Open any health, fitness, or wellness magazine and we’ll bet our bottom dollar there’ll be mention of CBD in there somewhere. CBD, or cannabidiol to give it its full name, is the magical cure all potion of the modern age, or so the companies producing it would have you believe. Research is still very new, and although some cases have proved unfounded, users claim that it has changed their lives.
One of the main reasons people are loving it so much, other than the fact it is legal (more on that later), is that it is so versatile and so convenient. It is found in all kinds of products these days, from its most common form CBD oil, through to bath bombs, dog biscuits, gummies, candles and skincare products to name but a mere few. There is no need for papers, lighters, or any of the other paraphernalia associated with cannabis, because this legal wonder drug comes ready made.
But what is the big deal with CBD, why is everyone clamouring to get in on it, and why has it become so popular?
How Is CBD Different To Cannabis?
Firstly, let’s tackle the subject of what makes CBD different to cannabis and how on earth something that derives from the same plant could possibly be legalised when cannabis itself is classed as a Class B drug.
While CBD is found in the cannabis plant, it is merely a component of it, and crucially it doesn’t contain the chemical THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol), which is the psychoactive ingredient that gets you stoned. Because it doesn’t contain THC, it is deemed safe for human consumption and is therefore considered a legal substance.
What’s So Good About It?
OK so without getting too technical on you, CBD works by aiding some of the processes in the body’s endocannabinoid system (a complex biological system in charge of cognition, memory, motor skills, pain and nervous system). This system is made up of three parts: receptors, enzymes, and endocannabinoids. When the receptors are activated it helps to ensure our systems run smoothly, and CBD is an ‘activator’, it assists activation of the receptors. It all sounds quite involved we know, but then the human body is a very complex machine, but that’s the basics for you.
Because of this, it is believed that CBD can help ease:
- Seizures
- Pain
- Inflammation
- Psychosis
- Inflammatory bowel disease and other gut issues
- Migraines
- Nausea
- Depression and anxiety
And in fact this is just a short list, because as people become more accepting of CBD and as they become more open to trying CBD as a natural supplement, other benefits of its usage are also coming to light.
CBD is certainly here to stay for the time being and we can see this continuing to be the case unless science proves otherwise. We would love to hear about your own experiences of CBD and whether it has helped you in some way, so please leave us a comment below and tell us your story.