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What is CBD and what does it do? Credits: Social Media
By Tom Costello

What is CBD and what does it do?

By Tom Costello

You’ve probably seen CBD products on the shelves or in shop windows by now. ‘But I thought weed was illegal?’ I hear you ask. Don’t worry, I’ll clear up all the confusion.

Well, CBD (cannabidiol) is not strictly cannabis but rather a chemical found inside of the cannabis plant. CBD does not get you high. The chemical inside cannabis that produces this relaxed or ‘stoned’ feeling is actually tetrahydrocannabinol (or THC) and is the main psychoactive ingredient in weed and therefore, the specific chemical that is illegal.

Hemp is non-psychoactive cannabis that contains 20% or more CBD and less than 0.3% THC, whilst marijuana is psychoactive cannabis that contains around 10% CBD and 20% THC.

CBD is not psychoactive. So, what does it do then? Although it does not get you high or alter your cognitive state like THC does, it still appears to have a range of health benefits.

The human body contains receptors known as the Endocannabinoid system (ECS), which is involved in regulating sleep, appetite, pain, memory and the immune system. In a nut shell, CBD interacts with these receptors to produce its effects, as does THC.

SWITZERLAND-CANNABIS-LAW
This picture taken on March 16, 2017 shows legal cannabis plants growing under eavy light in the greenhouse of Switzerland’s cannabis producer KannaSwiss in Koelliken. – The company procudes high cannabidiol (CBD) content cannabis with THC (psychoactive component) content below the Swiss legal limit. KannaSwiss sell medicinal oil and flowers to smoke. (Photo by Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP) (Photo credit should read FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images)

CBD has been shown to relieve pain and inflammation, improve mood, reduce feelings of anxiety and depression, as well as help treating a range of conditions such as seizures, arthritis, cancer, Crohn’s disease, Parkinson’s disease multiple sclerosis and others. Whilst it is not necessarily a cure for these conditions (such as cancer for example), it can provide significant symptom relief.

Not only does CBD appear to lack psychoactive properties, it in fact has antipsychotic properties. It has been shown to help treat and reduce psychosis, schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s and other mental illnesses.

Although there have been some scientific studies, most recent discoveries of the effects have been through people’s personal experiences, due to CBD only recently being distinguished from THC and therefore only recently legalised.

More research needs to be done and most likely is being done right now but there is a significant amount of evidence of CBD’s therapeutic effects so far.