About CBD (Cannabidiol)
CBD is the second most prominent compound found in the cannabis plant. But what is Cannabidiol?
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-psychoactive compound found in Hemp and Marijuana plants utilized for its different medical benefits. Hemp and marijuana are different varieties of the Cannabis plant. Currently there are 85+ Cannabinoids known to medical science, cannabidiol being the compound prevalent in most full spectrum CBD products.
Cannabinoids are chemical compounds found throughout the cannabis plant which, when ingested or inhaled, can provide a range of beneficial treatments to an array of different symptoms and ailments. Individuals looking for alternative means of relief can find benefits for treating anxiety, sleep related disorders, inflammation, pain, psychosis, seizures, spasms, and nausea.
- Alternative means of relief
- Treats inflammation
- Treats axiety
- Potential benefits in cancer treatment
- Treats psychosis
- Treats pain
- Relieves nausea
The reason CBD is non-psychoactive, as opposed to THC, is due to its inability to affect our CB1 receptors. CB1 receptors are found throughout the brain and are the key pathways for psychoactive effects. Simply put, receptors are gate-keeper proteins embedded in our cells which help direct chemical signals, or communication signals, from molecules to our cells. This communication is conducted when a molecular compound binds with a receptor. This interaction between our receptors and different compounds can only take place when a molecule or compound binds with the receptor, which is called a ligand. The communication between a molecular compound and our receptors is how we feel the effects of different stimuli or compounds. Cannabinoids cause their desired effect due to the fact that our bodies contain these receptors which are designed to bind to specific cannabinoid molecules. Other everyday items which have been found to bind with the same cannabinoid receptors include turmeric, black pepper, cacao, and other spices.
While CBD doesn’t bind with our CB1 receptor, it does interact with other receptors to cause its desired effects. Studies have shown CBD to interact with G-protein and CB2 receptors located in the central and peripheral nervous systems. This is why CBD is seen to be so beneficial for those dealing with anxiety. By activating certain receptors, the adenosine receptors, which regulate cardiovascular functions, myocardial oxygen consumption, and coronary blood flow, CBD allows oxygen and blood to circulate more effectively and ease many of the symptoms associated with anxiety. CBD has also been seen to influence dopamine receptors, which are primarily associated with motivation and reward signaling. This has led researchers to think this is why CBD can also be used effectively to quell cigarette cravings.
By utilizing selective breeding techniques, cultivars have been able to create strains of the hemp and marijuana plant with high levels of CBD and near zero levels of THC. Cultivars of CBD are able to extract CBD from hemp or marijuana plants and use them in a host of different products. Currently, the most common way of extracting high concentrations of CBD is through a specialized solvent-free extraction process which ensures the full spectrum of cannabinoids, terpenes, and fatty acids are extracted from the natural plant. This process allows the manufacturer to yield CBD oil with high cannabidiol concentrations. This extracted CBD oil can then be sold as is or infused in a variety of different CBD based products like CBD capsules.
CBD oil is now being linked as a possible protectorate against neurodegenerative diseases. High quality CBD oil exerts antioxidant effects, minimizing the effects of free radicals or oxidative stress in the body. The high concentration of cannabidiol in CBD oil has the potential to neutralize the effects of free radicals in our cells. As you may know, free radicals have been seen in multiple medical journals to be the cause of numerous neurological diseases including Alzheimer’s disease, ALS, and Parkinson’s disease. Oxidative stress has also been linked to chronic fatigue syndrome, atherosclerosis, heart failure, inflammatory diseases and cancer. Unfortunately, ingesting free radicals or creating oxidative stress is a part of life, but we can combat the effects on our cells by increasing our intake of antioxidants. Antioxidants can be found in fruits and vegetables but are also produced naturally in our body. To assist our body’s ability to fight free radicals, research suggests it is a good idea to consume foods like blueberries, goji berries, cranberries, kidney beans, and possibly supplementing with full spectrum CBD based products, which are all good sources of antioxidants.
When shopping for CBD products, you have to pay close attention to the process in which the company extracts CBD from the host plant. Also paying attention to the level of CBD in the product will have a relational effect as to the efficacy of the product. To obtain high concentrations of cannabidiol in our products, we have to use high-CBD Hemp strains. As CBD levels in these different strains vary from plant to plant and strain to strain, we have to create continuity and consistency in our products by implementing a specialized extraction process. Our extraction method insures we utilize the entire plant, which ensures our customers experience the full spectrum of what the host plant has to offer. This process allows for all of the plant’s natural cannabinoids, terpenes, and fatty acids to be utilized. By applying an enclosed, lean manufacturing process, we prevent the degradation of the plant’s natural benefits. This process insures we produce a premium high quality product for our customers.
Sources
- http://www.cannabis-med.org/studies/ww_en_db_study_show.php?s_id=173&&search_pattern=EPILEPSY
- https://jeccr.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1756-9966-27-69
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22625422
- http://www.eurekaselect.com/75752/article
- http://www.cannabisinternational.org/info/Cannabinoids-Review.pdf
Medical Disclaimer
Information listed, referenced or linked to on this website is for general educational purposes only and does not provide professional medical or legal advice.
Helia Organics does not condone, advocate or promote licit or illicit drug use. Helia Organics cannot be held responsible for material from references on our pages or on pages to which we provide links, which condone, advocate or promote licit or illicit drug use or illegal activities. Please consult your doctor/healthcare practitioner before using any products/methods listed, referenced or linked to on this website.