What is cannabidiol (CBD);

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a chemical compound coming from a cannabis plant. It is one of over 85 compounds detected in cannabis, known as cannabinoids. It worths highlighting that the United States Department of Health and Human Services holds a patent entitled  “Cannabinoids as Antioxidants and Neuroprotectants” which claimed that “Non-psychoactive cannabinoids, such as cannabidiol, are particularly advantageous to use because they avoid toxicity that is encountered with psychoactive cannabinoids at high doses useful in the method of the present invention“.

Cannabinoids that can be consumed (phytocannabinoids) or produced naturally in our body (endocannabinoids) are chemical compounds interacting with the central regulatory system of the body (the endocannabinoid system). This system is known for the regulation of homeostasis affecting body procedures like appetite, mood, and sleep.

CBD is an example of phytocannabinoids. Although our body produces its own endocannabinoids that bind the cannabinoid receptors in the central and peripheral nervous system, the phytocannabinoids help promote this regulatory system providing us with beneficial properties.

Where does CBD come from?

CBD is extracted and separated from specific cannabis strains. It is the second abundant compound of cannabis, representing up to 40% of the extract. Cannabidiol is a compound that can be found in recreational cannabis (marijuana) and non-psychoactive strains (hemp). Therefore, most of the legal CBD products in the market are extracted by hemp (industrial cannabis).

Unlike cannabis (marijuana), the federal law allows the cultivation, processing, and marketing of hemp products, which contain cannabinoids deriving from hemp strains. In 2014, Congress approved and signed as law by the President, a bill about the development and cultivation of hemp in the States.(Section 7606 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 )

What are the effects of CBD?

Our endocannabinoid system is found to be directly involved in the processes that keep our body balanced daily, such as appetite, pain-sensation, mood, memory, immune system, and inflammation control. Basically, this system helps maintain homeostasis, balancing the physiological processes of our body. 

This system consists of receptors that exist in our brain and nervous system. The body creates its own cannabinoids, and endocannabinoids, to support the regulation of the system. CBD enhances the natural cannabinoids aiding the receptors to work at maximum. In the same way, Vitamin C is giving a boost to our immune system, CBD acts as a kickstarted to promote the functions of the central regulatory system of our body.

CBD vs THC – Is it psychoactive?

CBD often gets mixed up with THC, which is another cannabinoid detected in cannabis. CBD and THC are two abundant compounds of the plant, yet have different beneficial properties. THC is a psychoactive, intoxicating, and illegal substance, responsible for the “high” that gives to the users. On the other hand, CBD doesn’t cause euphoria, it is not psychoactive and has a different procedure regarding THC.  A 2011 overview published in Current Drug Safety concludes that CBD “doesn’t alter psychomotor and psychological functions”.

While CBD has been fully distinguished from THC, there is still a stigma, because a lot of people mixed up the two compounds considering that there is only one cannabis strain. You should simply know this: “It is impossible to get “high” by smoking or consuming CBD that is extracted from hemp plants (industrial cannabis), as it contains an insignificant percentage of THC (<0,3%).”

As long as CBD oil is not approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) as a treatment or drug for any disease, CBD companies do not make or endorse medical claims for CBD oil.

A lot of reliable clinical studies have been published about the CBD conclusions, that’s why we strongly recommend you to do your own research about CBD oil. 

Although the FDA has not issued a formal statement, as mentioned earlier, the United States Department of Health and Human Services holds a patent entitled “Cannabinoids as Antioxidants and Neuroprotectants” (Patent #6,630,507).

The patent refers that; Cannabinoids have been found to have antioxidant properties, unrelated to NMDA receptor antagonism. This new found property makes cannabinoids useful in the treatment and prophylaxis of a wide variety of oxidation-associated diseases, such as ischemic, age-related, inflammatory, and autoimmune diseases. Cannabinoids are found to have particular applications as neuroprotectants, for example in limiting neurological damage following ischemic insults, such as stroke and trauma, or in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and HIV dementia.

Cannabidiol has been studied as an antiepileptic. (Carlini et al., J. Clin. Pharmacol. 21:417S-427S, 1981, Karler et al., J. Clin. Pharmacol. 21:437S-448S, 1981, Consroe et al., J. Clin Phannacol. 21:428S-436S, 1981).

Another significant organization that has published studies about CBD and cannabis is Mayo Clinic Drugs and Supplements: Cannabis Sativa.

Πηγή: Ministry of Hemp 2016 – οδηγός για την CBD