How CBD Works: Does CBD Really Do Anything?
There are numerous global studies on the medicinal benefits of marijuana, but few on the benefits of CBD. This may leave you wondering how CBD works? Whether you want to learn more before you give it a try, or it’s already working for you—here’s what you need to know.
What Is CBD?
You may already know this, but CBD doesn’t get you high. There are over 700 strains of the cannabis plant. While the strains look similar and contain similar active compounds, each strain is distinguishably unique. Let’s look at the strains that fall into the categories utilized for wellness:
Marijuana—from a legal standpoint in the United States, this refers to any strain of the cannabis plant that contains more than .3 percent of the active compound tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC is the compound that gets you high. Anything less than .3 percent is considered CBD. However, marijuana also contains CBD. The legalization of recreational and medicinal marijuana varies greatly from one state to the next.
Hemp-Derived CBD—short for cannabidiol, CBD is the active compound that is responsible for the scientifically researched benefits of marijuana. As mentioned above, any product with .3 percent or less of THC is legal in all 50 states as of the Farm Bill of 2018. Some CBD brands, such as Holmes Organics, process their CBD to contain 0.0 percent of THC.
Hemp Seed Oil—CBD oil and hemp seed oil are not the same product. Hemp seeds contain zero to trace amounts of CBD, not enough to measure the milligrams per serving. If you believe you have tried CBD and it didn’t work for you, check the milligrams per serving. If it’s not included on the label, it is likely hemp seed oil. Use this product for cooking, as a source of Omega fatty acids, or for skincare and beauty benefits, but not for the wellness benefits of CBD. If you purchased your product from Amazon or eBay, it was hemp seed oil as CBD is not legal to sell on either site.
Once you understand which type of product you are considering, you need to understand how many milligrams of CBD your product contains per serving. Reputable brands clearly label their products. Products that don’t contain the milligrams per serving may be extremely watered down with synthetic additives or they may be hemp seed oil. Without confirming and testing different servings you cannot accurately determine if CBD works for you.
How Does CBD Work In The Human Body?
Now let’s discuss CBD and the endocannabidiol system. Cannabidiols are a naturally occurring compound that our body creates as part of our endocannabidiol system. There are over 100 cannabidiols, of which THC and CBD are just two.
There are two main endocannabinoid systems:
- CB1 which is in the central nervous system (brain and nerves of the spinal cord).
- CB2 which is in the peripheral nervous system (nerves in your extremities), the digestive system, and specialized cells in the immune system.
Our body creates cannabidiols as cellular messengers that assist in the vital process of homeostasis. Homeostasis is the process of keeping your body internally balanced through the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system. The unique cannabidiol found in CBD promotes the homeostasis process and is the only cannabidiol that connects the central and peripheral nervous systems.
Homeostasis is responsible for regulating:
- Appetite
- Coordination
- Hormones
- Memory
- Mood
- Pain control
- Internal pH
- Quality of sleep
- Temperature
- And more!
How Does CBD Work In The Brain?
Please Note—CBD companies cannot provide medical advice and we cannot guarantee that CBD will effectively soothe your mind or body. The data we provide is for informational purposes. Consult with your physician for guidance on all dietary supplements.
As mentioned above, by connecting the central and peripheral nervous systems the process of homeostasis can be ignited. A recent study conducted by Jose Alexandre Crippa and his colleagues at the University of San Paulo in Brazil and King’s College in London explored CBD’s effects on the brain—focusing primarily on anxiety. This study dove a bit deeper into CBD and the endocannabinoid system.
They found that in high concentrations, CBD activates the mood-boosting 5-HT1A serotonin receptor. This receptor is also responsible for regulating a variety of biological and neurological processes, including anxiety, addiction, appetite, sleep, pain perception, nausea, and vomiting.
What Are The Effects And Benefits Of CBD?
Most turn to CBD for the benefits of marijuana without the high. The effects and benefits vary from one person to the next. We suggest discussing your dosage with a physician. At Holmes Organics, servings start as low as 10 milligrams per serving in our CBD gummies and 30 milligrams per serving with our CBD oil. Oil is the most versatile as you can take it orally, apply it topically, cook with it, add it to beverages, add it to skincare and beauty products, and more!
Here is how CBD works per some of our customer reviews:
“I purchased the 25mg Softgels and have been taking them every morning... I totally feel a difference. Mood, energy, focus, all that is UP.” - Ashlee, Saint Louis Mo.
“...Adding a drop of Holmes Organics keeps me balanced. No matter how much caffeine or how many stressful events happen in a day, the health benefits of this oil keeps me balanced" - Chloe, Atlanta GA
"Holmes Organics plays a huge part in aiding me to maintain a healthy lifestyle! The CBD gummies help with boosting my mood..." -Kimberly, Atlanta GA
“I’ve been dealing with extreme pain from menstrual cramps for a very long time. I recently started using CBD products to help ease my pain. The cream has worked to help relax my muscles a bit and calms me down. It doesn’t fully take away the pain but it’s a nice touch in addition to my prescription. I’m definitely going to keep it my bag.” LC
What Does CBD Do To You?
How CBD works varies from one person to the next and can also vary depending on factors such as:
- The quality of your product
- Milligrams per serving
- Frequency of use
- Age, gender, height, & weight
- Overall health
- And more
We suggest speaking with your physician to determine the milligrams per serving and frequency of use that works for you. If you are searching for a premium, pure, and USDA-certified Organic CBD—we invite you to browse the products from Holmes Organics.