CBD Blog

What is CBD? What is CBD used for?

We’ve all seen CBD products in the form of oil, capsules, gummies and creams. But do you know what CBD actually is? In this article, we’ll give you a short introduction to what that molecule is, and where it comes from. We’ll also go over what it does, how it works on your body, and why you may want to use it. Ready? Let’s answer all of your questions on CBD!

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What is CBD? 

First things first, CBD is a molecule. Its full name is cannabidiol, but you’ll find it shortened to CBD most of the time. This molecule is naturally present in the cannabis plant, also known as hemp.

Cannabis is a flowering plant that originates from Central Asia. People have been using it for thousands of years to make medicine and textiles. Today, it’s making a big comeback in the natural world with the discovery of the molecule CBD, which we now know how to isolate.

To extract CBD from cannabis, parts of the plant need to be heated up past a certain temperature. At that point, CBD is “decarboxylated,” meaning it can be absorbed by our bodies.

Does CBD get you high?

No, CBD is not a psychoactive molecule and it won’t make you feel high. But it is true that cannabis contains other compounds that can have that effect. The main one is THC. When you smoke pure cannabis or marijuana, the molecule THC reaches your system and creates a “high” sensation.

But in CBD products, the CBD has been extracted without THC. In fact, most CBD products on the market are officially labeled “THC-free” so that you don’t have to worry about failing a drug test or feeling weird.

How does CBD work?

All humans, and in fact all mammals, possess a biological system called the “endocannabinoid system.” It is responsible for controlling a lot of important body functions, including inflammation, pain, stress management, mood, appetite, itching, nausea, and much more.

When we take CBD, it binds with endocannabinoid receptors, and this gives a boost to the whole system. Our endocannabinoid system starts working better, which is why we experience relief from pain and inflammation, anxiety and depression, and many more symptoms.

You can take CBD in a few different ways, such as through the mouth with capsules, edibles, or drops of CBD oil; through the lungs with a CBD vape or a CBD cigarette; or through the skin with a CBD cream or another topical product. The end result is almost the same: the CBD reaches your endocannabinoid receptors and starts to affect our endocannabinoid system.

However, we think that taking CBD through the skin is the most efficient way to get a fast-acting dose of CBD that preserves the quality of the product. Compared to taking CBD through the mouth, taking CBD through the skin gives you faster release, targeted in the area where you need it most. It also loses less of the power of CBD, making it a great way to get better value for money.

What is CBD good for? 

Every CBD consumer has a different reason to take CBD. Some find that it soothes their anxiety and gives them deeper sleep. Others use it to relieve painful joints or muscles. Some people use CBD for purely cosmetic reasons, because it gives them radiant and smooth skin!

It’s hard to create a complete list of all possible uses for CBD. But over the years, scientific research has shown that this molecule could be useful to relieve symptoms of:

anxiety
depression
PTSD
sleep disorders
arthritis
sciatica
migraine
inflammatory bowel disease
epilepsy
psoriasis
eczema
acne

The list goes on! The reason why CBD can relieve so many conditions is that they are all related to the endocannabinoid system in one way or another. As we’ve mentioned, this system controls not only pain and inflammation, but also our mood, our appetite, and many more body functions.

Takeaways

CBD isn’t a “miracle” molecule. It’s simply a plant-derived ingredient that can have profound effects on our bodies and minds by interacting with a very important biological system. We hope that this article has cleared up a thing or two about CBD for you. Make sure to read and learn even more!