What is CBD?
Cannabidiol, or CBD for short, is a naturally occurring chemical constituent of the cannabis plant genus. It is one of the major cannabinoids besides THC, CBG, CBN and CBC found in hemp and cannabis plants. In contrast to THC, CBD is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid and many medicinal properties are attributed to it. Both by researchers and users.
However, the largest proportion of CBD or cannabidiol occurs in the plants as an acid in the form of CBDa. In addition to the main cannabinoids, there are about 90 other secondary cannabinoids and terpenes found in cannabis plants. Since CBD and THC account for the largest part, these are also the cannabinoids that have been best researched so far.
Depending on the cannabis strain, the CBD content in relation to the total chemical constituents of the plant extract, which is about 20-40%. The majority of the remaining chemical components are other cannabinoids like tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), another molecule with many properties, but unlike CBD it has a strong psychotropic effect. But also chlorophyll, secondary cannabinoids, terpenes, terpenoids and flavonoids are included in this plant extract as long as it is a full extracted plant extract.
Nowadays, CBD is known equally among scientists, doctors and marijuana consumers, but it has not always been that way. At the beginning of the 20th century, it was not yet clear exactly what components and active ingredients make up the plant “cannabis sativa” despite the fact that it has been used over the centuries for medical as well as recreational purposes. Fortunately, the research of some pioneers of that time began to bear fruit. With these first discoveries began the history of the exploration of the CBD molecule.
As already mentioned, CBD is a cannabinoid found in cannabis and the hemp plant. In order to determine where CBD comes from, or where most of it occurs in the plant, we must first determine the parts of which the plant consists. The cannabis plant can be divided into 5 main parts:
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Root
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Stem/Branches
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Leaves
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Flowers
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Seeds
Cannabis is a dioecious plant, which means that there are female and male cannabis plants. The female and the male plants produce flowers in the 'flower phase' which correspond to the respective sex. At maturity, the male plants pollinate the female flowers, causing seeds to develop in the female flowers.
Cannabinoids are mainly produced on the female cannabis flowers in the trichomes on the surface of female cannabis flowers. These trichomes are also called resin and contain about 95% of all cannabinoids in the cannabis plant. Which means that CBD also comes from the flowers of the female cannabis plant. It is wrongly assumed that the seeds of the cannabis plant also contain cannabinoids. This is not correct. Seeds contain no cannabinoids, therefore it is not possible to extract (produce) CBD Oil from the seeds of the plant.
The roots of the cannabis plant also contain virtually no cannabinoids, so that even the roots are no source for CBD and the production of CBD Oil.
The stem and branches of the cannabis plant contain a little more cannabinoids than the seeds and the roots. However, even here cannabinoids are sparse, therefore the stem and branches are not an ideal source for the production of CBD extracts.
After the flowers, the leaves of the cannabis plant contain the second most cannabinoids. Especially the leaves that are near the flowers or are located among them. These leaves are also called petals. However, these are not nearly as potent as the flowers themselves.
What are Cannabinoids?
Cannabinoids are natural substances found in all 3 major genera of the cannabis plant (Sativa, Indica and Ruderlis). A cannabis sativa plant contains 500 organic compounds and 85 of them belong to the cannabinoid group.
Some cannabinoids are psychoactive, others not. However, the best medical potential (effect) has been observed when all cannabinoids are present and mutually supportive in their action. This effect is called the entourage effect.
Of all the cannabinoids, tetrahydrocannabinol THC and cannabidiol CBD are the best known and the best researched so far. Although THC also has strong medical potential and can have a positive effect on the human body, this substance is also psychoactive and overconsumption can lead to anxiety and paranoia.
CBD is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid, so it has a calming effect on the human nervous system. In addition, this cannabinoid is said to have a number of medicinal properties covering a variety of psychological and physiological disease symptoms.
Exogenous and Endogenous Cannabinoids
Among the exogenous cannabinoids are phytocannabinoids and synthetic or semi-synthetic/artificial cannabinoids. The endogenous cannabinoids are always natural products found within our body.
As an organism, however, there are no great opportunities to form more or less of these endogenous cannabinoids themselves, e.g. to achieve a more pleasant effect.
In the case of exogenous cannabinoids, however, it is possible to take them in any amount if they are available. Since marijuana always contains several cannabinoids at the same time, it would hardly be possible for normal users to take more of one cannabinoid without also including the other contained cannabinoids.
However, if today’s world wants it, then all of this would be possible as the cannabis strains can be optimized for breeding goals. On-the -other-hand, the active ingredients can be extracted from the flowers as pure substances and dosed very precisely.
