CBD For Newbies - Top 10 Things To Know

Read Time: 6 minutes

From massage oils and edibles to beauty supplies, and pet care products, CBD is infused into many goods nowadays.¹ Ongoing research highlights its potential wellness benefit showing that CBD is more than a trend: it’s an effective natural wellness remedy. Oddly enough, however, CBD still remains somewhat of a mystery for the vast majority of folks. A recent study found that despite its apparent ubiquity, 60% of Americans still don’t know exactly what CBD is.² If you find yourself in that category, this post is for you. In addition to our CBD Info Guide, we’ve included ten enlightening facts to inform you about this therapeutic compound.

What is CBD?

Cannabidiol, commonly known as CBD, is one of over 100 cannabinoids that make up the hemp plant. After THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), it’s the most dominant compound of both the cannabis sativa and cannabis indica plants, and the primary cannabinoid found in the hemp plant. Unlike its somewhat infamous counterpart, THC, CBD is not associated with feelings of intoxication or euphoria. In other words, consuming CBD isn’t likely to get you high - but you are likely to benefit from its potential sedative, anti-inflammatory properties. These benefits are not limited to just humans as CBD for pets can also experience relief from issues such as lack of sleep and anxiety.

Ongoing studies are just beginning to reveal how cannabidiol works. CBD is thought to activate a network of cannabinoid receptors located throughout your body.³ This network, called the endocannabinoid system (ECS), is believed to maintain homeostasis of your body systems and regulate a range of functions like mood, sleep, appetite, and body temperature - to name a few.⁴ Once CBD enters your bloodstream, it may prompt your ECS to produce its own organic compounds called endocannabinoids, which bind to various receptors throughout your body, producing a range of physical effects.⁵⁻⁶

Cannabidiol extract can be consumed in a variety of ways. It can be used to produce balms, tinctures, capsules, edibles, and much more. Since its introduction into the wellness market, CBD has been sought after for its natural medicinal value. Although consumers turn to CBD for various reasons, one study showed that most participants used CBD to address pain, depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders.⁷ Consumer trends confirm these findings, and with the global market value of CBD projected to reach $109 billion by 2027, CBD is poised to take the mainstream wellness industry by storm.⁸⁻⁹

Top 10 Things to Know About CBD

It May be Great for Pain

From achy muscles to stiff joints, a growing number of consumers have come to rely on the soothing properties of CBD to relieve various forms of pain. CBD can be used both as an oral supplement to relax muscles or topically enhance massage, reduce inflammation and facilitate recovery. As a plant-based remedy, CBD can provide an all-natural alternative to traditional pain relievers, such as muscle relaxers and NSAIDS, with minimal risk of side effects.

It May Reduce Inflammation

Ailments such as arthritis, migraine, heart disease, allergies, fibromyalgia, IBS, certain inflammatory skin diseases, and chronic pain are linked to oxidative stress and inflammation. Research shows that CBD is packed with antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties that may aid in treating these and other inflammatory conditions.¹⁰

May Alleviate Chronic Stress and Anxiety

In recent years, cannabidiol has become a popular nature-based alternative to support anxiety relief and complete body relaxation. Preliminary research all but confirms that the soothing properties of CBD may be effective in reducing anxiety conditions such as PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and seasonal affective disorder.¹¹ In addition, one survey conducted by Project CBD found that most participants who consumed CBD experienced a decreased occurrence of panic attacks, mood swings, and feelings of nervousness.¹²

May Work as a Natural Sleep Aid

In addition to its potential to ease anxiety, CBD has been thought to enable restorative sleep. More specifically, CBD may help you get to sleep faster and support uninterrupted sleep without the side effects associated with pharmaceutical sleep aids. Studies show that CBD may also help those who suffer from insomnia and REM sleep disorders, which are thought to impact memory, cognition, and mood.¹³⁻¹⁴

May Help with Depression

Early research indicates that the medicinal properties of CBD may also provide relief from depression. Findings of one 2016 study state that CBD demonstrated an antidepressant-like effect in mice, while a 2018 study claimed that CBD has anxiolytic, antipsychotic, and neuroprotective properties that may lessen depression symptoms.¹⁵⁻¹⁶

