What is Cannabidiol (CBD)?
CBD stands for Cannabidiol – a plant compound found abundantly in hemp plants. For generations, hemp has been used as a botanical powerhouse in helping humans with their health. In recent years, there has been a resurgence in the use of hemp due to its natural therapeutic properties.
Cannabis Sativa is the botanical plant name for hemp, which is a member of the Cannabaceae plant family. CBD is just one of over 80 natural plant compounds found in this species of cannabis.
Cannabidiol is the main active ingredient in popular CBD products, where powerful natural extracts are extracted from hemp and are used to create oils, capsules, edibles, cosmetics and much more.
When CBD was identified in the 1940s, scientists assumed it had little or no effect on the body. The main focus back then was researching THC and its pharmacology. However, fast forward to the 1990s and a research team led by Professor Raphael Mechoulam (commonly acknowledged as the grandfather of cannabis research) discovered what has come to be known as the endocannabinoid system (ECS) – and this changed everything.
It is thought by scientists that the compound cannabidiol has the potential to help maintain balance in the body, by interacting with your internal endocannabinoid system. This system helps control bodily functions such as appetite, mood, immune response, pain, and sleep patterns.
WHERE DOES CBD COME FROM?
Here at Biosyyd, our CBD is derived from Industrial Hemp and is made from whole plant extracts, which naturally have a high CBD content. Our Industrial Hemp is grown and cultivated in optimal growing conditions, before being sent off to our GMP certified lab for extraction and processing.
There are many ways to extract CBD from hemp, but not all of them are safe. The CO2 extraction method is the cleanest and safest way to produce extracts, as it only uses clean air.
POTENTIAL BENEFITS OF CBD
Epilepsy
The first CBD-based medication that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved was Epidiolex. Doctors prescribe Epidiolex to those who experience seizures due to Lennox-Gastrault or Dravet syndrome, which are rare types of epilepsy.
Epidiolex underwent rigorous human studies before the FDA approved it as a treatment for these two conditions.
According to an article in Molecules, scientists do not know precisely how CBD helps control seizures. One theory suggests that CBD influences a receptor involved in seizure activity called transient receptor potential vanilloid.
A review of completed and ongoing clinical trials indicated that adding CBD to common antiepileptic drugs may be appropriate in treatment-resistant epoilepsy in infants, children, and teenagers.
Pain and inflammation
Researchers have investigated the pain-relieving effects of CBD. A small 2020 randomized, placebo-controlled trial investigated the use of topical CBD oil on people with peripheral neuropathy of the legs.
In this small study, participants with peripheral noncancer neuropathic pain received either 250 milligrams (mg) of CBD total dissolved in 3 oz of oil) or a placebo.
After 4 weeks, the researchers noted a statistically significant reduction in intense pain, sharp pain, cold and itchy sensations in those using CBD oil. Participants did not report any side effects.
Although the results of this small trial are positive, it involved just 29 participants, so researchers need to conduct more investigations to confirm the results.
Another study review demonstrated that a 1:1 combination of THC and CBD sprayed in the back of the mouth (a pharmaceutical product called Sativex) might be effective for noncancer related chronic pain.
However, the researchers do not know which of the two compounds had the most significant effect. Also, the follow-up period for this study was 15 weeks. Scientists must carry out further research to confirm whether long-term pain control is possible.
This spray that contained both THC and CBD may also have anti-inflammatory properties. An earlier study on people living with rheumatoid arthritis showed that Sativex reduced the Disease Activity Score-28, which demonstrates a decrease in inflammation.
These studies show the potential effectiveness of CBD on pain and inflammation.
Depression and anxiety
Many animal studies on the effects of CBD on mood disorders showed promising results. An earlier article in Neuropsychopharmacology outlined a study on humans where researchers demonstrated that CBD could reduce anxiety caused by public speaking.
The participants took a CBD preparation before a public-speaking event. They reported feeling less anxiety and discomfort. Researchers suggest that CBD may help relieve anxiety associated with the anticipation of a fearful event.
The participants also had lower negative self-evaluation during public speaking. Researchers suggest that serotonin receptors may play a role in the effects of CBD on anxiety.
Human studies on the effectiveness of CBD on depression are currently lacking. It is necessary to carry out further research before using it for this purpose.
Addiction management and treatment
Some experts suggest that CBD oil can help people with addiction by reducing activation of the amygdala, a brain area involved in addiction.
Cravings for drugs generally occur by exposure to a particular cue. So, reducing the craving during cues can help people abstain from heroin.
A study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry explored CBD’s effect on cue-inducing craving and anxiety in people with heroin use disorder. The researchers demonstrated that compared with placebo, those who took CBD had lower cravings and anxiety. These results are promising and require further investigation.
Inflammatory skin conditions
In some studies, certain cannabinoids demonstrate anti-inflammatory, anti-itch, anti-aging, and anticancer properties. Some experts suggest that these effects occur when the drug interacts with the endocannabinoid system found on the skin.
Some skin conditions that may improve with CBD treatment include:
acne
atopic dermatitis
psoriasis
skin cancer
itchy skin
pain
Cell studies demonstrated that CBD prevented some of the functions of the sebaceous glands that contribute to acne. Researchers need to confirm these results in human studies before doctors can recommend their use.
Neuroprotection
An article in Molecules indicates that animal studies have shown that CBD might offer neuroprotective activity in several neurodegenerative diseases, including:
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
Parkinson’s disease
Huntington’s disease
Alzheimer’s disease
multiple sclerosis (MS)
Researchers suggest that the neuroprotective effects occur from the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of CBD.
In some countries, doctors can prescribe Sativex, a drug that contains THC and CBD, to relieve spasticity in people with MS. Scientists are not sure how it works.
Relief from chemotherapy side effects
An article in the British Journal of Pharmacology indicates that the effect of CBD on nausea and vomiting in animals may have links to its interaction with the serotonin receptors. However, the article concludes that THC appears to have a greater ability to reduce nausea and vomiting than CBD.
In one human study, people with nausea and vomiting induced by chemotherapy experienced relief when taking Sativex, but it is unclear how much of a contribution the CBD provided. Further review is necessary to understand the role of CBD in relieving nausea and vomiting.
WILL CBD MAKE YOU HIGH?
CBD is 100% non-psychoactive, meaning it doesn’t have any mind-altering effects, like THC. The side effects often associated with the high feeling, include mental slowness, drowsiness, or haziness.
Choosing CBD products that are derived from Industrial Hemp will ensure your products have a lower THC content of less than 0.2%. Our high-quality CBD Oils show batch reports to our 3rd party test results, so you can check exactly how much THC is in your products.