10 Facts About CBD You Should Know

Did you know that Coca-Cola is considering adding CBD to its upcoming beverages? That's how popular CBD is getting these days. 

CBD, short for cannabidiol, is a phytocannabinoid chemical found in the cannabis plant, accounting for up to 40% of the plant's extract. 

As the second prominent cannabinoid — the first being THC — found in the cannabis plant, user interest and sales of CBD has sky-rocketed over the past few years. 

Suffice it to say that CBD deserves all the adulation due to its medical benefits sans the side effects. In addition, the stigma attached to the herb is dissipating slowly, all thanks to CBD. 

Most people use CBD for its medicinal purposes. And as this cannabinoid's popularity continues to rise, many more people are curious about its effects, legality, and a lot more.

However, despite its popularity, there are a lot of myths surrounding CBD.

In this article, we will explore some eye-opening facts you need to know about CBD.

1. CBD can be psychoactive but can't get you high

Wait, what? Is CBD psychoactive?

CBD's central selling point is that it is non-psychoactive, compared to THC that produces the narcotic high. While THC interacts with the receptors present in the body, CBD indirectly influences the effects of other cannabinoids. For example, it interacts with the endocannabinoid system to help you relax and promote a feeling of calmness. 

CBD is non-intoxicating since it can't get you high — THC is the cannabinoid responsible for the high. THC also makes you euphoric since it binds to the CB1 and CB2 receptors. CB1 and CB2 are the primary cannabinoid receptors in the body; CB1 is located in the brain and central nervous system, and CB2 is in the immune system cells, gastrointestinal tract, and peripheral nervous system.

Note that first-time CBD users often experience mild euphoria, but it's nothing compared to the high produced by THC.

But CBD does the opposite — it promotes a sense of calm but doesn't cause impairment of any kind. Sure, CBD may not make you high like THC, but it does affect how you feel. It also influences your cognitive processes and regulates your mood.

Therefore it is safe to say that although CBD is non-intoxicating, it can be considered psychoactive. No, it doesn't produce as many adverse side effects as THC, but it influences you in its own way.

2. CBD stimulates CB1 and CB2 receptors

So, while CBD does not bind to the CB1 and CB2 nerve receptors in the endocannabinoid system, it still stimulates them. This is important as activating or stimulating these receptors can leave a pretty noticeable effect.

In addition, recent studies investigating the link between CBD and Alzheimers have shown that CBD increases the proteins to eliminate plaque and dead cells in mice. It can also reduce oxygen buildup and inflammation while protecting the brain cells from declining further.  

Plus, CBD-simulation of CB1 receptors can alleviate the symptoms of anxiety, depression, fear, paranoia, blood pressure, and intestinal inflammation.

3. CBD is a safe therapeutic

Most pharmaceutical medicines treat various health conditions quickly but often have different side effects that can affect you. For example, one of the most popular medicines, paracetamol, can cause complications in the kidney, intestine, and heart if consumed regularly.

This is where CBD excels and stands apart from most pharmaceuticals. CBD is considered a non-toxic substance and is almost entirely free of any adverse side effects.

A 2013 review published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology revealed that CBD could soothe vomiting and nausea.

CBD can even act as an antioxidant to reduce free radicals in your body that cause neurodegenerative ailments and as an anti-inflammatory agent that reduces swelling.

4. CBD is beneficial for women

Yes, CBD is therapeutic, but its positives for the human body are beyond that — it can be a terrific agent for women as it can treat various conditions such as:

Hormonal imbalance: CBD regulates hormonal imbalance in the body, regulating the cortisol secretion process. Plus, hemp-sourced CBD is a good source of gamma-linoleic acid that helps maintain the hormonal balance even further.

Menopause: CBD intake can effectively relieve various symptoms of menopause, such as insomnia, bone density loss, and mood swings.

Premenstrual syndrome: It can even manage specific PMS symptoms in women by stabilizing mood, soothing bloating and cramps, and regulating mental health.

5. CBD can make you feel "giddy"

Some users report that they feel floaty or giddy, especially after using CBD for the first time. It can happen even with topical CBD where you feel numbness or tingling sensations for a while.

