What is CBD?
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a type of cannabinoid, a naturally occurring compound, found in the cannabis Sativa flower. CBD is generally harvested from hemp, a subgroup of the cannabis Sativa family, which has been used for millennia in natural medicine. The compound has recently come back into the spotlight as research has indicated its effectiveness in supporting a variety of issues and its lack of side effects.
Key facts about CBD
There is a lot of misinformation surrounding CBD, so before we dive into the science behind this fantastic compound, we would like to clear up a few things.
CBD vs THC
Although in the same family, CBD does not have the intoxicating effects that THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) does. It will not get you ‘high’ or ‘stoned.’
Is CBD legal?
Yes. CBD was made legal in the UK in June 2018 and removed from the controlled substance list. By law, CBD products must contain less than 0.2% THC.
I get drug tested at work, can I take CBD?
Yes. Drug tests do not test for CBD; they test for THC.
If this still worries you, we would advise using isolate products (Our isolate contains less than 0.0025% THC per product. We have ambassadors undergoing military medicals who face no issues in this area).
Isolate vs Full Spectrum
The CBD molecule is isolated during the extraction process. The benefit here is that you can use CBD without the concern of trace amounts of THC.
Full-spectrum CBD is whole plant extraction. Here you can benefit from the ‘entourage’ effect, CBD working in combination with other cannabinoids and terpenes. THC levels are still below the legal 0.2%.How does CBD work?
CBD works through the endocannabinoid system (ECS), modulating neurotransmitters' response that sends signals to the body about inflammation, sleep, and anxiety. The ECS includes two types of receptors that CBD is known to work on and endogenous cannabinoids (cannabinoids that originate within the body).
Central cannabinoid receptors type 1 (CB1) – are found in the CNS (central nervous system), the small intestine and the vascular endothelium (the interface between the blood and vessel wall).
Peripheral cannabinoid receptors type 2 (CB2) – are found in the immune system.
CBD does not bind to receptors
Unlike THC, which binds to the CB1 receptor in the CNS and is a partial agonist (creating the psychoactive effect known as a ‘high’), CBD binds to a separate site and modulates the transition across the receptor. Acting like anti-lock breaks for the CNS, it provides a potent antagonist or inverse agonist effects.
Inflammation
CBD modulates the body’s inflammatory response by acting as an inverse agonist on the CB1 receptor.
Sleep
CBD impacts the sleep/wake cycle by increasing sleep latency.
Anxiety
Evidence points to CBD having a calming effect on the CNS.
Absorption
CBD is a large molecule, making it tricky to absorb. This is why it is often combined with a carrier that is high in fat, like MCT oil (medium-chain triglyceride such as coconut oil).