Cannabidiol (CBD)

Cannabidiol, often referred to by its acronym CBD, is a naturally occurring compound found in the resinous flower of cannabis, a plant with a rich history as a medicine going back thousands of years. Today, the therapeutic properties of CBD are being tested and confirmed by scientists and doctors around the world. A safe, non-addictive substance, CBD is one of more than a hundred “phytocannabinoids,” which are unique to cannabis and endow the plant with its robust therapeutic profile. CBD is closely related to another important medicinally active phytocannabinoid: tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the compound that causes the high that cannabis is famous for. These are the two components of cannabis that have been most studied by scientists. Unlike THC, CBD does not make a person feel “stoned” or intoxicated. That’s because CBD and THC act in different ways on different receptors in the brain and body. CBD can actually lessen or neutralize the psychoactive effects of THC, depending on how much of each compound is consumed. Many people want the health benefits of cannabis without the high – or with less of a high. The fact that CBD is therapeutically potent as well as non-intoxicating, and easy to take as a CBD oil, makes it an appealing treatment option for those who are cautious about trying cannabis for the first time. CBD has been the subject of a lot of discussion and research over the past few years. As research continues, it is likely that the vast number of benefits ascribed to CBD will continue to grow. The variety of ways CBD can be consumed—tinctures, topicals, edibles, capsules, and inhalation methods—reflects its versatile nature and the diverse preferences and needs of users. Given its relatively safe profile and wide range of purported medical applications, CBD has gained significant attention and is poised to be a promising therapeutic agent for a variety of conditions, potentially including anxiety, epilepsy, inflammation, pain, and more.