimes, as we age, become stressed, ill, or compromised in other ways, the ECS needs a boost. Think of your ECS like a thermostat. When everything’s working correctly, it doesn’t matter what the weather’s like outside. On the inside, the temperature stays level—and you stay comfortable. But if that thermostat is broken, you’re at the mercy of the elements. The temperature is no longer level—and you get uncomfortable and feel out of balance.
Luckily, Mother Nature has gifted us cannabinoids that come from plants, like the CBD that comes from hemp cannabis. CBD is a compound that your body innately understands because it’s a lot like the cannabinoids your body makes already. It interacts with the ECS to help you to fix that busted thermostat, restoring balance and comfort by inspiring your body to heal itself!
To understand HOW CBD FEELS click HERE
The Endocannabinoid System (you can learn more in detail by clicking HERE)
The endocannabinoid system is a relatively new discovery. It is named after the cannabis plant because it was discovered while researchers were looking into the effects of cannabis on the body. Although cannabis has been used therapeutically for centuries, no one really knew the mechanisms through which it exerted its effects until 1964. At that time, researchers isolated tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC.
THC is the most abundant active ingredient in cannabis. It’s the one that’s responsible for delivering a mind-altering high.
Scientists realized that THC influenced the neuronal signaling system in the body, and they continued to research this target. Of particular interest to researchers was the fact that THC is a lipid. In 1964, experts believed that the only neuroactive compounds that could interact with cells were watersoluble molecules. As they continued to learn about THC, they realized that this cannabinoid could influence cells in novel ways.
Cannabinoid Receptors
By the early 1990s, specific cannabinoid receptors were identified within the human body. Lab tests demonstrated that THC works by binding to CB1 receptors, which are the most plentiful in the central nervous system.
The CB2 receptor is more abundant outside of the central nervous system and primarily modulates immunity. Cannabidiol, or CBD, is another substance in cannabis that may work more closely with the CB2 receptor.
After these receptors were discovered, researchers went on to investigate the natural chemicals that the body produces to activate CB1 and CB2. They hypothesized that our bodies wouldn’t have evolved to develop these receptors if an external chemical, such as cannabis, only activated them. They learned that we have natural cannabinoids, which influence the endocannabinoid receptors.
There are more than two types of endocannabinoid receptors in the body. Scientists are still learning about this system. What they do know is that the endocannabinoid system serves as a feedback loop for the body. Neurotransmitter signaling involving cannabinoids flows in multiple directions, giving the body a mechanism for communicating with itself and maintaining balance.
CLICK HERE TO GET MORE IN DEPTH LEARNING ABOUT CBD!
Yes, CBD Is Legal!
Putting a healing, nourishing compound into your body should be a fearless, proactive decision—your well-being certainly shouldn’t come with a legal warning. And it doesn’t have to. We can assure you that CBD that comes from hemp and contains less than 0.3% THC lies within the limits of the law.
People who are new to CBD are sometimes concerned about this because of the association between cannabis and higher-THC marijuana, which is a controlled substance. Any honest, reputable CBD company holds their products to the highest standards and respects the legal limits. At Vitalife, we make sure that all the compounds in our CBD products are at the most acceptable levels so there are zero snags in getting the magic of CBD to the people who need it most.
Why Is CBD Suddenly So Popular?
As we’ve talked about, cannabis medicine has been used and celebrated by many cultures for centuries. Over the last few years, thanks to some amazing new discoveries about how CBD can help people with severe conditions like epilepsy and Parkinson’s disease make truly miraculous turnarounds, CBD has really entered the spotlight. The more that patients and studies confirm what it can do, the more the world is watching as CBD’s massive potential continues to be unlocked.
The Future Looks Bright for CBD Users
We hope you’ve enjoyed what you’ve read here. We know you’re reading this because you want answers, and we want you to feel 100% confident in your understanding of CBD. Many advocates claim that CBD could be the “future of healing.” Given how much CBD has done for people already, along with the fact that research continues to be done on harnessing its full potential, we just might have to agree.
Try it for yourself and see how it elevates your well-being and helps with what ails you.
Enjoy the Benefits, Without the High.