Cannabidiol (CBD) made a huge debut after people discovered how effective it is when it comes to stopping epileptic seizures. Since then, it has been known to stop muscle spasms, offer pain relief, reduce anxiety, and help with joint inflammation.
But, what exactly IS CBD and how exactly does it work? What makes it different from THC?
This post will give you an overview of everything you need to know about CBD.
What is CBD?
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a cannabis compound that has myriad medical benefits, but doesn’t give the “high” or “stoned” feelings that THC does. In fact, CBD can actually be used to counteract the psychoactive effects of THC.
Cannabis strains (or products) that are high in CBD tend to be less psychoactive – or not at all – than THC-rich strains and products. This makes it a better fit for individuals turning to cannabis to find relief from joint inflammation, anxiety, pain, mental health issues, seizures and spasms, and a variety of other conditions. CBD helps provide relief from these issues without bringing on lethargic “stoned” effects or the feeling of being “high.”
Research funded by the US government has proven CBD’s effectiveness when it comes to the treatment of a wide range of ailments and conditions, from arthritis to alcoholism to PTSD. It also has shown to have helpful effects on numerous neurological disorders, as well as cancer-fighting properties.
CBD is usually consumed in the form of an oil or tincture, but there are CBD-rich edibles and high-CBD bud.
How does CBD work?
CBD resides in the trichomes (resin glands) of female cannabis plants, and is just one of 85 (at least) cannabinoids (chemical compounds) of the plant. These are what bind to cannabinoid receptors in your body’s cells to bring about certain effects.
Some of these cannabinoid receptors are concentrated within the central nervous system, but others can be found throughout the entire body. In fact, there are even cannabinoid receptors in your skin and digestive tract.
While it is a cannabinoid, CBD doesn’t actually interact directly with the two main cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2). Instead, it indirectly affects the signal transmission through these two receptors. This is why CBD is non-psychoactive and does not affect your body or brain in the same way THC does. It is also why CBD is capable of inhibiting the enzymes that break down the endocannabinoids your body naturally produces, which also increases the amount of them.
CBD vs. THC
Source: greencamp.com
As you can see, THC is a psychoactive compound and CBD is not. While both of them are cannabinoids, they react differently with your body and its cannabinoid receptors. THC binds directly to cannabinoid receptors via the orthosteric site, but CBD binds via the allosteric site. As a result, it alters the binding of the THC and the endocannabinoids.
It’s this difference that makes it possible for CBD to affect the psychoactivity of THC. So, if a person experiences anxiety after smoking marijuana, they likely have too much THC and not enough CBD for their body. Increasing the body’s CBD level (such as through tinctures) will reduce the effects of the THC.
Research has shown CBD does more than just interact with the body’s cannabinoid receptors. In fact, CBD both directly and indirectly affects: Serotonin receptors (mood and stress), vanilloid receptors (pain modulation), and adenosine receptors (sleeping).
How is CBD used?
Because of its ability to affect numerous parts of the body all at once, CBD can be used in the treatment of multiple issues:
- PTSD
- Cancer
- Epilepsy
- Diabetes
- Neurological disorders
- Insomnia
- Pain and inflammation
- Arthritis
- Motor issues
- Parkinson’s Disease
What is the best CBD product?
One of the most popular CBD tinctures is produced by Ethos Innovates and has a ratio of 200 mg CBD to 100 mg THC.
Ethos Innovates 2-1 CBD-THC Tincture
When it comes to finding the best CBD tinctures available, Ethos Innovates is the place to start.
This pesticide-free, grown in the sunshine, full-flower extract is a water-based tincture has a CBD-THC ratio of 2 to 1. It was created as a blend of CO2 and RSO extracts that produced a pure cannabis oil that has incredibly complex cannabinoid and terpene profiles. It has some lemon oil added to it, giving each drop a zesty-earth flavor that tastes every bit as sun-kissed as the plant was.
This tincture is liquidy, being water-based, but looks thick and white in appearance and coloration. It has a potent earth scent to it, with light hints of lemon.
If you’re looking for relief from a wide variety of ailments from anxiety to inflammation to insomnia, this tincture is exactly what you’re looking for. Just put this under your tongue for 30 seconds, or mix it into your favorite drink, and you’ll start feeling the effects in no time!
What are the effects of Ethos Innovates 2-1 CBD-THC Tincture?
Each 1 oz bottle contains 200mg of CBD and 100 mg of THC, with 1 full dropper containing 10 mg CBD and 5 mg THC.
When taken sublingually, this tincture takes about 15 minutes to kick in and builds up for about 1 to 2 hours. Keep in mind, everyone is different and is affected differently.
Once it takes affect, there is a definite calm that washes over the top of your head and down to your feet. It’s a body relaxation that is followed by a mental calm. Physical tension, inflammation, and tightness is relieved early on and continues long after the dosage has been consumed.
