THC may have its fan following, but clearly, the hero in medical marijuana is CBD. This post from ILoveGrowingMarijuana.com lets you in on all you may want to know about CBD!
CBD is an abbreviation for Cannabidiol, and it is a very potent phytochemical found inside the female cannabis plants. It is one of over 60 healing compounds found in the marijuana plant. This chemical, like THC, is also a cannabinoid that attaches to receptors on your body’s cells. They work to create a more enhanced endocannabinoid system. Because CBD and THC are so prevalent in marijuana plants, they are also studied very frequently.
CBD hasn’t received much attention over the years by the medical industry, or anyone for that matter, due to marijuana becoming so popular for the psychedelic journey it takes you on. Needless to say, THC in marijuana stole the show.
Due to the need to grow marijuana that was considered very strong medicinally, there has been greater focus on THC, and less on CBD. Over time, CBD was completely overlooked and left out of the picture, so many people lost out on the opportunity to experience its medical benefits. But now CBD is making a comeback with researchers taking a greater, special interest in it as an effective form of treatment.
For those looking for a non-psychoactive way to enjoy the benefits of the cannabis plant, CBD oil may be the solution. CBD oil is made from cannabis plants with high concentrations of cannabidiol (CBD). This can include both marijuana and hemp plants since both are types of cannabis plants.
Is CBD Oil Marijuana
Most states (and countries) do not consider CBD oil to be marijuana. This is mainly because CBD is non-psychotropic. This quality means it will not get its users high.
Another reason that CBD oil is not considered marijuana is that it is typically made from hemp rather than marijuana plants. Hemp plants are ideal for CBD oil because they rarely develop tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), making them undesirable for many recreational users. They also have high amounts of CBD.
In some recreational states, however, CBD oil is made from low-THC marijuana plants, instead of hemp. However, because the oils still contain high amounts of CBD and very low amounts of THC, they are still called CBD oils. Whether a CBD oil is made from a marijuana or a hemp variety of cannabis it still has beneficial effects on the body.
Understanding CBD
CBD is just one of more than 85 cannabinoids that are present in the cannabis plant. It is the second most prevalent cannabinoid in marijuana, and the most prevalent one in hemp. Research is suggesting that other cannabinoids, such as CBG and CBN may also have health benefits for the human body as well.
On its own, CBD has many potential benefits, some mirroring the benefits of THC. These include reducing nausea and PTSD, as well as treating migraines and inflammation. For those seeking the medical benefits of marijuana, without any risk of being high, CBD oil provides a practical solution.
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A brief history of CBD
When compared to marijuana, CBD has a relatively short history. The compound was first mentioned in the 19th century when England’s Queen Victoria reportedly used it to treat her menstrual cramps. However, the medicinal benefits of the compound were ignored when compared to the mind-altering effects of THC. Once marijuana became popular among the general population in the early 20th century, THC became the prevalent cannabinoid.
It was only after marijuana was prohibited that people began to reconsider CBD. In the 1980’s, new medical studies suggested that CBD could be used to treat a variety of ailments. It wasn’t until the 1990s, however, that people began to pay attention. In 1998, a British company began to research the idea further, growing cannabis for its CBD research. Their animal-based studies were promising, leading to the increased cultivation of high CBD/low THC strains of marijuana.
CBD oil vs. Hemp Seed Oil
It is important to point out that CBD oil and Hemp Seed oil are not the same things. Many health enthusiasts are familiar with the benefits of hemp, via hemp seeds, hemp milk, and hemp seed oil. This similar health food product provides significant benefits, such as being a protein source, providing essential oils, and fortifying the body with vitamins and minerals. However, it is not the same as CBD oil.
CBD and other cannabinoids (such as THC) develop during the lifetime of a cannabis plant. It is not something that cannabis is ‘born with.’ It requires careful growing and curing. It’s also not guaranteed – as a plant that is poorly grown or harvested will not have high levels of cannabinoids.
