A quick reminder... what is CBD?
The phytocannabinoid CBD is substance that is extracted from the hemp plant. It is also sometimes referred to as medical cannabis or medical marijuana. However, this can be misleading and can cause people to be wary of CBD products. This is because people often associate CBD with its psychoactive counterpart, THC. Illegal and recreational cannabis, marijuana or 'pot' has a high THC content and this is the substance that gets you 'high'. CBD does not.
CBD has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, as well as therapeutic effects.
It is often described by users as a miracle cure, with sufferers of various conditions finding relief where conventional medicine has failed them. CBD has been reported to help with a number of ailments.
10 benefits and uses of CBD
1. Neuropathic pain/Chronic pain
2. Cancer/Cancer related symptoms
3. Acne
4. Alzheimer's disease
5. Parkinsons
6. Multiple sclerosis
7. Arthritis
8. Anxiety and depression
9. Insomnia
10. Epilepsy (such as lennox-gastaut syndrome and dravet syndrome)
There is a certain resistance to the acceptance of CBD in the medical world, although we are unsure why. Perhaps the stigma attached to it is still too great, or perhaps there isn't a great deal of monetary value in it for pharmacutical companies. Whatever the reason, due to the success stories reported from users, CBD has taken the world by storm.
We are certainly seeing more positive reactions towards CBD - noteably in America, where more and more polititians are voting in favour of legalising medical cannabis. We keep our fingers crossed for progress in the coming years. In the meantime, we'll keep sharing those success stories!
The effect of CBD on nerve receptors
Cannabinoids can have very different pharmacological effects. The best known cannabinoids are (and apologies in advance for loads of acronyms!) THC, THCV and CBD. But other cannabinoids, such as CBG, CBC, CBN or CBL, are also receiving increasing attention for potential medical use.
Surprisingly, although the hemp plant has been used as a medicinal and food product for centuries, medical research on cannabinoids is still in its infancy.
When the effects of THC on the body were first researched in the 1940s, nerve receptors were discovered. THC connects to these in order to develop their typical psychoactive effects. The most important cannabinoid receptors, which are primarily found in the central nervous system, are called Cannabinoid 1 (CB1) and Cannabinoid 2 (CB2).
CBD also connects to nerve receptors. However, it has no psychoactive effect.
The endocannabinoid system
To really understand how CBD works in the body, you have to take a closer look at the endocannabinoid system (ECS).
The ECS influences the nervous system by regulating various processes in the body. This works via neurotransmitters (i.e. messenger substances), with which information is exchanged between nerve receptors.
In this way, the ECS controls the development and transmission of sensations such as fear, pain, love, joy or restlessness.
How does CBD work? The endocannabinoid system can be influenced by chemical or vegetable substances such as CBD. CBD docks on receptors of the nervous system and can thus regulate body processes decisively.
CBD and receptors
The "communication" between the nerve cells takes place via messenger substances. If the body gets out of balance, messenger substances are released. Here CBD can regulate the exchange of information.
The process can be compared to an electrical circuit: the transmitter transmits a messenger substance that the receptor receives. CBD can interrupt the "circuit" on the transmitter, on the receptor or on the go.
For example, pain can be alleviated by blocking the receptor. So even if pain is transmitted via a messenger substance, the receptor cannot receive this message. In a similar fashion, CBD can regulate the following receptors:
- CB1 receptor: These are located in the brain and intestines. They influence physical feelings like pain, emotions like fear and stress, and also learning processes and the musculoskeletal system.
- CB2 receptor: The CB2 receptors are located in the bone cells and are involved in the healing processes of some bone and nerve diseases.
Similarly, CBD (and other substances) can enhance the transmission of messages around the body. In this manner, CBD can regulate additional receptors, such as:
- Vanilloid receptors (types 1 and 2): CBD stimulates these receptors and can thus contribute to an analgesic effect (Bisogno et al. 2001). The proliferation of brain tumour cells can also be inhibited.
- HT1A serotonin receptor: This is responsible for the acceptance of serotonin, the "happiness hormone". It affects depression but also learning skills.
By docking to receptors, CBD can animate the natural healing process and can support natural balance (homeostasis) through its diverse modes of action.
How long and how quickly does CBD work in the body?
How long and how quickly CBD works for depends on the quality of the cbd product, the type of consumption, the dosage and the physical conditions. Typically, the effects can last between 4-8 hours.
When smoking CBD crystals or vaping CBD liquid, the CBD gets directly into the blood through the lungs and works almost immediately.
