Does CBD Work?
If you are here because you wonder how exactly does CBD work you should first know that yes, CBD does work, and its effectiveness has been demonstrated through numerous studies and anecdotal evidence. CBD, or cannabidiol, interacts with the body's endocannabinoid system (ECS), which plays a crucial role in regulating various physiological functions such as mood, sleep, appetite, and pain perception. The ECS is a complex network of receptors, enzymes, and endocannabinoids (which are cannabinoids produced naturally by the body) that play a crucial role in regulating various physiological processes and maintaining homeostasis, or balance, within the body.
When consumed, CBD interacts with the ECS by binding to and modulating the activity of cannabinoid receptors, particularly CB1 and CB2 receptors. By doing so, CBD influences various physiological processes throughout the body. For example, does CBD work by having anti-inflammatory, analgesic (pain-relieving), anxiolytic (anti-anxiety), and neuroprotective properties? Additionally, CBD may modulate the activity of other neurotransmitter systems, such as serotonin and dopamine, which can further contribute to its therapeutic effects.
Overall, the ability of CBD to interact with the endocannabinoid system and modulate various physiological processes is believed to underlie its therapeutic potential for a wide range of conditions and symptoms. However, research into how exactly does CBD work in the body is still ongoing, and there is much that remains to be fully understood.
Research suggests that CBD may offer a wide range of potential therapeutic benefits, including reducing anxiety, alleviating pain and inflammation, improving sleep quality, and even aiding in the management of certain neurological disorders like epilepsy. While individual responses to CBD may vary, many people have reported positive outcomes from using CBD products for various health and wellness purposes. However, it's important to note that further research is still needed to fully understand the mechanisms of CBD and its potential long-term effects.
Does CBD Work as a Key Player?
Now that we know CBD works, let's dive a little deeper. When we ask the question, "Does CBD work?" we first need to know what we are talking about. There are products available that only include CBD as an isolated cannabinoid, and there are full-spectrum products that include several other cannabinoids and hemp plant components. At the heart of cannabinoid therapy lies the question: Does CBD work as a central component in achieving holistic wellness? Amidst the diverse array of cannabinoids, CBD is definitely a pivotal player, offering a multitude of therapeutic benefits. Its efficacy, however, may be further enhanced through strategic combinations with minor cannabinoids.
Does CBD Work Well With Others?
We’ve discussed CBD and THC in detail in previous postings; it's time to shine a light on some of the other players in the phytocannabinoid world and answer the question," Does CBD work better with minors." Minors are any one of the 140 plus cannabinoids that occur in small quantities. Although we call them “minors” due to their small percentage makeup of the cannabinoid profiles of Cannabis s., they can have a large impact on CBD effects and potentiate benefits that don’t seem to occur as often without them being present. But which minors does CBD work best with?
Does CBD Work Better With CBG?
Due to CBG and CBC's direct formation enzymatically within the trichomes of the Cannabis plant, they are still being found in much higher percentages. In the case of CBG, using genetics and botany practices, researchers and growers were able to stop the Cannabis plant from forming other cannabinoids and instead halt production at the CBG level. We were lucky to be one of the first extractors to get access to large quantities of these new strains a few years ago and have not only loved working with this cannabinoid but personally witnessed the positive effects it can have on our customers. Our 1:1 CBD/CBG gummies, topicals, and tinctures have been incredibly popular. They have many similar CBD effects but a lower propensity to cause drowsiness. This spurred an entire line of tinctures and gummies dedicated to this wonderful part of the phytocannabinoid family.
Studies have shown that CBG effects, much like CBD effects, may be powerful anti-inflammatories but do so by affecting the CB2 receptor directly instead of indirectly. Does CBD work better with CBG? It seems that it does multiply the range of benefits. Ongoing studies have also shown that CBG can be helpful for those suffering from MS (multiple sclerosis), ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), dry-skin syndrome, colon cancer, cancer-induced cachexia, and Crohn's disease. It may have neuroprotective effects like those that are seen with THC and may even help with appetite suppression in those with obesity.
Does CBD Work Better With CBC?
CBC, like other minor cannabinoids, contributes to the entourage effect, but does CBD work in conjunction with CBC? We found that there is a synergistic action that contributes to the beneficial CBD effects. Even though CBC occurs in small amounts, it can have a big impact on CBD effects when included in CBD products. Because "minors" bind or interact with our receptors differently than CBD, they can influence and add to beneficial CBD effects.
