Marijuana, a member of the Cannabis family, is one of Nature’s most complex and useful plants and it contains a range of chemical compounds. The Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) it contains is psychoactive to humans and produces the “high” referred to widely in popular culture. Different strains of marijuana are being created to induce specific effects and as a recreational drug, it has been bred to include increased amounts of THC.
It also contains Cannabidiol (CBD), a group of chemicals now being found to have profound benefits to human and animal health. Recently, CBD has been found to offer benefits that have been overshadowed by the stigma sometimes associated with THC in the past.
The human body produces some CBDs on its own and each of us has two receptors for cannabinoids, CB1 and CB2 receptors. While CB1 receptors are found throughout the body, in the brain they are attached to emotions and mood, movement and coordination, pain, appetite and memories. THC attaches to CB1 receptors.
Hemp is an industrial product derived from plants that also belong to the Cannabis family.
When you think of hemp, think of a fibrous plant used to manufacture rope and other practical products which contain no psychoactive ingredients. Industrial hemp is classified as containing no more than .3% THC and any crop that exceeds that would have to be legally destroyed because it would no longer meet the needs of industrial applications.
Hemp is used for entirely different purposes than marijuana and its chemical compounds. However, it is a rich source of CBD, and we source hemp to obtain the CBDs for our products. Our products do not induce a high for this reason.
Using CBD to Enhance Health
CBDs attach to CB1 receptors, which reside in the immune system and primarily affect pain and inflammation. However, CBDs have found to act on not just CB1 receptors but to also enhance the body’s utilization of its own cannabinoids.
Scientific research continues to uncover more and more CBD benefits continually.
Dosing
There is really no way to overdose on CBD, so people using it to enhance health should be aware that it is safe in that regard because if you take too much it will simply be passed through your body with no ill effects. Since each person’s metabolism, body mass and sensitivity can vary, finding your beneficial dosage will require attention as you begin introducing CBD.
Start with one serving from a capsule or dropper and wait 20-30 minutes, carefully observing how you react and paying special attention to whether you get relief from your symptoms.
For those who are subject to drug testing, CBD is unlikely to produce false positive results. However, employees should speak to their employers about their health goals before including CBD in their health regimen is the company uses a zero tolerance policy.