CBD products such as gummies, lotions and oils have become increasingly available over time. While these may provide relief for various issues including anxiety, they should not be seen as a panacea.
Epidiolex, an FDA-approved twice-daily oral medication used to treat rare severe seizure disorders, is the only CBD product currently marketed as medication; most other CBD products fall under supplement category.
Cannabinoids
Cannabis plants produce cannabinoids known as phytocannabinoids that bind to receptors in the brain to cause various effects; some cannabinoids may be psychoactive while others do not, with THC and CBD being two common examples.
Research suggests cannabinoids could aid with numerous conditions, from chemotherapy-related nausea and vomiting, pain relief, dystonia treatment and possible anticonvulsant properties for those living with epilepsy.
Small trials suggest that cannabis or the cannabinoid dronabinol could help alleviate PTSD symptoms, and an ongoing larger study is currently in progress.
Phytochemicals
Phytochemicals are chemicals found in fruits, vegetables and other plants that possess health-promoting properties. Examples include vitamins, minerals, fibers and plant pigments which have antioxidant and antibacterial properties as well as being known to lower cancer, heart disease and obesity risk.
Studies have demonstrated the power of phytochemicals to combat pain, inflammation and depression as well as prevent or delay aging and strengthen your immune system. Common phytochemicals include carotenoids, flavonoids, phenolic acids and saponins.
Phytochemicals can be extracted from different sources using various extraction techniques and used to create functional foods and nutraceuticals. Their extraction solvents include green (water, ethanol, glycerol, fatty acids/oils, ionic liquids, acetic acid isopropanol isopropanol supercritical CO2, deep eutectic solvents) and non-green solvents such as acetone chloroform butanol methanol methyl acetate benzene hexane cyclohexane). Different phytochemicals exhibit different degrees of affinity towards solvents as well as tolerance towards heat.
Cannabinoid Receptors
The cannabinoid system consists of enzymes and receptors that work to control physiological pathways, including lipid storage, glucose metabolism and cell signaling. Furthermore, its role is crucial in helping restore homeostasis following injury or disease.
CBD interacts with cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2. It serves as a negative allosteric modulator of CB1, meaning it inhibits binding to certain orthosteric ligands without changing their potency or efficacy; this decreases psychoactive effects of THC while simultaneously increasing therapeutic benefits.
CBD may offer relief for pain relief while simultaneously increasing anandamide levels in your body, one of its natural cannabinoids that helps regulate other chemicals such as serotonin that can impact mood states. CBD also impacts TRPV1 receptors which detect stimuli like heat or pressure – suggesting anti-inflammatory properties from CBD as well as activating PPAR-g, an important regulatory body involved with managing fatty acid storage and glucose metabolism.
Benefits
CBD may assist with treating various medical conditions, such as fibromyalgia, arthritis pain and anxiety. It has even been used to help control seizures for those living with epilepsy and is an antioxidant; some research suggests it could even lower cholesterol and prevent diabetes by decreasing insulin resistance.
One small study suggests that CBD could reduce blood pressure among participants while simultaneously improving arterial health, but more research needs to be conducted in order to confirm these results.
Some studies suggest that CBD helps manage chronic and neuropathic pain in people living with diabetes, though these don’t clearly distinguish between its effect and other influences such as placebos.
Before adding CBD to your treatment plan, it is advisable to consult a health care provider. Since CBD may interact with certain medications such as blood thinners and antidepressants, as well as interfere with certain medical tests, it’s best to inform your physician if you plan on taking it. In addition, select an FDA-regulated company like NuLeaf Naturals or Bluebird Botanicals which conduct third-party testing of every batch and provide detailed batch reports online – this way your purchase will have greater peace of mind and peace of mind!
