Over the years, many people with health disorders such as depression and anxiety turned to cannabis to obtain relief from mental discomfort. However, there were few studies conducted on marijuana to prove that it can help with a wide range of psychiatric problems. Besides, cannabis is known to be psychoactive, which made most people believe that there was nothing good that could come out of it. But researchers have now done their homework and presented numerous facts about cannabis.
The Difference Between Cannabinoids and Marijuana
Until recently, Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) was the most well-known component in cannabis. But the recent study shows that marijuana contains both CBD and THC, which have different effects on the body. Marijuana comes in many forms, and since it is easily accessible, people have smoked cannabis with high contents of THC, a compound that gets an individual “high” and helps them find some relief from depression and anxiety.
But for individuals with psychiatric health disorders, eating or smoking cannabis with high contents of THC isn’t the best option for finding relief for these symptoms. Sometimes, taking edible marijuana or smoking marijuana with high amounts of THC can worsen the symptoms. It is for that reason that CBD, another component of cannabis, which is not psychoactive is gaining recognition.
What is CBD?
As mentioned earlier, unlike THC, CBD oil is not psychoactive. It, therefore, doesn’t change the state of mind of the individual taking it. But it has been shown to stimulate other beneficial changes in the body, one of the reasons it captured the attention of researchers. The CBD oil used for medical purposes is obtained from a cannabis strain known as hemp. Both marijuana and hemp come from cannabis sativa, and they have different properties.
Traditionally, marijuana farmers altered their plants to produce high amounts of THC through breeding to satisfy their market. On the other hand, hemp was mainly produced for industrial purposes and contains small amounts of THC. It is from the hemp plant that CBD oil is extracted. Many reputable companies such as the Nutra CBD have been licensed to manufacture and distribute CBD oil, which has immense health benefits.
How cannabinoids work
The two main cannabinoids, CBD and THC function by attaching themselves to particular receptors in the body. It is the only way through which they can produce their effects. Surprisingly, the human body also manufacturers its cannabinoids and for that reason, it has two cannabinoid receptors known as CB1 and CB2 receptors.
CB1 receptors are found in almost every part of the body, but you can find many of them in the brain. These receptors are associated with thinking, emotions and moods, pain, coordination and movement, memories, appetite, among others.
On the other hand, CB2 receptors are more prevalent in the immune system. They have been found to affect pain and inflammation. Initially, scientists believed that CBD oil acted directly on the CB2 receptors. Instead, they found out that CBD stimulates the body to produce and utilize its own cannabinoids.
CBD oil has many potential health benefits that include anti-inflammatory properties and pain relief, helps in addressing epilepsy and other psychiatric disorders, helps in fighting cancer, anxiety disorders, treating acne, Alzheimer’s disease, and many more health benefits. The CBD can be rubbed on the skin, taken orally or even inhaled through the vapor.
