With increase in the use and adoption of CBD-based products in the market, one question has always lingered in the mind of potential users. Most often, these users have a tough time understanding what CBD is, what it offers and its potential side effects.
Since CBD is extracted from the cannabis plant, there are quite a lot of misconceptions about it getting people or not. To most of these people, CBD is not different from cannabis or hemp plant. If you belong to this category of people then worry no more, because this article will be written to address that question.
In this article, we shall discuss what CBD is, how it reacts in our body, its possible side effects and how it cannot get you high regardless of the dosage and mode of administration.
What is CBD?
We cannot describe CBD without referring to the cannabis or hemp plant, the endocannabinoid system, endocannabinoid receptors and cannabinoids. These are the most important factors that describe CBD.
CBD or cannabidiol is one of the numerous chemicals extracted from the cannabis plant. It belongs to a large group of chemical compounds known as the cannabinoids. Cannabinoids are either from plant or animal origin. While cannabinoids found in mammals operate as neurotransmitters and play active role in controlling cognitive reactions like sleep and appetite, plant-based cannabinoids (phytocannabinoids) are extracted from the cannabis or hemp plant.
The cannabis or hemp plant is home to over 124 different cannabinoids including the highly psychoactive tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), Cannabigerol (CBG), Cannabichromene (CBC), and Cannabinol (CBN).
Every member of the phytocannabinoids family possess its unique characteristics, which supports its use in medical and health products. For instance, CBD is highly modulatory and plays a key role in determining how the other cannabinoids interact with the endocannabinoid system while THC is highly psychoactive and is responsible for the feelings of highness people experience after using cannabis. CBG is regarded as the mother of cannabinoids since it serves as the precursor cell for the formation of other cannabinoids while CBN is a derived from the oxidation of THC.
How does CBD react in the body?
The endocannabinoid system consist of two important receptors (CB1 and CB2). These receptors are responsible for determining how CBD interacts with the body cells and systems. They also determine the type of reaction that occurs between the cannabinoids and body system. While the CB1 receptors are found in active circulation in the brain, central nervous system and peripheral organs like the liver, the CB2 receptors are active in the immune system where they play modulatory roles.
The level of interaction between CBD and the receptors is quite different from what is observed in THC hence the reason why CBD does not make you high. While THC interacts directly with the CB1 receptors, CBD interacts mainly with the CB2 receptors, which is expressed in the immune system. Its modulatory roles comes in handy in reducing the psychoactive effects of THC and other psychoactive cannabinoids.
CBD also interact with other members of the cannabinoid family like THC to reduce its psychoactive effects. This is achieved by modulating the way THC attaches to the CB1 receptors and by so doing, take care of its psychoactive effects.
What are the possible side effects of CBD?
Although CBD does not make you high, its use have been associated with some side effects like irregular eating habit, fatigue, weight loss, nausea and negative drug interactions. For the best activity, it is highly recommended that CBD should not be consume concomitantly with drugs like aspirin, clobazam, theophylline and alcohol since CBD reduces their metabolism.
Information from research has shown that CBD interacts with Cytochrome P450, an enzyme secreted by the liver to metabolize certain drugs. The presence of CBD modulates the active site of this enzyme thus making it unavailable to accept the incoming drug thus causing prolonged or overdosing.
It is highly recommended that you always consult with your physician before combining any drug with CBD products.
Conclusion
Regardless of your dosing, CBD does not make you high. Information from research has shown how the human body can manage more than 1000 mg of CBD without any possible side reaction. CBD is great at producing modulatory effects on several systems in the body including the way THC and other psychoactive substances react with its receptors.
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