Over the past decade, CBD has gone from an unfairly maligned controlled substance to one of the hottest wellness products on the market. But what is CBD and how can this hemp-derived compound be beneficial to our minds and bodies?
Today, we’re taking a deep dive into the world of CBD and learning more about what makes this cannabinoid tick. From the benefits and side effects of CBD to the vast array of CBD products for sleep, pain, and other issues, let’s learn what CBD is and answer the important question: “What does CBD do?”
What Is CBD?
CBD, or cannabidiol, is one of a group of chemical compounds found in the cannabis plant, called cannabinoids. There are at least 113 cannabinoids in the cannabis hemp plant. And we should probably make a quick note to differentiate the cannabis hemp plant from cannabis marijuana.
Hemp refers to a cannabis plant with less than 0.3% THC, which is the psychoactive cannabinoid that gets you “high.” All CBD products (including ours) that aren’t sold in a marijuana dispensary are derived from the hemp plant. Marijuana refers to a cannabis plant that has over 0.3% THC, with THC levels sometimes reaching as high as 30%. So from here forward, keep in mind that we’re talking about hemp-derived CBD.
Getting back to those cannabinoids, as mentioned, CBD is one of several cannabinoids found in the hemp plant. In fact, it is one of two major cannabinoids (along with THC). But there are also a wide variety of minor cannabinoids, too, including CBN, CBG, CBC, and more. We’ll confine our attention to CBD.
How Does CBD Work?
All mammals, including humans, have an endocannabinoid system. This internal system maintains homeostasis in several of the body’s other systems, including the central and peripheral nervous systems, the immune system, and other vital systems. Your body actually produces cannabinoids of its own, called endocannabinoids. These endocannabinoids are little neurotransmitters that bind to receptors in other systems.
There are two such receptors in the body’s nervous system. The first is the CB1 receptor, which works, for the most part, with the central nervous system, helping to regulate such essential functions in the mind and body as mood, memory, pain, appetite, motor control, and more. The second receptor is the CB2 receptor. This one binds primarily with the peripheral nervous system, which regulates pain and inflammation. When endocannabinoids bind to these receptors, they lend crucial support to the nervous system.
Studies have shown that cannabinoids, like CBD, interact similarly to endocannabinoids, when introduced into the body. While they don’t technically bind to these receptors, they do communicate with them and stimulate support for several of the body’s most important functions.
What Are the Benefits of CBD?
The MHRA forbids companies from making claims about the medical benefits of cannabidiol. But we can report on anecdotal evidence from thousands and thousands of very satisfied customers. You can find these accounts online or in the reviews section of any reputable CBD website. They generally fall into four categories: CBD for pain, CBD for sleep, CBD for stress, and CBD for general wellness.
CBD for Pain
Customers report noticeable relief for aches and pains in the muscles and joints when they use CBD topicals.
CBD topicals include CBD muscle and joint creams, CBD foot creams, our CBD Muscle Balm, and CBD balm sticks, which can be rubbed directly on the affected area. This same soothing support can be found in CBD products like our CBD Calming Balm, CBD Ultra Moisturizing Balm and CBD Balm Stick Calming and Moisturizing, which pamper stressed-out skin. Other effective CBD topicals include CBD bath bombs, CBD face masks, and CBD foot masks.
CBD for Sleep
Many customers use CBD for help sleeping, saying that it naturally relaxes the body and prepares it for rest. Often combined with other restful ingredients, like chamomile and passion flower, CBD is a must for every night stand.
CBD Gummies with Chamomile and Passion Flower is a great natural alternative to traditional sleeping pills, which come with their own range of risks. Or if you’re looking for a pure CBD experience, try our Hemp Oil Tincture.
CBD for Stress
Customers report the same calming qualities that make CBD a helpful sleep aid also can help relax the mind. Stress and anxiety can be debilitating and have long-term adverse effects on the mind and body. One great way to find your “chill” is our CBD Soft Gels, which provide a soothing blend of CBD and rich terpenes.
CBD for Wellness
Way up toward the top of this article, we talked about the endocannabinoid system and all the various functions it supports, ranging from sleep, appetite, and mood to motor control, reproductive health, memory, and many more. Because of the breadth of this system’s reach, any supplement that can bolster it has the potential to positively affect several aspects of your overall health. In other words, it’s very difficult to find a wellness supplement with as much wellness potential as CBD.
This is one of the reasons CBD is often paired with vitamins and other nutrients for daily health supplements. Thousands of people start every day with CBD wellness products, like CBD + CBG Morning Capsules, CBD Multivitamin Gummies, CBD Gummies with Turmeric and Spirulina, CBD Gummies with Apple Cider Vinegar, CBD Gummies with Biotin, and the classic CBD Oil Wellness Tincture. And we’re just scratching the surface of this wonderful cannabinoid’s wellness potential.
Does CBD Have Any Side Effects?
Side effects from CBD aren’t overly common, but they can occur on occasion. The most common CBD side effects are drowsiness and fatigue, dry mouth, reduced appetite, and diarrhoea. CBD can also affect some other medications. If you are taking medication or think you’re experiencing side effects from your CBD product, stop using it immediately and consult your physician.
What CBD Products Are Available?
We’ve already discussed several CBD products, including CBD gummies, CBD capsules, CBD oil tinctures, CBD topicals, and CBD edibles.
CBD is also popular as a vaping product. CBD does not get you “high,” as we’ve covered, but many report that it gives a “chill” vibe that they enjoy for relaxation and focused creativity. Vaping also opens up the flavour menu to everything from fruity favorites, like Blue Raspberry, Strawberry Lemonade and Melon Cooler, to nostalgic classics like Pineapple Express and OG Kush.
Whether you’re craving a chocolate chip CBD cookie or a berry-bursting CBD gummy, there’s a CBD product for everyone.
How Do I Shop for CBD?
While it’s great that CBD is now widely available, there is a downside. Because CBD is so popular, there have been a slew of disreputable CBD dealers appearing on the market. As a consumer, your main concerns should be purity and quality.
At CBDfx, our mission is to guarantee our customers a safe and high-quality CBD experience, maximizing the benefits of this wellness-rich supplement in every product we sell. To this end, we use the finest hemp plants in the world — cultivated exclusively in the rich soil of Kentucky, free of GMOs and pesticides that are harmful to our customers and the environment. Our hemp-derived CBD is organic, GMO-free, and tested for purity by a third-party laboratory. And we make those lab reports readily available to our customers, because we believe in transparency as well as quality. We also use the cleanest extraction method available — single-pass CO2 extraction — so that you never have to worry about the solvent contamination often found in cheaper CBD products. At CBDfx, we want every CBD experience to be as safe, effective, and enjoyable as possible.
The Last Word on CBD
CBD has a wealth of potential as a wellness product. Millions of people have experienced its calming, health-affirming properties and have made it an important part of their daily routine. If you’re considering exploring CBD for the first time, we invite you to dig into our volumes of helpful, informative (and hopefully, fun!) blogs. And if you ever have a question about one of our products, don’t hesitate to contact one of our customer service representatives. We’re here to help you any way we can. Enjoy your CBD journey!
Trying CBD for the first time? Our Original Mixed-Berry Gummies are a CBD fan favorite!
