What is CBD?
Cannabidiol, otherwise known as CBD is one of many active compounds found on the Cannabis & Hemp. CBD is non-psychoactive, this allows you to take advantage if the therapeutic benefits without leaving you with the “stoned” or “high” feeling that people often associate with any cannabis-based product.
You have to be careful..
CBD can be derived from Cannabis & Hemp, but at the moment it is only legal in the UK if it is derived from Hemp. CBD can also have a small THC content, as long as it is below 0.2% then it is legal in the UK. When importing CBD products from the US it is important to take note of the THC content in the product as their legal level of THC is 0.3%, so you could wind up using an illegal product by accident.
How does it react with the body?
Our bodies have a system which is comprised of receptors that interact with CBD. It is called the Endocannabinoid System (ECS). We have two receptors known as CB1 receptors and CB2 receptors.
CB1 receptors are concentrated in the brain and central nervous system. These are key parts of the body that maintain core functions such as motor activity, pain perception, stress response and memory.
CB2 receptors are widely distributed throughout the peripheral organs in the body, serving as core components in the immune system, muscular system and cardiovascular system.
When CBD enters the body, it bonds with CB1 or CB2 receptors and can improve the efficiency and maintenance of your body’s natural systems
Did you know?
Nearly 60% of medications are metabolised through liver enzymes, P450 & CYP450, CBD (Cannabidiol) is known to interact with both of these enzymes, which some medications also interact with, when CBD is used along side these medications metabolised by this pathway, caution should be used.
If you use CBD whilst on these medications it could block these critical enzymes, allowing more of the medication to get into your system than needed. Some medications can become toxic if this happens.
An easier way to tell if you can use CBD along side your medication is by checking the information leaflet it comes with & look to see if there is a grapefruit warning, if it says you shouldn’t eat grapefruit with the medication then you shouldn’t use CBD either.
The Endocannabinoid System
If you have heard about CBD, then there is also a chance you have heard about the Endocannabinoid System too, but what is it exactly?
The Endocannabinoid System (ECS) is a complex cell-signaling system that was discovered in the early 1990s by people actually researching THC, which is CBD’s sister cannabinoid. Cannabinoids are the compounds found in cannabis or hemp.
We are still trying to fully understand the Endocannabinoid System, but as far as we know it plays a huge role in regulating a wide range of functions & processes through-out the body.
- sleep
- mood
- appetite
- memory
- reproduction and fertility
The Endocannabinoid System exists and is active in your body even if you don’t use any cannabis products?
Please note: CBD is neither a medicine, nor a cure for any illness and by no means do I make any medical claims. CBD can help to maintain your health and a healthy lifestyle.
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