About CBD

CBD or cannabidiol is just one of over 85 cannabinoids discovered so far in the different types of cannabis, including marijuana and hemp. CBD is present in more significant quantities in hemp than marijuana, and because it is non-psychoactive, CBD is widely regarded as the cannabinoid with the most health potential by researchers. We suggest you do your own research on CBD and cannabinoids.

Cannabidiol is one of the most exciting cannabinoids — natural compounds found in cannabis — that we are aware of today. Also known as CBD, cannabidiol is transforming from a little-known molecule, to a potential breakthrough nutritional component and treatment.

Cannabidiol (CBD) is found throughout the seeds, stalk and flowers of cannabis plants — including hemp and marijuana. Unlike many of the 85+ cannabinoids that we are aware of, cannabidiol occurs naturally in significant quantities in cannabis, so it is relatively easily extracted from the plant.

Studies have shown that cannabidiol is not psychoactive the way THC — the well-known high inducing molecule found in marijuana — is.

Additionally, cannabidiol (CBD) has been shown in a patent by the US National Institutes of Health to have significant antioxidant and neuroprotective properties, suggesting that it could be a potential treatment for neurological disorders.

WHERE IS CANNABIDIOL FOUND?

Cannabidiol is produced in 2 ways:

1. Naturally, in the cannabis plant. Cannabidiol can be found in both hemp and marijuana varieties of cannabis. The main functional difference between hemp and marijuana is the level of THC. Marijuana is grown specifically to contain significant levels of THC – usually for recreational use, while hemp has only trace amounts of THC. CBD found naturally in hemp is also legal in the United States (like all other hemp imports), while CBD from marijuana is federally illegal in the United States, though state-by-state legalization is occurring rapidly.
2. Cannabidiol can also be produced synthetically in a laboratory. However, synthetically produced cannabidiol is a regulated substance, and possession of it is legal outside of few specialized circumstances.

CANNABIDIOL PRODUCTS

With the growth in demand for medical marijuana for health reasons, and the legalization movement lagging behind, millions of people are looking for alternative sources of cannabidiol. Because CBD is also a natural ingredient found in hemp, which is legal, the popularity of CBD hemp oil supplements and topicals has skyrocketed.

CBD hemp oil products have already been available on the mainstream market for a several years now. These include nutritional supplements like daily capsules and drops, gums, and high concentration extracts. Additionally, CBD is being used to enhance many skin and beauty products, including everything from shampoos to skin creams.

THE FUTURE OF CANNABIDIOL

Thousands of studies have shown the wide array of potential benefits that cannabidiol may have. As regulators and lawmakers begin to take notice and create meaningful reform, cannabidiol will become a mainstream ingredient in all kinds of common products.

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid found in marijuana, and science has given it close attention in recent years for its potential in treating a wide variety of medical conditions. In 2015 the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) stated that “pre-clinical research (including both cell culture and animal models) has shown CBD to have a range of effects that may be therapeutically useful,” and research continues to explore exactly how CBD benefits us. We've highlighted five ways science is showing how CBD can improve our health - but this is just the tip of the iceberg.

Anti-Tumor Properties
The 2015 NIDA article also states “several pre-clinical reports showing anti-tumor effects of CBD...have found reduced [cancer] cell viability, increased cancer cell death, decreased tumor growth, and inhibition of metastasis.” In December of 2016, The National Cancer Institute (NCI) reported CBD - and other cannabinoids - to be “protective effect against the development of certain types of tumors,” including breast, colon, pancreatic, and lung cancers.

Anti-Anxiety Properties
The NCI further reported that “animal studies have shown CBD to have anxiolytic properties...these anxiolytic properties are mediated through unknown mechanisms,” which basically means CBD calms feelings of anxiety, we just don't know how - yet. Also, CBD does not cause the cerebral “high” that can bring on anxiety in some cannabis users (tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, does that), and there is some evidence that shows CBD actually counteracts some of the anxious feelings brought on by THC.

Anti-Seizure/Anti-Convulsion Properties
The anecdotal evidence surrounding the efficacy of CBD in treating a range of seizure and convulsive disorders is astounding, and a January 2017 article in Neurology Today states that, “several animal studies and both randomized and open-label studies have found that cannabidiol oil (CBD) shows promise in treating seizure disorders, but questions remain about proper dosages to apply, the potential for adverse effects, and the drug-drug interactions with other antiepileptic drugs (AEDS).”

Antioxidant Properties
The United States Government Patent #6,630,507 states that “cannabinoids have been found to have antioxidant properties, unrelated to NMDA receptor antagonism,” and that this attribute “makes cannabinoids useful in the treatment and prophylaxis of wide variety of oxidation associated diseases, such as ischemic, age-related, inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.” The Patent says CBD acts by “preventing or treating diseases caused by oxidative stress,” and like other cannabinoids can “easily penetrate tissues, giving them the ability to enter the central nervous system and brain.”

Neuroprotective Properties
The NIDA notes that CBD has “shown to have neuroprotective properties in cell cultures as well as in animal models of several neurodegenerative diseases,” including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), and neurodegeneration caused by alcohol abuse. In 2016, a research team in China reported that “CBD had been shown to reverse the reduction in neuronal viability and the increased excitoxicity, inflammation, and oxidative stress” and the aforementioned U.S. patent states that “cannabinoids are found to have particular application as neuroprotectants, for example in limiting neurological damage following ischemic insults, such a stroke and trauma, or in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and HIV dementia.”

By Melissa Sherrard | Mar 6, 2017 |

For original article please visit: https://www.civilized.life/articles/5-ways-cbd-improves-health/