What is CBD?

CBD

CBD, or cannabidiol, is a compound found in the hemp plant. Many people confuse hemp and marijuana, which are both derived from the cannabis plant. The key difference is that hemp contains very little THC, which is the psychoactive component associated with marijuana. While CBD and THC are very similar compounds, they have key differences in how they work in the human body.

CBD vs THC: Understanding the Difference

From a chemistry standpoint, CBD vs THC are identical compounds with the only exception being the placement of a single atom. THC and CBD are the two most common compounds in the cannabis plant, but there are actually hundreds more like CBGA, THCA, and CBDA. Each strain of cannabis has a unique makeup of cannabinoids that makes each strain unique.Getting back to THC vs CBD, the key difference in how these compounds react in the human body is that THC provides the “high” effect, whereas the CBD does not. In fact, CBD actually works to reverse many of the feelings associated with the “high” effect from THC, which is why some CBD-heavy strains of marijuana do not produce that effect at all in users.

How CBD Works

Inside the human body, we have something called an endocannabinoid system (ECS). According to Dr. Ethan Russo, medical director at PHYTECS, the ECS is an essential regulator of bodily function. In short, it allows people to “relax, eat, sleep, forget, and protect.” Our ECS is a system of receptors that keep us healthy and active both physically and mentally. CBD works with our ECS to promote healthy and functioning receptors, and to also increase the number of these receptors we have in our bodies. Basically, CBD keeps healthy people healthy, and improves the systems on a molecular level when certain issues in the human body arise.