CBD oil is essentially oil that contains high amounts of a type of cannabinoid called cannabidiol. The cannabis plant contains more than 100 cannabinoids. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) are the two most abundant cannabinoids in the cannabis plant. The process of making CBD oil entails extracting CBD from the buds and flowers cannabis plant and then diluting the extract with a carrier oil such as hemp seed or coconut oil.
CBD versus THC
However, unlike THC, CBD is non-psychoactive cannabinoid, meaning it does not create the same mind-altering effects associated with THC. More specifically, CBD does not produce a psychoactive high because it does not bind to the CB1 receptors. The human body contains two types of cannabinoid receptors called CB1 and CB2 receptors. Most of these receptors are located in the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which regulates a wide range of cognitive and physiological processes including sleep, mood, memory, move coordination, sensory perception and appetite.
The Health Benefits of CBD Oil
Some of the health benefits of CBD oil include:
Fight Anxiety
People who suffer from depression and other forms of anxiety including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and social anxiety disorder (SAD) tend to have low serotonin levels. Fortunately, recent studies have found that CBD oil can help combat anxiety. For instance, an animal study by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) found that CBD oil can help improve the physiological symptoms of anxiety, such as increased heart rate, in animals. What’s more, a 2011 human study published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology found that CBD oil can help manage anxiety levels in patients suffering from social anxiety disorder (SAD).
Treat Cancer Symptoms
Thanks to their anti-tumor effects, both THC and CBD can work synergistically to fight various types of cancer including leukemia and colon cancer. This is according to pre-clinical studies. In addition to preventing the spread of cancer, CBD oil can help relieve some of the common side effects of chemotherapy including nausea and vomiting. For example, a small study involving 16 patients undergoing chemotherapy found that a combination of THC and THC administered orally is an effective treatment option for chemotherapy-related nausea and vomiting. In fact, the combination improves the effectiveness of the standard treatment.
Pain Relief
CBD oil reduces inflammation and relieves pain by interacting with the CB1 receptors in the endocannabinoid and immune systems.
Conclusion
CBD oil is derived from cannabidiol, an organic compound non-psychoactive cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant along with THC. Being a non-psychoactive compound, CBD does produce the “high” associated with marijuana. However, CBD oil has numerous health benefits.
