"What is CBD?” is a question people are asking a lot nowadays. As marijuana and cannabis products of all description gain surging popularity and public acceptance, it’s more pressing than ever that people understand exactly what CBD is and how it can or can’t benefit you in your daily life.
The most basic answer to the question “What is CBD?” is that it is a term which is short for cannabidiol. Cannabidiol is a chemical compound found in the cannabis plant. While cannabis is most commonly associated with THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), CBD is a non-psychoactive substance which can be used in all manner of applications.
To put it in layman’s terms, while THC is famous for its psychoactive properties (colloquially referred to as “a high”), CBD has no sedative or mind-altering properties at all. That is, of course, if you’re in the vast majority of people. Most people don’t know that there are about 5% of the population which react differently to CBD. These people are often the same people who suffer side effects when taking medications as mild as Advil or Tylenol. If you fall into this category, it’s important to be careful when approaching the usage of CBD.
While THC is primarily used for “getting high”, the non-psychoactive properties of CBD have led scientists to ask, “what are the CBD oil benefits?” For instance, THC has been known to help chronic pain patients, those suffering from cancer, and even those with chronic depression. If THC can do all these things, perhaps CBD can provide this type of relief without the mind-altering effects and sedation.
To put it simply, the research seems to indicate that, yes, CBD can provide a plethora of health benefits to users. On the other hand, proponents of CBD often go a little overboard in extolling its virtues. Let’s break it down carefully, separating myth from fact.
What are the CBD oil benefits?
- Pain Relief. Marijuana is one of the most ancient pain relief treatments known to man. While this was initially attributed to the THC in the plant, science has recently come out suggesting that CBD is capable of providing pain relief in its own right.
- Reduced Anxiety & Depression. While the current market is overwhelmingly dominated by the pharmaceutical industry, CBD is making inroads as a potential treatment for depression and anxiety. The current medical treatment for these mood disorders typically require some serious drugs, including benzodiazepines. Benzos have been known to cause intense side effects, particularly at extended exposures. CBD makes a wonderful alternative in some cases, without any of these side effects or risk factors.
- Cancer Treatment. This is a pretty well-known usage for CBD, as it was one of the first practical applications for medical marijuana. In many ways, CBD is the perfect boon for those undergoing cancer treatment. CBD has been effective in treating just about all the side effects of chemotherapy, including nausea, vomiting, and weight loss.
- Acne. When you ask the question, “what is CBD?”, you likely weren’t thinking of skincare treatments. It’s true that most people think of pain and anxiety relief when they think of CBD, but recent studies have shown that CBD can be effective in helping with acne. A couple studies now have shown that CBD can influence glands and inflammatory actions in the skin which lead to acne. While this is certainly a newer application in need of further study, it’s a promising new direction for CBD.
- Neurological Disorders. In addition to cancer, neurological disorders were among the first medical trials for CBD. Because CBD acts upon the endocannabinoid system in the human body, it may be able to beneficially influence the body’s neural signaling systems. Thus far, CBD has been shown effective in certain applications regarding multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, and Dravet syndrome.
So, what is CBD? CBD, or cannabidiol, is a relatively new compound which is found in the cannabis plant alongside THC, the drug which first brought marijuana into the spotlight of human attention. As marijuana becomes more legal and acceptable, it’s reasonable to expect that researchers will discover more and more medical applications and benefits to CBD. It’s an exciting space, full of promise, and definitely something to keep an eye on.
As always, be sure to consult your medical doctor and defer to the judgment of experts. CBD, as mentioned, can have side effects, although they are uncommon. Furthermore, you should never discontinue your own medications, whether psychiatric or biological in nature. CBD is still being tested and, even though it’s extremely promising, a lot of these medical applications are still new.
