What is CBD?
CBD is the abbreviation for cannabidiol, which is a chemical compound that comes from the hemp plant. CBD is one of the most prominent compounds, known as cannabinoids, of over 100 found in hemp.
Where does CBD come from?
CBD is extracted from the cannabis plant. Cannabis is separated into two categories: hemp and marijuana. CBD can be extracted from either.
What is the difference between hemp and marijuana?
Hemp (often referred to as industrial hemp), prized for its high fiber content, and used to make a variety of items such as rope, textiles, and paper; has been grown as an industrial crop that can be traced back several thousand years. Hemp was so important for industrial growth, that many American colonists were legally required to grow it. However, during the 1900’s hemp became a less desirable crop because of its heavy taxation and the introduction of new industrial materials. This decreased the demand for hemp. Although hemp had not been grown in America for many years, in 1970, cannabis (remember the two categories, hemp and marijuana) was classified as an illegal Schedule 1 drug. After several decades with this illegal title, the two categories of cannabis were redefined, once again, in what is known as the Farm Bill (2018). The deference being the amount of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) each strain possessed. THC is the cannabinoid in cannabis that causes users to get “high”.
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They are defined as;
Hemp - cannabis containing 0.3% or less THC by dry weight.
Marijuana - cannabis containing more than 0.3% THC by dry weight.
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Hemp was removed from the Schedule 1 drug list and became federally legal, along with all of its extracts.
Is CBD legal?
Under federal law, only CBD derived from hemp is legal in the United States.
How does CBD affect the body?
Our bodies are constantly working to remain in homeostasis (maintaining a stable internal environment despite external factors). For example, the human body tries to maintain a temperature of 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. When our body temperature rises, our body sweats to cool down and when our body is cold it shivers to warm up. You can liken homeostasis to the character "Goldilocks" preferring everything "just right". It is our endocannabinoid system that keeps our body in homeostasis.
What is the endocannabinoid system?
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a cell signaling system within our body. The word endocannabinoid can be broken down into two parts. Endo, short for endogenous, which means originating from within. Cannabinoid refers to cannabis, that’s right, cannabis. Our bodies actually produce a cannabis like substance, endocannabinoid. The ECS is made up of three important components: Endocannabinoids, Receptors, and Enzymes.
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Endocannabinoids-think of them as activators, are sent to receptor cells to activate them.
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Receptors- when these cells are activated by the endocannabinoids they perform their assigned function. There are two main receptors:
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CB1 receptors, cells which are mainly located in our central nervous system
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CB2 receptors, cells which are mainly located in our peripheral nervous system (digestive and immune)
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Enzymes-think of them as deactivators, the enzyme breaks down the endocannabinoid stopping the cell from performing its assigned function.
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Researchers have linked how the ECS effects a number of functions within the body (including, but not limited to, appetite, chronic pain, inflammation, sleep, mood, and stress). Many experts believe that when phyto-cannabinoids bind to receptors they do not break down as quickly as endocannabinoids resulting in a prolonged period of healing relief.
