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What is CBD and How Does It Work on the Body?

What is CBD and How Does It Work on the Body?

Posted by Erin Willis on Jan 12th 2022

Discovered more than 80 years ago, CBD is a chemical component only found in the cannabis plant. Out of more than 100 phytocannabinoids discovered, CBD has a significantly broader range of pharmacological activity than any other phytocannabinoid. It's in this context, along with the endocannabinoid system's extensive range of functions anchored by CB1 and CB2 receptors throughout the body, that explains why CBD can influence so many bodily activities. And why there continues to be so much clinical and pre-clinical research focused on its therapeutic potential. If nothing else, CBD's adaptability is evidence of its medical usefulness.

Hemp contains a concentrated amount of cannabinoids located in the female plant's trichomes, the little sugar-looking crystals on the flowers of Cannabis sativa. Alongside a whole array of medicinally rich plant compounds like terpenes and flavonoids that make up cannabis trichomes, cannabinoids are why hemp affects the body (and smells so good, too).

CBD stands for cannabidiol and is one of the more than 113 identified cannabinoids found in the Cannabis sativa plant. In its raw form, it is known as cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), and once heated it goes through a process called decarboxylation which creates CBD.

CBDA + heat = CBD

CBD is considered non-psychoactive because it does not act on the same receptors as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). So it won't get you "high." While THC acts mostly on the CB1 receptor, CBD acts through a variety of different receptor pathways. It affects the uptake of anandamide, a neurotransmitter that helps regulate our bodies' natural endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS is responsible for keeping our bodies in balance and regulates appetite, mood, sleep, and inflammation.

Cannabis sativa contains a myriad of cannabinoids in its flowers, stalks, and roots—including tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabigerol (CBG), cannabidiol (CBD), cannabichromene (CBC), and cannabicyclol (CBL). These compounds are widely known for their therapeutic potential as they interact with the endocannabinoid system.

What are the benefits of CBD?

CBD has been found to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, and neuroprotective effects as it influences the way cells respond to inflammatory signals from outside the body, as well as helps fight oxidative stress. A number of studies have pointed to CBD as beneficial for neurodegenerative disease, inflammatory disease, cancer, and palliative treatment of cancer. CBD has also been shown to be helpful for anxiety, depression, and addiction.

CBD is non-psychoactive, non-addictive, and has few side effects. It is safe to take on its own or in combination with other medications. CBD is available in a variety of forms including oils, tinctures, edibles, capsules, creams, and more.

Due to government regulations, we cannot specifically state the conditions CBD may effect. For more information on the potential benefits of CBD and products like this, we encourage you to continue researching. We know the internet can be a daunting place when researching controversial subjects, so please feel free to reach out with any questions and we can get you pointed in a helpful direction. For starters, we absolutely love and trust ProjectCBD.org.


How do I dose CBD?

CBD brings a colorful variety to the medicinal table. Used in the treatment of various ailments, it is important to remember that individual “dosing” recommendations are difficult to hand out. Small doses of CBD tend to stimulate while larger doses can act as a sedative. It is helpful to think of CBD as a vitamin or supplement, start small, check in with yourself, increase as necessary. Because plant medicine is generally subtle in its effects, Onda is designed to accompany a healthy lifestyle, not replace it.

To visit our official dosing guide, click here --> Onda Dosing Guide


Is CBD legal?

With the passing of the Farm Bill in 2018, hemp derived products can be purchased in all 50 states. Agricultural hemp is rigorously tested and distinguished from medical marijuana as containing a less than 0.3% THC concentration on dry weight basis.

A handful of essential terms to help you understand CBD:

Cannabidiol (CBD) – is a naturally-occurring constituent of the Cannabis sativa plant. Out of more than 113 identified cannabinoids, including THC, CBD is the most abundant non-psychoactive compound found in the Cannabis plant.

Cannabinoid – also called phytocannabinoids are plant-derived chemical compounds secreted by cannabis flowers. The cannabinoid works by imitating compounds our brains naturally produce called endocannabinoids. Specific cannabinoids bind to different receptors in our endocannabinoid system, an expansive and essential receptor system necessary for maintaining homeostasis, or internal balance in response to the external environment.

Endocannabinoids – and their receptors are found throughout the body (e.g. brain, organs, connective tissues, glands, and immune cells). The endocannabinoid system, performs a number of complex actions in our immune system, nervous system, and all of the body’s organs, to form a bridge between body and mind.

The Endocannabinoid System – is a biological system existing in all mammals (including a few insects) that helps regulate body functions such as sleep, reproduction, immune response, appetite, memory, and pain.

Psychoactive – No this is not a clever contraction for that ex who continues to haunt your life in real-time, but a reference to a chemical substance that can change brain function/affect the mind.

Why should you care about CBD?

Because it's medicinal with little to no side effects! Cannabinoids are one of the fastest-growing fields of medical research due to their diverse and wide-ranging applications, such as pain relief and the treatment of serious conditions like multiple sclerosis and cancer.

CBD is merely one cannabinoid among many and research is showing that cannabidiol may be the single most medically useful cannabinoid we know of.

Conclusion

CBD is a non-psychoactive compound found in the Cannabis sativa plant with a wide range of potential medical applications. CBD works by influencing the body's endocannabinoid system, which is responsible for maintaining homeostasis. CBD has been shown to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, and neuroprotective effects, making it a promising compound for the treatment of a variety of conditions.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.

This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.