What Is Cannabidiol?

Posted on by TJ
A model of Cannabidiol with text that reads "What is Cannabidiol?"

Cannabidiol, commonly known as CBD, is finding its way into just about every wellness product these days. But are manufacturer’s health claims warranted? Or is cannabidiol just snake oil? In this blog post, we’ll explore what cannabidiol is and,

  • How it works with your body
  • How you can use CBD
  • And how CBD balances out THC

What Is Cannabidiol?

CBD is one of the more than 100 naturally occurring cannabinoids produced by hemp and cannabis plants.

On the atomic level, CBD and THC aren’t that different. But when we zoom out, we observe that they interact with our bodies in vastly different ways. Unlike THC, CBD isn’t psychoactive, meaning that if you ingest CBD, you won’t feel “high.”

How Does Cannabidiol Work? 

Cannabidiol interacts with our body’s endocannabinoid system— a biological system shared by almost all mammals. For more details, please see our blog post about the endocannabinoid system (ECS). Essentially, the ECS is a network that helps us regulate:

Working With The ECS

Cannabidiol and other phytocannabinoids (phyto- meaning of the plant) both mimic and preserve the endocannabinoids (endo- meaning inside) that our bodies naturally produce. Some believe that consuming phytocannabinoids like CBD can actually help a user’s entire endocannabinoid system run more efficiently. 

Here are a few key ways we think CBD works with the ECS.

Modulating Receptor Activity

Unlike THC, CBD doesn’t bind directly to our CB receptors but is believed to facilitate or prevent the uptake of specific endocannabinoids. For example, CBD can help prevent the uptake of adenosine, an endocannabinoid that your body uses to stay awake.

Interacting with Other Receptors

CBD also interacts with other receptors in the body. For instance, it can activate serotonin receptors, which play a role in mood regulation and anxiety. This interaction might explain why some users find that CBD can alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Reducing Inflammation

CBD has anti-inflammatory properties, making it beneficial for conditions involving inflammation, such as arthritis and multiple sclerosis.1 By reducing inflammation, CBD may be able to alleviate pain and improve overall health.

Disclaimer: None of this blog post should be misconstrued as medical advice. The FDA has not approved any CBD products to treat, cure, prevent, or diagnose any ailments or health conditions.

The Health Benefits Of CBD

The potential benefits of CBD are vast and varied. Some of the most well-documented and researched benefits include:

Seizure Management

Of all of the potential benefits of CBD, seizure management is the most documented. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved cannabidiol-derived Epidiolex to treat rare types of seizure disorders.

Pain Relief

Many people use CBD for its pain-relieving properties. It may help manage chronic pain by influencing endocannabinoid receptor activity, reducing inflammation, and interacting with neurotransmitters.

Heart Health

CBD’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties may contribute to improved heart health. Some studies have shown that CBD can lower high blood pressure, a significant risk factor for heart disease.2

Anxiety and Depression

CBD has shown promise in treating anxiety and depression, likely through its ability to interact with serotonin receptors.3 This makes it a natural alternative to pharmaceutical drugs, which can have adverse side effects.

How Do You Consume Cannabidiol?

You can consume cannabidiol in any number of ways. We’ll explore some of the most common in this section. But first, let’s note that as CBD technology improves, expect to see new and more exciting methods coming out in the next few years.

Sublingual

Sublingual means under the tongue. Many people who use CBD oil or CBD tinctures will opt to use them under their tongue. The membrane under your tongue is thin and allows for quicker absorption of CBD into your bloodstream.

Ingestion

Ingestion covers most CBD edibles and beverages. When you consume or ingest CBD, it has to reach your stomach and intestines before it reaches your bloodstream. Generally, though, when you ingest cannabidiol, the beneficial effects will last longer.

Inhalation

When you smoke or inhale hemp, the cannabidiol inside will reach peak concentration in your bloodstream in three minutes.4 Many users who opt for inhalation tend to do so because of how rapidly they find relief.

Topically

You can also use topical CBD for localized benefits. Your skin, just like every other organ in your body, contains ECS receptors and can benefit from CBD.

How Does Cannabidiol Differ From THC?

Both CBD and THC share a molecular formula (C₂₁H₃₀O₂), though the way the atoms are arranged makes a big difference. The tangible difference is their effects on users. While THC-rich cannabis is famous for its intoxicating effects, cannabidiol is non-psychoactive. 

THC is a CB1 and CB2 agonist, meaning that it binds to those receptors in your endocannabinoid system. CBD doesn’t interact with any receptors in your endocannabinoid system.

Does Cannabidiol Interact With THC?

Cannabidiol can affect how your body uptakes THC and can diminish some of THC’s unwanted side effects.

You may notice the difference if you consume THC products. When a THC product contains some amount of cannabidiol, you may notice that you have a more balanced experience. The theory about why that is, is called the “entourage effect.”

How Does Your Body Process Cannabidiol? 

Like THC, cannabidiol is an external cannabinoid that must exit your body the same way everything else does. After your body processes CBD, it makes its way to your liver. Your liver breaks down the CBD into metabolites that you expel via excrement, urine, and even your hair.

Also, like THC, CBD can stay in your system for quite some time. The duration depends on factors unique to you. But do exercise caution if you’re using CBD and have a drug test in the future.

Updated: 

June 16, 2024

Sources:

  1. Atalay, Sinemyiz et al. “Antioxidative and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Cannabidiol.” Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland) vol. 9,1 21. 25 Dec. 2019, doi:10.3390/antiox9010021
  2. Jadoon, Khalid A et al. “A single dose of cannabidiol reduces blood pressure in healthy volunteers in a randomized crossover study.” JCI insight vol. 2,12 e93760. 15 Jun. 2017, doi:10.1172/jci.insight.93760
  3. De Gregorio, Danilo et al. “Cannabidiol modulates serotonergic transmission and reverses both allodynia and anxiety-like behavior in a model of neuropathic pain.” Pain vol. 160,1 (2019): 136-150. doi:10.1097/j.pain.0000000000001386
  4. Millar, Sophie A et al. “A Systematic Review on the Pharmacokinetics of Cannabidiol in Humans.” Frontiers in pharmacology vol. 9 1365. 26 Nov. 2018, doi:10.3389/fphar.2018.01365
  5. Photos courtesy of Wikimedia user Cacycle
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