Cannabidiol (CBD) has rocketed its way into becoming one of the most popular alternative supplements on the market. It’s the second most popular cannabinoid in the world of cannabis (THC being the number one). Typically, consumers have sought out strains higher in THC content more than anything else, but access to CBD is causing swift changes to the typical ways people think about using cannabis.
Cannabis plants produce both CBD and THC, although the content of each of these compounds heavily depends on the genetics of the plant. There are strains of cannabis that have a drastically higher THC content than CBD content and vice versa. As more information becomes readily available about CBD it may only continue to rise in popularity.
Companies are already infusing CBD into drinks, tinctures, vape cartridges, and topical lotions. It’s either extracted from a cannabis or hemp plant depending on the state. Although hemp tends to be higher in CBD content than a cannabis plant.
Medical Benefits Of Cannabidiol
The medical benefits of CBD have been all over the news and pop culture. Celebrities are endorsing various products with specific uses related to what they need. Each of them citing a medical benefit or recommendation from someone close to them.
The medical benefits they or others are citing for their use of CBD include inflammation, Crohn’s disease, anxiety, opioid withdrawal, post-training recovery, and anxiety. Evidence from research trials and personal stories exchanged through word of mouth both suggest that the popularity and diverse uses of CBD will continue to gain attention.
How Does CBD Work?
There are no psychoactive effects associated with CBD, unlike THC. It does not work directly with the endocannabinoid system, instead, it works to inhibit or activate compounds within the system. CBD limits the receptor in the body that is responsible for feeling pain, essentially providing it with an off switch for a while.
While this might not make the pain go away completely, it might dull it temporarily. This same idea applies to inflammation and other ailments that CBD assists with.
Different Consumption Methods
Similarly to consuming cannabis, there are a variety of methods for consuming CBD as well. Each method offers benefits and disadvantages, however, they each can provide similar effects.
Cartridges are gaining more popularity with improvements in the batteries that they require. This can be accomplished in public without raising any suspicions because CBD oils don’t have the pungent aroma associated with cannabis smoke.
Tinctures provide a quick way to add CBD to a drink or drop it under your tongue, they are typically made with high grain alcohol to bind the compounds together. Flower, edibles, and capsules are all different consumption methods as well.
