What is The Science Behind CBD Products?

Unless you've been living totally off-grid, you'll likely be aware of cannabidiol (CBD). Chances are you've also heard some of the claims made on its behalf. But what exactly is CBD? Knowing the science behind CBD products is the savvy way to sort out the hype from the facts and get the most out of your cannabidiol use.

What is CBD?

People have used the Cannabis Sativa plant for recreational and medicinal purposes for thousands of years. CBD is just one of the active compounds that can be synthesised from the plant. The most common of these phytocannabinoids are known as cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Still, it's CBD that has caused a real buzz in health and wellbeing communities.

How Does CBD Work?

So what is cannabidiol, and how does CBD work? Our bodies naturally contain endocannabinoids, which act in a very similar way to phytocannabinoids. It's these receptors, located in your central nervous system, that trigger several complex physiological responses.

CBD binds to your body's endocannabinoid system (ECS), triggering the pathways linked to pain sensitivity, reducing inflammation and pain relief. This range of potentially beneficial effects is currently being clinically evaluated and peer-reviewed.

There's a common misconception that CBD gets you high. But while both CBD and THC come from Cannabis Sativa, only THC causes a psychoactive effect. Our CBD oil ingredients are effectively THC-free, so everyone from key workers to professional athletes can be confident when using them.

The Science Behind CBD

Studies have suggested that CBD has a range of effects, with PubChem listing over 900 credible and legitimate research papers that explore CBD in relation to pain management, anxiety and conditions like epilepsy.

Far from being a fad, a quick analysis of the research shows that CBD may have a valuable role to play in our general health. However, it's essential to realise that it may not be the cure-all that some claim. Nevertheless, increasing our biomechanical understanding of the role of CBD can help us get a grip on its complex role in our wellbeing.

Anxiety

Relieving anxiety is one of the most common uses of CBD oil. And there are indications that CBD does have anxiety-mitigating effects. For example, one meta-review of 11 studies found that taking CBD one hour before a triggering event reduced feelings of anxiety.

Pain

Indications that CBD could play a role in long-term pain management are of genuine interest given the addictive nature of some modern pain medication. For example, one study showed a significant improvement in quality of life for 94% of participants. In addition, it eliminated opioid use for 53% of those involved who replaced their regular opioids with 30mg of daily CBD.

Sleep

While some users find that larger doses of CBD can help with sleep quality and nighttime wakefulness, smaller amounts can have a stimulating effect. Little is yet known about CBD and sleep mechanisms. However, a literature review suggested that CBD may help with REM disorders and improve sleep in people living with chronic pain.

Inflammation

Because of the way CBD interacts with your body's ECS, there is genuine potential for its use in reducing inflammation. Animal and cellular studies have yielded promising results for CBD's use as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. Still, these haven't been tested in humans. However, as studies progress, this is likely to be one of the most exciting areas for research.

Get Support From Cheerful Buddha

If you want to know more about the potential uses of CBD, get in touch with the team at Cheerful Buddha. We're happy to answer your questions on anything from using our products to our CBD oil ingredients, so you have a clear awareness of CBD's true properties.