What is CBD?

CBD is the acronym used for cannabidiol. It has been around since the 1940s, but has more recently become more available to the general public. There are myths and misconceptions about its use, which will be covered in more detail in a subsequent article.

CBD is a natural substance, extracted from the cannabis plant and used in various ways forms to improve well-being. CBD is not psychoactive, as some might think. There are two main components to a cannabis plant, CBD and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). In the vast majority of individuals who ingest CBD, they don’t have the effects experienced when using THC, specifically, euphoria, paranoia, increased appetite, etc.

There was a study performed by the National Institute of Health, that revealed that CBD actually repressed autonomic arousal, while THC actually increased it. This is caused by the nervous system’s response to anxiety, with symptoms like increased heart rates and respiration. So CBD encourages relaxation, whereas THC can cause erratic behavior and other negative effects.

There is a small percentage of individuals (around 5%) who may have reactions to CBD, like feeling in an altered state. However, according to Junella Chin, DO, an osteopathic physician and a medical cannabis expert for cannabisMD, “Usually they're the same people who have side effects from Advil or Tylenol".

Is CBD the Same as Hemp and Cannabis?

These three terms are often mistakenly believed to be the same thing, but they’re not. Here’s the facts: all come from the Cannabis Sativa plant, but it’s important to know that the plant has two basic species; hemp and marijuana. Although they both contain CBD, the hemp species contains a much higher percentage. It also contains less than 0.3% THC levels than the marijuana species.

Hemp oil is extracted from the seeds of the hemp plant. Neither CBD or THC is present in hemp oil. Because of its health fats and Omega 3 content, hemp oil is often used in beauty products.

Here are some major differentiations between the CBD from marijuana and the CBD from hemp.

From hemp:

• Hemp has a higher CBD to THC ratio, with negligible (>.3%) amounts of THC.
• This type of CBD is legal in all 50 states.
• The hemp plant grows tall and has few flowers.
• It is usually grown outdoors.

From marijuana:

• Has a much higher THC content.
• Plants are small and bushy, with more flowers.
• It is usually grown indoors.
• Because it’s considered marijuana, it is not legal in all 50 states. Medical marijuana is legal in some states; however, it is still federally illegal. You must obtain a certified letter from your physician to get your state medical marijuana card.

History of CBD

Although the true history of CBD didn’t start until the 1940s, cannabis has been around for centuries. In the year 1533, physicians and scientists began studying cannabis and its medical effects. In the 1950s, they were able to extract cannabidiol from the plant, and prove it was a non-psychoactive product.

After many years, CBD is finally legal in all 50 states. Studies have proven that it can be instrumental in reducing stress and anxiety, relieving pain, promoting sleep, and providing a better quality of life. The FDA is even in the process of reviewing it as a medicine.

How Does CBD Work?

It may come as a surprise, but the human body actually has a regulatory system names after marijuana? It’s called the endocannabinoid system, or ECS. The long name basically means that we have cannabis-like substances that naturally occur inside our bodies.

Without getting too technical, the ECS helps your body adjust to what is happening in the world around you and keep you on an even keel. If your body is reacting to outside factors and becomes imbalanced, the ECS steps in to try and correct it. It does this through cannabinoid receptors located in certain tissues. Two main receptors are:

• CB1, or the central nervous system. These include the brain and spinal cord.
• CB2, the peripheral nervous system. These include the digestive system and cells in the immune system.

When the endocannabinoid system is out of order or imbalanced, the body is said to have an ECS deficiency. Because CBD mimics the effects of ECS, it can be very beneficial to improving and restoring our bodies to its ultimate functional state.

Is CBD Right for You?

If you have chronic pain, anxiety, insomnia or other issues, CBD may be very beneficial in improving your quality of life.

According to a CBD study performed in 2017 by the University of Pennsylvania, up to 70% of CBD is mislabeled. That is why our CBD is 3rd-party tested to ensure its quality. You can be confident that our CBD products are exactly what they claim to be.

We provide holistic pain management that treats the entire patient. We offer several treatment techniques that include rehabilitation, imaging, medications and more.

Contact us to find out more about our methods and get details about CBD and its uses and benefits.