Knowledge is Power - What is CBD?

Our most frequently asked question is, “What is CBD?” Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive phytocannabinoid naturally found in cannabis, is one of over 100 cannabinoids that have been discovered, isolated, tested, and proven beneficial.

Recently people have begun to discover the seemingly miraculous benefits of cannabis, specifically CBD. Unfortunately, too many people still believe cannabis, in all its forms, is harmful and illegal. Propaganda perpetrated by Harry Anslinger and US Drug Enforcement agencies along with major players in pharmaceuticals and commodities (at the end of Prohibition) successfully fooled Americans into believing cannabis was a dangerous drug. Nearly a century later, peer-reviewed, evidence-based science has proven that notion utterly and patently false.

The human body has an intricate endocannabinoid system (ECS) built with receptors throughout the brain, central nervous and circulatory systems as well as the gut, heart, kidneys, spleen, liver, bones, blood vessels, lymph cells and even the reproductive system. CBD is the most abundant cannabinoid accounting for up to 40% of the typical cannabis sativa plant. The last two decades have delivered countless studies showing the benefits of CBD in the limbic system (affecting memory, cognition and psychomotor performance) and the mesolimbic pathway directly relating to pain perception.

CBD is one of more than 100 active cannabinoid chemicals in the cannabis plant. Unlike the main psychoactive cannabinoid in cannabis, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), CBD does not produce euphoria or intoxication. Cannabinoids have their effect mainly by interacting with specific receptors on cells in the brain and body: the CB1 receptor, found on neurons and glial cells in various parts of the brain, and the CB2 receptor, found mainly in the body’s immune system.

The euphoric effects of THC are caused by its activation of CB1 receptors. CBD has a very low affinity for these receptors (100 fold less than THC) and when it binds it produces little to no effect. There is also growing evidence that CBD acts on other brain signaling systems, and that these actions may be important contributors to its therapeutic effects.

CBD has several benefits

Including but not limited to...

    • Anti-Depressant
    • Anti-inflammatory
    • Antipsychotic
    • Anti-Anxiety
    • Anti-Seizure
    • Neuroprotective Properties
    • Analgesic Effects
    • Nausea Relief
    • Anticonvulsant
    • Antitumoral
    • Antioxidant
    • Cardiovascular Health

The Science Community is Helping to Uncover the Truth about CBD

In February of 2001, The British Journal of Psychiatry published a study concluding:n

"Cannabis and some cannabinoids are effective anti-emetics and analgesics and reduce intra-ocular pressure. There is evidence of symptom relief and improved well-being in selected neurological conditions, AIDS and certain cancers. Cannabinoids may reduce anxiety and improve sleep."

Dr. Nora Volkow, Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse testified before the Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control in June of 2015:n

"CBD appears to be a safe drug with no addictive effects, and the preliminary data suggest that it may have therapeutic value for a number of medical conditions."

n 

In 2002, the Department of Clinical Neurology at the University of Oxford published a double-blind study on pain management, impaired bladder control and muscle spasms finding:n

"Cannabis medicinal extracts can improve neurogenic symptoms unresponsive to standard treatments. Unwanted effects are predictable and generally well tolerated."

Ethan Russo, MD, Senior Medical Advisor at the Cannabinoid Research Institute, has concluded in several peer-reviewed studies that cannabinoids can be used to treat addiction and mental illnesses:n

"Cannabis smoking, even of a crude, low-grade product, provides effective symptomatic relief of pain, muscle spasms, and intraocular pressure elevations in selected patients failing other modes of treatment"

But there's still a fight ahead.

The overwhelming consensus from the scientific community illustrates just how out of touch anti-cannabis laws actually are. The so-called “War on Drugs” has proven time and again that misguided attempts to demonize cannabis and its users only stands in the way of progress towards clean, natural health and happiness.

CBD legality in the US is shrouded in misinformation and CBD marijuana and other phytocannabinoids are still incorrectly believed by most to be illegal drugs.

With that in mind, it’s important to also note that the differences between “marijuana” and hemp are distinct. The legality of “marijuana” is still in an unnecessary grey area in the United States though hemp was made legal by the 2014 Farm Bill. Legal industrial-grade hemp has less than 0.3% THC and has countless uses including:

    • Fuel
    • Dietary Supplements
    • Building Material
    • Insulation
    • Biodegradable Plastic
    • Detergents
    • Beer
    • Flour

There is also emerging evidence from the University of Montréal’s Department of Psychiatry and Research Center that certain cannabinoids are highly effective in combating addiction. CBD was proven to help modulate various neuronal circuits involved in drug addiction. CBD has shown that it may influence addictive behaviors during the relapse phase most.

In May of 2015, Doctors Mélissa Prud’homme, Romulus Cata, and Didier Jutras-Aswad published their experiment on subjects with cocaine and amphetamine addictions that concluded with THC being the best cannabinoid to help remove the chemical addiction and CBD to ensure maintained homeostasis.

The results also illustrated the beneficial effects of a symbiotic relationship between the cannabinoids when used synchronistically. Though the cannabinoids when isolated produce great relief, when paired with other cannabinoids, their power is enriched for better end result.

Ready to Begin Your CBD Journey?

We offer several products with varying dosages of CBD to fit your need.

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