What is CBD?
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a chemical compound found in the cannabis plant. The class of chemical compounds to which CBD belongs is called cannabinoids. It is these cannabinoids that give cannabis its medicinal, therapeutic, and recreational powers.
The cannabis plant contains over 118 identified cannabinoids among which CBD and THC are the most famous and important.
Cannabinoids (like CBD and THC) don’t just exist in the cannabis plant. All vertebrates, including humans, produce cannabinoids. These are called endocannabinoids because they are produced inside the body.
- Cannabidiol (CBD) is a chemical compound
- All vertebrates, including humans, produce cannabinoids
- CBD is non-intoxicating in natureÂ
- Different species of cannabis plants contain different cannabinoids in varying concentrations
Where does CBD come from?
The richest source of CBD is the industrial hemp plant.Â
This cannabis species naturally contains high amounts of CBD normally in its leaves, buds, and flowers. However, the amount of CBD from one hemp plant to another varies. That is why in a more general sense, any cannabis plant which is rich in CBD and contains less than 0.3% of THC can be considered hemp.
CBD is extracted from hemp using a number of extraction processes. These processes vary on multiple parameters such as the solvent and the part(s) of the plant being used and the cannabinoid(s) being targeted.
Where is CBD used?
Scientific research continues to find that CBD has many therapeutic benefits and can help with quite a number of medical conditions. The branch of science exploring the effects of CBD is still young and exciting. Yet, some studies show that CBD exhibits the following properties:
- Anti-oxidant
- Anti-inflammatory
- Analgesic (pain-relieving)
- Anti-depressant
- Neuroprotective
- Anti-psychotic, and
- Anxiolytic (to reduce anxiety)
Because of these properties, people use CBD for a vast array of medical conditions such as:
- Anxiety, Depression, and Sleep Disorders
- Chronic Pain and Muscle Spasms
- Drug Addiction and Withdrawal
- Acne, Psoriasis, and Skin Disorders
- Parkinson’s, Huntington’s, and Neurodegenerative Diseases
- Epilepsy
CBD continues to be studied for its many therapeutic properties. Research so far tells us that it has multiple healing properties that can help the human body with a number of medical conditions. The popularity of CBD as an all-natural, plant-based, and non-intoxicating has led manufacturers to produce different types of CBD products that consumers can easily add to their everyday lifestyle.
