CBD or Cannabidiol What Is It and Is It Stuff Stoners Like?

CBD is everywhere nowadays. And it’s in everything. But what exactly is CBD? Well it occurs naturally in hemp and marijuana plants. Just like THC—the stuff in a weed plant that gets you high—it’s all natural and in abundance. In fact it is the most abundant non-psychoactive cannabinoid found in cannabis. And because it doesn’t deliver the high of THC or tetrahydrocannabinol it’s being heavily investigated as effective medicine. But what is CBD exactly and why are doctors so interested in experimenting with it as medicine?

What is CBD?

CBD or cannabidiol is one of more than 60 compounds found in a marijuana plant that belong to a class of molecules called cannabinoids. Like THC, its levels vary in different marijuana plants. For years breeders worked with various marijuana strains to create the most psychoactive, the most mind-blowing weed possible. We’re talking strains like Blue Dream, Chem Dawg, Green Crack and OG Kush—just dripping with tons of sparkling THC crystals. But because there are so many other chemicals contained within the herb that have myriad beneficial and healing effects on the body, breeders are focusing on creating new strains to deliver these benefits without the high. In fact some breeders have created high CBD strains with virtually no THC in them at all. Some of these strains include AC/DC, Cannatonic, Charlotte’s Web, Harlequin and Sour Tsunami.

cbd what is it
CBD, like THC, occurs in abundance in marijuana and hemp plants

It won’t get you stoned

When it comes to CBD vs THC one will get you high. The other will not. Unlike THC CBD will not get you high. You can smoke a high CBD strain in a joint or drop it in your vape pen and vaporize it all day long and you won’t get high. That’s because it doesn’t act on the same pathways as THC. The pathways for THC known as CB1 receptors are highly concentrated in the brain and are responsible for the mind-altering effects of THC.

A review published in Current Drug Safety back in 2011 found that it “does not interfere with several psychomotor and psychological functions and it is well tolerated and safe even at high doses.” In fact CBD actually reduces the annoying effects of being stoned like memory impairment and paranoia. It also counteracts THC’s sleep-inducing effects. This is probably why many pot patients feel that high CBD strains and potent oil boosts their alertness.

It boosts wellness

It has anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and anti-depressant qualities. Because it is non-psychoactive or less psychoactive than THC-dominant strains it’s a great option for people seeking relief from inflammation, pain, anxiety, psychosis, seizures, spasms and other conditions without feeling high or stoned. According to a 2013 review published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, studies have show that it:

  • Reduces nausea and vomiting
  • Suppresses seizure activity
  • Combats psychosis disorders
  • Combats inflammatory disorders
  • Combats neurodegenerative disorders
  • Combats tumor and cancer cells
  • Combats anxiety and depression disorders

Sure most of these claims comes from studies on animals since marijuana and hemp is hard to come by. But a pharmaceutical version of the molecule are changing all that. A company in the UK called GW Pharmaceuticals is funding clinical trials on it as a treatment for schizophrenia and epilepsy. And a team of California researchers at the California Pacific Medical Center is looking to begin trials on CBD as a breast cancer therapy. So CBD rich medicines hold a lot of future promise. Only thing holding research back? Marijuana Prohibition, dude.

CBD oil
CBD oil is some potent and powerful, highly curative medicine

Potent Oil

Marijuana plants that are high in CBD can be transformed into oil. Similar to Rick Simpson oil—a whole plant extract invented by Canadian activist Rick Simpson—CBD oil is derived from entire marijuana or hemp plants and contains high concentrations of CBD. The major difference? CBD oil doesn’t contain much if any THC—we’re talking less than .03 percent, man. That’s why some companies here in the states can import and sell those oil products legally. And if you’re wondering if CBD taken from hemp is the same as CBD extracted from marijuana—it is.

Simpson used his oil to cure his metastatic skin cancer in 2003 and since that time he’s been very vocal about cannabis medicine. Hn has successfully treated over 5,000 patients free of charge with conditions including:

  • Cancer
  • AIDS
  • Arthritis
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Diabetes
  • Leukemia
  • Crohn’s disease
  • Depression

Simpson also claims that his oil will help with many other maladies including osteoporosis, psoriasis, insomnia, glaucoma, asthma, burns, migraines, regulation of body weight, chronic pain and mutated cells like polyps, warts and tumors. He says that his now world-famous Rick Simpson oil can treat all forms of disease and conditions. But you have to eat it, man—you can’t roll a joint with it or drop it in your vape pen—and you have to eat it continually to be effective.

It’s is one of the most populous forms of cannabinoids in marijuana. And its popularity is beginning to skyrocket. That’s because even though it won’t get you high it will heal you and that’s definitely stuff stoners like.



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