What is CBD?
Some people can’t tell the difference between cannabis, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and (cannabidiol) CBD. Knowing the difference between the three is critical in identifying the health benefits of each. Cannabis is a plant rich in medical history, dating back to thousands of years. The plant contains over eighty chemical compounds, the most common being THC and CBD. THC or delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol is the chemical compound that gives the ‘high’ effect associated with the use of cannabis. THC attaches and activates the brain’s cannabinoid receptors affecting a person’s pleasure, coordination, thinking, time perception, and memory.
THC is one of many chemical compounds concentrated in the resin produced by glands of the cannabis plant. A majority of these glands are located within the reproductive organs of the cannabis plant than in any other part. According to NIDA, THC stimulates brain cells to release dopamine to create euphoria. It also affects how information is processed in the hippocampus, which is responsible for creating new memories. CBD, is a non-psychoactive member of the cannabinoid family. Although it’s the second most prevalent component of medical marijuana, it’s extracted directly from the hemp plant, a close cousin of the marijuana plant. It’s one of the hundreds of cannabis plant components that doesn’t cause a ‘high’ effect. It exhibits no results indicative of dependency or abuse. There’s no scientific evidence pointing to health problems associated with the use of pure CBD.
