What Does CBD Stand for in Weed and Why Is it Popular?

CBD is one of the most prominent wellness trends of the 21st century. This compound has a number of incredible benefits, which means you can find it just about everywhere, from dietary supplements to pet treats. Even though it’s grabbed the headlines, not many people know what CBD exactly is and what it’s capable of. In this post, we’re going to shed some light on CBD and its supposedly miraculous properties.

What Is CBD Exactly?

So what does CBD stand for in weed? CBD stands for cannabidiol, a chemical compound naturally occurring in the hemp plant. Hemp belongs to the cannabis family, which is why many people confuse it with marijuana. Hemp and marijuana are relatives indeed, but products extracted from these plans boast different properties.

CBD oil derived from hemp won’t get you high. While it’s not completely free of psychoactive components, the amount is basically nonexistent. Hemp-obtained CBD oils available on the market feature no more than 0.3% of mind-altering substances.

Besides hemp, CBD oil is found in marijuana, and this type of product is a little bit trickier. Along with absolutely legal cannabidiol, it features tetrahydrocannabinol (abbreviated as THC) and this compound is psychotropic. Unlike hemp-derived CBD, you won’t find marijuana-grade products at gas stations or pharmacies.

Types of CBD Oil

We won’t touch CBD obtained from marijuana because it’s a prescription medication. Instead, we’ll focus on hemp-derived products since they are legal and ubiquitous.

CBD oil obtained from whole-plant hemp without any altering is called full-spectrum. In addition to cannabidiol, it has an array of naturally occurring components such as fatty acids, proteins, trace elements, vitamins, terpenes, and many others. It will also feature some THC but in microscopic doses. Full-spectrum CBD is considered the most potent because its components create the so-called entourage effect, i.e. they mutually enhance each other.

Even though THC comes in harmless amounts, not everybody likes the idea of consuming intoxicating compounds. If your work demands you to pass urine-screening, you surely don’t want it to find any traces of illegal substances. In this situation, it makes sense to use broad-spectrum CBD. The only difference between full- and broad-spectrum products is that the latter is deprived of THC.

The final type of CBD products is called isolate. It features no components originated from hemp except cannabidiol. Due to the lack of the entourage effect, CBD isolate is less effective than broad- and full-spectrum counterparts.

What is CBD Oil Capable of?

One of the integral parts of the human body is the endocannabinoid system. It’s present practically everywhere – in the brain, peripheral nervous system, thyroid, liver, etc. Its receptors resemble the molecules of CBD, which is why the hemp derivative has a beneficial effect on the endocannabinoid system in particular and the whole body in general.

Numerous studies have shown that CBD is able to stimulate cognitive activity as well as improve memory, motor skills, and the conduction of signals from the brain to the nervous system. CBD supplements are often prescribed to people with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases to slow-down cognition degradation processes. Besides that, CBD oil is one of the components of the FDA-approved Epidiolex, the drug used to treat epilepsy and seizures.

Despite having little to none mind-altering properties, CBD has a calming effect on the nervous system. It helps compose oneself, tame anxiety, promote healthy sleep, relieve stress, and reduce nervous tension. On top of that, clinical tests show that CBD has the potential to treat psychosis, schizophrenia, and even opiate addictions.

More often than not, CBD medications are recommended to people who suffer from acute and chronic pains. With a proven anti-inflammatory effect, cannabidiol promotes the healing of muscle injuries and alleviates arthritis symptoms. It even appears to be effective in reducing pain associated with cancer treatment.

Last but not least, the nutrient-rich composition of cannabidiol oil promotes general well-being. As a dietary supplement, it delivers a healthy dose of minerals, vitamins, and other vital substances. Whether you take it orally or sublingually, it’s able to noticeably improve skin condition, reduce acne, speed up metabolism, and boost the level of energy.