What is CBD

CBD or ‘cannabidiol’ is one of the major compounds found in the cannabis plant. Unlike its sister molecule THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), it does not induce a high. On the contrary, CBD is known to kill the “buzz” induced by THC. “Now why would one consume this plant if it does not induce a high?” some may ask. And the answer might sound too good to be true, but let me reassure you it is not: CBD and the therapeutic effects of cannabinoids is one of the most significant medical scientific “discoveries” of our era. Apostrophes because it’s not really a discovery, seeing as mankind have been using this plant for its medicinal properties for thousands years.

Prior to the witch hunt and war on drugs initiated in the early 19th century, cannabis was found in a plethora of medical tinctures sold everywhere across the world. It was used as a remedy for a wide variety of conditions and diseases; treating everything from asthma and bronchitis to loss of appetite and hyperactivity. The american government and their War on Drugs eventually put an end to this by labeling cannabis a Schedule I substance, thereby refusing to recognize any and all of its medically documented potential.

The following years, THC (the “high”-inducing psychoactive substance in cannabis) ended up getting most of the attention, and little light was shed on the non-psychoactive medicinal aspects of the plant. Although the knowledge of the medical effects of CBD har been known to the scientific community for half a decade, the information first hit the masses in 2015 when CNN aired a reportage about 5 year old Jessica Figi who used CBD rich cannabis to prevent seizures resulting from Dravets Syndrome. All without experiencing a high.

Ever since the word got out, the use of CBD oil has exploded. Part of the success can be credited to the fact that there are so few adverse effects associated with CBD (the worst being how it inhibits hepatic metabolism similar to how eating a grapefruit would). It is almost like I would tell anyone who has a medical condition to try CBD oil. Chances are it will work, and if it doesn’t, odds are it will sort something else out for you. There are plenty of reports from people losing weight, getting better digestion, sleeping better and feeling more relaxed and focused after starting supplementing with CBD. I've used CBD oil for 6 months and I feel more balanced. My mood is generally better, and I’ve lost weight. I’m also more energetic, and it appears the oil has turned out to mitigate my amblyopia (lazy eye). There are not many studies done on this, so I can not with confidence say that CBD was the ruling factor, but I started noticing improved ocular alignment around the time I started supplementing CBD. Go figure..

CBD oil is extracted from low THC cannabis strains (not enough to get the user high). It can be ingested or inhaled, and works through having its cannabinoids bind to receptors found throughout the entire body; primarily the CB1- and CB2-receptors. These receptors make up the endocannabinoid system; a system linked to many of our biological functions like regulation of heat, pH, pain and sensation, concentration, memory and appetite to name a few. By binding to the cells' receptor, the cannabinoid can give the cell instructions; i.e. to continue what it is doing, initiate secretion, to stimulate proliferation, or to initiate apoptosis (programmed cell death; a mechanism that might be beneficial in the treatment of cancer).

CBD can be effective in the treatment of a plethora of symptoms and diseases. When introducing others to the topic, I feel compelled to “hold back” a little, for things not to sound too good to be true. Because if there ever was a working “snake oil”, CBD oil is it! Don’t believe me? Have a look at this thoroughly put together compendium consisting of scientific reports and studies on the therapeutic effects of cannabinoids: https://echoconnection.org/education/

This thing is real, and it might be a good idea to read up on it before mindlessly chugging down the doctor's pills. Evidence suggests there are healthier and cheaper alternatives around :-) Take care!