CBD, or cannabidiol, is a chemical compound produced naturally by the cannabis plant. CBD is also produced by low-THC hemp plants. CBD is an entirely natural and organic material which is used by numerous medical and recreational cannabis lovers.
CBD – a naturally occurring cannabinoid
CBD belongs to a family of compounds collectively known as cannabinoids. There are dozens of cannabinoids produced by cannabis. THC and CBD are two of the most well known cannabinoids and they are quite different in their effects.A CBD rich cannabis with, for example, 0% THC and 15% CBD will feel quite different to one with 15% THC and 0% CBD. THC delivers a strong cerebral effect with a powerful psychoactive high. CBD has no significant psychoactive effect, you don’t feel high after using CBD. But after smoking or vaping a CBD rich variety you may feel a sense of well being, reduced anxiety/stress and perhaps notice some physical effects on your body. MS (Multiple Sclerosis) patients are one group that often report some relief from their MS symptoms after using a CBD rich cannabis strain.
Why are there so many CBD based products available?
In recent years the interest in CBD products has increased dramatically. In many countries CBD oil, CBD capsules and many other CBD products have appeared in the high streets. With interest in medical cannabis at an all time high, these CBD products have proved very popular. Many cosmetic CBD products such as CBD skin creams, CBD shampoos & conditioners have become popular. Many people who would never consider using cannabis to get high don’t have a problem using a CBD product. In this respect, CBD has been a positive influence in society. CBD may be a cannabinoid but many perfectly normal, healthy and law abiding people now have a very high value for it. Many of these people are also more curious than ever to know and understand more about the many other cannabinoids, their uses and effects.
Growing your own CBD weed
As various seed companies have developed CBD rich cannabis strains, many people grow cannabis with some CBD in it. CBD varies from trace amounts all the way up to 15-20% in the dry buds. Some people enjoy using cannabis with a 1:1 ratio of THC:CBD. This gives a balanced high which isn’t too powerful and suits some people better than a THC rich strain. Other growers prefer to grow strains which are dominant in either CBD or THC, depending on their personal preferences. You can grow CBD weed with either autoflower seeds or feminised photoperiod seeds. Many cannabis growers feel that some CBD in their weed gives it a more rounded and pleasurable feeling, possibly with a slightly improved ‘body stone’
What is the future of CBD?
Lots of people have become fans of CBD and use it regularly for the perceived benefits. Some people feel CBD has a calming effect. Others feel it helps with their medical condition. However, not everyone is happy seeing CBD products available for sale and efforts have been made to restrict the sale of CBD in some countries. This has proved unpopular with CBD users who point out that CBD doesn’t get you high. The prohibitionists feel that even a loose association with cannabis is sufficient to justify banning a CBD containing product.Fans of CBD point out that trying to restrict sales of CBD containing products is simply not possible, there are simply too many people using it and too many companies offering CBD products for sale. CBD and CBD products look like they are here to stay.
Is CBD medically useful?
CBD is used in some medicines, for example Sativex is an oral spray which contains a 1:1 mix of THC and CBD. It is made by GW Pharmaceuticals, it is fully licensed and approved for use by MS patients. The spray eases muscle spasticity (muscle stiffness and soreness) allowing MS patients some symptom relief. So CBD has definite medical uses, as does THC. It is likely that large pharmaceutical companies are actively researching and studying CBD, along with all the other cannabinoids. CBD, along with other cannabinoids such as THC, is receiving more medical research than ever before as large pharmaceutical organisations try to produce more products which will allow them to create profitable revenue streams from cannabis and all the various cannabinoids. Cannabis may have been illegal for many decades, but as prohibition restrictions ease around the world cannabis is being viewed increasingly as a multi-purpose plant offering a range of medically useful cannabinoids.