In recent years, the rise of CBD has been phenomenal. Every day, hundreds of thousands of users across the globe utilize CBD-based products to help ease a range of conditions and symptoms, but what exactly is it?
When people hear the term CBD, cannabis is often the first thing that springs to mind. However, although it does stem from the marijuana plant, CBD has none of the psychoactive properties of smoking a joint, and it is actually an incredibly popular wellness product. That said, even though its use is steadily on the rise, its use is still controlled in certain areas, and there is strict legislation on how it can be marketed.
What is CBD?
When it comes to wellness products, it is almost impossible to avoid seeing CBD products in this modern world. Yet many people are still cautious of using it due to not quite understanding what exactly the substance is.
CBD is short for Cannabidiol, which is a naturally occurring chemical compound that is found in the marijuana plant. While it is the second most common ingredient in cannabis, with only THC being more common, it has no psychoactive properties. This means that using it does not result in the user becoming stoned or high.
Not only will it not get you high, but CBD has also been shown to have no addictive traits or harmful properties. According to the World Health Organization, “CBD exhibits no effects Indicative of any abuse or dependence potential. To date, there is no evidence of a public health-related problem associated with the use of pure CBD.”
Nowadays, CBD products come in an array of styles, but before it can be used in oil, gummies, or tinctures, it needs to be extracted from the plant. To extract Cannabidiol from the cannabis plant, there are two key methods:
- Carbon dioxide
This solution uses CO2 in a liquid form, which is then forced over the cannabis plant, stripping away the CBD. This liquid is then returned to the gas form, leaving the extracted CBD behind.
- Solvent extraction
This is a very similar method to the carbon dioxide method, but instead of using CO2, it uses Butane, ethanol, or propane, which is a much cheaper alternative to carbon dioxide. The solvent method does require a lot of care.
How does CBD interact with the body?
CBD has a wide range of benefits, as it interacts directly with the human body’s natural endocannabinoid system. This is a complex biological system that impacts and controls a wide range of processes, from our appetite and mood to how we perceive pain and even sleep.
The endocannabinoid system is made up of two types of receptors. CB1 is primarily responsible for our coordination, movement, memory, mood, appetite, and much more, while CB2 is located in the peripheral nervous system and relates to pain and inflammation.
CBD influencers and stimulates these receptors, activating them to engage, which then helps to provide the many benefits that it brings.
What are the benefits of using CBD?
Although research is ongoing to discover just how many benefits using CBD-based products can bring, there are already a number of proven ways in which it can help you.
- Pain relief
One of the most common uses of CBD products is to help ease pain. Humans have been using the marijuana plant as a source of pain relief for thousands of years, with the earliest known use dating back to 2,900 BC.
Research has shown that CBD is able to help reduce the symptoms and pain that come from chronic pain. A study recently undertaken on rats found that the animals given oral CBD showed reduced pain response compared to those who were not. Equally, multiple human studies have found that taking CBD helped to reduce the pain and symptoms commonly associated with multiple sclerosis and arthritis.
- Reduce depression and anxiety
Another very common use of CBD products is to help relieve feelings of anxiety and depression. These are two of the most common mental health conditions in the world, and although they are typically treated using pharmaceutical drugs, the side effects include insomnia, sexual dysfunction, nausea, and headaches. Certain treatments can also be highly addictive, which can create substance abuse issues in patients.
In recent years, many people suffering from depression and anxiety are turning to CBD products to help relieve the symptoms. Studies have shown that as CBD interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system, releasing serotonin which helps to significantly reduce symptoms of anxiety. At the same time, it also has a number of antidepressant effects.
- Reduce symptoms of cancer
Although scientists are continuing to research the exact effects of how CBD interacts with the body, it has been known to treat certain symptoms associated with cancer. Although it cannot cure the disease or prevent it, CBD can help with side effects related to cancer treatment, such as nausea and pain.
Studies on people undergoing chemotherapy found that CBD was able to significantly improve their feelings post-treatment.
- Help to reduce acne
Almost everyone will experience breakouts every now and then, with acne impacting 90% of the world’s population at some point. However, for a small percentage of these people, acne is a daily issue that seriously affects their self-esteem.
The exact causes of acne remain unclear, but the primary reasons are genetics, inflammation, sebum, and bacteria. Thanks to the anti-inflammatory properties of CBD, it can help to reduce the redness and swelling that is typically associated with acne, while it might also be able to help with the reduction of sebum.
- Improve heart health
High blood pressure and heart disease are some of the world’s biggest killers. However, a JCI Insight study in 2017 found that those subjects treated with CBD were able to reduce their blood pressure compared to the control group.
