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CBD, or cannabidiol, is a compound that is found in both the flowers and leaves of the cannabis plant. However, unlike another substance present in cannabis - THC, it does not have a psychoactive effect (so it does not reduce concentration or the ability to remember). How CBD works depends on the form of extraction and the way the cannabis is grown.
What is CBD?
Cannabidiol affects the endocannabinoid system found in the human body. This system was discovered relatively recently, in 1992, and - as scientists argue, it is responsible for regulating the body and restoring the body to a state of homeostasis. Receptors that activate the endocannabinoid system are scattered throughout the body, including are found in the brain, nervous system, digestive system, muscles and the reproductive system. They are responsible either for stimulating the given cells or for blocking their operation. The best known cannabinoid receptors are CB1 and CB2. CB1 is responsible, for example, for stimulating the appetite or feeling pain, and they can be found, for example, in the brain, and CB2 for the activation of immune system cells (hence most of them can be found in the immune system or the nervous system).
Cannabinoids are needed to activate the endocannabinoid system. Some of them are produced by the body and we call them endocannabinoids, while others are of external origin - these include, for example, phytocannabinoids present, for example, in CBD oils. They can attach to cannabinoid receptors and thus stimulate the appropriate cells to act. The endocannabinoid system also includes enzymes that destroy endocannabinoids when they are used up by the body.
CBD - how does it work?
CBD is the subject of an increasing amount of research, but research is usually too small and too small to be able to conclusively confirm all the effects people experience after taking it. The most documented effect of CBD is in people suffering from epilepsy. Most of the effects of CBD on the symptoms of various diseases were captured in 2022 by Pisanti et al. - we can, among others read that CBD used in Parkinson's disease may have a neuroprotective effect and reduce symptoms such as agitation and the number of episodes of aggressive behavior. In studies performed on mice, it was proved thatthat it reduces the symptoms of sclerosis and multiple sclerosis, and may also have immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects, which supports the treatment process itself. With diseases of the digestive system, it can suppress nausea, reduce the rate of disease activity in people with Crohn's IBD, and in the case of metabolic diseases, it can reduce some complications resulting from this disease.
CBD oil can simply relax, relieve tension, and improve sleep. Whether it will have such an effect depends of course on the individual situation, on what lifestyle someone leads, how he eats or plays sports. Without all the correct behaviors and a hygienic lifestyle, it is difficult to reduce stress or achieve good sleep quality, even if you take the best and certified CBD oil.
What is the form of CBD?
CBD is available on the market in various forms. The most popular of them is oil. Easy to use, it can be used by people of all ages, even the elderly, who have problems with swallowing. There are also capsules with CBD content, as well as dried products for inhalation. Rectal suppositories are a form that may surprise, but is also sometimes used. There are also creams and ointments with CBD on the market, used externally, mainly for cosmetic purposes.
What to consider when shopping?
CBD comes in various forms and concentrations. Therefore, the average buyer may find it difficult to choose the right product. The most important issue that should be guided by the purchase is to check whether the dietary supplement we are going to reach for comes from a proven source. Why is it so important? Because hemp is a plant that absorbs everything from the soil, including toxic substances. So if they grow in poisoned areas, they won't do much good with them. A CBD dietary supplement should have information on the label about the source of the cultivation, as well as the necessary certificates that the person grows cannabis for a given producer (e.g. that he can show a GMO-free certificate). In addition, a proven producer of CBD oils (or other products with this substance) should be able to confirm the safety of the product by presenting tests that show that its oils are microbiologically tested and comply with applicable standards. It is also important that the manufacturer can provide documentation on the content of heavy metals or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (WWW) in a given product.
The form of extraction of the oil that we are going to buy is also an important issue.For example, supercritical CO2 extraction is desirable, because it has a number of advantages, such as, for example, obtaining as many valuable values as possible from a given plant, such as, for example, phytocannabinoids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, vitamins, flavonoids, and it also allows you to extract only the desired substances from cannabis seeds, such as CBD, with zero (or very low) THC percentages (so it has no psychotic adverse effects).