CBD: An Overview
CBD: An Overview
CBD is an increasingly popular compound that promises to relieve several symptoms that are well known to almost all of us, such as anxiety, insomnia, pain, inflammation, among others.
Produced naturally by the cannabis plant, CBD has been attracting increasing interest from the scientific community, as it has strong therapeutic potential and no psychoactive effects or relevant side effects.
On this page we intend to explore, in a general way only, some important concepts about CBD, including its origin, the type of products and its action in the body.
Cannabis: a pharmacy inside a plant
Cannabis, a type of plant native to Asia, has been used by humans for thousands of years for its medicinal and recreational properties. In recent years, research into cannabis has grown exponentially, and we are increasingly able to better understand the effects the plant has on our bodies.
The flowers of the cannabis plant are rich in three main groups of compounds: cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids. These compounds are responsible for the plant's medicinal properties.
Cannabinoids
Cannabinoids are a group of substances capable of activating the cannabinoid receptors that exist in the human body. These receptors are part of the endocannabinoid system, which acts to regulate a series of physiological processes in our bodies.
Because they are naturally produced by a plant, these compounds are called phytocannabinoids. The cannabis plant produces more than 100 phytocannabinoids, the best known and most studied of which are cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC is the compound that causes the intoxicating effects associated with recreational cannabis use.
In addition to these, other cannabinoids, such as cannabinol (CBN) and cannabigerol (CBG), are also beginning to be studied for their therapeutic properties.
Terpenes and flavonoids
Terpenes and flavonoids are two classes of aromatic compounds produced naturally by plants. These compounds are present in many of the foods we eat on a daily basis, and are important components of the human diet.
In plants, terpenes and flavonoids are responsible for, among other things, protecting plants against predators or diseases. In humans, some of these compounds have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and analgesic properties.
Hemp or marijuana
Hemp and marijuana are both names that refer to the cannabis plant. The distinction between these two "types" of cannabis is based solely on their THC content, which, as we have already seen, is the compound responsible for the intoxicating effects of cannabis.
Thus, according to the law, plants with a THC content of less than 0.3% are called hemp. On the other hand, plants with a THC content of more than 0.3% are called marijuana.
What is CBD?
CBD is a natural compound produced by the cannabis plant, and is the second most studied phytocannabinoid. CBD products are obtained from hemp plants.
In recent years, CBD has attracted a lot of attention from the scientific community. This interest is largely due to the fact that CBD has been proven to be a very safe substance that does not cause intoxicating effects or addiction.
So far, research has shown that CBD has a number of useful properties in combating various medical conditions, making it an increasingly appealing treatment option.
The composition of CBD products
As we have already seen, cannabis flowers are rich in cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids. Using different extraction techniques and methods, we can obtain a variety of CBD products. According to their cannabinoid content, CBD products can be divided into full spectrum, broad spectrum and isolated categories.
Full spectrum CBD products
In full spectrum products, a complete extract of the hemp plant is used and no compounds are removed from the extract. These products contain all the cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids produced by the plant. THC is also present, but in residual quantities (<0.3%), not enough to produce intoxicating effects.
Broad spectrum CBD products
In broad spectrum CBD products, one or more compounds from the hemp extract are removed and are not present in the final product. Generally, broad spectrum products are products from which only THC has been removed, with the remaining cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids still present.
CBD Isolate
In CBD isolate products, only CBD is present in its pure, isolated form. Isolated CBD can be produced from a hemp extract, from which all the other compounds are removed, or it can be produced in a laboratory.
Entourage effect
Some studies indicate that the beneficial effects of CBD are enhanced when it is administered together with all the other cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids originally present in the plant.
In fact, this interaction between different bioactive compounds seems to enhance the action of each of them, a synergy known as the entourage effect.
Different methods of CBD administration
There are various ways of introducing CBD into our bodies, and different products to achieve this. Each method of consuming CBD has its advantages and disadvantages.
Depending on the problem we want to solve and our personal preference, the type of CBD product we choose should be designed to suit us and our needs.
So let's summarize the main methods of administering CBD.
Oral administration
One of the most popular methods is to swallow CBD oil, capsules or food and drink. This results in lower levels of CBD in the blood, but longer-lasting effects.
Sublingual administration
Also very popular, the sublingual method consists of placing CBD oil under the tongue, where it is absorbed directly into the bloodstream. It results in rapid effects, higher levels of CBD in the blood, and shorter-lasting effects.
Inhalation
It consists of smoking or vaporizing flowers or other CBD products. It results in high levels of CBD in the blood, which decrease very quickly.
Topical administration
It consists of applying CBD products, such as creams, lotions and balms, directly to the skin. Useful above all for relieving local symptoms.
More on CBD administration methods here.
What is the right dose of CBD?
Finding the right dose of CBD is a process that requires some patience. All bodies work differently, so each person will respond differently to different doses of CBD.
Important aspects such as the type and quality of the CBD product, the method of administration, the type and intensity of symptoms, and individual user factors such as weight, age and metabolism will all have an influence on the effective dose for each case.
Depending on a variety of factors and the condition being treated, the CBD dose for most cases could be between 20 and 500 milligrams of CBD per day.
Obviously, this is a considerable range, and will depend on each user's situation. There is already some research into possible effective dosages of CBD, which we talk about in more detail here.
The usual doses of CBD are well below those considered safe. According to data from the World Health Organization (WHO), CBD is a safe substance, with no potential for addiction, and well tolerated by humans even at high doses of 1500 milligrams per day.
How does CBD work in our body?
CBD helps the body stay in balance through its interaction with the endocannabinoid system. Discovered in the 1990s, this complex biological system is present not only in humans, but in almost all animals, vertebrates and invertebrates.
Research shows that the human endocannabinoid system plays a vital role in regulating various physiological processes, such as mood, appetite, sleep, memory, immune activity, pain and stress, among others.
CBD interacts with receptors in the endocannabinoid system, namely the CB1 and CB2 receptors. This interaction affects the activity of the receptors, which alters physiological processes, regulating functions such as those mentioned above.
In addition to the endocannabinoid system, CBD also interacts with other receptors in the human body, such as serotonin receptors, involved in mood regulation, and TRPV1 receptors, involved in pain perception.
