If you're like me, you're a little confused about what CBD is and how to use it. It's not surprising; there's a lot of conflicting information out there about this amazing cannabinoid. Let's clear that up by starting at the beginning: What is the endocannabinoid system?
What is the Endocannabinoid System?
The endocannabinoid system is a collection of receptors and neurotransmitters that interact with the cannabinoids found in cannabis to regulate a variety of bodily functions. The two major players in this system are anandamide and 2-AG, which are endocannabinoids produced naturally by our bodies. Their role is mainly to help us maintain homeostasis—a balance between internal systems like respiration and digestion.
The body produces anandamide on its own, but it also interacts with CB1 receptors (one type of cannabinoid receptor). When anandamide binds to these receptors it stimulates feelings of happiness or euphoria because it activates the reward center in your brain.
But when someone uses CBD oil or another form of cannabis, they aren’t getting any THC from those products because there isn't any THC present at all! Instead they're just getting some extra help from their own bodies' natural endocannabinoids
What is CBD?
CBD is a compound found in cannabis plants. It's also known as cannabidiol, and it's one of over 100 compounds called cannabinoids that are produced by the plant. The most common form of CBD available today is hemp-derived.
It can be extracted from hemp plants, which are varieties of Cannabis sativa L (the same type of cannabis but grown for industrial use).
CBD oil is often used to treat conditions like anxiety, depression and insomnia—and these benefits have been backed up by scientific studies. In fact:
Research shows that CBD may help with symptoms related to anxiety disorders such as panic attacks or lack of sleep caused by PTSD; you may also see improvements in mood and sleep quality.
Studies suggest that taking CBD products may reduce symptoms associated with chronic pain including muscle spasms as well as stiffness due to arthritis; some people even report relief from other types of joint pain like arthritis or back aches if they take enough daily.
How does CBD work in the body?
CBD is a natural substance that interacts with the endocannabinoid system. The endocannabinoid system is a group of receptors, proteins and enzymes found throughout your body.
The human brain contains millions of cannabinoid receptors that interact with chemicals from both inside and outside the body. These receptors can be found in the brain, central nervous system as well as organs such as the liver, kidneys and immune cells.
CBD binds to two types of cannabinoid receptors: CB1 and CB2. CB1 receptor activation leads to an increase in anandamide levels; this causes neuroprotective effects against acute seizures and convulsions due to multiple sclerosis symptoms.
Are all cannabinoids the same?
No. Cannabinoids are a class of chemical compounds that act on cannabinoid receptors in cells, which are part of a larger endocannabinoid system. Different cannabinoids have different effects and uses—some of these include CBD and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), both found in marijuana plants, as well as CBG (cannabigerol) and CBC (cannabichromene). While these can be found in hemp-derived products, they're also present in hemp.
While some people may get confused about the distinction between CBD and THC due to their similar sounding names, they actually have very different effects on your body: while both have medical properties that help with things like pain management or nausea relief for example, only one—THC—is psychoactive; meaning it can cause hallucinations or change how you feel emotionally by affecting how your brain works (think "head high").
What is THC and what does it do?
THC is the main psychoactive compound found in marijuana. It's also known as tetrahydrocannabinol, or just THC for short. The word "psychoactive" means that it affects your brain and nervous system and can affect how you feel, act, and think.
When you smoke pot, THC travels from the lungs into your bloodstream and then reaches the brain within minutes—which is why getting high from smoking pot happens so quickly and lasts for such a short time (30-90 minutes).
THC causes feelings of euphoria by binding to cannabinoid receptors in your brain—the same ones activated by cannabis use. When these receptors are occupied by THC, they're unable to respond normally to natural cannabinoids produced by our bodies called endocannabinoids.
THC also makes you hungry because it activates hunger receptors in your gut; if this happens while eating food containing fats or sugars (like chocolate!), you'll feel even more hungry than usual!
How does CBD interact with THC?
CBD and THC have different effects. CBD is not psychoactive, while THC can produce a euphoric high. CBD has been shown to have anti-inflammatory, anti-seizure and pain relieving effects. While THC also has pain relieving properties, it also stimulates appetite and increases heart rate.
CBD does not interact with the body in the same way as marijuana does because of its chemical makeup: the molecule that gives marijuana its psychoactive properties (THC) is present in only trace amounts in hemp oil or other hemp extracts, so the effects are minimal or nonexistent when you consume them together with CBD products. In fact, some studies show that these two ingredients may work better together than apart!
When taken for therapeutic purposes such as treating chronic pain conditions including joint inflammation from arthritis or muscle spasms from multiple sclerosis (MS), many users report experiencing positive results from taking both types of cannabis products together rather than using just one at a time—with no adverse side effects either way!
Why is CBD better for my body than THC?
CBD is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid, meaning it doesn’t give you the same “high” that THC does. Instead, CBD helps to restore balance to your body and mind by working with your endocannabinoid system.
By supporting the body’s natural ability to heal itself and regulate its systems, CBD can help alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression while reducing pain. It also has antioxidant effects which are thought to lower inflammation in the body.
CBD can be used to treat a wide variety of health conditions, including neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. It has also been shown to have anti-cancer properties.
What are the differences between hemp and marijuana plants?
Hemp and marijuana are two different plants. Hemp is the male plant, while marijuana is the female plant. Hemp contains less than 0.3% THC, while marijuana contains more than 0.3%.
While many people believe that hemp and marijuana are one in the same, they're not!
Hemp contains much lower concentrations of THC (the psychoactive compound found in cannabis) than its counterpart: Marijuana plants have between 5% and 30% THC concentration levels with higher concentrations typically found in sativa strains.
Hemp is grown for its seeds and oil, while marijuana is grown for its buds. Hemp plants have a low THC content and are legal to grow in many countries. Marijuana has a high THC content and is illegal in many places.
How do I choose the right product for me?
First, you need to decide what type of product is right for you. There are many different forms and concentrations of CBD products out there. If you're new to CBD, stick with something that's easy to use, like an oil or tincture. Capsules are also a good option if they're available in your state.
If you want to try topical applications (for sore muscles), then creams and ointments are ideal choices because they don't require much knowledge on how much extract should be used or what specific dosage will work best for your needs—just apply!
When choosing the right ratio of THC / CBD, keep in mind that some people prefer one over another depending on their condition or personal preference but overall it is safe to say that high-CBD (1:1) products tend toward calmer effects versus high-THC (19:1) options which tend toward more psychoactive effects so it's important not only know your tolerance level but also what kind experience do want out of using this natural plant extract?
Will I get high from taking CBD oil or other CBD products?
No, you won’t get high from taking CBD oil or other CBD products.
CBD is a natural compound found in the cannabis plant. It’s true that the THC levels in CBD products do not get you high, but they will affect your body differently than THC does.
The difference between them lies in how they affect your endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS is what makes up our bodies’ neurological system, and it uses receptors to receive signals from cannabinoids like CBD and THC. When these receptors are activated by cannabinoids, they send signals throughout your body to create various effects such as relaxation or pain relief.
However, because of their different structures and effects on the body when consumed together—THC has psychoactive properties while CBD does not—it is safe for most users to take both at the same time without experiencing any adverse side effects; however this does not mean that combining these two compounds can’t have an impact on some people!
Conclusion
CBD is the new health and wellness trend, but it’s not just for those who want to feel good. It can also help you stay healthy and fight disease—and it’s completely safe. You should always consult a doctor before starting any new treatment or supplement program, but if you do decide to try CBD oil or other products with low levels of THC, there are plenty of options available on the market that don’t get you high (like our own!).
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