What does CBD do?

Does CBD make you feel good?

Although cannabidiol (CBD) is said to have a relaxing and calming effect, don't expect to get high by taking CBD.

The cannabis plant naturally produces hundreds of different chemical compounds, including things like cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids. Each compound interacts with your body in a unique way, helping to create different experiences. To explain what CBD really feels like, and to unravel its health benefits, we need to look at how CBD interacts with the human body's endocannabinoid system (ECS). 

CBD is said to have a relaxing and calming effect. The effects are very different from those of THC.

Cannabinoids and the endocannabinoid system

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) consists of endocannabinoids, receptors to which cannabinoids bind, and enzymes that break them down. While THC activates CB1 receptors, CBD induces the opposite result, inhibiting the activity of CB1 receptors. 

Apart from CB1 receptors, CBD interacts with the human body by binding to several other targets. For example, this non-toxic cannabinoid has at least 12 sites of action in the brain and can elicit therapeutic effects by activating multiple pathways at once. 

The interaction between CBD and SEC can create a feeling of relaxation and mood enhancement. In addition, CBD has become popular in the wellness world, and many wellness professionals and consumers include CBD in their overall wellness and health regimen.

Beyond the use of CBD to promote general wellbeing, studies and anecdotal evidence also suggest that it may offer therapeutic value in treating chronic pain, reducing inflammation and helping to reduce anxiety. It could also be a potential treatment for a range of other conditions such as nerve pain, Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis and others. 

Does CBD make you feel good?

You may have heard about the supposed health benefits of this non-toxic cannabinoid, but what does CBD feel like once it enters your system? Many consumers and medical patients report various positive effects after taking CBD, including feelings of relaxation and calmness. But the exact sensation you will get from CBD depends on several factors, such as the type of CBD product, the total CBD dosage and your ECS. 

The effect of CBD depends on your body chemistry and the type of product you choose.

Depending on the treatment or therapeutic relief you are seeking, different CBD products may be more beneficial than others. For example, CBD-infused topicals have been reported to provide localised relief for specific areas of pain.

The specific characteristics of each individual, such as weight, diet, metabolism, other medications, genetics and medical conditions of the consumer, as well as the formulation and quality of the CBD product itself, could influence the amount of therapeutic value that CBD will offer. 

It depends not only on the person, but also on their ailment or state of health. Depending on an individual's therapeutic needs, different CBD products may be more beneficial than others. 

Chronic pain and more: the potential health benefits of CBD

CBD is primarily known for its wellness benefits and for helping people manage a range of health problems. For example, CBD products are often used by patients looking for ways to reduce their chronic pain. For many patients, CBD is seen as a natural alternative to relying on a regimen of prescription drugs.

These are some of the various health conditions for which people often use CBD:

• Acne
• Anxiety and anxiety disorders
• Inflammation
• Pain, specifically chronic, inflammatory and neuropathic pain
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Seizures

In addition, CBD is known for its anti-epileptic properties and the only marijuana-derived drug approved by the FDA is a CBD drug for two rare forms of childhood epilepsy. Researchers are also studying the neuroprotective properties of CBD, which could be useful for people with multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease. Finally, data from human studies suggest that CBD may help reduce high blood pressure, with one study showing that a single dose helped lower blood pressure in study participants.

There is now substantial anecdotal evidence to suggest that CBD may be useful in treating these and similar conditions. There is also a growing body of peer-reviewed medical research. However, more research, including randomised and statistically significant clinical trials, is needed to determine the full range of CBD's health benefits.

The different types of CBD oil have different effects

When you come across a wide selection of CBD oil products, it may not seem like there is much to differentiate them. However, not all CBD oils will make you feel the same. In fact, the effects of different CBD oil products can differ drastically. 

Hemp-derived vs. marijuana-derived CBD oil

There are two main classifications of cannabis plant that produce CBD: hemp and marijuana. Although the molecular structure of CBD is identical regardless of the source, there is a difference between the chemical composition of hemp and marijuana plants, which can result in CBD oil products with different effects. Furthermore, understanding whether CBD comes from a hemp plant or a marijuana plant is important when it comes to the big question: is CBD legal?

Industrial hemp plants are usually grown for their fibre and seeds. Hemp plants are considered legal under US law, as long as they contain no more than 0.3% THC. Therefore, hemp-derived CBD products have little or no THC, which prevents consumers from feeling any intoxicating effects. 

Marijuana-derived CBD products, on the other hand, are extracted from marijuana plants that tend to have higher levels of THC than CBD, although there are several CBD-rich cultivars on the market. Marijuana-derived CBD oil contains much higher levels of THC than hemp-derived products, so consumers should be prepared for corresponding effects. These products are legally available on the adult-use market and in certain medical marijuana states, but remain illegal at the federal level. For this reason, if you want to buy CBD products that also contain THC, check your state's marijuana laws first.

CBD Oil and Topicals

Not all CBD oil will make you feel the same. There are many types of oil on the market, so make sure you know where the oil in your products comes from.

While the intoxicating sensation of THC may be something you want to avoid, it is important to note that CBD, THC and other cannabinoids have been shown to have a synergistic relationship when taken in tandem, a phenomenon commonly known as the entourage effect. For example, when CBD is consumed together with THC, people tend to experience less of the paranoia and anxiety associated with high concentrations of THC. The inclusion of other minor cannabinoids and terpenes may also contribute to the experience and how you end up feeling.

The 3 main types of CBD oil

When it comes to the alleged effects of CBD oil products, one has to look beyond hemp- and marijuana-derived products. Additional cannabis compounds and ingredients (or lack thereof) also play an important role in the consumer experience. There are big differences between broad-spectrum CBD oil (the one we use in bovē), full-spectrum CBD oil and CBD isolate. 

Full spectrum CBD oil    

When a CBD oil product is labelled as full spectrum, it means that the plant's original terpenes and other types of cannabinoids, including cannabinol (CBN), cannabigerol (CBG) and, most importantly, THC, have not been filtered out during the extraction process. This oil will give you the full benefit of any entourage effects. 

Broad spectrum CBD oil     

Broad spectrum CBD oil is similar to full spectrum CBD oil, as the oil contains most of the cannabinoids (CBD, CBG, CBN, CBC, CBDa AND THERPENES) from the original plant. However, the key difference here is the additional extraction process that filters out all traces of THC. Once the THC is removed, consumers don't have to worry about the feeling of being high, but can still take advantage of the potential benefits of other minor cannabinoids and terpenes. 

Our Broad Spectrum oil.

CBD isolate 

The most refined CBD option is CBD isolate, which comes in the form of a crystalline solid or white powder. Stripped of all other cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids, CBD isolate contains almost 99% of pure CBD. With all THC and other compounds removed, CBD isolate is the purest possible form of CBD available. 

CBD isolate is the most refined form of the non-toxic cannabinoid, containing more than 99% of pure CBD.

What are the side effects of CBD oil?

Although CBD does not produce the same adverse side effects as THC, should you be concerned about encountering any other side effects of the cannabinoid?

A paper published by the World Health Organisation found that "in humans, CBD does not exhibit effects indicative of any potential for abuse or dependence". However, there may be some undesirable side effects. Although research has found that CBD has a much better side-effect profile compared to most other drugs, a large dose of CBD can still have potentially adverse effects. For example, a 2017 study published in the journal Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research concluded that although CBD had a "favourable safety profile".

It is essential that you consult your doctor and seek medical advice before starting a ritual of CBD products, including our CBD and CBG oil. Be sure to discuss any possible drug interactions with other medications before you start consuming CBD.