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What is Cannabidiol (CBD)?
Everything you need to know about the world’s second most popular cannabinoid
For decades, the cannabinoid called tetrahydrocannabinol, otherwise known as THC, was the focus of many alternative health spaces. Today, Cannabidiol, also known as CBD, is among the most studied cannabinoids alongside THC and CBN.
Cannabinoids and the Endocannabinoid System
To understand how CBD interacts with the body, it is helpful to define what cannabinoids are and the system inside the body that interacts with cannabinoids.
Cannabinoids
Cannabinoids are compounds that naturally occur inside the cannabis plant, including in hemp. They primarily form inside trichomes, which are tiny, translucent bulbs that pepper the exterior of cannabis buds (flowers) and the fan leaves of the plants, often referred to as “sugar leaves.”
Phytocannabinoids are cannabinoids that form naturally inside a plant, which distinguishes them from cannabinoids produced synthetically in a lab. Phytocannabinoids have been identified in other plants, including licorice, rhododendron, and liverwort. There are at least 113 distinct phytocannabinoids that have been isolated from the cannabis plant.
Endocannabinoids are lipid-based neurotransmitters that form inside the body and bind to the CB1 and CB2 receptors attached to the nervous system. They regulate pain, mood, appetite, and sleep.
Endocannabinoid System
The endocannabinoid system, or ECS, is a biological system comprised of neurotransmitters called “endocannabinoids” that bind to cannabinoid receptors and receptor proteins that show up throughout the central nervous system. The ECS is composed of CB1 and CB2 receptors, which involve three core components: endocannabinoids, receptors, and enzymes.
Cannabidol, also known as: CBD
CBD was discovered in the 1940s, and its most popular medical application is as an anticonvulsant. Specifically, it is used as a treatment for rare forms of childhood epilepsy. Cannabidol is also known for its antimicrobial properties, especially against highly virulent, antibiotic-resistant pathogens.
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Conclusion
CBD is a cannabinoid and is highly effective at treating specific types of epilepsy. CBD lotions and topicals can also create an antibacterial barrier while moisturizing the skin. Plants other than cannabis and hemp can make cannabinoids.
Source Citations
Berida TI, Adekunle YA, Dada-Adegbola H, Kdimy A, Roy S, Sarker SD (2024). "Plant Antibacterials: The Challenges and Opportunities". Heliyon. 10 (10) e31145. Bibcode:2024Heliy..1031145B. doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e31145. PMC 11128932. PMID 38803958.
Blaskovich MA, Kavanagh AM, Elliott AG, Zhang B, Ramu S, Amado M, et al. (2021). "The antimicrobial potential of cannabidiol". Communications Biology. 4 (1) 7. doi:10.1038/s42003-020-01530-y. PMC 7815910. PMID 33469147.
Epidiolex – cannabidiol solution". DailyMed. August 26, 2020. Archived from the original on February 25, 2021. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
Gülck T, Møller BL (October 2020). "Phytocannabinoids: Origins and Biosynthesis". Trends in Plant Science. 25 (10): 985–1004. Bibcode:2020TPS....25..985G. doi:10.1016/j.tplants.2020.05.005. PMID 32646718. S2CID 220465067.
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