What are some Ethos Innovates 2-1 CBD-THC Tincture reviews?
“I have a really bad back and it’s always hurting me. I’ve had several surgeries and my spine and muscles get really tight and painful. This has helped me be able to walk around and even clean my house – all without hurting! I love it. It kicked in quick, too.” – Nikki S.
“I’ve been looking for something that would help with the anxiety but not make feel high. This was exactly what I was looking for. It’s a bit strong-flavored, but you get used to it and then the lemon really comes through. It made me relaxed after about twenty-five minutes, and lasted for a long time. I’m getting more!” – Elsie L.
“I work with my hands and they tend to cramp up by the end of the day. Not to mention how sore my shoulders and back get! I don’t like to smoke, and I don’t like the stoner high I get from edibles. This tincture was great for the pain and tension, and didn’t stop me from doing things I need to do.” – Corey G.
“I’m not super big on the taste, but I really like how it makes me feel. It’s calming and relaxing, but not heavy stoney. I like it.” – Gabriel S.
We’ve got this great tincture available for just $54 per 1 oz. bottle.
Have you ever tried CBD? Share your experience with us in the comments below!
Disclaimer: Marijuana has intoxicating effects and may be habit-forming. Smoking is hazardous to your health. There may be health risks associated with consumption of Marijuana. Marijuana, in any form, should not be used by individuals that are pregnant or breastfeeding. Marijuana is intended for use only by adults 21 and older. Keep out of reach of children. Marijuana can impair concentration, coordination, and judgment. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug. This product may be unlawful outside of Washington State. Always ask your doctor before using any form of Marijuana. This article is not intended to replace advice, opinion, or instruction from a doctor or other medical professional.
I’ve been using CBD for my back and have seen improvement that I wouldn’t have imagined possible. By using CBD it not only kills a lot of the pain immediately but also relaxes my muscles so much that even the next day I’m able to feel the benefits
We love hearing great success stories like this! We’ve got plenty of CBD tinctures, including the one featured in this post. Head on down to the shop for some killer deals!
Hello, I picked up some CBd for sleep not back but think you will be able to help me out. It doesn’t tell me a ratio, any advice?
Everyone has a different endocannabinoid system, so the dosage of CBD can definitely vary. Basically, some people find relief with 3mg taken twice per day, while others take closer to 300mg four times per day, and more.
The best way to determine the best CBD dosage for YOU is to start out low and keep adjusting the amount of CBD and the number of doses until you find a ratio that works well for you. If you’re a new cannabis user, try starting out with a 5mg dose of CBD as need to maintain relief for your back.
If you took multiple doses during the first day, adjust the dose to 10mg. How do you feel?
Keep adjusting as necessary until you have consistent relief for your back. If you’re more experienced with cannabis, try starting out at a higher dosage, like 25mg, and go from there.
I hope that helps!
I like using CBD syrup in water. I love that it doesn’t get me stoned, just calm. I have debilitating anxiety and CBD is the only thing that keeps it under control. CBD also helps with the physical pain of working in food service 6 days a week. Thanks this is
A good read I learned some facts I didn’t know before.
The lack of the “stoned” or “high” feelings is one of the biggest benefits of using CBD to treat a variety of conditions. It provides relief without being debilitating or giving that lethargic effect. We’re glad to hear how well it works for you, and that you enjoyed the article. Be sure to stop by the shop for some killer deals on our CBD products!
I gave the tincture a chance, and it worked wonders! World of weed is one of my favorite companies! their employees are so well informed and knowledgeable! I love the blogs on your website, very well written, very informative!!
We’re glad to hear that! Thank you for reading and being a valuable customer. 🙂
How would you rate CBD oil against Xanax?
Regards.
We are a recreational marijuana store, and do not dispense medical advice. It would be best to talk to your healthcare professional about this.
Thank you for reading!
You can definitely just use it in times of stress, or even better before the stressful event, if possible. Most CBD products take 20-60 minutes to take effect and CBD oil takes around 10. Once you get your dosage right (my advice is to start with 5 mg/kg a day) you can keep it there for 2 weeks and see if you feel better. There are absolutely no withdrawal symptoms with CBD. Here’s a study I recently found that explains the dosage and any reported side effects — https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5569602/
Yes, that’s correct. Thank you for reading!
some truly fantastic work on behalf of the owner of this site, dead outstanding subject matter.
We’re glad you enjoyed the post! Thank you for reading.
Seeing as CBD products are becoming more and more popular, it’s probably not a bad idea to learn a bit about them. Seeing all the medical benefits of CBD would be cause enough for me to start using it. Now I don’t have any of those ailments but you never know what could happen in the future.
CBD also improves overall wellness, even if you do not have specific ailments. 🙂