May Boost Physical Recovery

CBD is widely used for achy joint and muscle relief, and it may speed up the physical recovery process as well. Studies show that the therapeutic properties of CBD address key factors vital to the healing process.¹⁷ Its efficacy in potentially easing muscle soreness, reducing inflammation and promoting restful sleep can foster optimal conditions to get you back on your feet faster.¹⁸

It’s Non-Addictive

While chronic use of THC can lead to addiction for some cannabis consumers, a 2017 WHO study suggests that CBD is not habit-forming.¹⁹⁻²⁰ Preliminary research indicates that CBD may decrease the risk of cocaine and methamphetamine dependence.²¹ The study also indicates that CBD can reduce cravings and relapse after a sustained period of sobriety. 

CBD Can Counteract Intense THC Highs

Not only is CBD non-intoxicating, it’s been known to decrease uncomfortable psychoactive effects from THC - also known as a “bad high.”²²  One particular study shows that CBD can prevent psychiatric side effects of THC while reversing the anxiety and addictive tendencies of THC.²³

May Help with Seizures

The neuroprotective qualities of CBD can also be used to treat seizures.²⁴ Epidiolex oral solution is the first and only CBD-derived medicine approved by the FDA.²⁵ It was initially approved to treat two rare forms of epilepsy: Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome. It was authorized to treat seizures associated with tuberous sclerosis complex just last year.

May be used for Focus and Energy

While known for its sedative properties, CBD can mitigate some symptoms known to diminish energy and focus.²⁶ The medicinal potential for pain management, anxiety relief, and sleep regulation provides the optimal conditions to enhance your attention span and improve your energy level and mood. One recent study found that CBD may also promote brain health and improve overall cognition.²⁷

As you can see, CBD’s medicinal properties can offer a broad spectrum of wellness benefits and keep your body and mind functioning at optimal form. Check out our product guide to learn how our comprehensive selection of safe, naturally effective CBD products can enhance your well-being. You can split your entire order into four interest-free payments with Sezzle; plus, all of our products come risk-free with our 90-Day Stress-Free Guarantee that assures store credit or a full refund on your purchase. And as part of our mission to provide universal access, our Assistance Program offers up to 60% off to veterans, those on long-term disability, and people with lower incomes. Stop by our shop to learn about our mission to provide high-quality, plant-based relief to all of our customers.

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Sources:

¹https://www.sephora.com/beauty/cbd-skincare

²https://www.csnews.com/new-poll-finds-60-americans-dont-understand-what-cbd

³https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5877694/

⁴https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3820295/

⁵https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319475#what-is-cbd-oil

⁶https://www.healthline.com/health/endocannabinoid-system

⁷https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6043845/

⁸https://www.singlecare.com/blog/cbd-survey/

⁹https://www.gminsights.com/pressrelease/cannabidiol-market

¹⁰https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7023045/

¹¹https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4604171/

¹²https://www.projectcbd.org/reports/cultivating-wellness/mood-disorders

¹³https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6326553/

¹⁴http://europepmc.org/article/MED/24845114

¹⁵https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26711860/

¹⁶https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6161644/

¹⁷https://www.unm.edu/~lkravitz/Article%20folder/recoveryUNM.html

¹⁸https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7338332/#:~:text=Preliminary%20preclinical%20evidence%20also%20suggests,healing%20of%20traumatic %20skeletal%20injuries

¹⁹https://www.verywellmind.com/is-marijuana-addictive-67792

²⁰https://www.who.int/medicines/access/controlled-substances/5.2_CBD.pdf

²¹https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6680550/

²²https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0306987705004317?via=ihub

²³https://www.jneurosci.org/content/39/44/8762

²⁴https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6514832/

²⁵https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-new-indication-drug-containing-active-ingredient-derived-cannabis-treat-seizures-rare

²⁶https://www.researchgate.net/publication/317275426_Cannabinoids_in_attention-deficithyperactivity_disorder_A_randomised-controlled_trial

²⁷https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33551817/#:~:text=Conclusion:%20Neuroimaging%20studies%20have%20shown,patients%20with%20a%20psychiatric%20disorder.