What Does CBD Stand For? | How Does CBD Work?

CBD is an acronym for Cannabidiol, a naturally occurring phytocannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. It is one out of a hundred phytocannabinoids, also known as "cannabinoids," found in the cannabis plant.

Where does CBD come from?

CBD is a cannabinoid that can strictly be found in the Cannabis plant. The two main strains of the cannabis plant that you might be familiar with are Marijuana and Industrial Hemp.

Marijuana (Cannabis Indica) is famous worldwide as the strain of Cannabis that gets you high. The reason that is possible is due to the high concentration of THC naturally found in the plant.

THC or Tetrahydrocannabinol is the phytocannabinoid that primarily attaches to the CB1 (cannabinoid receptor type 1), which is found in the brain.

THC, when taken internally, can cause hallucinations, altered sense of time, a desire to eat, impaired body movement, memory loss, and difficulty thinking.

There are also positive benefits of taking THC. THC can help reduce nausea, improve comfort levels, reduce inflammation, and reduce unhealthy mood levels.

Industrial hemp (Cannabis Sativa) is well known for its high concentration of CBD. Industrial hemp was a popular crop back in the 1700s.

Hemp was used to make rope, clothes, and other textiles. Industrial Hemp is grown today for the sole purpose of gathering CBD and other cannabinoids.

 

How does CBD work?

When CBD is taken orally, the body absorbs the CBD, and our endocannabinoid system processes it.

The endocannabinoid system syncs with our body's nervous system to distribute CBD to CB1 and CB2 receptors primarily found in the brain, organs, immune system, and tissues.

Cannabinoids like CBD interact with these receptors to produce both physiological and psychological effects.

The endocannabinoid system primarily responds to endogenous cannabinoids (those produced naturally in the human body).

Only recently has science confirmed that this system also responds to external cannabinoids such as CBD.

Interestingly, CBD can influence certain endogenous cannabinoids by heightening their natural benefits.

 

What is the Endocannabinoid System?

Take anandamide, for example, the first endocannabinoid to be identified by scientists. Anandamide is a naturally occurring cannabinoid that plays a role in pleasure and motivation.

CBD creates higher levels of anandamide through inhibition of the enzyme Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase (FAAH). The reduced rate of anandamide breakdown by FAAH results in higher levels of the cannabinoid in the brain.

The CB1 and CB2 receptors are still a very new discovery by modern scientific standards, with knowledge of their existence first appearing in 1990 and 1993, respectively.

CB1 receptors are located throughout the body, but more so in the brain and spinal cord, while CB2 receptors are found mostly in the nervous system, with only a few in the brain.

A common misconception is that CBD "binds" to cannabinoid receptors in the brain. This isn't accurate, as CBD indirectly affects these receptors (CB1 and CB2) by activating others that assist bodily functions.

It's interesting to note that THC binds to CB1 and CB2 receptors, thereby stimulating dopamine, resulting in a euphoric high.

 

The Entourage Effect

CBD and THC are remarkably similar, having the same chemical formula but with different atoms. This slight variance in structure gives THC its psychoactive properties.

While THC and CBD have therapeutic effects, CBD's non-psychoactive nature makes it more accessible and acceptable.

Despite this, numerous studies indicate an "entourage effect" whereby THC and CBD, among other cannabinoids, work together to enhance their overall effectiveness.

This is why whole plant or Full Spectrum oils contain a minuscule amount of THC and tend to be popular.

One of the more interesting examples of CBD/THC interactivity is curbing the psychoactive effects of THC by CBD, as reported by some users.

While more research is needed in this area, anecdotal evidence suggests that coupling a high dose of THC with CBD can mitigate unwanted adverse side effects.

Now that we understand how CBD works. What are the benefits of CBD?

What are the benefits of CBD?

The top five reasons an individual uses CBD are aiding in discomfort, reducing inflammation, lowering unhealthy mood symptoms, and assisting with sleep.

All other uses of CBD can be tied back to these five topics. To learn more, click here.

 

What CBD product is right for you?

After reading through the article this far, if CBD sounds like something you feel you might benefit from, it's important to find a CBD product that best meets that need.

Not all cannabis products are created equal, and what works for one person may not work for another.

The effectiveness of CBD can depend on a few factors like age, gender, weight, and height. CBD comes in various forms like oil tinctures, edibles, capsules, or topicals.

Tinctures tend to be the most effective due to the application method of inserting the oil under the tongue. This method is effective because the CBD is quickly absorbed by the blood vessels under the tongue.

Make sure to purchase a CBD strength that best meets the needs of your body. The CBD strength on the front of the bottle lets you know how much CBD is in the entire bottle.

Make sure to know what the per serving strength is before purchasing. If you purchase a product that delivers a minimal amount, it may not be enough to meet your needs.

Click here to learn more about picking the right CBD product.

 

Sum it up!

So, what does CBD stand for? The term CBD stands for Cannabidiol. Cannabidiol is one of the many phytocannabinoids found in the cannabis plant.

How does CBD work? CBD works with our endocannabinoid system to assist our body in different ways. The most common is assistance with discomfort, mood, and sleep.

Why you should choose Zatural

Zatural sells a collection of CBD and Hemp products that a Naturopathic doctor crafted. Each product has therapeutic benefits that can assist in increasing your overall health and wellness.

Each product is made in a GMP-compliant facility and is free from harmful fillers and additives.

For educational purposes only FDA DISCLAIMER

*FDA DISCLAIMER -These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA.