Cannabidiol (CBD) Facts and Fiction
The ever-changing legality of Cannabidiol, or CBD, is the topic of discussion ad nauseam, and many consumers still have lingering questions. Is CBD legal? Does it produce a high? Is it safe? Luckily, we’ve taken the time to gather all the information you need to know about CBD right here.
What Is CBD?
CBD is an abbreviation for cannabidiol. Cannabidiol is one of the two predominant active ingredients in the marijuana plant, as well as its cousin – the hemp plant. There is an important distinction between the two because while the legalities of marijuana’s plants receive debate at the State levels, the hemp plant and hemp-derived CBD received approval on the Federal level with the passing of the Farm Bill in 2018.1
The Farm Bill is an agricultural and food policy bill which policymakers renew every 5 years. Particularly, in 2018 it legalized the production of hemp as an agricultural commodity and removed it from the list of controlled substances. Even so, hemp production is under heavy regulation and farmers cannot grow it as freely as other crops.
One of the highly monitored aspects of hemp production is it’s THC content, which cannot exceed 0.3%. Also, Farmers cannot grow Hemp without a license. Government involvement and regulations mean that hemp and hemp-derived CBD products are properly vetted and labeled in accordance with the law.
CBD Safety
Cannabidiol is a component of the Hemp and Cannabis plants which does not produce a high. Furthermore, according to the World Health Organisation, CBD use does not produce dependency and does not present potential for abuse.2
Some minimal reported side effects of CBD are nausea, fatigue, and irritability. CBD may also increase the effects of other taken medications in a similar way to grapefruit juice.
CBD Properties and Benefits
There are many potential benefits to using Cannabidiol. While there is still ongoing scientific research into CBD and its many properties, the FDA has already approved a medication containing CBD, Epidiolex, for treating a rare seizure syndrome.3
Application of CBD rich creams and lotions directly to the skin is thought to be able to interact with the ECS receptors in the skin. Consequently, these ECS receptors send a message directly to the brain and provide pain relief and inflammation management.
In addition, there is some scientific evidence that CBD can be helpful with anxiety, insomnia, chronic pain, and inflammation.
How Does CBD Work?
Cannabidiol is believed to deliver positive health benefits to the body due to its ability to interact with the body’s Endocannabinoid System (ECS). ECS is a cell signaling system responsible for regulating and balancing all processes in the body and thus creating homeostasis, or stability of your inner environment. ECS monitors and regulates things like sleep, memory, inflammation, stress, cognitive abilities, learning, and memory just to name a few.
The ECS works by sending signals through its receptors all over the body, including the brain. Specifically, two major receptor types of ECS have been identified as CB1 and CB2 receptors. CB1 receptors take on pain management amongst other things, while CB2 receptors are responsible for the immune system and inflammation management.
ECS sends signals through its system by using naturally occurring in the body endocannabinoids. These endocannabinoids are remarkably similar to cannabinoids (CBD) found in the marijuana and hemp plants. Supporting the ECS by supplying it with additional CBD is thought to increase its working potential. In turn, this might mean better regulation of the immune system, pain, and inflammation management.
The Takeaway
Overall, CBD could provide support for conditions like chronic pain, inflammation, and insomnia. The research on CBD and it’s potential health benefits is ongoing. That said, the information that is already available provides an exciting and sustainable way of dealing with the specific issues the Veterans and First Responders communities may encounter.
To learn more about Cannabidiol (CBD), visit our FAQ page.
References
1 The Foundation for Government Accountability; Farm Bill 2018
2 World Health Organization; Cannabidoil (CBD) Pre-Review Report Agenda Item 5.2
3 U.S. Food & Drug Administration, FDA News Release; “FDA approves first drug comprised of an active ingredient derived from marijuana to treat rare, severe forms of epilepsy”
