CBD is the non-psychoactive cannbinoid in Cannabis. It is known for providing its many health benefits, despite being illegal in most countries around the world.

What is CBD?

Cannabidiol which is also known as CBD is a compound in the cannabis plant.  CBD is one of at least 85 cannabinoids identified in cannabis. It is the second most abundant compound in hemp, which represents up to 40 percent of its compounds, the first being THC.

We are recently starting to take notice of the many medical and therapeutic benefits of the cannabis plant. Cannabis hasn’t been properly tested and researched in the UK, as opposed to places like America and Israel – where it’s available upon prescription for certain illnesses.

The chart below shows various benefits of CBD.

It has proven to be highly effective in providing many benefits such as relieving pain, spasms and even shrinking Brain tumours. At the end of 2016 the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) sent out notices to suppliers of cannabidiol (CBD) products to inform suppliers that it was deemed a medicine and that  licenses would be issued for the sale of this popular,effective and misunderstood plant.

Fact is CBD is a medicine, MHRA is not wrong about that. But they must bear in mind, thousands of people in the UK already rely on the healing benefits of CBD. CBD oil is extracted from the cannabis plant, but its extraction us usually from the non-psychoactive cousin, hemp. This leads to us to all the confusion that has been blocking the progress of legislation in favour of cannabis as medicine, the confusion between a plant that is the same, really. Psychoactive  cannabis is classified 0.05% THC and above ; and the non-psychoactive version is usually classified as hemp, which below 0.05% THC. Problem comes in for legislators to distinguish these types of cannabis separately and “safe”for human consumption . Truth is they are very difficult to distinguish separately in nature and lawmakers just care if it makes you high or not. Bottom line, its a medicine, saving lives.

THC vs CBD

The marijuana plant is comprised of over 100 chemicals, known as cannabinoids, each having different effects on the human body. The two active ingredients in the medicinal application of marijuana are:

1. Tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC.  The psychoactive compound in marijuana — i.e. the element that produces the high.  THC has recreational benefits as well as some medicinal.THC is responsible for many things, notably for the psychoactive, high feeling you get when you smoke most strains. THC works by helping your brain produce more dopamine (the chemical in your brain that makes you happy), causing euphoric feelings.
2. Cannabidiol, or CBD. This substance does not produce any psychoactive effects.  CBD has many medicinal benefits.
   CBD is the second highest concentrated chemical present in cannabis. CBD has become popular with patients for its ability to reduce inflammation, relax muscles, reduce tumor growth and much more, without the psychoactive effects of THC.   CBD potent strains are also commonly used to treat cancer, neurological disorders, epilepsy and more.  Recreational users may be disappointed in the lack of the high feeling, but for many, CBD is a side-effect free way to experience the benefits of cannabis. CBD is also thought to help counteract the effects of THC, helping to reduce side-effects such as paranoia.

Medical marijuana has a higher CBD content, so when you’re taking it, you don’t feel the euphoria that’s associated with its recreational counterpart.

Can CBD get me high?

People often get confused between CBD and THC properties.  THC is the intoxicating compound that causes marijuana users to get “high.”  On the other hand, with CBD, it is impossible to get high, and in fact is a legal substance around the world.  To be used as an application, CBD is extracted and mixed in hemp oil extracts which can vary in concentration.  THC and CBD are both phytocannabinoids, which means they are natural and plant derived.   THC and CBD primarly interact with specific cells causing various effects in the human body.

There are a wide range of applications for CBD and THC.   At the molecular level, they are very similar which is why they are often confused, even in the scientific community.  The chemical properties of CBD and THC however vary widely, and THC is classified as a hallucinatory drug, while CBD is classified as safe and legal around the world.

Benefits of CBD

CBD is a natural treatment for a plethora of ailments and it is acknowledged that CBD is safer than THC.  Industrial hemp, the male form of marijuana, is naturally high in CBD.   While containing only traces of THC, the oil extracted is safe and non-hallucinatory.  Due to these properties, CBD is a legal supplement and can be consumed safely in any concentration and amount.  There are a number of CBD products on the market.  As the market is saturated with products being manufactured overseas in unregulated facilities, it would be safe and wise to look things up online and use a buyer’s guide prior to obtaining cannabis oil for sale and products for treatment.

CBD has been seen in various studies to be effective in treating ailments from reducing inflammation and nausea to treating more serious conditions like epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and inhibit cancer growth. It has also been see as effective in treating neurological and psychiatric disorders such as anxiety, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and more.

Since the acceptance of Cannabis is fairly new, more studies and research on CBD are yet to be done and many new applications yet to be discovered, like this one:

“CBD Helps Reverse Booze Brain Damage”.

Studies claim that treatment of alcohol induced neurodegeneration (alcohol damage to the brain)  can be reduced with treatment of CBD, in addition to treatment of brain tumors and other neurological issues.

Cancer research published statistics on brain tumors in the with almost 11000 cases of brain tumors reported in 2014 in the UK alone. Survival rate with standard treatments came to about only 14%,with a less than 1% prevention rate. At this rate, alternative treatments such as CBD treatment have been sought after for possible prevention and cure of these cancers.

Brain and spinal tumours are one of the biggest fatal cancers, with not many treatment options other than chemotherapy and radiotherapy, known for having many negative side effects. Cannabidiol has shown to be beneficial in aiding the reduction of cancers, which in several studies, significantly reduced the size of cancerous tumors within 6 months. Many doctors and countries have have acknowledged this, and therefore have legalized the use of cannabis and CBD oil for medical purposes.

CBD for Pets

Humans and most animals have CBD receptor sites in their brain, immune cells, and nervous system.  As in humans, CBD can help treat many conditions in pets such as pain, arthritis, stress, digestive issues, aggression, immune system illnesses and more.  Other conditions such as strains, sprains, broken bones, torn ligaments, and stiff joints can also be treated without the use of pharmaceutical drugs with side effects.

Do you have any experiences with CBD?  If so, please leave them in the comment sections below.

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