Canada’s recent legalization of recreational marijuana has opened so many doors to citizens around the country. Now you can order cannabis products from the internet or easily apply for your ACMPR renewal to grow weed medically.
Whether you are smoking for medical or recreational reasons, chances are you have heard the term “THC” plenty of times. We all know that high THC strains have the tendency to get you extremely baked. Dispensaries love bragging about their new arrivals containing 20% or more THC.
But what about CBD? There is so much focus on THC that some people disregard the other miracle compound found within their cannabis plants. You might not think so, but there are plenty of reasons to turn your attention to CBD. Here’s what you need to know about CBD and why you should try it out (even though it doesn’t get you high).
What is cannabidiol?
Cannabidiol, or CBD, is one of the many cannabinoids (or compounds) found within a cannabis plant. Along with THC, CBD is one of the main cannabinoids, but unlike THC it doesn’t have the same psychoactive effects. But this doesn’t mean you can’t benefit from CBD cannabis products. In fact, CBD can have even better medical effects than THC ever could.
Why doesn’t it get you high?
There are certain receptors in the human brain (called cannabinoid receptors) that bind with the cannabinoids (THC and CBD) found within cannabis. THC binds strongly to the cannabinoid 1 receptor (CB1) while CBD binds very weakly. The strong THC to CB1 bond is what creates the “high” feeling; the higher the THC, the stronger the bond, and more stoned you’ll feel.
CBD bonds extremely weakly, but it can also interfere with the THC bonds. So even if there is an equal amount of THC and CBD in your cannabis product, chances are you won’t get high. If you don’t want to get high, but you still want to reap the rewards of cannabis, find a product that has at least a 1:1 ratio of CBD to THC.
What’s the point if it doesn’t make you stoned?
Medical research is continuing to prove the benefits of CBD by the day. It has the potential to treat chronic pain, appetite loss, inflammation, anxiety and mental disorders, and seizures. THC can also treat a variety of medical conditions, but some people don’t want to experience the high that comes along with it. With CBD, you can treat your symptoms without the psychoactive effects.
Do you have to smoke your CBD?
Absolutely not! There are plenty of ways to ingest cannabidiol. Of course you can choose to smoke heavy CBD strains, but this is not your only option. There are tons of edibles on the market that are infused with CBD and contain no THC whatsoever. You can find everything from sweet treats to savory snacks. Services like Grassdoor can have your cannabis or CBD delivered to you ASAP so you never have to leave your home!
You also have the option of applying a topical cream to the skin. This can help with muscle aches and pains as well as skin inflammation. Arthritis patients have shown some amazing improvements from topical CBD products.
