Many people turn to cannabis for managing physical and mental health conditions. Cannabis plants carry a variety of potent chemical compounds, some of which are unique to the genus. These are called cannabinoids, and they’re what gives cannabis its useful properties. For those looking for health benefits, one particular cannabinoid is key: cannabidiol, or CBD. With advances in cultivation producing CBD-dominant strains and allowing the compound to be distilled apart from the rest, patients can more easily enjoy these benefits. Those curious about CBD can learn about how it stands out from other cannabinoids, what it does in the body and how these effects can help you.
CBD Versus THC
Tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, is one of the most well-known cannabinoids alongside CBD, and it produces some of the most distinctive effects of cannabis. This compound is what gives users the “high” that cannabis products are known for, and it has some health benefits of its own. However, some people have adverse reactions to THC – it can induce, or aggravate, symptoms of anxiety in those sensitive to it. Conversely, CBD is not psychoactive and doesn’t cause anxious reactions; in fact, it produces no “stoned” feeling when taken alone. Cannabis and hemp strains that contain primarily, or exclusively, CBD are cultivated for this reason.
Cannabinoids and the Endocannabinoid System
Your nervous system contains a complex system of neurotransmitters and receptors that allow neurons to communicate. Many compounds used in medicine can fit into these receptors and influence neural activity. This interaction is the basis for how cannabinoids affect your body. The endocannabinoid system, a component of the nervous system, regulates various processes in the body, and cannabinoids like CBD mimic the neurotransmitters used here. This is the reason for many of CBD’s effects and benefits, including:
* pain and inflammation relief
* stimulating appetite and metabolism
* mitigating stress responses and fighting anxiety
* making it easier to fall asleep for those struggling with insomnia
* combatting chronic neurological diseases like multiple sclerosis
CBD not only activates the typical cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2, but boosts the body’s levels of endocannabinoids by inhibiting enzymes that break them down after use, increasing their longevity. Studies suggest this may have a part in CBD not displaying the same intoxicating effects as THC.
CBD’s Unique Interactions
CBD is notable for how it interacts with non-cannabinoid receptors, too. This enhances some of CBD’s effects, such as pain and stress relief, as well as creating other benefits that THC and other cannabinoids lack. Interactions with opioid and dopamine receptors help combat drug dependence, especially regarding opioids. Meanwhile, binding with serotonin receptors means CBD can help with depression, PTSD, nausea and vomiting. Studies even show potential for therapeutic use in patients suffering from seizures. The breadth of CBD’s biochemical properties is still being researched, and more discoveries may arrive in the near future.
One thing is certain already, though: CBD can provide much-needed relief from pain, anxiety and more. Herb RX carries a broad selection of CBD products in Sun Prairie, WI – oils, wax concentrates, flowers, edibles and others – at varying strengths so you can find the precise form of relief you need. Check out our site to browse our inventory and find a location to visit, or contact us for more info.
