The recent discovery of endocannabinoids and cannabinoid receptors in the human’s body has triggered an exponential growth of studies on cannabidiol (CBD) and its potential health benefits. Because it’s so easy to get lost in the informational sea, in this article, we’ve tried to provide a basic overview of the CBD oil current state of knowledge and a buyer’s guide for CBD oil products.
Contrary to the widely spread misconceptions, CBD oil is both legal and safe. It contains traces or zero of psychoactive substance from cannabis called tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and doesn’t make you “high.”
The time you invest in reading this article will arm you with the knowledge required to make the right decision regarding CBD oil and the quality of your daily life.
So, let’s talk basics.
Cannabis and Cannabinoids
Cannabis, or marijuana, is a psychoactive drug from the Cannabis plant used for medical or recreational purposes. The main psychoactive part of cannabis is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), one of 483 known compounds in the plant. Cannabidiol (CBD) is another major constituent of the plant. There are at least 113 different cannabinoids isolated from cannabis, exhibiting varied effects. The best-studied cannabinoids include tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabinol (CBN).
Cannabinoids, including THC and CBD, are chemical substances that act on cannabinoid receptors in cells. Cannabinoid receptors are a class of neurotransmitters receptors.
As the name says, neurotransmitters enable neurotransmission. Actually, neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that transmit signals (as chemicals) from one neuron to another neuron. The signals are received by special receptors on the target cells. Many neurotransmitters are synthesized in the body from amino acids, which are readily available from food.
Cannabinoid receptors are located in the brain and throughout the body and involved in a variety of biochemical and physiological processes including behavior, appetite, pain-sensation, orientation in time and space, mood, and memory.
What is CBD?
CBD is the abbreviation for cannabidiol. Like THC, CBD is also a natural component of cannabis, a major cannabinoid, accounting for up to 40% of marijuana’s extract. It was discovered in 1940.
Cannabidiol can be taken in multiple ways, including CBD oil containing only CBD as the active ingredient (no added tetrahydrocannabinol –THC), a full-plant CBD-dominant hemp extract oil, capsules, dried cannabis, or as a prescription liquid solution. CBD does not have the same psychoactivity as THC and may affect the actions of THC.
As of 2018, preliminary clinical research on cannabidiol included studies of anxiety, cognition, movement disorders, and pain. In the United States, the cannabidiol drug Epidiolex has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of two epilepsy disorders. Cannabidiol is not scheduled under any United Nations drug control treaties, and in 2018 the World Health Organization recommended that it remain unscheduled.
What is THC?
THC is tetrahydrocannabinol, the principal psychoactive compound of cannabis. It is one of over 100 cannabinoids naturally occurred in cannabis. THC has very low solubility in water, but good solubility in most organic solvents, specifically alcohols.
THC is responsible for the way your brain reacts to marijuana. This chemical substance changes brain functions and results in alterations in perception, mood, consciousness, and behavior. THC is scheduled by the Convention on Psychotropic Substances, a United Nations treaty designed to control narcotics. In most countries, THC is considered as an illegal drug.
The major difference between CBD and THC
Both CBD and THC are cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. The major difference is that THC is psychoactive and CBD is not, meaning that THC will make the user feel “high” whereas CBD will not. Both THC and CBD have medicinal properties and often work best in combination with each other. It is beneficial to choose a CBD oil that has even a small amount of THC, to ensure the CBD works to its full potential.
PureOrganix Canada does not intend to give this as professional medical advice. Do not attempt to self-diagnose, or prescribe treatment based on the information provided on this page. Always consult your physician before making any decision on the treatment of a medical condition.