How Does CBD Work?

What is CBD?

This is a question we hear frequently at Sonder Grace. In many cases CBD is misunderstood and sometimes unheard of all together. CBD stands for cannabidiol and is a compound found in both hemp and cannabis plants that has medicinal effects. CBD does not make people feel “stoned” and actually counters some of the effects of THC. CBD is one of the many active cannabinoids identified in the cannabis plant and is a major phytocannabinoid, accounting for up to 40% of the plant’s extract.

How Does CBD Work?

The Endocannabinoid System is why CBD works in our bodies. Cannabinoid receptors, located throughout the body, are part of the Endocannabinoid System.

There are two cannabinoid receptors in the body. The first discovery was CB1, predominantly present in the nervous system, connective tissues, gonads, glands, and organs; and CB2, predominantly found in the immune system and its associated structures. Many tissues contain both CB1 and CB2 receptors, each linked to a different action.

The graphic below helps to understand just how many receptors humans have in our bodies.

graphic credit: folium biosciences

So what does it mean to have a cannabinoid system inside the body? It means that we were designed to regularly supply our Endocannabinoid System with the nutrients it was designed for, in support of vital communications between the control centers of the body and every other system.

If this communication is happening consistently, the body is back on balance! CBD is that vital nutrition.

The Benefits of CBD

As you can see from above, the cannabinoid receptors and other enzymes are involved in an increasing number of pathological conditions. When we are feeling stressed and run down or we are experiencing less than ideal sleep patterns, our system is out of balance. Unfortunately, some of us know too well how things like sleep, anxiety, pain and stress are all tied to one another. When one thing like anxiety is present, so too is insomnia or chronic pain. This is were CBD can help to restore the balance. As more and more research emerges, it is thought we will find even more benefits to supplementing with CBD oil. Though individual results may vary, here is an overview of how CBD can be helpful for the following:

• Anxiety relief
• Pain relief
• Stress Management
• Improving symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Helping improve sleep
• Anti-seizure
• Immune health
• Acts as a neuroprotective (which is important for the following conditions: Alzheimer’s
disease, multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson’s disease)
• Anti-acne
• Weight loss

CBD is safe for the whole family and the latest research continues to validate this fact[1]. Unlike synthetic pharmaceuticals, there are no safety issues to cause concern when taking CBD.