What is CBD (cannabidiol)?
CBD is a natural, non-psychoactive, cannabinoid of the cannabis genera Cannabis Sativa, Cannabis Indica and Cannabis Ruderalis. In contrast to the most well-known representative of the cannabinoids, the THC, CBD produces no intoxication or other psychoactive effects. Also, it is completely legal compared to THC and neither acquisition, possession or consumption are regulated by law or can lead to prosecution.
CBD is typically extracted from EU certified cannabis strains, which contain less than 0.2% THC and are therefore generally unsuitable for causing intoxication. These varieties are the so-called "fiber hemp", also known as "industrial hemp". The CBD is isolated from the plant material using a variety of extraction methods and then purified.
One of these extraction options is the Co² method, which runs completely free of solvent and allows a final product that is free from any residual solvent. In the next step, the recovered CBD is homogenized and processed with appropriate "carrier oil", such as MCT oil or hemp oil.
This means that tiny plant particles or others
Impurities are filtered from the recovered CBD oil to ensure higher quality and better end-product durability. After filtration, the CBD oil is analyzed by independent laboratories for its cannabinoid content as well as pesticides or other undesirable ingredients. Such pesticides may be included if the farmer has "treated" the fiber hemp with these same substances. Therefore, as a supplier of CBD products, one should trust one's suppliers and request corresponding analyzes from the hemp farmer before starting the extraction.
Of course, the analysis of the final product is indispensable, but it reduces the risk of noticing a potential contamination with pesticides or fertilizers only in this analysis.
How CBD works in the body:
The exact mechanism of action of cannabidiol in the body is not yet fully understood. This process is subject to a variety of interactions and is unfortunately not as concrete to describe as, for example, the mechanism of action of THC. CBD is a complex substance with an interesting mode of action.
While THC only docks at the receptors CB1 and CB2 to unfold its intoxicating effect, CBD is its counterpart. It also docks on these receptors, but as an antagonist, which means that among other things, it weakens the effects of THC. CBD is virtually the opponent of the THC.
Astonishingly, in spite of its position as an antagonist, CBD also activates the CB1 receptors in some cases. Thus, the relaxation of blood vessels after ingestion of CBD by the activation of CB1 receptors and vanilloid receptors.
Furthermore, CBD inhibits the uptake of the endocannabinoid anandamide in the cell, as well as its degradation. Endocannabinoids are cannabinoids that are produced in every human organism. Through this process, CBD increases the concentration of anandamide. Current evidence indicates that CBD apparently inhibits the transport of endocannabinoid to the protein in the cell responsible for its degradation.
There are quite a few receptors on which CBD docks. The vanilloid receptors type 1 and type 2 as well as the glycine receptor. Interaction with these receptors is, according to the current state of science, responsible for adenosine signaling in the body. Adenosine has a number of properties. Among other things, it blocks the secretion of all activating and invigorating neurotransmitters such as dopamine, norepinephrine and acetylcholine. Some anti-inflammatory effects may be based on this principle.
Also, the 5-HT-1A receptor is activated by CBD, which has an anxiolytic effect. Other properties of CBD are also attributed to interacting with this receptor. CBD also binds to the GPR55 receptor, a putative CB receptor (many researchers already refer to it as CB3 receptor), which is partly responsible for the anti-inflammatory properties of cannabidiol. Cell studies indicate that CBD exerts its anti-spasmodic properties at least in part because of its effects on certain cell membrane channels.
At high doses, CBD binds to the dopamine-2 receptor, which can also be observed in psychotic drugs. Cannabidiol can also be a useful supplement or even an alternative here. Another great advantage of cannabinoids, especially CBD, is their properties as potent antioxidants. They are therefore free radical scavengers. Experiments have shown that cannabidiol oxidizes or damages oxidative hydrogen peroxide