Plant genetics are also close to giving us access to high CBC percentage Cannabis plants, just as we’ve seen with CBG genetics. CBC acts as a CB2 agonist just as CBG does but binds in an overlapping manner, giving many of the same effects and some of its own. In addition to potential benefits in treating the symptoms of Crohn’s disease, general inflammation, and as a powerful neuroprotectant, it has also been shown to be helpful with IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), neuropathy, and chronic post-operative pain. It may be a powerful agent against fungal proliferation. It is also believed to be potentially significant in assisting our body's natural anti-tumor and anti-cancer processes. Even as a minor, its inclusion within strains of Cannabis that contain it has shown a positive correlation to the use of Cannabis as an anti-cancer agent in general.
As we’ve discussed before, there are well over a hundred cannabinoids known to exist either via X-ray crystallography or other means. Still, they are generated in very low quantities by cannabis. They still play a large part in the incredible CBD effects we get. How does CBD work better with such small amounts of minors, you ask? We only know these "minor" effects occur. However, there is still more to research.
Does CBD Work in Conjunction With CBN
As discussed, CBN is a degradative product of THC due to either oxidative stress, heat, or UV radiation. There are a few studies that have been conducted or are ongoing that suggest CBN can be a great help to those with insomnia, and pain management has neuroprotective properties and can help reduce inflammation. On the contrary, CBN can be very difficult to find a correct dose and may have results paradoxical to the desired effect. Since it is a degradative product, it can’t be genetically targeted in the Cannabis plant (at least not with currently known enzymes). Still, it is found in extracts such as distillate cannabinoid oil. CBN also seems to be very dose-dependent and changes greatly from person to person. Some subject studies have found that the same dose that causes restful sleep in some causes insomnia and restlessness in others, so the lingering question "Does CBD work in conjunction with CBN?" may be very difficult to answer.
Does CBD Work Better With Cannabinoid Variants?
-Varin, -butyl, and -biforol variants of THC, CBD, CBG, and CBC have all or partially been found in extracts from Cannabis s, but does CBD work better with variants? Generally, the carbon chain connected to the lower phenol ring of these variants is made up of 5 carbons. The -varin variants’ chain contains 3 carbons, the -butyl variants contain 4 carbons, and the -biforol variants contain 7 carbons. These chain changes are originally from CBG, having been enzymatically formed to make a variant (CBGV, CBGB, or CBGP) instead, which trickles down to the other three. Differences in this carbon chain can drastically change the effect of the cannabinoid.
THCP (Tetrahydrocannabiforol), for example, binds much tighter to the CB1 receptor, causing the effect to be approximately 33 times stronger than tetrahydrocannabinol alone. Cannabinoids fit into our CB1 and CB2 receptors like a lock and key - the better the fit, the more effective. Changes to the carbon chain can affect the fit and give rise to different effects from the same “scaffolding” of a cannabinoid we have experience with already. We know the most about THCV, CBDV, CBCV, and CBGV, and all have similar traits to their non-varin counterparts but bind much more loosely with the receptors they affect.
THCV has been shown to be helpful with PTSD, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, MS, inflammation, Type II Diabetes, metabolic syndrome, seizures, nausea, and psychosis. CBDV has been shown to reduce the frequency and variety of seizures, reduce inflammation, and assist with the stabilization of pain and mood disorders. THCV and CBDV are also both speculated to be helpful with acne due to their antimicrobial disruption!
Less is known about CBCV and CBGV, but since the active sites are not changed for these two cannabinoids, not much difference has been seen in studies. Little is known about the butyl and biforol variants found, but studies are ongoing. Due to their binding potential, they hold a great interest in the future of Cannabis.
Does CBD Work With The Lesser Known Cannabinoids?
Some other little-known cannabinoids that show up on a certificate of analysis now and again are CBL (cannabicyclol), CBE (cannabielsoin), CBT (cannabicitran), and CBO (cannabitriol). These have been seen in higher numbers than the other hundred-or-so abstract cannabinoids, but they are found at low enough concentrations to make research difficult. When we ask, "Does CBD work better with minors?" anecdotal evidence and research shows that a full-plant, full-spectrum product is more powerful.
Minor cannabinoids can make a huge difference in the effect a cannabis product can have on a consumer and the efficacy of CBD products like our gummies and topicals. They may be small in concentration, but their ability to lift CBD, THC, and all the other cannabinoids is powerful. They are arguably one of the most important parts of true full-spectrum products like our CBD tinctures. We have many reasons to believe that CBD does work better with minors, both anecdotally and scientifically, and we look forward to bringing you even more of them in the future!
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