Understanding What CBD Stands For and the Beneficial Uses

Estimated read time 6 min read

What Does CBD Stand for?

People who are new to the market of CBD often don’t know what CBD stands for. This is a simple overview of CBD that introduces people to the amazing world of CBD and helps them better understand CBD for beneficial uses.

What is CBD?

CBD stands for cannabidiol; which is an active compound found with similar active compounds in the plant of Cannabis. One such active compound which is mainly responsible for the psychoactive effect of cannabis extract is known as THC or tetrahydrocannabinol. The high feeling after the use of cannabis extract is mainly because of this compound.

In comparison with THC, CBD is not psychoactive but it has other benefits which are medically significant, and this is what CBD stands for in hemp. In this way, this active compound is better at dispensing the medical benefits of cannabis without getting a person psychoactive or high.

CBD or Cannabidiol products are extracted from the hemp plant and legally may contain traces, up to 0.3% THC. It is industrially extracted, concentrated and purified. CBD is legal in all 50 states in the US.

Common Forms of CBD

CBD is marketed in many forms because of particular uses of different forms. Some of the important CBD product forms are following:

Oils and Tinctures

People usually ask the question, “what CBD oil stands for?” These are oils which have CBD infused in them and they can be used by a dropper for administration under the tongue from where it can be absorbed by the lining of the mouth. CBD oils are more convenient to use, as these oils can be used by people who have trouble swallowing capsules.

Depending on the state in which these oils are marketed, they may be THC-free or may contain traces of it. The oil which is infused with CBD is known as carrier and it can be any ordinary oil. When this oil is bottled in different concentrations of CBD, it then becomes a tincture. The higher the concentration per mg, the more quickly usable by the body.

Creams and Lotions

CBD in cream and lotion form is used on joints and muscles to support pain relief and also to address skin problems such as dermatitis and eczema. Freeze Pain Roll On is infused with camphor to help with absorption and is highly recommended and used by sports enthusiasts.

Capsules and Pills

CBD in the form of pills and capsules is mostly effective in disorders of the digestive system. Although this form of CBD is convenient to carry around, once swallowed they can take some time to be absorbed into the bloodstream and bring any effect.

Edibles

CBD edibles like CBD gummies are easy to carry around as well and are flavorful as well as light on the pocket. These CBD gummies are one of the easiest forms of carrying CBD.

Vaping

CBD oil can also be used in e-cigarette and vapes to be consumed by vaporization. The vaporized particles of CBD oil are inhaled into the lungs from where these particles are absorbed into the blood and provide immediate results of CBD. Experts are still divided on the effect that vaporized particles have on the lungs and therefore care must be taken before using CBD vapes.

Where Does CBD come from?

After understanding what CBD stands for, it is also important to know the origin of CBD. The origin of CBD is the plant of cannabis. This plant is commonly known as marijuana or hemp based on the level of THC in each of them.

The Farm Bill of the United States covers the hemp plant as the concentration of THC in them is not greater than 0.3%. But farmers have been using selective breeding techniques to attain a higher concentration of THC in their marijuana plants but this is not the case in hemp farmers as they keep their plants intact. Hemp plants are the source of most of CBD oil.

How Does CBD Work?

Human beings have an endocannabinoid system that has receptors known as the cannabinoid receptors that allow active compounds of cannabis to bind with these receptors. They are broadly divided into two categories:

CB-1 receptors; which are present in the entire body and control major functions

CB-2 receptors; which are present only in the immune system and play a role in fighting infection and conveying the sensation of pain.

CBD does not bind with these receptors; it actually allows the body to produce its own cannabinoids by stimulating the receptors.

How Can CBD Help You?

There are numerous ways in which CBD may have a positive influence on the health of a person. According to people who have used CBD; it helps them with muscle and joint pain, psychological disorders, insomnia and the list is exhaustive. If ails you someone has done a study on it.

An animal study carried out in mice in 2018 showed that CBD actively stops the body from releasing signals that trigger inflammation in the body. This indicates its utilization as a natural alternative.

CBD e-cigarette smokers were reported by a study carried out in 2013 to have stopped craving nicotine and eventually stopped smoking cigarettes at all, thereby helping people to quit smoking.

CBD product known as Epidiolex was regulated by the FDA in 2018 for helping people with epilepsy.

CBD also helps people suffering from chronic anxiety. THC is not advised as it is known to make a person more anxious, on the other hand, CBD helps with anxiety. An animal study of mice carried out in 2019 showed that CBD helped in reducing anxiety in the test subjects.

In an earlier review study, scientists had highlighted the importance of CBD in helping people with other behavioral disorders related to anxiety such as panic disorder, Post-traumatic stress disorder, OCD, and general anxiety disorder.

Possible Side Effects of CBD

A study published in 2011 showed that the human body can easily tolerate a constant dose of even 1500mg of CBD a day for longer periods of time.

Always discuss medication interactions with your healthcare consultant before adding adjunct therapies.

Monika Wasserman
Monika Wasserman

Medicine, Queen Mary University of London

Monika Wassermann is a doctor and a freelance writer based in the UK who lives with her cat Buddy. She writes across several verticals, including life, health, sex and love, relationships and fitness. Her three great loves are Victorian novels, Lebanese cuisine, and vintage markets. When she’s not writing, you can find her trying to meditate more, weightlifting, or wandering around in town.

[email protected]

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