This week, we want to discuss the health benefits of CBD oil. We are excited to announce that we will soon be carrying our own line of CBD products, all of which are harvested from organically raised crop. Stay tuned for details! Also, check out this week's mouth-watering recipes and other office happenings.
 

 

What is CBD?

CBD, or Cannabidiol is a chemical compound found in the Cannabis plant. Unlike THC, CBD does not produce any psychoactive effects. Research has found the it to be effective in treating inflammation, pain, anxiety, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, cancer, depression, schizophrenia etc. CBD oil can be safely consumed by children and adults as part of their daily diet. 
 

Where does CBD come from?

CBD is extracted and separated from specific varieties of cannabis, often known as hemp. Chemically, CBD is one of 85 chemical substances known as cannabinoids, which are all found in the cannabis plant. CBD is the second most abundant compound in hemp, typically representing up to 40% of its extracts.THC, which produces psychoactive effects, represents the most abundant compound in the cannabis plant.
 

Health benefits of CBD

CBD, has shown anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties in a number of experimental models. In some studies, CBD was found to be a more potent anti-inflammatory than aspirin. We know that reducing inflammation in the body is one of the most important pillars of good health. 

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22625422

CBD oil can act as a natural pain killer. Several studies show that CBD activates the same brain areas as opioids, exerting an analgesic effect.  Cannabinoids act as neuromodulators for a series of physiological processes including reducing pain sensation. Moreover, studies suggest that through its analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, CBD oil can reduce arthritic pain. 

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2503660/

CBD oil can act as a natural neuroprotective agent, preventing neurodegradation. It can also aid in reducing oxidative stress, the effects of which are felt in Crohn’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, gastric ulcers or Central Nervous System disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, Multiple Sclerosis, or Parkinson's disease. 

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18679164
 
CBD oil is beneficial for skin health. A recent study showed that cannabidiol-rich oil can inhibit the production of sebum, being a potential solution for people struggling to keep acne outbreaks under control. CBD oil inhibits the production of sebocytes and exerts antiproliferative effects, while reducing inflammation. We've pasted the link to this study below.

https://www.jci.org/articles/view/64628

The National Cancer Institute details several studies into the anti-tumor effects of CBD. The study linked below found that CBD reduced the size of breast cancer tumors in mice. CBD may do this by inducing tumor cell death, inhibiting cancer cell growth, and by controlling and inhibiting the spread of cancer cells. CBD also eases nausea and vomiting. This is especially helpful for individuals enduring chemotherapy and other treatments for serious diseases. 

http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10549-010-1177-4

CBD may also alleviate severe social anxiety. Generalized Social Anxiety Disorder is one of the most common forms of anxiety disorders.  According to the National Institute of Mental Health, approximately 15 million adults in the United States have social phobia and about 6.8 million have a generalized anxiety disorder. Traditional treatment usually involves counseling and medications. Treatment with CBD can be more effective than conventional anti-depression drugs. It acts quickly and does not cause side effects or withdrawal symptoms.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24923339

As you can see, the known health benefits of CBD oil are vast and widely varied. Research is ongoing as scientists, physicians, and consumers continue to find new benefits of incorporating CBD into a helathy lifestyle. 
 

How is CBD metabolized?

THC has a high binding affinity to CB1 and CB2 receptors. CBD on the other hand, has a very low binding affinity to both CB1 and BC2. It prefers to bind to vanilloid, adenosine and serotonin receptors. For example, high levels of CBD have been shown to activate the 5-HT1A serotonin receptor, exerting anti-depressant effects. The same receptor is involved in a series of processes from pain perception, appetite, nausea and anxiety to sleep and addiction mechanisms.

The biochemistry is a bit complicated. However if you would like to further your study about the processing of CBD in the body, we've included a link below to a thorough yet digestible article, How CBD Works. Enjoy! 

https://www.projectcbd.org/how-cbd-works