CBD stands for cannabidiol, an active ingredient derived from the cannabis sativa plant that “does not cause a ‘high’” on its own, according to a 2018 article posted on Harvard Medical School’s Harvard Health Publishing site.
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Of the over 100 biologically active chemical compounds in marijuana, CBD is one of the most common found in the plant, second only to delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
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It’s thought to affect our cell- signalling system (the endocannabinoid system), which helps to regulate functions such as sleep, immune response and pain. This explains CBD’s potentially wide-ranging application.
CBD is one of the cannabis plant’s two most abundant compounds – the other being THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). Hemp refers to cannabis plants, which – containing less than 0.2-3% THC – can be grown legally. Marijuana, on the other hand, contains more THC. THC has more pronounced psychoactive effects (produces a high), and is classified as an illegal substance.
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Unlike THC, cannabidiol won’t cause any kind of high, whether it’s extracted from hemp or marijuana (two types of cannabis sativa plants).
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So, while CBD can be found in marijuana, ingesting it certainly wouldn’t make you feel the same way marijuana would. Dr. Akash Bajaj, M.D., MPH, has found in his pain clinic practice that CBD has helped his patients find balance. He told Teen Vogue magazine “In medicine, we tend to segment sleep, stress, anxiety, and other symptoms separately, but in reality, they are all tied together. If I have a patient in chronic pain, they will not sleep well, which will lead to higher stress and anxiety levels the next day."
HOW DOES CBD WORK?
“CBD works by interacting with receptors throughout the body, none of which cause a euphoria or ‘high, generally, CBD users may feel a wave of calmness, certain types of pain relief and better sleep.”
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Those receptors are part of the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS), the ECS is a network of receptors located throughout the body—and CBD attracts many of those receptors. ​
The endocannabinoid system is a chemical communication system with the goal of maintaining homeostasis.
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Homeostasis keeps the internal environment stable, regardless of how the external environment fluctuates.
Cannabinoids, such as CBD (cannabidiol) found in CBD Extract, help to maintain a homeostatic balance at every level of biological life. This includes our collective human relationship with the external environment.
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Since the ECS plays a role in neurogenesis (new brain-cell growth), the plasticity of our brain is influenced by the promotion of humor, creativity, open-mindedness and the ability to grow past limiting behavior patterns.
ENDOCANNABINOID RECEPTORS ARE FOUND ALL OVER THE BODY:
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Brain
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Organs
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Connective tissue
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Glands
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Immune cells
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And potentially many others.
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Chronic stress weakens and damages the normal function of the ECS. To stimulate the natural release of cannabinoids (which your body already produces), you can participate in mind-body practices. An easy way to stimulate the ECS is through cannabimimetics (cannabinoids from plants, such as CBD) in the form of CBD Oil Drops.
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Popular activities which stimulate the ECS are:
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Meditation.
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Yoga
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Deep breathing.
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Receiving a massage. (Osteopathic manipulation)
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Eating organic food. (Lacking pesticide residues)
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Avoiding plasticizers. (Added to water bottles, tin cans, food packaging and pharmaceutical pills)