If you’re wondering, ‘What is CBD?’ then read on to learn more. Cannabidiol, more commonly known as CBD, is one of the many cannabinoids found within Cannabis plants (Hemp and Marijuana). Cannabinoids are unique chemical compounds that act on cannabinoid receptors in humans and mammals called the Endocannabinoid System (ECS).

Cannabidiol is second only to THC in its prevalence in Cannabis. This chemical compound is not psychoactive like THC, but shows promise with its therapeutic properties that may potentially promote relaxation, better sleep, reduced pain, and overall mind and body wellness. CBD is generally derived from Hemp because CBD occurs in higher quantities in Hemp over Marijuana, which has more THC. But, whether CBD comes from Hemp or Marijuana the chemical makeup is the same. CBD comes in many different forms from edibles to topicals and oils to vape liquid.

CBD has become a prominent cannabinoid because it is non-psychoactive and it has even been patented due to a number of beneficial properties. These properties give CBD the potential to help promote calm and relaxation, as well as a number of other health and wellness perks. You can safely consume or use reliable CBD products like CBD Gummies and CBD Oil without the worry of them disrupting your brain function or causing you to feel “high.”

Is CBD Legal?

Yes, CBD is legal to purchase and sell throughout the U.S under the 2018 Farm Bill, as long as the CBD is derived from Industrial Hemp and contains less than 0.3 percent THC (the cannabinoid responsible for causing a “high”). Make sure to research your prospective CBD brand to ensure they follow these guidelines and are transparent about their products’ contents, cannabinoid composition and lab testing standards.

Always stay informed and check back here for updates, as the CBD industry is still novel and everchanging.

How Does CBD Work?

Cannabidiol is only one of over 80 chemical compounds known as cannabinoids in the Hemp plant. These cannabinoids are agonists that bind to specific receptors on your cells, called cannabinoid receptors. Agonists is the term for a substance that initiates a physiological response when combined with a receptor.

Some of these cannabinoid receptors are highly concentrated in the CNS (Central Nervous System) while others are found in the body’s other organs. Some cannabinoid receptors can even be traced in the skin, digestive tract and reproductive organs.

A simple way to think about your body’s biochemistry is to think of agonists as keys and the receptors they pair with as locks. By taking in CBD, the cannabinoids coordinate with the cannabinoid receptors like a key would fit a lock. This set of actions triggers changes along what is known as the endocannabinoid system.

This system consists of a vast network of cell receptor proteins with many functions. The ECS has a hand in:

• Immune function
• Reproduction
• Pain perception
• Memory
• Sleep
• Appetite
• Bone development

The main purposes of the Endocannabinoid System are immune balance, stress recovery, neuroprotection and homeostatic regulation.

It is within this greater system that CBD works its therapeutic effects. CBD imitates chemicals the human body produces naturally, called endocannabinoids, to interact with the different cells in our body, the locks.

While further research needs to be conducted, more and more studies support the therapeutic value of CBD.

Why Does CBD Have the Potential to Help Me?

As mentioned earlier, CBD and other cannabinoids have a direct relationship with cannabinoid receptors found in humans and other mammals. This collection of cannabinoid receptors is known as the Endocannabinoid System (ECS). The ECS is a biological process responsible for regulating your pain, inflammation, stress, appetite, mental clarity, memory, immune health and much more.

The Endocannabinoid System is made up of:

1. Cannabinoid receptors known as CB1 and CB2
2. Endocannabinoids naturally produced within the human body
3. Enzymes that create and breakdown cannabinoids

CB1 and CB2 receptors situate themselves in the brain and throughout the nervous system. When the ECS functions properly, it naturally produces endocannabinoids. Endocannabinoids bind to the receptors’ sites, allowing your body to send and receive signals that help maintain its natural processes. When your body does not produce enough endocannabinoids, however, it can lead to chemical imbalances leaving you more susceptible to mental and physical deficiencies.

Introducing CBD into your body has the potential to encourage your Endocannabinoid System to work properly. CBD potentially influences the ECS to use its endocannabinoids efficiently so that it may help reduce your stress and improve relaxation and recovery.