What actually is CBD? Hardly any other natural substance is as raved about as cannabidiol. It is extracted from the hemp plant, is supposed to promote well-being and alleviate many everyday problems such as sleep disorders, depression or nervousness. Many also wonder if CBD is even legal then, since possession of cannabis is, after all, illegal in Germany. So what exactly is behind the "mysterious" active ingredient - and how does it actually affect our body?
In this article I would like to give you more information about CBD - from its definition, to its effects, to products that are now used on a daily basis.
What is CBD (cannabidiol)?
Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of more than 100 so far discovered Cannabinoids of the hemp plant. It is the second most common active ingredient that can be extracted from the female plant. Cannabidiol is still relatively little researched compared to the most common active ingredient in the hemp plant, THC. However, there is increasing evidence that CBD may have extremely high medicinal benefits.
Cannabidiol is a lipophilic molecule and is therefore very well distributed throughout the body and into the central nervous system.
Are CBD products legal or illegal?
If all prerequisites from the Annex 1 of the Narcotics Act are complied with, cannabidiol in active ingredient is a legal active ingredient. Mainly because it is not psychoactive and does not have a mind-altering effect. It is not a narcotic. CBD flowers, however, are not legal because they have not been processed. And since THC-containing weed and CBD weed are difficult to distinguish visually, there could always be problems with the police in everyday life.
Effect of CBD on the body
The endocannabinoid system is an integral part of our nervous system and crucial for a strong immune system and the relief of pain. When cannabinoids feed, they dock on certain receptors in our body. CBD has the following effect₁, among others:
- Relaxing
- Anti-inflammatory
- Antibacterial
- Antispasmodic
- Bone Growth Promoting
- Antischemic (reduces risk of arterial blockage)
- Antipsychotic
- Anxiolytic (relieves anxiety)
- Bone stimulating (promotes bone growth)
- Neuroprotective
- Antidiabetic
- Antiepileptic
- …
Basically, the natural product cannabidiol has thereby No side effectsbut doctors do not recommend using it during pregnancy because the protective function of the placenta could then be reduced.₂
Fields of application of CBD
We now know how CBD works, but of course we should still take a look at its areas of application. Here are some health areas₃ where the active ingredient is used:
- Sports: Here, for example, the pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory effect of CBD is used for regeneration. The agent is also used to increase performance and concentration.
- Pain: CBD is not only used in sports, but also quite basically as an everyday painkiller. For example, for headaches or muscle pain, as well as osteoarthritis, sclerosis and even cancer.
- Psyche: Sleep disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, Alzheimer's disease, depression or anxiety disorders are also treated with the help of CBD.
- Epilepsy: The sedative effect of CBD is also used against epileptic seizures or cell death.
- Diabetes: Against diabetes, the anti-inflammatory effect of CBD is used. The active ingredient is also used for cell wall protection and general stress reduction.
- Digestion: Many users also use cannabidiol when they suffer from nausea or constipation.
Can you think of other areas of application or have you had your own experiences that you would like to share? Then just write, as always, a comment under this article.
Difference from THC (tetrahydrocannabinol)
Unlike CBD, THC, the most abundant active ingredient in the cannabis plant, has significantly fewer positive, medicinal properties - but it does have an intoxicating effect and gets its users high. You could say that THC works on the mind and CBD works on the body. THC is mainly known for its happiness hormone releasing effect and works in the brain, like comparatively heroin or morphine. However, with CBD, the nerve cells in the brain are not anesthetizedThe main difference between the two substances is that CBD is a sleep-inducing substance. THC makes you tired and CBD makes you awake.₄
What CBD products are available?
Whether definition, effect or application areas - now you already know a lot more about CBD. But what products are there that contain CBD? With increasing demand, the offers also sprout like mushrooms from the ground. Here I would like to show you the most popular forms of CBD consumption.
Tip: Since there is a lot of money to be made with CBD products, there are now also some black sheep on the market. CBD-VITAL.com for example, is in my experience a trustworthy provider with quite a large selection.
CBD oil
The CBD oil from the glass vial consists of the extract of the female cannabis plant. Basically, it is recommended to keep the drops a little under the tongue before swallowing. This way, the active ingredient can also be absorbed very well through the oral mucosa.CBD oils differ in their concentration. Common values are, for example, 2, 5 or 15 percent. If you want to use the product, you may have to experiment a bit until you find the ideal dose for you.
Here you get the best CBD oils*
Notice: Sometimes the terms "hemp oil" and "CBD oil" are lumped together. But there is a significant difference between the two. While CBD is extracted from the flowers, hemp oil is made from the hemp seeds, which basically contain no cannabinoids. When buying, you should orient yourself by the ingredients "hand extract" or "CBD extract" as well as the indicated CBD content in milligrams, which indicate a CBD product.
CBD Capsules
Of course, CBD oil is also available in capsule form. Even if the capsule doses usually consist of Plastic Their content has already helped many people. Of course, you do not have to let the capsules with cannabidiol melt in your mouth, but you can swallow them directly. Since the effect only develops in the intestines, you may experience a slower effect with the capsules than when taking CBD drops. However, the capsules are tasteless.
I can recommend you these CBD capsules*
CBD Tea
The calming effect of cannabidiol can also be developed with the help of tea. This is available with natural CBD content, both vegan and non-GMO, in a paper bag. I drink it regularly and find that it puts you in a pretty relaxed mood.
CBD Liquid
As a liquid, CBD can be used, for example, with a Evaporatorsuch as a vaporizer. As long as the THC content is below 0.2 percent, the CBD liquid is legal. Therefore, when buying, make sure that this is not exceeded. In Switzerland, for example, the limit is higher, which makes products from respective manufacturers surprisingly suddenly illegal here in our country.
CBD Cosmetics
Due to its health-promoting properties, cannabidiol is now also a component of countless natural cosmetic products. You can get it, for example, as face care oil, eye serum and cream, body lotion or anti-wrinkle cream.
Here you have a wide selection of CBD cosmetic products*
More products
- Pet food
- Chocolate
- Mouth spray
- CBD flowers (illegal in Germany)
- …
The processing of CBD flowers or the CBD seeds contained therein to CBD oils and the many other products is very complex. This ultimately explains the relatively high prices.
Do you know of any other products with CBD? Then feel free to write me a comment.
CBD with medicinal effect
At the latest with the embedded video, you now have a whole cornucopia of information about the active ingredient CBD at hand. Cannabidiol unfolds an effect that has already helped an incredible number of people in the fight against their complaints.
Have you already tried the active ingredient? What experiences have you had with CBD? Feel free to let me know in the comments.
Stay healthy,
PS: CBD is basically a legal component of the hemp plant. If you want to learn more about cannabis consumption in Germany and the world, please take a look at the Cannabis statistics.
References:
₁ Hemp Med GmbH: Entourage Effect, https://cbd-cannabidiol.de/pages/entourage-effekt. [14.05.2020].
₂ CBDNOL GmbH: What is CBD (cannabidiol)? - CBDNOL, https://www.cbdnol.com/pages/was-ist-cbd [2020/05/14].
₃ Lightweb-Media Burghardt: CBD - Forms and Fields of Application at a Glance, https://life-in-balance.net/cbd-formen-anwendung-ueberblick. [14.05.2020].
₄ GreenPoint Solutions GmbH: The difference between THC and CBD explained in an understandable way, https://www.medicann.ch/unterschied-zwischen-thc-und-cbd. [14.05.2020].
Interesting and profitable contribution about a much discussed topic. Brings light into the dark with me. Thank you 😉
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