What Is CBD?

At this point, it seems like CBD oil is almost as famous as the Pope. As social stigma surrounding cannabis rapidly decreases, many researchers and experts in the field are finding new benefits and uses for CBD oil seemingly every day. Health and beauty companies, supplement companies, and even candy and snack companies are all jumping on the CBD train as fast as they possibly can.

 

The explosion of popularity in the CBD market has propelled the industry to a $3 billion valuation as of 2018, and is expected to reach in excess of ​18 billion GBP by 2026​. But… What in the world does all of this even mean?

 

What is CBD? Why are so many people raving about the benefits of CBD oil and CBD infused products? Let’s explore a bit.

 

• What Is CBD?

 CBD (cannabidiol) is just one of the 100+ chemical compounds that exist within the cannabis plant. These compounds are known as ‘cannabinoids’. Prior to the huge CBD boom, the only cannabinoid most people could name was THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). This is mostly because THC is the infamous compound that produces the ‘high’ sensation.

 

CBD and THC are - put simply - cousins that exist within the same cannabinoid family.

 

• Why Should You Use CBD Oil?

 If you are someone who suffers from anxiety, depression, insomnia, chronic joint pain, inflammation, or any of the other conditions that CBD has been known to treat; you may want to consider CBD oil treatments.

 

• How Does CBD Work?

 CBD works by interacting with a system of receptors within the central nervous system. This system of receptors is called the ‘endocannabinoid system’. The endocannabinoid system exists within all of us, and directly interacts with the mind and body in a wide range of ways.

Through this interaction with the CB1 and CB2 receptors in this system, CBD produces its wide range of effects.

 

• What Can CBD Do?

 CBD is famous for its many and varied health benefits. It is essentially the compound within the cannabis plant that helps treat various ailments, in an isolated form. There have been countless medical studies that have shown that CBD oil can be helpful in treating anxiety, depression, PTSD, epilepsy, inflammation, nausea, loss of appetite, and help with sleeplessness.

 

Because of these seemingly astounding health benefits, CBD has become one of the most popular focuses of thousands of medical research trials. In essence, CBD has the ability to help relieve a wide range of symptoms related to various illnesses.

 

• What Can CBD NOT Do?

First and foremost, let me make this clear; CBD ​cannot​ get you high. CBD is a non-psychotropic compound that does not produce any mind altering sensations. That much should be made clear right away.

 

Secondly, CBD is ​not ​a miracle cure. Despite what some ‘less than savory’ CBD manufacturers would lead you to believe, CBD cannot cure you of any major diseases. CBD is remarkably effective at relieving pain, anxiety, mental distress, and other such conditions. However, it does not cure people; it simply helps relieve the symptoms related to various illnesses.

 

While CBD is not a guaranteed ‘cure-all’, it has proven to be immensely beneficial in the lives of millions of people worldwide. What’s more, it’s completely natural, safe, and legal. The real question is rather - why not?

 

• Final Thoughts.

 CBD is still a largely mysterious compound. Until recently, it was incredibly difficult for researchers to obtain the proper permits to observe and study it. Now that legal prohibitions have been lifted, medical researchers are finding new uses and benefits for CBD every day. As the industry grows, and knowledge grows with it, CBD just continues to get more and more exciting.