CBD has been one of the most widely discussed topics for a few years now. And as the number of CBD products continues to grow, you might start asking yourself one question. What is it with CBD that makes it so popular? As we’ll cover in a minute, there are several reasons why cannabidiol, as CBD is known under its full name, has gained such popularity recently.
In fact, you might’ve already heard about its numerous properties and the potential benefits it might provide, such as stress or pain relief. If you’re a complete newbie to the CBD topic, though, this guide will provide you with all the information you need to understand the CBD phenomenon. Where does CBD come from, what are its properties, and how does it work? If you’re interested in finding answers to these questions and more, you’ve come to the right place. Read on, and discover all the mysteries surrounding CBD and its origin!
What Is CBD?
Let’s start with the basics, shall we? Simply put, cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the over a hundred cannabinoids that exist within the cannabis plant. These are the chemical compounds that trigger chemical reactions within your body. CBD is one of the two most common cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant, with the other one being tetrahydrocannabinol, better known under the name THC.
Unlike its more controversial sibling, though, CBD doesn’t come with a psychoactive effect. In other words, it won’t get you high. Instead, CBD is more known for its potential health benefits. Although more research is required, several studies have concluded that CBD can be beneficial when dealing with anxiety and stress, dementia, inflammation, or sleep disorders.
CBD and Hemp: Where CBD Comes From
In a nutshell, CBD is derived from an inconspicuous yet extraordinary plant called hemp. What’s important to note here is that despite being a variety of the cannabis plant, hemp is not marijuana. Many people get confused by that, so let’s explain what hemp is and the most significant difference between it and marijuana.
As covered, hemp is a variety of the cannabis plant. What sets it apart from marijuana is that hemp is rich in cannabidiol, whereas marijuana is richer in THC. Indeed, as stated in the 2018 Farm Bill, for the cannabis plant to be considered hemp, it has to contain less than 0.3 percent THC.
Where Does CBD Oil Come From?
CBD oil (or hemp oil) is the main component of practically all CBD products. The oil itself is often used as a nutritional supplement and is believed to come with numerous health benefits. However, as mentioned, more research is needed to confirm its beneficial properties. Now, as for collecting the precious hemp oil, it has to be first extracted from the cannabis plant. The best method here is CO2 extraction, which provides the purest high potency CBD.
The CO2 extraction method involves putting carbon dioxide under high pressure while maintaining a lower temperature. Due to the pressure, the gas transforms into liquid and passes through the hemp plant material with even up to 90 percent extraction efficiency. The result is pure and highly concentrated CBD oil, which is exactly what we use to manufacture our Mojave Rx products.
Different Types of CBD
Now you know where CBD comes from. However, there are many different types of CBD oil, each coming with a different cannabinoid content. Essentially, we can distinguish between three basic CBD types – CBD isolate, full-spectrum CBD, and broad-spectrum CBD. More on them below:
CBD Isolate
CBD isolate is the purest form of CBD oil. It doesn’t contain any other cannabinoids besides cannabidiol. To get CBD isolate oil, it has to go through an extensive extraction process to remove all the other compounds found in the cannabis plant. Typically, CBD isolates are over 99% pure, which allows them to maintain the CBD potency even when added to foods, lotions, ointments, or other products.
Full-Spectrum CBD
This form of CBD oil, besides being rich in CBD, might also contain small amounts of THC (usually up to 0.2%), as well as terpenes and flavonoids. It is believed that THC in CBD oil might make its properties more effective, although more research is needed to confirm this theory. Also, because of that small THC amount, full-spectrum CBD might be illegal in several states, making it more challenging to buy. It can also get you a little high, although it’s not as intoxicating as pure THC.
Broad-Spectrum CBD
Broad-spectrum CBD lands somewhere in the middle between CBD isolate and full-spectrum CBD. It contains high amounts of cannabidiol, along with smaller amounts of other cannabinoids besides THC. However, with various cannabis compounds working together, broad-spectrum CBD oil can also come with that high effect.
How Does CBD Affect the Human Body?
Even though CBD is one of the most heavily examined cannabinoids (next to THC), there’s still a lot to discover about it and how it affects the human body. Based on the already conducted research, scientists have discovered numerous potential benefits of using CBD. From their studies, we can conclude that CBD can provide aid when dealing with:
- Stress and anxiety. According to several studies, CBD can have a positive effect on people dealing with stress and chronic anxiety, as it can decrease stress levels and their negative impact on our mind and body.
- Chronic pain. CBD is believed to provide pain relief. As several animal studies suggest, CBD can help with lower pain and inflammation caused by arthritis.
- Inflammation. As suggested in various studies, CBD may help with inflammatory problems, reducing joint inflammation and protecting the nerves.
- Sleeping disorders. Due to its calming properties, CBD can help with various sleeping disorders, such as insomnia, which is often associated with stress and anxiety.
- Addiction. According to recent research, CBD might help battle addiction, reducing the risk associated with alcohol or drug use.
Although it’s clear to see that CBD might come with numerous health benefits, we still haven’t discovered its full potential. Sure, recent studies partially confirm the properties associated with CBD oil, but more research is required to be hundred percent sure how CBD affects our bodies.
How Does CBD Work?
All cannabinoids, including CBD, interact with cannabinoid receptors found in the endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS’s role is to maintain homeostasis within the body, finding and then correcting imbalances. It does that by producing endocannabinoids, which are small molecules that bind to receptors and activate them.
Now, because cannabinoids are molecularly similar to the naturally produced endocannabinoids, the ECS can interact with them, providing our bodies with medicinal or psychoactive properties (depending on the cannabinoid).
As for the receptors our bodies produce, there are two – CB1 and CB2.
CB1 receptors can be found all throughout the body, especially in the brain. Their role is to coordinate movement, mood, pain, appetite, and other essential body functions.
CB2 receptors, on the other hand, are present in the immune system, affecting pain and inflammation.
CBD attaches itself to the receptors, stimulating them to work more effectively.
How to Take CBD?
There are numerous ways you can take advantage of CBD properties. In fact, it’s one of the main reasons behind its recent popularity, as every person can find their preferred way to consume it. Generally speaking, you can take CBD in the form of:
- Edibles. There are a number of CBD-infused edibles on the market today, and more are being introduced each year. They come in various forms, including gummies, candies, fizzy drinks, etc.
- Vaping and smoking. CBD also comes in the form of vape oil, or, if you’re more traditional, you can also have the cannabis flower in a joint.
- Topicals. Applicable directly to the skin, CBD topicals are a great choice when dealing with localized pain or skin conditions like eczema.
Tinctures. You can ingest CBD oil directly by putting it under your tongue or adding it to your foods and drinks.
Key Takeaways
There you have it – the complete guide explaining where CBD comes from, its types, properties, and ways of ingesting it. Hopefully, now you have a clear understanding of what CBD is so that you can try it yourself without any doubt.
Also, mind that while there are numerous supposed benefits of CBD, more studies are needed to confirm them. This is why the best way to start your journey with CBD is by consulting your doctor first. If they give you the green light, our suggestion would be to start with small amounts of CBD isolate in any form you like. Then, once your system gets used to CBD, increase the dosage until you’re fully satisfied with the results.
Disclaimer
The statements expressed on this website are purely opinion of the author and not factual. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Any products referenced on this website are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. It’s highly suggested to consult with your medical professional prior to any use of the products referenced on this website. This website and author specifically disclaim any liability in connection with the products contained on the website.