As a rule, hemp seed oil does not provide the same medical benefits as CBD oil. Since cannabinoids are derived from mature cannabis plants, their seeds cannot have CBD (or THC). However, it is not uncommon for CBD oil to be sold in a blend that includes hemp seed oil.
How CBD works
One unique difference between THC and CBD is that CBD does not bind to the CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors on your cells like THC does. Another way of saying it is the CBD molecule does not align, and therefore, it has a different effect on your body’s cells.
CBD is a tricky chemical when it comes to the way it functions. We still have a long way to go in understanding the way marijuana impacts the human system, and learning more about how CBD works isn’t quite a piece of cake to explain. CBD can be quite challenging to understand at first, due to it having varying influences over different parts of the body in one go. This makes it difficult to provide a detailed understanding of the process it undergoes.
One thing that makes CBD effective is its ability to cut off certain fatty-acids that would otherwise destroy the cannabinoid anandamide in your body. Since the anandamide will remain intact, the CBD can now enhance the amount of chemicals in your body. Various feelings, emotions and experiences such as pain, appetite, pleasure, and sleep are controlled by anandamide.
CBD is considered a negative modulator for THC, which basically means it cancels out a portion of the psychedelic effects of THC. CBD actually obstructs some of the brain’s CB1 receptors, so THC is prevented from having its usual impact. CBD reduces your appetite while THC does the exact opposite of this.
You do not get high off of CBD
CBD is a close relative to THC, and these two substances make up only two of over 85 various cannabinoids within the marijuana plant. THC has a different effect than CBD on your body because CBD is not psychoactive. So, you will not experience altered perceptions from CBD, as you would from THC. Those seeking a state of euphoria will not find it with the consumption of CBD. This doesn’t mean it has no impact on your body. Just don’t expect the same type of high you would get from activated THC.
No need for a doctor’s approval
As long as you get your CBD from manufactured hemp plants through the internet, you can access it anywhere. There is no reason to visit a doctor for this form of medicine. However, things are quite different with medical marijuana plants, because you are required to live in a state where this is legal, and you must obtain a prescription.
There are different degrees of CBD
Every marijuana plant contains unique amounts of both THC and CBD. All plants vary in this regard. It all depends on the purpose, and how they are grown. For example, if someone grows marijuana for recreational purposes, it will tend to have more THC and CBD. You will find that manufactured hemp plants have very small amounts of THC. Lastly, medical marijuana will usually have a much higher rate of CBD.
Pediatric medicine
There are many young children throughout the United States suffering from seizures. Who could have predicted that CBD would help bring relief to this widespread problem? Several studies show the results of one to 18-year-old children, struggling with seizures and gaining no improvement from most current medications, responding to CBD treatments. The FDA continues to take an in-depth look at the correlation between CBD and seizures.
The benefits of CBD are quickly spreading, as more parents rant and rave about how it has helped their children. This has opened many parents’ eyes to this substance being an effective method of treatment, with little-to-no side effects.
While we are promoting CBD as a natural method of therapy, it is important to mention a caution. There is little trustworthy information available that gives long-term insight into how marijuana and CBD affect a growing child over a duration of time. Parents will have to consider whether or not to subject their child to any potential unknown dangers of marijuana.
Is CBD oil legal
If only CBD was legal, but that’s just not true at this point. You would think with its many health benefits, and the fact that it really isn’t an addictive drug, this would be completely legal. But, it is still a cannabinoid and, therefore, subject to the same marijuana laws. So for CBD to be legal, the entire cannabis plant needs to be viewed differently.
There is still an ongoing fight to make marijuana legal in some states while in others it is already legal. The interesting fact is, it is entirely legal to import hemp into this country that was grown outside of the United States. Both hemp plants, and medical marijuana plants, have the ability to produce CBD. Its legality would make it a simple task to get your hands on CBD treatment, without worrying about it being unlawful.
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Read full article here: CBD (Cannabidiol) In Medical Marijuana
