What is CBD?

From CNN to your local Walgreens, CBD is everywhere these days. But what does this acronym stand for? What is CBD? These are the questions everyone is asking, and we’re here to help answer them.

Before we dive into the details, we’ll get the basics out of the way up front. CBD stands for cannabidiol. Cannabidiol, or CBD, is an organic chemical compound derived from plants in the cannabis family. Now, let’s dive into that whole cannabis thing. Also, read article written on how does CBD work.

The Source

There are two main types of cannabis plants: hemp and marijuana. Cannabis plants have been used traditionally in medicine for thousands of years. Both hemp and marijuana remain popular sources for alternative medicines today. CBD is found in both varieties of cannabis, although it is more prevalent in hemp. While marijuana is legal in only a handful of states, hemp is legal across the country making it an ideal source for CBD. The reason CBD is more prevalent in hemp is because of both, the way the plants are bred, and by definition, the genetic makeup of the plant. Hemp, by definition, contains less than 0.3% THC. THC, like CBD, is another cannabinoid found in cannabis plants. Marijuana is famous because of the THC it contains. Growers breed hemp and cannabis with different goals in mind. Hemp plants are bred to be CBD rich and extremely low in THC, while marijuana is bred to have higher amounts of THC.

At Bloom, to ensure all of our customers are receiving high-quality CBD products we source all of our material from hemp. This ensures that all of our products are CBD rich and THC-free. Outside of medicine, hemp has countless other uses. Estimates suggest there are over 25,000 products made from Hemp, and not one of them is psychoactive. CBD sourced from Hemp provides both the relief and benefits ascribed to the cannabis plant without the psychoactive side effects.

What is a Cannabinoid?

Earlier we mentioned that CBD is a chemical compound. Technically there is a name for these specific chemical compounds – cannabinoids. CBD is one of the 85+ cannabinoids making up the DNA of cannabis plants. At its base, a cannabinoid is one of a class of diverse chemical compounds that acts on cannabinoid receptors in cells that alter neurotransmitter release in the brain. Cannabinoids interact with the endocannabinoid system which in turn influence a variety of bodily processes. From stress and mood to immune response, the endocannabinoid system is responsible for maintaining a host of essential processes within the body. Cannabinoids trigger various responses which work to optimize all functions of the body. At the core, the endocannabinoid system and cannabinoids are responsible for helping the body maintain homeostasis.

The Endocannabinoid System (ECS)

The endocannabinoid system is the second largest system of the body behind only the nervous system. Each system of the body plays a critical role and the endocannabinoid system is no different. The endocannabinoid system, or ECS for short, is responsible for maintaining homeostasis throughout the body. The ECS is found both in people and in other animals as well (which is why CBD is good for your pets too!) The ECS has two types of receptors which receive cannabinoids both produced by the body and ingested from an outside source. The two receptors are called the CB1 and CB2 receptors. CB1 receptors are most prominent in the brain and nervous system while CB2 receptors tend to be found in the immune and gastrointestinal system. Homeostasis is an optimized stable equilibrium that keeps all aspects of the body in balance. Homeostasis sums up an assortment of complex processes which coordinate everything from immune responses when you get sick to how you feel on a day to day basis. When the body is out of balance, or not being properly regulated by homeostasis, wacky things happen. Stress becomes chronic anxiety, sickness becomes a disease, temporary pains become years of suffering, all of these afflictions become serious issues when the body is out of balance. The endocannabinoid system regulates this balance and helps the body fight off diseases, detoxify, relieve stress, and if properly nourished can help prevent all of these things from happening at all. The endocannabinoids interact with receptors throughout the endocannabinoid system working to boost a healthy response to inflammation, stress, disease, and a host of other ailments.