What Exactly Is Cannabidiol?

Cannabidiol, also known as CBD is “... a naturally occurring cannabinoid constituent of cannabis. It was discovered in 1940 and initially thought not to be pharmaceutically active. It is one of at least 113 cannabinoids identified in hemp plants, accounting for up to 40% of the plant's extract.” according to Wikipedia.

Clear as mud, right? For those of us who don’t speak science, read on now to learn about CBD in layman’s terms. What it is, what it is good for, where it can be found, and more.

What Exactly Is CBD?

In the simplest of terms, CBD is the compound found in cannabis that is non-psychoactive. This means that it does not make you stoned. While it is non-psychoactive, it is responsible bringing highly effective health aid--which explains why millions of users turn to CBD as a form of treatment for both physical and mental health issues.

Does CBD Contain THC?

As mentioned above, CBD in and of itself does not contain the psychoactivity of tetrahydrocannabinol, also known as THC. But, all CBD-rich and CBD-dominant products will still contain trace levels of THC, just not enough to make you high if you so choose. Depending on your preference, select a strain or product with the right blend of CBD to THC ratio to satisfy your medical needs.

What Form Does CBD Come In?

CBD strains are not dissimilar to THC strains when it comes to product form. You can smoke a CBD flower, vape a CBD oil, eat a CBD edible, swallow a CBD pill, rub on a CBD topical, sip on a CBD tea… the options are seemingly endless! All you have to do is choose the form that you’re most comfortable with.

How to Measure the Strength of CBD?

As mentioned above, there are CBD-rich products and CBD-dominant products. CBD-rich means that the strain or product has either equal amounts of CBD and THC, or more CBD than THC. CBD-dominant means that the strain or product consists of mostly CBD, with only very little amounts of the THC compound.

What are the Benefits of CBD?

People across the globe turn to CBD for physical relief. From children suffering from seizures, to adults dealing with anxiety, to athletes looking for post-workout relief, the list of conditions that CBD aids in is long and only continues to grow.

Can You Overdose on CBD?

In a word, no – you cannot fatally overdose from CBD as “...it doesn’t negatively interact with the parts of the brain responsible for breathing and heart rate.” However, you can still experience some negative side effects from taking in too much CBD. Side effects can include drowsiness, lethargy, upset stomach, and diarrhea. These cases are extremely rare though so need to panic, simply mind your consumption and work up as needed!