CBD is one of the derivatives of the hemp plant with the greatest benefits for human health. With this guide you will learn what CBD is and how to use it to your benefit.

What is CBD

Cannabidiol, or CBD, is the main component of hemp. It is present in the resinous flower, accounting for up to 45% of the plant’s extract. CBD is one of more than 100 cannabinoids unique to the hemp plant. Some others that we mention on our website are CBN or cannabinol and CBG or Cannabigerol.

This is a natural non-psychoactive or psychotropic compound with enormous therapeutic potential. Researchers are trying to elucidate its properties and its ability to improve symptoms of various diseases, thus improving the quality of life of patients.

What CBD is used for

Hemp oil rich in CBD is used as a dietary supplement, topical remedy or pharmacological treatment for the relief of chronic pain, inflammation in inflammatory bowel or skin diseases, anxiety, depression or the severity and frequency of seizures in refractory epilepsies.

It is also used to treat symptoms of neurological or neuropsychiatric diseases such as multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s or schizophrenia. Together with the other most studied cannabinoid, THC, it has been shown to induce cancer cell death in vitro and in vivo in animal models, inhibiting tumor progression.

CBD and THC Are they the same?

No, CBD and THC are not the same. Hemp contains more than 500 organic compounds, of which at least 113 are cannabinoids. And among these cannabinoids, CBD and THC stand out for their therapeutic qualities. The latter, tetrahydrocannabinol, is the predominant psychotropic compound in the plant, responsible for the psychoactivity for which hemp is known.

CBD does not have psychoactive effects; THC does. But both have a very significant therapeutic value, which is enhanced when they “work” together; a synergistic effect is produced: CBD enhances certain properties of THC, such as analgesic or anti-cancer properties, while counteracting its psychoactivity.

What are the benefits of CBD

We do not yet know all the medicinal qualities of CBD and much research remains to be done, although so far there is evidence of properties:

• analgesic;
• anti-inflammatory;
• anxiolytic;
• antitumor;
• anticonvulsant;
• antipsychotics, and
• neuroprotective.

This gives it, according to clinical studies, value or therapeutic potential for the following pathologies:

• Chronic pain.
• Fibromyalgia.
• Autoimmune inflammatory diseases, such as arthritis.
• Cancer: brain tumors (gliomas), skin (melanoma and skin carcinoma), breast, pancreas, liver and prostate, among others; in palliative treatment, it improves chemotherapy symptoms such as physical pain, nausea, vomiting and insomnia.
• Anxiety, stress and depression.
• Neurological disorders: Alzheimer’s disease (AD), dementia, Parkinson’s disease (PD) and other movement disorders, multiple sclerosis, refractory epilepsy or cerebrovascular accident (CVA).
• Neuropsychiatric diseases: schizophrenia, autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and alcoholism.
• Metabolic syndrome: obesity and diabetes.
• Cardiovascular disorders.
• Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD): Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
• Chronic inflammatory skin diseases: dermatitis, psoriasis and acne.

CBD: Contraindications and side effects

CBD interacts with drugs and may reduce or prolong their activity: it deactivates or amplifies cytochrome P450 (abbreviated CYP) enzymes, altering the way in which many compounds and pharmaceuticals are metabolized.

Consult your doctor if you are taking any medication. And proceed with caution if you have a history of mental illness, alcohol or drug abuse, or are pregnant or nursing.

Many hemp vaporizing oils (e-liquids, or liquids for electronic cigarettes) contain propylene glycol. This chemical additive, when overheated, produces formaldehyde, a carcinogenic byproduct.

If you are someone you know has cancer, you can check out the best cbd oils on their page. This is a great resource for CBD lovers.