There is a lot of information out there about cannabis, cannabinoids and everything associated with them, but it can be hard to tell the difference between fact and fiction with everything out there.
What Are Cannabinoids and How Do They Work?
Cannabinoid is the name for any one of more than 100 chemicals found in plants in the cannabis family. Both cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are part of this family. Each of these chemicals works in a different way, but they all work in your body in a similar way.
Cannabinoids all work with the endocannabinoid receptors that are spread throughout the body’s central nervous system, immune system, and brain, but the way they work is different.
Typically, CBD coats the CB1 receptors, blocking the receptors from being able to interact as much with other cannabinoids. THC, on the other hand, binds to those receptors, creating the psychotropic high that marijuana is famous for.
What is CBD?
Cannabidiol, or CBD, is derived mostly from the stems, leaves, and flowers of the industrial hemp plant.
It is legal to sell CBD throughout the United States thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill, but the Food and Drug Administration does not yet regulate it. Because of this, it is not legal to make medical claims about CBD oil. However, there have been a lot of studies done into how it can affect you.
Potential Benefits
Reduce Acne
Reduce Anxiety
Reduce Pain
Improve Sleep
Can Reduce Side Effects of THC
What are the Potential Drawbacks?
Diarrhea
Make sure to keep an eye on your bowels when you start taking CBD because it has been known to encourage diarrhea in the beginning. You may need to counterbalance this with some sort of natural
Changes in Appetite
This is not necessarily a bad thing, but CBD can either increase or decrease your appetite. More study is needed to be sure, but keep an eye on how it affects you and your body.
What is THC?
THC is derived from the flower and fruit of the cannabis plant. It is the cannabinoid that creates the high effect many people seek from marijuana. It is also illegal under federal law.
What are the Potential Benefits?
Increased Bursts of Dopamine
Improve Sleep
What are the Potential Drawbacks?
Illegal in Many Places
Different states have different laws, but THC and marijuana are still illegal in many states and under federal law. It is also frowned upon by many employers even when it is legal for recreational use.
Can Reduce Reaction Time
THC makes you feel much more relaxed, which can make it harder for you to react quickly in case of emergencies. Just like with medications that do this, figure out how it affects you before you drive or operate heavy machinery with it in your system.
Dehydration
THC is known for causing dehydration, so make sure you keep water handy if you are using it regularly. Dehydration can cause major problems for your body and should be avoided at all costs.
Also of note are the potential benefits and results of using cannabis to treat glaucoma and the research around using marijuana to treat super bugs and viruses.
Additional Resources:
CBD Salve
CBD Massage Oil
