What is CBD?
CBD. It seems that nearly everyone is talking about it. But, what is it and why should we care?
CBD (Cannabidiol) is a cannabis compound that potentially has significant medical benefits. However, before we go any further, we need to clear up the confusion around hemp, and marijuana (slang term).
Because they belong to the Cannabis family, it’s common to confuse them unless you know why they are different. Hemp is entirely different from marijuana in its function, cultivation, and application.
Hemp Vs. Marijuana
The easiest way to tell is the THC content. If it contains less than 0.3% THC, it is classified as hemp. Hemp is legal for academic and educational purpose according to federal law. What we commonly refer to as cannabis or medical marijuana has THC levels above 0.3% and can have levels of up to 15-30%.
That is a decidedly significant difference. THC is the psychoactive compound of cannabis—it’s the compound that makes people feel “stoned.” Without the higher levels of THC, there are no psychoactive effects for you.
Hemp also has a wide variety of other applications that marijuana does not. These include healthy dietary supplements, skin products, clothing, and accessories.
Overall, hemp is known to have over 25,000 possible applications.
CBD and Full Spectrum Hemp oils, like the one we use, can also contain ZERO amounts of THC. That’s important for first responders, athletes, or anyone that wants 100% confidence they’re consuming not consuming THC.
Also, hemp products such as hemp seed and hemp oil are legal all across the U.S when sold as a dietary supplement.
Benefits of CBD oil
There are many possible benefits to using CBD because of how it works in the body. CBD oil works with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS), to increase homeostasis (balance) across numerous systems in the body.
Cannabinoids act on receptors located in our cells as part of the ECS and alter the release of neurotransmitters from body organs, including the brain.
Scientific and clinical research—much of it sponsored by the US government—suggests that CBD (Cannabidiol – a cannabis compound) has potentially significant medical benefits for a wide range of conditions.
It has been used successfully by people looking for relief from inflammation, pain, anxiety, mood disorders, sleep disorders, seizures, and spasms and other conditions, including but not limited to, arthritis, diabetes, alcoholism, MS, chronic pain, schizophrenia, PTSD, depression, antibiotic-resistant infections, epilepsy, and other neurological disorders.
It also has demonstrable neuroprotective and neurogenic effects, and its anti-cancer properties are currently under evaluation at several academic research centers in the US and around the world. Further evidence also suggests that CBD is safe even at high doses.
Why Full-Spectrum Hemp Oil Is So Important
Full-spectrum hemp oil refers to pure hemp oil that retains all of the same cannabinoids found in the original hemp plant.
This diversity allows the cannabinoids to work together as intended in what is known as the entourage effect. In addition to the variety of cannabinoids, full-spectrum hemp oil can also contain many essential vitamins and minerals, fatty acids, fiber, protein, chlorophyll, flavonoids, and terpenes.
Most of us recognize most of those terms, but the last two may be new to you. Flavonoids are antioxidants that exhibit significant anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, and diastolic effects. They can also strengthen the immune system and facilitate the absorption of vitamins. Terpenes contribute to a plant’s flavor, scent, and color.
These compounds are the main ingredient in essential oils. They are used in food additives, perfumery and aromatherapy. Some even have potential medicinal properties such as fighting bacteria, fungus, and environmental stress.
Full-Spectrum hemp oil is entirely different from isolated or synthetic cannabinoids. As a dietary supplement, the value of hemp oil extends far beyond just being a source of CBD.
The cannabinoids work synergistically in the entourage effect within the ECS to provide their balancing effects. Additionally, the variety of nutrients present in the hemp oil help to fill the gaps in our deficient modern diets.
Want To Know More?
After watching the documentary, The Sacred Plant, a few months ago, Tracy and I began to research hemp and CBD looking for a source that we could trust. We believe we have found it and began testing it out.
The results we have seen for ourselves and the stories we are getting from family members, friends and clients who have tried it out are nothing short of amazing. To learn more about the product we are using click HERE.
Sources: Project CBD
