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LEARNING THE FACTS About CBD Plant-Based Supplements by Dr. Kathryn R. Ronzo
C
BD is a three-letter abbreviation that is taking the health and wellness world by storm. If we haven’t heard of it yet from friends or family members, the media or maybe even our healthcare providers have talked about it. The abbreviation is short for cannabidiol, just one of over 113 cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. CBD, along with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), another cannabinoid, are the two main constituents found in marijuana and hemp plants that are being examined for their health benefits. There are a number of interesting facts about CBD.
1. Cannabis isn’t always marijuana, but marijuana is always cannabis. Cannabis is one of the many flowering genuses found in the cannabaceae family. This genus consists of three main species: Cannabis sativa, Cannabis ruderalis and Cannabis indica; they all have their own specific characteristics and effects on the human body. Hemp and marijuana, on the other hand, are commonly referred 30
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to as a species or strain of cannabis but are actually neither. Hemp and marijuana are actually more of a broad classification of the cannabis genus, which is based on their THC concentrations. “Hemp” is classified as a cannabis plant that contains less than 0.3% THC, whereas marijuana is classified as cannabis plant having more than 0.3% of THC. This classification plays a huge role in our legal system and is important to determining which can be used where. 2. Hemp-derived CBD is legal nationwide. When it comes to CBD, we need to look at where it is derived from. When it originates from industrialized hemp, the THC content is significantly lower than that of marijuana-derived CBD products. To be considered industrialized hemp, the product must contain less than 0.3% THC, according to the 2018 Farm Bill Act. All 50 states have legalized hemp CBD but marijuana CBD is still considered illegal in many state due to its higher THC concentrations. State and local laws may vary on the legalization of marijuana CBD, so it is important to check these laws
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prior to purchasing these products. 3. The human body creates its own cannabinoids. When it comes to talking about CBD, we cannot forget to mention the endocannabinoid system, or ECS. The ECS is an innate signaling system that works within the body to maintain homeostasis of various functions. It helps regulate sleep, mood, memory, appetite, hormonal regulation and cellular repair through endogenous cannabinoids binding to their respective receptor sites throughout the body. Two naturally occurring endocannabinoids are anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglyerol (2-AG), which are similar in function and attachment site to THC and CBD, respectively. Anandamide and THC bind to the CB1 receptor sites found primarily within the central nervous system, creating a sensation of ease and bliss. Unlike THC, anandamide does not create an intoxicating effect, or “high,” due to the rapid breakdown rate that specific enzymes have on it. 2-AG binds to the CB2 receptor site found primarily in the peripheral nervous
