Nowadays, it’s impossible to enter a dispensary, pharmacy, or grocery store, online or offline, without coming across cannabidiol (CBD) products. You can get CBD gummies, capsules, vapes, lotions, creams, and many more.

As more and more CBD benefits get proven by scientists, the more attention CBD gets. 

I’ve spent countless hours pouring over available data on CBD, and I’ve used CBD dietary supplements for the last six months. Today, I’ll give you 10 interesting CBD facts.

 

• There are over 100 Cannabinoids in the Cannabis Plant

CBD is only one of over 100 cannabinoids you can find in the cannabis plant. And this number is still growing.

CBD and THC are the two main chemical compounds found in cannabis plants. However, there are many other cannabinoids in trace amounts. These cannabinoids work the same way as CBD — they interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system and can give you various health benefits. Moreover, other cannabinoids in the plant can enhance the effects of CBD.

• CBD Can Be Derived from Marijuana and Hemp Plants

There’s a myth that CBD can be extracted only from marijuana. In fact, it can be found in both hemp and marijuana plants. The difference is that marijuana has higher amounts of THC, while THC is only found in traces in hemp plants. 

Hemp is a great source of CBD because it has higher concentrations of CBD than marijuana. Hemp plants also grow faster than marijuana and need less care. 

• CBD Doesn’t Get You High

CBD doesn’t have psychoactive properties, which means it won’t get you high, unlike THC. THC binds to CB1 and CB2 receptors in the brain, and this causes a euphoric feeling.

CBD is non-intoxicating. It interacts with the endocannabinoid system and provides health benefits by balancing biological processes and functions in the immune and central nervous systems.

Because it’s non-intoxicating, CBD is safe to use for children and seniors. 

 

• CBD is Legal

Hemp-derived CBD that contains less than 0.3% THC is legal under the 2018 Farm Bill. These CBD products are extracted from industrial hemp grown in the US.

Make sure to check the amount of CBD and THC before you buy CBD products. Hemp that contains more than 0.3% THC is illegal under the controlled substances act.

Also, laws vary from state to state, and some states allow the use of CBD even if the THC content is high. It’s best to check the laws in your state.

•  CBD Balances the Effects of THC

CBD can counteract some of the psychotic effects of THC. Our bodies respond to these cannabinoids differently. 

If you consume high amounts of THC, you’ll feel high. You can even have adverse effects, such as paranoia, anxiety, and loss of memory. But CBD can counteract the negative effects of THC, so you feel joyful and creative.

 

• CBD Benefits Depend on Other Hemp Compounds

How effective CBD is, depends on other compounds in the cannabis plant. One study compared a single-molecule CBD extract versus that of a whole-plant CBD extract. The whole-plant extract had all the cannabinoids and terpenes of the hemp plant.

The scientists found that whole-plant CBD-rich extract had more health benefits and higher therapeutic effects compared to single-molecule CBD. This is because of the entourage effect, where all cannabinoids and terpenes work together to provide befits. This means full and broad-spectrum CBD is more beneficial than pure CBD products. 

 

• Our Bodies Naturally Produce Cannabinoids

We have the endocannabinoid system in our body. This system keeps our bodies in balance and is in charge of pain, appetite, mood, and many other functions.

However, if there’s a deficiency in endocannabinoids, this leads to a disruptive system. The result is health conditions such as chronic pain, multiple sclerosis, blood pressure, and many others.

Adding CBD oils to your diet boosts the endocannabinoid system and fixes the deficiency issue.

 

• CBD Helps With Seizures and Epilepsy

Epidiolex is the only FDA-approved drug, and it’s used for treating epilepsy attacks in children. 

The main concern is giving the right amount of cannabis-derived compounds to children, which is why you should consult your pediatrician before using this medicine. This especially goes if you plan to use full-spectrum CBD oil because it has other cannabinoids apart from CBD.

 

• CBD is Pet-Friendly

CBD does the same for pets as it does for people. Animals have an endocannabinoid system just as we do, and CBD can help your pet have healthy joints, neurological health, cardiovascular function, and more. For example, CBD oil for pets can be used for pain relief and other purposes. 

You can use hemp seed oil to enhance the nutritional profile and meet the dietary need of your pet. 

 

• CBD Loses Its Benefits if Exposed to Light

CBD oils are generally sold in dark bottles. This is because CBD deteriorates when exposed to UV rays, and dark bottles can protect the liquid.

Sun won’t make your marijuana-derived CBD products expire faster, but it will make them unusable by decreasing their potency. 

You should keep your CBD oil in a dark and dry place, away from direct sunlight.

 

References

Holland, K. (2019, January 29). CBD vs. THC: What’s the Difference? Retrieved from Healthline website: https://www.healthline.com/health/cbd-vs-thc 

Farm Bill. (n.d.). Www.usda.gov. Available at: https://www.usda.gov/farmbill 

Niesink, R. J., & van Laar, M. W. (2013). Does Cannabidiol Protect Against Adverse Psychological Effects of THC?. Frontiers in psychiatry, 4, 130. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2013.00130 

BioLyfe. Buy CBD Products Online. 1 December 2022, https://biolyfebrands.com/product-category/cbd/.

Gallily, R., Yekhtin, Z., & Hanuš, L. O. (2015). Overcoming the Bell-Shaped Dose-Response of Cannabidiol by Using Cannabis Extract Enriched in Cannabidiol. Pharmacology & Pharmacy, 06(02), 75–85. Available at: https://doi.org/10.4236/pp.2015.62010 

What is the entourage effect in cannabis? (2020, January 8). Leafly. Available at: https://www.leafly.com/news/cannabis-101/cannabis-entourage-effect-why-thc-and-cbd