Not only could it lower blood pressure, but it is also able to help reduce both physical and oxidative stress, which significantly improves the overall health of the heart.
- Reduce seizures
CBD is also commonly used by those suffering from epilepsy to help reduce the intensity and frequency of seizures. Although there are still many studies ongoing to help ascertain the exact benefits, in 2018, the American Food and Drug Administration approved an oral CBD product to treat two rare forms of epilepsy in young children.
While these six uses are some of the most common, CBD products are being used to treat a wide range of conditions. However, although it is considered safe to use, some users have experienced side effects and adverse reactions to sustained or heavy use. These include:
- Changes in your appetite
- Diarrhoea
- Mood swings
- Dizziness
- Dry mouth
- Vomiting and nausea
These are very rare occurrences, though, and the vast majority of users will experience no side effects.
How do you take CBD?
With the popularity of CBD-based products on the rise, scientists and innovative companies are increasingly looking for new methods to allow users to consume the compound. The market is packed with products, but the most common include:
- CBD Oil
When people think of consuming CBD, oil is often the first thing to spring to mind. Not only is this one of the most common solutions, but it is also one of the oldest. These products are highly refined, and users simply need to place a few drops of the oil on the underside of their tongue for it to start to take effect.
- Edibles
Another very popular form of consuming CBD is through the use of edibles. Nowadays, these solutions are coming in an ever more creative solution, from sweets and gummies to drinks and condiments. For those users seeking to discover the benefits of CBD but want a convenient method of consuming it, edibles are a great solution.
- Capsules
Capsules work in the same way as taking any kind of tablet, and users simply need to swallow the capsule with a drink. Unlike other methods, which can start to take effect quite quickly, capsules often take a few hours before the user will begin to see the results.
- Topicals
One of the fastest-growing methods of consuming CBD is through topicals. These are solutions such as lip balms, creams, or body lotions that are applied directly to the target area. The CBD within these solutions will then begin to engage with the endocannabinoid receptors in the skin.
- Vaping
Many users are using their e-cigarettes to consume CBD. Vapers are now able to enjoy a range of different strength CBD vape juice, which they can inhale and absorb through their lungs. This is one of the fastest methods of taking CBD, as it is able to enter the bloodstream far faster than other options.
- Smoking
Despite the many new methods of consuming CBD, smoking is still one of the most effective and popular solutions. While marijuana contains THC, which gives the psychoactive properties typically associated with smoking a joint, the CBD flower provides all of the benefits of CBD without the THC effect.
The plant has less than 0.3% THC, which makes it completely safe to use without having to worry about feeling stoned or high. For regular smokers, taking CBD is just like smoking a normal joint. Users just need to grind the flower down like they would normal cannabis and roll it into a joint using rolling papers or pre-rolled cones.
Is CBD use legal in every country?
Although the consumption of marijuana is illegal in large swathes of the world, the use of CBD is far more relaxed. It is currently legal to use CBD-based products in almost every country in the world, but because of its association with the cannabis plant, it faces a lot of legislation and regulation.
Each country has its own rules surrounding the use, production, and marketing of CBD products, but throughout Europe, its use is generally legal and can be purchased and used in every member country.
While the laws and regulations differ between countries, all products must typically not be over a certain percentage, which is usually 0.3%. Another important consideration most manufacturers have to consider how the product is branded and marketed. One of the most important is that CBD cannot be sold as a medicine or health product. Most commonly, CBD products will be branded as a food supplement item or as a wellness item.
However, a recent revision in 2019 declared that all CBD products billed as food supplements will require special authorization before being able to enter the market. This is a costly and very time-consuming process, which is putting many new manufacturers off from entering the EU.
It is also important to remember that the rules surrounding the use of CBD products are changing at an incredible rate. However, as the popularity of products grows and science continues to prove the many benefits it provides, CBD looks set to become a more common sight.
How Eurocones can help
CBD is a fantastic wellness product and can help to provide users with a wide range of benefits. While there are now many different methods that users can utilize to consume CBD, smoking remains one of the most popular.
If you are looking to discover the many benefits that CBD can offer, then Eurocones is here to help you. We are a young and passionate team that is dedicated to providing smokers with the very best pre-rolled cones possible.
Our 100% vegan solutions are produced with the utmost care, and we utilize the latest construction techniques to ensure our customers are always able to enjoy a superior smoking experience. We pride ourselves on our innovative solutions and customer service, so if you want to find out more about our range of pre-rolled cones, check them out here!