Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as medical advice. Always consult your doctor before starting any new supplement, including CBD.
According to Google Trends, searches for terms like “What is CBD?” and “What Does CBD feel like?” peaked in the middle of 2019. The peak followed a steady rise that saw it move from an obscure search term before 2017 to a national curiosity in 2018.
In 2024, CBD is more popular than ever. It seems that half of the country is still asking those questions and starting their journey while the other half is indulging in the latest oils, gummies, and other CBD extracts. If you’re in the former group and are keen to learn more about CBD, this is the guide for you.
We’ll answer all of the following questions and more:
- What Does CBD Stand For?
- What Is CBD Oil?
- Why is CBD So Popular?
- Can I Benefit from CBD?
- Does CBD Get You High?
What Does CBD Stand For?
Let’s get the basics out of the way first: What does CBD stand for?
CBD is a contraction of “cannabidiol”, a phytocannabinoid that was first discovered in 1940.
CBD comes from the hemp plant and is the second most common compound in that plant, with the other being tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
The cannabis plant is composed of over 120 different cannabinoids, all of which have different effects and are found in varying concentrations. One of them, THC, is known for producing the feelings of euphoria, sedation, and paranoia associated with marijuana. Others, including cannabidiol (CBD), have very few psychoactive effects or adverse outcomes but may provide a number of health benefits.
What Is CBD Oil?
CBD oil is an extract of concentrated cannabidiol in liquid form. It can be made using a variety of extraction techniques and is available in many different concentrations.
CBD oil is the first step in the creation of most CBD products.
You can buy the oil in small bottles and consume it orally (either by adding it to food and drink or using a dropper to take carefully measured doses), or purchase gummies, edibles, vapes, and other products that have been made using CBD oil.
The purity of the CBD oil will determine its strength and quality, as well as the other cannabinoids it contains. There are over 100 different cannabinoids in cannabis and as CBD oil is produced by extracting compounds from leaves and flowers, these compounds may be included in the final product.
One of those substances is THC, a psychoactive cannabinoid that can trigger an array of effects. According to federal law, CBD products are only legal if they contain no more than 0.3% THC, so manufacturers manage THC levels carefully to ensure they don’t exceed this limit.
Does CBD Get You High?
As noted above, CBD products can contain trace amounts of THC, the compound responsible for giving marijuana its trademark effects. However, if the product has been produced as per federal guidelines and contains less than 0.3% THC, it won’t make you “high”.
CBD is not psychoactive either, so even large doses of pure CBD won’t trigger the same effects as THC.
Some users report feeling more relaxed, content, and at ease when they take CBD, but these sensations are not reported by all users, and when they do occur, they are nowhere near as pronounced as the ones produced by THC.
If you’re worried that CBD will make you high, impair your judgment, and trigger bouts of paranoia, there’s no need for concern. If you’re hoping to use CBD as a legal substitute for THC, one that will produce the same intense feelings of euphoria, you’re out of luck.
What Does CBD Feel Like?
CBD affects people differently.
In small doses, you may feel slightly calmer and more at ease, though some people don’t feel anything. In larger doses, it usually has an effect, but it’s mild—more calming than euphoric.
What’s really exciting about CBD is that it might have a number of effects that you don’t always feel straight away. In that sense, it’s more like a medicine than a recreational drug.
In one study, researchers found that CBD could have mild stimulating properties and that these properties likely stem from its ability to modulate sleep. Another study suggested that CBD could be used in the treatment of everything from addiction to neurological conditions.
If you’re looking for something that will have an immediate effect, whether by sending you to sleep, boosting your mood, or giving you the energy to run a marathon, CBD is likely not the answer. If you’re looking for a natural, low-risk medication that could help with an array of ailments, it could be just what you need.
Does CBD Help with Anxiety?
Anxiety is one of the conditions for which CBD is often recommended. It has been studied extensively as a potential treatment for anxiety disorder, and there’s also a lot of anecdotal evidence supporting its use.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), 31.1% of Americans will experience some kind of anxiety disorder during their lives. It’s a debilitating condition that can impact many aspects of a sufferer’s life. It’s also one that’s typically treated with addictive medications (including benzodiazepines) that have a high potential for abuse and can trigger a long list of side effects.
If CBD can alleviate the symptoms of anxiety disorder, it could make life easier for millions of Americans. Of course, there are no concrete conclusions stating that it can provide these benefits, but the research is certainly exciting and as it doesn’t cause any side effects and there is no potential for abuse, it’s easy to discover if it works for you or not.
Does CBD Help with Depression?
A 2019 animal study found that CBD could induce “fast and sustained antidepressant-like effects”. More importantly, it’s able to do this with minimal side effects.
Other studies have arrived at similar conclusions, and you don’t have to look far to find anecdotal evidence, either.
CBD seems to produce a sense of calm and contentment.
Depression is a complex disease and one that has many equally complex causes, but CBD could help some individuals struggling with this condition. It might not be a complete cure on its own, but it could be effective when used in combination with other treatment options.
Can I Benefit from CBD?
If you have anxiety, depression, sleep problems, chronic pain, or epilepsy; if you suffer from a substance abuse problem or an addiction, then you could benefit from a regular dose of CBD.
