Cannabidiol (CBD) is a compound found in cannabis that has been gaining attention for its potential to benefit the brain. Research has revealed that CBD increases body levels of glutamate and serotonin, helping to control brain function and mood. It also plays a role in learning and memory, and creating homeostasis in these neurotransmitters appears to help alleviate depression and could further stimulate brain function. Contrary to popular belief, CBD does not interact with cannabinoid receptors, but instead stimulates the endocannabinoid system to produce more of its own cannabinoids and delays their breakdown.
In contrast, Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) binds to the CB1 and CB2 receptors, activating them and changing a person's thinking, memory, pleasure, perception of pain and concentration. These effects contribute to what we describe as a marijuana high. A study involving 47 people with multiple sclerosis looked at the effects of taking Sativex for one month and found improvements in pain, ability to walk, and muscle spasms. CBD isn't the only cannabinoid that can help people with neurological diseases.
Its psychoactive counterpart, THC, has also been shown to affect the brain in different ways, although not all of them are positive. As a general rule, CBD works best in combination with THC and other cannabinoids such as cannabigerol (CBG) and cannabinol (CBN), which is known as the entourage effect. Beginner CBD users can start with as little as 5 milligrams (mg) of CBD per day, while more experienced users can take up to 100 mg per day or potentially even more.CBD oil is made by extracting CBD from the cannabis plant and then diluting it with a carrier oil such as coconut oil or hemp seed oil. A study involving healthy volunteers found that taking repeated doses of CBD reduced arterial stiffness and improved blood flow through the arteries compared to a placebo group.
Strains high in CBD tend to mitigate the effects of THC, allowing you to enjoy the benefits of marijuana without disruption.Research investigating the effects of CBD on certain conditions is ongoing and much remains to be learned about its potential uses. Other studies have found that CBD can be useful in reducing several psychiatric and medical symptoms such as anxiety, insomnia and pain in patients with substance use disorders, indicating that it may be an effective treatment for opioid addiction. It's common to adjust CBD doses, and the amount of CBD that feels good today may change in the near future.The researchers concluded that with subsequent studies, CBD could have significant benefits when used in patients with diabetes, diabetic complications, and plaque buildup on arterial walls. When it comes to understanding how CBD achieves its effects, research on epilepsy probably provides the most information given that research has been done to the point where the FDA agreed to approve a drug containing CBD for treatment.Although many people think of THC when they think of marijuana, CBD is becoming more popular because of its many health benefits.
In addition to this mechanism which can help CBD improve symptoms of epilepsy, it has been shown to have many other effects that could help with other diseases and disorders as well as improve overall health.Scientists are looking at possible ways in which CBD can be used for health and wellness purposes so they cannot yet fully explain how the substance can confer benefits that have been widely reported anecdotally. When THC and CBD work together they create what is called an “entourage effect” which complements each other with their benefits and potency.Because CBD lacks the capacity for intoxication and because tolerance to it develops at a slow rate, it is increasingly considered to be an advantageous substance to use therapeutically.
