What is CBD
CBD is one of more than 100 active cannabinoid chemicals discovered in cannabis plants. The hemp plant unlike its well-known sibling marijuana contains extremely low levels of THC, which is why CBD is not psychoactive.
History of Hemp
Hemp’s origins date back to 8000 BC where it was found in textile fibers. Since then, hemp has been used as a folk remedy for hundreds of years for its apothecary values in its oils, leaves, seeds, flowers and stalks. Its uses in textiles and fibers have been used for clothing, paper, and for shipping vessels. Hemp was placed on the U.S. Controlled substance Act and listed as a schedule 1 drug in the 1970s. In 2004, Industrial hemp would win a major victory in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals as it was declared legal for import and sale in the U.S. Still, U.S. farmers were not permitted to grow it! Finally in 2018, The U.S. Farm bill was passed, making hemp legal for U.S. farmers to grow. Hemp was no longer considered a schedule 1 drug and could be used to make a variety of products ranging from CBD to hemp plastics, clothing and hemp construction materials to name a few.
The Endocannabinoid System
CBD acts as stimuli for the cannabinoid receptors in the brain, gut, and immune system to support mental and physical health. Ingesting this potent antioxidant also activates the endocannabinoid system (ECS) located in the brain and throughout the central nervous system. The ECS is perhaps one of the most valuable biological systems supporting you from day-to-day. It is primarily made of neuromodulatory lipids and their receptors, which are found in various tissues throughout the body. In each tissue, cannabinoids perform different tasks to maintain your body’s delicate balance through the ups and downs of life.
The ECS contains two main types of receptors, cannabinoid 1 (CB1) and cannabinoid 2 (CB2). These receptors help balance and support the following: healthy heart, muscles, joints, bone health, a sense of calm, and daily stresses.
Hemp vs Marijuana
While often confused as being the same thing, hemp and marijuana maintain different identities and properties. Both plants originate from the Cannabis plant, but marijuana maintains low CBD content and high THC content which is what causes psychoactive effects in brain receptors. Hemp in comparison contains extremely low THC content, but high amounts of CBD; so it is not non-psychoactive, but still binds itself to the endocannabinoid receptors throughout the body for wellness values.
Benefits & Uses of Hemp
Hemp has many uses from bioplastics to construction materials that are biodegradable and help solve the over abundance of plastic being thrown away and getting into the ecosystem. Hemp has also been credited for using less water than cotton and taking a much shorter time to grow then a vast variety of plants. Hemp makes an excellent material for use for fibers, textiles, and paper. It’s seeds and hemp oil are also very nutritious and are used in many foods, body care and nutritional supplements. However, it is important to note that hemp seeds and hemp oil do not have CBD!
The hemp plant with its high levels of CBD have most recently been used for its health and wellness values such as those in Green Gorilla’s CBD wellness product.