Why is CBD So Popular?
CBD is popular because it’s effective and seems to help with a wide range of ailments. Just as importantly, it provides all of these benefits with minimal side effects and no potential for abuse. It’s also a lot cheaper than many pharmaceuticals.
CBD’s popularity has exploded over the last few years due to the signing of the 2018 Farm Bill, one that ushered in a new era of legal hemp/CBD and allowed growers, producers, and retailers to put this product in front of a new, eager, and health-conscious audience.
The versatility of CBD has also helped to push its popularity. Not only could it help with a variety of health conditions, but it can also be consumed in many forms, whether you’re ingesting daily drops of pure CBD oil, chewing gummies, or vaping an extract.
Are There Any Side Effects?
CBD has been extensively studied and has not shown to produce any reactions that could cause concern. According to the World Health Organization, it shows no signs indicative of abuse or dependence potential—which means it is not addictive and shouldn’t cause harm with reasonable use—and there is nothing to suggest there are any “public health related problems associated with the use of pure CBD.”
Note that it references “pure CBD”, and not CBD in general. That’s because low-quality CBD could contain other compounds and contaminates, ones that may cause harm when consumed over the long term.
This is why you should always buy from reputable companies and get the highest-quality CBD that you can afford.
At Cannooba, we strive to sell the best CBD, giving consumers value for money and ensuring they can reap all of the benefits without worrying about ingesting something that shouldn’t be there.
Summary: An Exciting and Beneficial Compound
In its natural and whole form, cannabidiol (CBD) has been around for a long time. In fact, cannabis has been smoked for its medicinal and recreational benefits for hundreds of years and CBD was isolated over 8 decades ago.
However, thanks to the 2018 law change and the resulting market rush, we’ve learned more about this drug in the last half-decade than we had known for many decades before that. It’s a low-risk and high-benefit treatment that could be used for numerous conditions. It won’t make you “high” like THC, there’s no risk of getting addicted, and humans are known to tolerate very high doses.
All things considered, it’s no wonder that CBD is on the lips of so many scientists, researchers, and health experts.
Disclaimer and Safety Information - For Educational Purposes Only
This information (and any accompanying material) is not intended to replace the attention or advice of a physician or other qualified health care professional. Anyone who wishes to embark on any dietary, drug, exercise, or other lifestyle change intended to prevent or treat a specific disease or condition should first consult with and seek clearance from a physician or other qualified health care professional. Pregnant women in particular should seek the advice of a physician before using any protocol listed on this website. The protocols described on this website are for adults only, unless otherwise specified. Product labels may contain important safety information and the most recent product information provided by the product manufacturers should be carefully reviewed prior to use to verify the dose, administration, and contraindications. National, state, and local laws may vary regarding the use and application of many of the therapies discussed. The reader assumes the risk of any injuries. The authors and publishers, their affiliates and assigns are not liable for any injury and/or damage to persons arising from this educational content and expressly disclaim responsibility for any adverse effects resulting from the use of the information contained herein.
Cannooba has not performed independent verification of the data contained in the referenced materials, and expressly disclaims responsibility for any error in the literature.
References
1. CBD and Anxiety
- Cannabidiol as a Potential Treatment for Anxiety Disorders (2018): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35603278/
- This study found CBD effective in reducing anxiety symptoms in various disorders, including social anxiety, generalized anxiety, and PTSD.
- Cannabidiol in the Treatment of Drug and Alcohol Dependence: A Systematic Review (2019): https://www.cmcr.ucsd.edu/index.php/background/studies/active-studies/229-deguglielmo-alcohol-dependence
- This review suggests CBD may reduce anxiety and cravings in individuals with substance dependence, potentially benefiting anxiety treatment.
2. CBD and Depression
- Chronic CBD treatment significantly reduced depressive-like behaviors in several paradigms (2019): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29607801/
- Chronic CBD treatment significantly reduced depressive-like behaviors and increased hippocampal neurogenesis in mice, indicating potential for depression treatment.
- Cannabidiol as a Potential Treatment for Depression (2016): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33228239/
- This review presents preclinical evidence for CBD's antidepressant effects and highlights the need for further human studies.
3. CBD and Various Conditions
- Transcutaneous cannabidiol administration reduces inflammation and pain in a rat model of chronic arthritis (2016): https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4851925/
- This study demonstrates CBD's ability to reduce inflammation and pain in a rat model, suggesting potential for chronic pain management.
- A clinical trial of cannabidiol for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis (2020): https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejmoa1611618
- This clinical trial found CBD significantly reduced pain intensity in patients with knee osteoarthritis, supporting its analgesic potential.
4. Low-quality CBD and Contaminants
- Cannabidiol in Cannabis sativa L.: a plant with a high pharmacological potential (2008): https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4740396/
- This study highlights the diverse cannabinoid profile of cannabis plants and emphasizes variations in concentration based on factors like variety and cultivation.
- Cannabidiol in Food: Benefits and Potential Risks (2020): https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7267564/
- This review warns of potential contaminants in commercial CBD products, including pesticides, heavy metals, and other cannabinoids, emphasizing the importance of choosing high-quality sources.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as medical advice. Always consult your doctor before starting any new supplement, including CBD.