Related Cannabinoids
There are currently approximately 85 known cannabinoids, phytocannabinoids or exo-cannabinoids in the cannabis plant. Since CBD and THC are most common in relation to the amount, they are also called main cannabinoids, while the rest, which are less well studied, are called secondary cannabinoids. These include the following cannabinoids, just to name a few:
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CBG – Cannabigerol
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CBC – Cannabichromen
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CBND – Cannabinodiol
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CBN – Cannabinol
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CBT – Cannabitriol
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CBE – Cannabielsoin
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CBL – Cannabicyclol
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CBCN – Cannabichromanon
What Are Terpenes and Terpenoids?
Terpenoids and terpenes are aromatic constituents found in many thousands of plant species. These substances are responsible for the cannabis varieties having a different taste and smell. We have known for decades that these substances are found in cannabis, but the knowledge of their therapeutic potential has only recently begun to increase.
Terpenes are an extensive class of naturally occurring organic ingredients. They are also known as Isoprene, since their structure is based on recurring isoprene chains (C5H8). Terpenes are important components of plant resins and essential oils derived from such plants.
Terpenes are simple hydrocarbons, while terpenoids contain other functional groups that can consist of several chemical elements. However, it has become customary to take the term “terpene” and the terpenoids in many existing spellings. The terpenoids, also known as isoprenoids, are the largest group of organic ingredients found so far and consist of at least 20,000 different molecules.
What is the Endocannabinoid System?
The endocannabinoid system is a component of the human nervous system. This mainly consists of the two receptors CB1 and CB2. These receptors are responsible for the secretion and transportation of vital messenger substances (neurotransmitters).
The CB1 receptor is (in simple words), responsible for the interconnectedness of our nervous system, but also, for example, for the regulation of our sense of pain. Furthermore, this receptor is also responsible for our addictive behavior and the suppression of bad memories. These are but little mentioned factors that are actually controlled by the CB1 receptor. This receptor is located mainly in the cerebellum and also in the intestine.
The CB2 receptor, on the other hand, has its main function in controlling our immune system. Thus, both receptors are vital building blocks in our complex nervous system.
The endocannabinoid system can be influenced by chemical as well as plant-based substances, both in a negative and a positive sense. For CBD and the other Exogenous Cannabinoids, this part of the nervous system is, so to speak, the landing site. From here, the precious ingredient cannabidiol can exert its effect in the human organism. THC also finds its effect there, allowing the consumer to experience its psychoactive properties. CBD, which acts as an antagonist to THC, can counteract the effect of THC in the endocannabinoid system with its inhibitory and blocking action.
CBD works by interacting indirectly or directly with the two receptors CB1 and CB2. As a result, it can simultaneously have anticonvulsant, anti-inflammatory and also calming properties. All of this happens without intoxication, as CBD is one of the non-psychoactive constituents of the cannabis plant.
How Does CBD Work?
As already mentioned, cannabidiol can intervene directly in the endocannabinoid system. The messengers of the two receptors CB1 and CB2 are positively stimulated by the CBD.
A lack of messenger substances in our nervous system can develop diseases. This refers to both physical and emotional disorders. In more simple terms, one can imagine that the two receptors, in order to fight a disease, do not emit enough messenger substances that our body understands as a fight against the disease. The CBD helps these receptors to send stronger signals (messengers). The mechanism doesn’t go beyond this, but the effects are almost a miracle.
What Are the Side Effects of CBD?
Basically, CBD has very few side effects and most importantly none that are dangerous to the health. Research has shown that CBD does not produce any harmful effects even at very high doses of 1600 MG. However, as with all substances, there are also certain side effects. Depending on the dose and individual, the following side effects may occur:
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Increased Tremor in Parkinson’s Patients
Early research suggests that at high doses CBD may increase the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. Nevertheless, it has also been found to have a beneficial effect in reasonable doses while treating Parkinson’s disease.
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Dry Mouth
According to another study, a dry mouth is one of the side effects of CBD oil. This effect is said to be triggered by the endocannabinoid system, which causes the inhibition of salivary secretion.
Argentine researchers showed, in a study published in 2016, that cannabinoid receptors are present in the submandibular glands responsible for the production of saliva. When these receptors are activated, saliva production changes, resulting in a dry mouth.
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Low Blood Pressure
A high dose of CBD oil can cause a small drop in blood pressure. This usually happens within a few minutes after the CBD enters the system. Patients often feel dizzy with lower blood pressure. You should consult your doctor first if you take medicines for blood pressure and you plan to take CBD.