The Basics of CBD
ByKatarina Meister, ND •September 28, 2022
CBD (cannabidiol) is a phyto-cannabinoid, a plant cannabinoid that supports our internal endocannabinoid system (ECS). I frequently get asked, “Are hemp and marijuana the same?” The answer is NO, but they are derived from the same plant Cannabis sativa. To be considered hemp, the amount of THC content must be less than 0.3%. THC is what gives marijuana its psychoactive or euphoric properties, while with hemp there are no intoxicating effects. Hemp is safe for daily use, legal in all 50 states, and contains high concentrations of phyto-cannabinoids such as CBD. CBD is linked to supporting chronic pain, inflammation, mood, sleep, stress and our HPA axis.
The ECS is a neuromodulatory system within our bodies that comprises a vast network of chemical signals and cellular receptors. The ECS uses endocannabindoids produced by your body to act as chemical signals to modulate the levels and activity of other neurotransmitters. These endocannabindoids bind to receptors CB1 or CB2. The most abundant cannabindoid receptor we have in our bodies is CB1, which is mainly in the central nervous system (CNS)- along our brain and spinal cords. CB2 supports our peripheral nervous system (PNS) and immune system.
The research is continually evolving, and more data is showing how cannabindoids help to regulate many critical bodily functions including learning and memory, emotional processing, sleep, temperature control, pain control, inflammatory and immune responses, and our appetite. It is important to note that CBD is only one of 113+ cannabinoids found inside the hemp plant. Other phyto-cannabindoids that are still being researched on their effects are CBG and CBN.
There are a thousands of CBD products on the market but buyer beware! Cannabis is a bio-accumulator, which means that it can concentrate high levels of heavy metals, pesticides, and other toxins. I like Batch CBD by Wisconsin Scientific due to their ethically sourced hemp and use of the full spectrum CBD (Check out Lakeside’s Instagram to see our recent visit at Batch CBD). Full spectrum means that their CBD has a full cannabindoid profile from the entire plant vs just parts of the plant. This includes CBD, CBG, CBN, and over 100 other cannabindoids. In botanical medicine, it is best practice to use the entire plant vs constituents of the plant. Typically you will see more therapeutic benefit of the whole vs parts of the whole. Another reason why I like Batch CBD is the fact that they do internal testing and provide certificates of analysis from third-parties for a full disclosure that their product is free of pesticides, heavy metals, mold, and other toxins.
CBD is mostly safe, and adverse effects are mild and mostly dose dependent. If you are considering adding CBD to your routine, check with your Naturopathic Doctor on dosing and interactions as CBD may interact with different medications.
For more info on CBD, see this previous post:
Achieve Balance by Supporting Your Body’s Endocannabinoid System
Please note that CBD is not intended to treat, diagnose, cure or prevent any disease.
Resources
Lu HC, Mackie K. An Introduction to the Endogenous Cannabinoid System. Biol Psychiatry. 2016 Apr 1;79(7):516-25. doi: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2015.07.028. Epub 2015 Oct 30. PMID: 26698193; PMCID: PMC4789136.
Editor’s Note: The information in this article is intended for your educational use only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health practitioners with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition and before undertaking any diet, supplement, fitness, or other health program.