CBD OVERVIEW

WHAT IS CBD?

CBD, an abbreviation for “Cannabidiol” is the one of the main compounds found in the Cannabis sativa or hemp plant. CBD is not to be confused with THC, as it is not psychoactive and does not change the person’s state of mind when using it.

WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT CBD BENEFITS?

While research in humans continues to help us to understand all the benefits of CBD; early indications are that CBD impacts the endocannabinoid system by its ability to bind to cannabinoid receptors⁴. The endocannabinoid system regulates many functions in the body including memory, sleep, emotional processing, pain control, immune responses, and food intake^4,5,6. Cannabinoid receptors can be found in the brain, liver, reproductive system, cardiovascular system, skeletal muscles, and the gastrointestinal tract⁶. The structure of a CBD molecule looks quite a lot like endocannabinoids that our body naturally produces⁶.

HOW DO I TAKE CBD?

CBD supplements vary widely when it comes to formulation and route of intended use. Here are the most popular, and likely the ones you’ll be most familiar with.

Ingestible

– CBD edibles supplements make up most products in the market today and can be found in anything from CBD oil or tinctures to functional foods like CBD gummies, baked goods, or beverages. CBD coffee anyone?
– Softgels and Capsules—if you’re not into getting your CBD through a tasty treat, softgels and capsules are another common delivery method for CBD

Topical

– Lotions, balms, gels, and oils abound for application of CBD to the hair and skin.

Inhalation

-While folks are turning to vaping CBD to reap its purported benefits, it is not recommended. A less risky route to experience cannabidiol may be CBD essential oils.

WHAT TYPE OF CBD IS RIGHT FOR ME?

Effects: Before diving in too deep, consider why you’re taking CBD and the desired effects you’re looking for are. Also worth mentioning, many CBD supplements are paired with other ingredients such as melatonin, l-theanine, or turmeric for sleep, stress, and antioxidant support, respectively.

Application: How you intend to use CBD really depends on your preferences and desired outcomes. If you’re into ingesting CBD for a sensory experience, CBD gummies or baked goods may work best for you. If it is relief post-workout that you’re after, a topical application in the form of a cream or balm is a fantastic way to start.

Dosage: A dose of CBD ranges from 5 mg/d up to well over 100 mg/d. Best practice suggests starting with the lowest dose possible and working your way up. Bear in mind ingestible CBD can take 60-90 minutes to reach full effect so err on the side of caution.

With continued market growth, there’s no doubt that CBD is here to stay. And as research evolves, we’ll hopefully gain more insight as to how this “wonder plant” and its effects on the endocannabinoid system. You can also read more regarding the common questions around CBD usage.

Sources

1. Sholler DJ, Schoene L, Spindle TR. Therapeutic Efficacy of Cannabidiol (CBD): A Review of the Evidence from Clinical Trials and Human Laboratory Studies. Curr Addict Rep. 2020;7(3):405-412. doi:10.1007/s40429-020-00326-8
2. Cather JC, Cather JC. Cannabidiol primer for healthcare professionals. Proc (Bayl Univ Med Cent). 2020;33(3):376-379. Published 2020 Jul 6. doi:10.1080/08998280.2020.1775437
3. Russo EB. The Case for the Entourage Effect and Conventional Breeding of Clinical Cannabis: No “Strain,” No Gain. Front Plant Sci. 2019;9:1969. Published 2019 Jan 9. doi:10.3389/fpls.2018.01969
4. Pacher P, Bátkai S, Kunos G. The endocannabinoid system as an emerging target of pharmacotherapy. Pharmacol Rev. 2006;58(3):389-462. doi:10.1124/pr.58.3.2
5. Crippa JA, Guimarães FS, Campos AC, Zuardi AW. Translational Investigation of the Therapeutic Potential of Cannabidiol (CBD): Toward a New Age. Front Immunol. 2018;9:2009. Published 2018 Sep 21.
6. Zou S, Kumar U. Cannabinoid Receptors and the Endocannabinoid System: Signaling and Function in the Central Nervous System. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2018; 19(3):833. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19030833 doi:10.3389/fimmu.2018.02009