Although it's uncommon, it can occur with first-time users based on how your body reacts to CBD. While it is not the same as the high you feel from THC, the floaty feeling can be attributed to the ECS being overwhelmed with a high dose of cannabinoids.

Some users also report that floaty feelings are stronger when they consume high doses of CBD. Generally, these feelings will dissipate if you consume CBD frequently.

6. CBD can improve your balance and focus

Many users also report that they feel more balanced after consuming CBD. But what exactly does "balanced" mean?

When you feel well-balanced, it usually means that you have a stable and calm mind — a feeling similar to a relaxed state you feel after meditating.

Some people confuse this with a high, but they can't be further from the truth. Usually, a high can be described as an impairment of motor control where you cannot do pretty much anything. On the other hand, CBD makes you feel calm, well-balanced, and relaxed, which is the opposite of a high produced by high-THC products.

In addition, you may also feel high when you consume full-spectrum products. Although the THC could be well within the permissible limits — less than 0.3% — some users may experience a psychoactive high, depending on their body metabolism. 

This is especially true if you consume edibles with high concentrations of cannabinoids. Edibles induce strong effects compared to vaping and smoking because of how your body metabolizes the cannabinoids. For instance, when you vape or smoke, the cannabinoids enter your bloodstream and subsequently travel to the brain and many other organs. 

However, when you consume edibles, the cannabinoids enter the liver, where there are metabolized or broken down. This process also reduces the potency of the cannabinoids, but the effects are stronger and last longer than vaping or smoking cannabis. Therefore, full-spectrum products, even with small amounts of THC, can make you a little high.

7. CBD can treat anxiety

A 2018 survey in Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research states that over 60% of CBD users reported consuming CBD to treat medical conditions. One of the most popular of these medical conditions is anxiety and depression. 

How does this work?

CBD interacts with the CB1 receptor along with the serotonin 5-HT1A receptor to regulate anxiety-induced behavior. 

According to a 2015 review, CBD can treat various forms of anxiety, such as the following:

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Generalized anxiety disorder 
• Panic disorder
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder
• Social anxiety disorder

A study in 2020 stated that CBD could act as an effective complementary therapy for treating such forms of anxiety disorders.

8. CBD can relieve symptoms of seizures and epilepsy

In June 2018, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved CBD to treat seizures and epilepsy. The institution even reconsidered the safety profile of CBD, moving it from Schedule 1 to the Schedule 5 drug category as long as it has a THC content of under 0.1%. 

Here's how CBD works to relieve the symptoms of seizures and epilepsy.

In seizure patients, erratic electrical activity in the brain can spread uncontrolled physical movements or consciousness alterations, leading to seizures. 

When this happens, CBD stimulates and activates the CB1 receptors, having a range of biochemical effects on the nerve cells, easing the seizure symptoms. However, researchers still aren't sure exactly how CBD treats seizures.

9. Not all CBD oil is the same

If you've ever gone shopping for CBD oil, you must have come across various types of CBD oils including edibles. These oils don't just differ in their brand names and colors but also their properties.

In the current market, there are three popular formulas to obtain CBD oil, leading to three types of it:

Full-spectrum: This formulation of CBD oil contains all the plant components, including CBD, trace amounts of THC, terpenes, and other minor cannabinoids. 

Broad-spectrum: This formulation contains a full spectrum of extracted terpenes and cannabinoids without trace amounts of THC.

Isolate: This formulation is pure CBD without any other cannabis compounds like THC, terpenes, etc.

10. CBD is safe and therapeutic for dogs

CBD is safe for your furry little friend, too!

CBD can help treat arthritis and seizures in dogs, and regular intake of CBD oil can even strengthen a dog's immune system, improve their breath odor, and promote a shiny coat. 

Of course, this stream of scientific research is still in its infancy, and more research is needed to determine how CBD can improve the lives of dogs, cats, and other animals.

Summary: 10 Facts About CBD You Should Know

CBD provides an array of benefits for you (and your pets), and we can use it to treat anxiety, Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy, seizures, and a lot more. And every passing year, new research is surfacing to highlight the various benefits of this magical substance. 

It is only a matter of time before CBD is adopted worldwide as a go-to medicine. Even the future of CBD looks incredibly promising, with the global market for CBD forecasted to reach $23.6 billion by 2025.