Cannabidiol is the non-psychoactive molecule in cannabis, with relaxing, anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving abilities: here is a brief guide to its many uses and healing properties.
CBD, or cannabidiol, is the second most abundant substance found in Cannabis: it is non-psychoactive, non-addictive, and has a wide range of therapeutic applications.
Many people are beginning to appreciate CBD and its benefits, and several scientific studies are carrying out research on its effects and possible applications. There is growing interest from the scientific community in CBD’s therapeutic potential; it has already been used in several studies to treat numerous health issues and is now recognized among the main elements of “Therapeutic Cannabis.”
CBD vs. THC: the differences
Cannabis, or hemp, is an angiosperm plant belonging to the Cannabaceae family and consists of several elements, most notably the so-called cannabinoid substances namely THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol).
THC is the psychoactive element that causes feelings of euphoria, relaxation, and spatiotemporal perception in the user, and, within the body, binds to CB1 receptors, the stimulation of which accounts for the euphoric effects of cannabinoids but also their antiemetic, antioxidant, hypotensive, immunosuppressive, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antispasmodic, and appetite-stimulating action.
CBD, on the other hand, is a nonpsychoactive cannabinoid and acts in a diametrically opposite manner: it binds to CB2 receptors, which are found on T cells of the immune system and at the level of the central nervous system. Stimulation of CB2 receptors seems to be mainly responsible for the anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory action of cannabinoids.
Simply put then, THC alters the mind, while CBD stimulates healing, enabling the treatment of anxiety, psychosis, memory lapses, and disorders such as epilepsy and schizophrenia. Because it produces no psychotropic effects, CBD is legal in most countries around the world.
What is the best way to take CBD?
Different types of CBD oil products can be found on the market, obtained depending on the extraction technique used. It is important to note that the starting plant material used to produce CBD extracts belongs to cannabis varieties listed in the European Community Register and approved for cultivation for industrial use. These extracts, from which THC is removed, are then monitored to assess both the qualitative and quantitative aspects of cannabinoids and their microbiological characteristics.
CBD oil
CBD oil is available in various concentrations, and its strong point is its versatility of use. To obtain CBD oil, the extract is diluted with hemp seed oil-this solution will allow, therefore, the various types of oils on the market. It can be taken sublingually, added to the foods and drinks we consume daily, or ingested in capsule form. The effects of CBD oil are felt more quickly when it is taken sublingually. This intake technique ensures very precise and consistent dosages and allows the desired effects to be achieved in an extremely short time (5 to 20 minutes), as CBD is directly absorbed by the bloodstream in the sublingual tissue. Gel capsules are the alternative to oil that avoids bad taste and waste or overdose, each capsule having a standard CBD content. Compared to the sublingual technique, capsule ingestion takes a few minutes longer to take effect, but it remains a popular method used by people with more delicate palates.
CBD Crystals
Crystals are the purest form of cannabidiol (CBD): to obtain them, CBD extracts undergo various stages of processing and refining, which gradually lead to increasing purity in the final product. Once the 80% purity threshold of CBD within the extract is exceeded, it begins to solidify or, using the specific term, crystallize. The refining process continues until everything other than pure cannabidiol is removed, resulting in a final extract that is 99 percent pure and above.
E-liquid
CBD can be taken as a liquid inside an electronic cigarette. Inhaling vapors allows you to avoid the dangers associated with smoking and combustion processes and is an effective way to quickly absorb cannabinoids, the effects of which are almost instantaneous: you will almost immediately be able to achieve greater relaxation and pain-related symptoms are drastically reduced.
Topical products and cosmetics
The use of topical CBD products is indicated for people suffering from painful and/or chronic conditions such as arthritis: they can be found in the form of ointments, balms, or lotions and are directly applied to affected areas to provide pain relief and reduce inflammation. CBD is also increasingly used in cosmetics: creams, balms and after-sun ointments thus become even more effective, thanks to CBD’s adjuvant power in the action of the other nutrients in the product from Mind My Business NYC.
