People who are unfamiliar with cannabis might have heard some of the benefits of CBD, but steer clear of it due to the stigma that cannabis holds. They don’t want to get high, fail a drug test, or be labeled a “stoner”. CBD comes from the hemp plant and contains less than .3% of the psychoactive compound, THC. The marijuana plant can contain up to 30% or more THC, and it is the THC that makes you “high.” The hemp plant is a cousin of the marijuana plant, but the two are very different and we’ll explain why.
So, What is CBD and Why is it So Popular?
CBD possesses various beneficial properties, such as anti-anxiety and anti-inflammatory properties without any psychoactive effects. Thus, it has become one of the leading applications of hemp in the US. Researchers believe that all the natural compounds found in hemp work together to produce the “entourage effect.” In simpler words, a trace amount of THC (the .3% or less found in hemp) could enhance the effect of CBD without getting you high.
What’s the Difference?
CBD
As you have probably gathered from above, CBD is not psychoactive, meaning it will not get you high! You read that right, CBD will not get you high. So, what’s the point of using CBD? CBD has been known to help reduce anxiety, pain, and inflammation. It can also help with epilepsy and seizure disorders. Though more research is needed, there’s evidence to suggest that CBD can help with Crohn’s disease, PTSD, multiple sclerosis, and opioid withdrawal. CBD can also help lower the effects of THC, so if you use them together, you’ll get less of the psychoactive (high) effects of THC.
THC
The big difference – THC has psychoactive effects and will get you high. The benefits of THC can include an increase in appetite, relaxation and euphoria, and increased sensation. While CBD has mild side effects (such as nausea and fatigue), THC can cause paranoia, anxiety, dry mouth, and difficulty concentrating, which CBD can help reduce.
Why Use CBD?
There are many reasons people have found CBD useful for:
Anxiety Relief
During this stressful time, many have found that CBD can help manage anxiety. Researchers think it may change the way your brain’s receptors respond to serotonin, a compound that is a neurotransmitter to the brain. The stress reduction in the brain decreases the psychological effects of anxiety, which calms and relaxes the body and mind.
Anti-Seizure
Studies from the University of California have shown excellent results in helping patients with epilepsy.
Pain Relief
The effects of CBD on your brain’s receptors have been shown to help manage pain. Studies have shown that CBD in combination with marijuana can offer some benefits when taken after chemotherapy treatments. Other preclinical studies sponsored by the National Institutes of Health are also looking at the role of CBD in relieving symptoms caused by arthritis, chronic pain, and muscle pain.
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