You can also take CBD as a dietary supplement, for example as tea, gummy bears or chocolate. The duration of action may vary depending on whether it is taken on an empty or full stomach. Others CBD products are also available, such as topical creams and balms. In fact, as the world of CBD expands, the range of products is become quite impressive, and sometimes bizarre! Always check the ingredients and the amount of CBD - some of these products can be gimmicks and sometimes contain no CBD at all.
When eaten, it can take around 1 hour for the effects of CBD to be felt. Although it takes longer to feel the effect, the advantage of eating or drinking CBD is that the effect can last the longest, typically between 6-8 hours.
Ingestion may also be better for people who don't like the somewhat bitter taste of CBD oil under the tongue.
Does CBD cause any side effects?
One of the many benefits of CBD, is that the side effects reported are relatively few and minor. This is especially in comparison to some conventional medications that have have quite drastic and unwanted effects. For example, the medication such as opioid painkillers, antidepressants or anti-psychotics
Even so, side effects do get reported. Here are some of the more common ones:
- Fatigue or drowsiness- subjects sometimes report a slightly sedative effect.
- Diarrhoea - after consuming very high amounts of CBD oil, indigestion has been reported sporadically.
- Appetite - there have been isolated reports of a change in appetite.
- Slight dizziness or light-headedness - CBD oil can cause a temporary small drop in blood pressure.
- Dry mouth - as with other cannabinoids, saliva production can be temporarily reduced. The mouth can feel dry and cause thirst.
- Increased tremor in Parkinson's patients - early studies suggest that CBD oil could worsen tremor and muscle movement in people with Parkinson's disease.
- Inhibition of P540 enzymes - important for possible interactions with certain drugs.
- Intraocular pressure for those with glaucoma - people with glaucoma should avoid CBD oil as it may increase intraocular pressure.
How does CBD work best?
The CBD works best when it gets directly into the bloodstream. This can be done intravenously or through the mucous membranes. In both cases, the effects begin almost immediately or within a few minutes. If you are a CBD newbie, do take care with the amount of CBD you start with. It is always best to start with a low dose and work your way up. Sometimes it takes a little trial and error to find the product and the dosage for you that's right for you.
CBD oil
CBD oil is sold in small bottles or tinctures, which are usually equipped with a pipette. So you can dose the CBD oil drop by drop.
According to our experience, CBD oil gets the best effect under the tongue (sublingual). The appropriate dosage is applied directly from the bottle with the pipette under the tongue.
If you have any difficulties with this, you can also use a spoon, which must then be pushed under the tongue, although this is quite unusual for the layperson.
The CBD oil is obtained from CO2 extraction and is sold under the names full spectrum oil or full oil. In addition to CBD, the full spectrum of CBD oil also contains other cannabinoids as well as phenols, terpenes, vitamins and minerals.
The advantage of full spectrum CBD oils is the potential health benefits of the entourage effect, whereby the components interact with each other to provide a benefit greater than the individual components.
CBD tea
The effect of CBD tea takes longer to kick in in comparison to taking CBD via the bloodstream, since the active ingredients still have to pass through the intestinal wall or the liver metabolism.
Depending on the nature and dosage, around an hour can pass before the effects of CBD tea begin to be felt.
In our experience, the effect of CBD as tea is comparable to the effect of other CBD food supplements, such as capsules or gummy bears.
However, experience has shown that CBD has a slightly longer effect on food intake than when it is taken sublingually.
CBD liquid for vaping and CBD crystals for smoking
The CBD when smoking works almost immediately. Because the CBD gets directly into the bloodstream via the mucous membranes.
Alternatively, you can try a CBD liquid. Vaping the CBD will reduce the toxins from smoking.
How does CBD affect THC?
In contrast to THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) CBD is not psychoactive or intoxicating. Whereas CBD achieves its affect by docking with receptors and inhibiting or encouraging signals being passed, THC achieves its intoxicating effect by docking onto the CB1 and CB2 receptors and passing on its own substances. The way THC works is similar to the body's own messenger substance anandamide.
The interaction of CBD with THC has not yet been fully researched scientifically. However, there is already some scientific evidence of pharmacological interactions.
There are indications that THC with CBD releases the happiness hormone serotonin. A combination of THC and CBD could improve memory impairment, according to one study. This combination could also suppress vomiting.
There are also indications of possible positive interactions in other areas. For example, CBD could counteract the appetite-stimulating effects of THC.
