{"id":83677,"date":"2017-10-10T18:22:26","date_gmt":"2017-10-10T22:22:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wanderlust.com\/?p=83677\/"},"modified":"2019-01-09T12:29:03","modified_gmt":"2019-01-09T17:29:03","slug":"everything-you-need-cbd","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wanderlust.com\/fr\/journal\/everything-you-need-cbd\/","title":{"rendered":"Everything You Need to Know About CBD"},"content":{"rendered":"

The legal cannabis scene has been evolving in significant ways over the past five years. Once associated with slackers and tie-dye, cannabis is now being incorporated into healthy, active lifestyles as a natural way to address an assortment of everyday ailments, like pain, anxiety, and sleeplessness. Those of us interested in learning more might feel a bit intimidated\u2014there\u2019s a lot <\/i>of information out there. We\u2019re here to lay out the basics, and help you develop some understanding when it comes to the various components of cannabis, namely CBD. <\/span><\/p>\n

The Basics<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n

First things first: legalization. Cannabis is completely legal for anyone over 21 in eight states and medically legal in 29. Countries like Canada, Uruguay, and Israel have also decriminalized the plant, illustrating how people and government the world over are starting to embrace cannabis\u2019s diverse qualities and benefits.<\/span><\/p>\n

There\u2019s also a difference in the various types of cannabis. Certain cannabis strains, notably CBD-dominant varieties, don\u2019t produce the euphoric or psychoactive effects (also known as a high) usually associated with consuming cannabis. Instead, CBD-dominant strains\u2014and products derived from them\u2014only provide medical relief, which is great news for those looking for natural solutions to their ailments. <\/span><\/p>\n

There’s also a difference in the various types of cannabis. Certain strains and products, like CBD-dominant varieties, don\u2019t even produce the euphoric effects (also known as a high) usually associated with consuming cannabis. Instead, most CBD products only provide medical relief, which is great news for those looking for natural solutions to their ailments.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

CBD for Starters<\/h3>\n

So what exactly is<\/i> CBD? Short for cannabidiol, CBD is a cannabinoid, one of 80 such chemicals\u2014including the better known THC\u2014that occurs naturally in cannabis. Cannabinoids work by interacting with our bodies\u2019 own, natural endocannabinoid system (ECS)<\/span><\/a> which is an important regulating system in humans. Its main purposes<\/span><\/a> are neuroprotection, stress recovery, immune balance, and homeostatic regulation<\/span><\/a>, and also plays a role in mood, memory, immune function, pain perception, appetite, sleep, and other bodily functions. <\/span><\/p>\n

Until recently, the benefits of CBD have gone largely undiscussed. In 2013, though, CBD became a hot topic in the Unites States after a CNN documentary<\/span><\/a> told the story of a six-year-old girl, Charlotte Figi, who suffered from a severe, intractable form of epilepsy called Dravet syndrome. The documentary showed how strains of CBD-dominant cannabis helped to dramatically reduce her seizures, from 300 a week to just a couple a month without producing a \u201chead high.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

But CBD can be used for more than just serious cases of epilepsy. Because it doesn\u2019t get users \u201cbuzzed,\u201d it\u2019s a natural alternative for individuals interested in learning about the medicinal benefits of cannabis who don\u2019t want a \u201cmind altering\u201d\u00a0 <\/span>experience.<\/span><\/p>\n

Because of the role the ECS plays in pain perception and inflammation, CBD can be used for many different types of pain, including: chronic pain, nerve pain, joint pain, migraines, even fibromyalgia. In fact, according to a recent HelloMD survey, 42 percent of CBD users<\/span><\/a> said they stopped taking traditional medications\u2014think over-the-counter (OTC) painkillers such as Tylenol and prescription meds like Vicodin\u2014in favor of CBD. Therefore, CBD could be crucial in helping our country fight a devastating opioid epidemic, as well as helping to avoid other health issues<\/span><\/a> associated with taking too many OTC NSAIDs.<\/span><\/p>\n

Having trouble getting some shut-eye? Dealing with a huge project at work, and looking for a new way to unwind? CBD is also commonly used to treat anxiety, depression, and insomnia. For those who considered cannabis as a supplement or alternative for treating these issues, CBD in combination with other healthy lifestyle choices, like exercise and healthy eating, can be a great option. It helps to relax the mind and body without producing dysphoria, panic attacks, or paranoia sometimes associated with products rich in THC. <\/span><\/p>\n

Find Your Perfect Product<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n

Interested in trying it out for yourself? When looking for a CBD product that\u2019s right for you, there are tons of options. First of all, if avoiding a \u201chead high\u201d is your goal, be sure to buy a product that is CBD-dominant, meaning it has little or no THC. Many good options\u00a0 <\/span>will be CBD-dominant but still sourced from whole plant \u201cmarijuana,\u201d to support the \u201centourage effect.\u201d (Insider info: The entourage effect is a belief in the cannabis community that products provide the most relief when they are a combination of all 80 cannabinoids and other molecules that occur naturally in the cannabis plant, rather than isolated CBD molecules. Pretty cool, huh?)<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

There are also products that are \u201chigh in CBD\u201d or 1:1 CBD:THC, which produce the entourage effect. Due to the presence of THC, though, these products can give users a buzz, albeit usually a mellow and functional one. For some ailments and individuals, having equal parts THC and CBD is more beneficial. Besides, THC is more than just psychoactive; it too has many medical properties<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The legal market hosts a wide array of CBD-rich options for treating ailments. You can choose from CBD-dominant cannabis flowers, like Charlotte\u2019s Web (named for Charlotte Figi), or vape pen concentrates derived from these flowers. And if smoking or vaping doesn\u2019t fit into your lifestyle, there are plenty of edible and topical options as well:<\/span><\/p>\n