Cannabidiol is one of the 400 compounds detected in cannabis plants (cannabinoids, terpenes or terpenoids, and flavonoids), of which more than 60 exist only in cannabis plants. THC and cannabidiol have a wide range of medical applications with beneficial effects.

Until 21rst century, THC was alone on the stage with all the spotlight on it. Being an “active constituent ” (at least the only psychoactive) got the lion’s share in the scientific events, the media and public attention.

Therefore, the medical potential of CBD oil has been in the spotlight for a few years now. While knowledge is spreading, some US states, especially those reluctant to regulate complete legislation relating to cannabis use, have legalized cannabidiol oil in the so-called “CBD-only” legislation.

The other 60 cannabinoids, including many that have already shown potential healing properties, have not yet received much attention, in part because they are not as much (in content) present in the plants. Besides, this is partly because strict US federal cannabis laws have evitated complete and adequate cannabis research.

CBD effects

Whereas THC is psychoactive, CBD isn’t. Both of them are cannabinoids, although they interact in different ways. THC involves directly with the cannabinoid receptor 1  (CB1),which is concentrated in the human central nervous system. Cannabidiol doesn’t bind the CB1 in the same way as THC.”[CBD doesn’t tend to bind directly, what’s called the orthosteric site (in cannabinoid receptors), where THC binds”, explains Dr. Ethan Russo in an interview in PROJECT CBD. Rather it binds on what’s called an allosteric site, another site on the receptor, and so it alters the binding of both THC and the endogenous cannabinoids, the endocannabinoids”.

That’s why cannabidiol and THC also bind to CB1 receptors, but at different positions. Cannabidiol seems to have the ability to coordinate or modulate the interaction between THC and the CB1 receptor binding at a different place in the same receptor. The chemical compound Cannabidiol, substantially, enhances some of the therapeutic effects of THC, while reducing its psychoactive effects. Consequently, it can be very useful for people who use cannabis as a medicine. Probably because among the common effects of CBD is the regulation of the THC psychoactive effects.

Let’s say that you have smoked herbal cannabis material that contains a high percentage of THC or you have consumed edibles and you feel a stress attack coming… Cannabidiol can help you balance this feeling, at least according to unofficial user reports. Some CBD companies, such as CannaRelief [2], market this compound specifically for this purpose. [2] “cannasafety” https://cannasafety.com/ Data shows that cannabidiol is safe, even in high doses.

[3] “CBD: Safe at high doses” (Η CBD: Ασφαλής σε υψηλές δόσεις) https://www.projectcbd.org/cbdsafe-high-doses

Does CBD have recreational effect?

While cannabidiol may promote calmness, it does not have the same euphoric effect as THC. This is the reason why cannabis strains high in CBD are not psychoactive or at least less psychoactive (when THC is present) than other strains makes them a good choice for patients seeking relief without altering their feelings or lethargy.

The medical and therapeutic properties of this chemical compound strive in the body by reducing inflammation, helping to protect brain cells, eliminating depression, reducing pain, preventing tumors, and balancing mood.

Being one of the 80, at least, cannabinoids, CBD is coming from the resin glands (trichomes) of female cannabis flowers, exactly in the same way as THC. Both THC and CBD bind to cannabinoid receptors detected in the brain, nervous system, liver, intestines, and almost everywhere in the human body. That’s one reason for its widespread medical benefits.

How does Cannabidiol act?

Cannabinoids fit into cannabinoid receptors like the keys on the locks. CBD, THC and other cannabinoids use, comes supplementary and mimics the natural endocannabinoids in the human body (explaining why cannabinoid receptors are in the first place).

Cannabinoids fit into cannabinoid receptors like the keys on the locks. CBD, THC, and other cannabinoids use comes supplementary and mimics the natural endocannabinoids in the human body (explaining why cannabinoid receptors are in the first place).

Plant-based cannabinoids like those detected in cannabis plants are called phytocannabinoids, and they are different from those produced naturally in the human body. The system of endocannabinoids found all around the body, including the related receptors,  is called the Endocannabinoid System (ECS).

ECS plays a critical role in body’s function, including appetite, mood, memory, sleep, immune function and movement control. The four main functions of ECS are neuroprotection, stress relief, immune system balance and homeostatic regulation. The latter is simply a scientific way to refer to a system that works in the direction of the optimal balance of natural processes, to achieve the so-called homeostasis.

What are the benefits of CBD?

Cannabidiol is known as a “multi pharmacological” compound affecting many systems in the body at the same time. While this can be great for your body, it also makes it difficult to study CBD scientifically. This happens because it is almost impossible to investigate the effects that these different interactions create.

There are, already, clinical data for the therapeutic efficacy of CBD as:

• Anti-inflammatory
• Antioxidant
• Neuroprotective
• Anxiolytic
• Antidepressant
• Analgesic
• Anti-cancer agent
• Against stress
• Anti-psychotic
• Anti-emetic (instead of nausea)
• Assistant to quit smoking
• Helper to withdraw from opioids
• Acne treatment

Prakash Nagarkatti, Rupal Pandey, Sadiye Amcaoglu Rieder, Venkatesh L Hegde, Mitzi Nagarkatti “Cannabinoids as novel anti-inflammatory drugs”  Future Med Chem. 2009 Oct.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2828614/

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