Cannabidiol (CBD) is a naturally occurring compound found in the resinous flower of cannabis, a plant with a rich history as a medicine going back thousands of years. Today the therapeutic properties of CBD are being tested and confirmed by scientists and doctors around the world. A safe, non-addictive substance, CBD is one of more than a hundred “phytocannabinoids,” which are unique to cannabis and endow the plant with its robust therapeutic profile.

CBD is closely related to another important medicinally active phytocannabinoid: tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the compound that causes the high that cannabis is famous for. These are the two components of cannabis that have been most studied by scientists.

Both CBD and THC have significant therapeutic attributes. But unlike THC, CBD does not make a person feel “stoned” or intoxicated. That’s because CBD and THC act in different ways on different receptors in the brain and body.

CBD’s therapeutic potency (as well as non-intoxicating) and easy usage makes it an appealing option for those who are cautious about trying cannabis for the first time.

How CBD Works
CBD works by interacting with a vast array of cannabinoid receptors that make up the endocannabinoid system (ECS). Your ECS controls stress levels, maintains your sleep schedule, manages pain perception, reduces the anti-inflammatory response, regulates the immune system, balances your mood and more. It is constantly working to keep your body in homeostasis, which is its optimal state.

What is Homeostasis? Homeostasis is biological balance in your body’s natural rhythms. Frequently referred to as equilibrium in your system, homeostasis has a crucial impact on your overall wellbeing. New research is emerging exploring the link between homeostasis and our physical, mental and emotional health. People who take CBD are supporting their ECS and in turn, keeping their bodies in balance.

What Happens when You are Not in Homeostasis? When you are not in homeostasis, your body is simply unable to perform at its best. This can result in undue stress, irritability, sleeplessness, soreness, aches, pains and more. In extreme circumstances, it can lead to disease and cellular malfunction.

The Endocannabinoid System (ECS)
The ECS is a biochemical communication system throughout the human body, which has the job of regulating our physiology, mood and everyday functions. CBD communicates with every bodily system, including the central nervous system, immune system and organs through a self-regulating network of cannabinoid receptors.

There are two types of cannabinoid receptors – CB1 and CB2 – which are located on the body’s cells. Cannabinoids are designed to stimulate the cannabinoid receptors, which in turn activates the receiving neurons into action.

They pass along the massage and carry out a multitude of cellular responses that contribute to bodily homeostasis.

CB1 receptors are primarily located on the nerve cells of the brain, spinal cord and overall central nervous system. They have been found to play a role in memory processing, motor regulation, pain sensitivity, mood and sleep. Then, there are CB2 receptors, which are found in the immune system and its associated structures. When activated through cannabinoid intake, they stimulate a response to fight inflammation, which can reduce discomfort and minimize tissue damage caused by overexertion or injury.

Benefits of CBD
CBD has a multitude of positive effects, including a unique ability to promote a sense of calm and a reduction in stress. It helps to balance your mood. The most widely known benefit of CBD is that it supports overall wellbeing in the body and mind in a way that is gentle, holistic and all-natural. Now, you can understand why so many people use it to maintain a healthier lifestyle!

There is a wealth of information out there when it comes to the unique benefits of CBD, along with personal testimonials and scientific research papers. However, as manufacturers in a regulated hemp industry, there are a lot of restrictions as to what we can legally say when it comes to its individual therapeutic properties.

What we can say is that CBD has been found to:

  • Promote relaxation and calm
  • Lift the mood
  • Reduce minor discomfort
  • Improve sleep
  • Support exercise as well as the recovery process

And there are many ways to consume it based on one’s personal preferences, making it a very versatile compound.