What Does CBD Stand For?

With the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill that legalized hemp nationwide, CBD has grown in popularity in recent years, nearly rivaling THC in popularity in recent years. What many people don’t know is that CBD has been somewhat well-understood by scientific researchers for longer than THC. CBD was the second cannabinoid ever fully isolated from the cannabis plant in 1942, right after cannabinol (CBN).

The fact is CBD is highly regarded, and for good reason. What does CBD stand for? What are the benefits of CBD? Here is a closer look.

So, what does CBD stand for exactly?

CBD is the standard abbreviation used for Cannabidiol, one of the most abundant cannabinoids found in plants from the cannabis family. CBD is non-intoxicating and well-recognized for a long list of potential therapeutic benefits, which has been steadily growing over the last few years

Cannabis and hemp plants have more than 400 unique compounds, including over 100 cannabinoids and terpenes (most of which are yet to be studied). CBD is one of the cannabinoids that has been extensively examined by researchers as a result of its abundance in cannabis and hemp plants, as well as its therapeutic potential.

How is CBD produced?

Cannabis plants produce Cannabidiolic Acid (CBDA) early in their life cycles, which eventually decarboxylates and becomes CBD as it matures. This is the same process for THC & THCA as well.

How much CBD is in cannabis?

The level of cannabidiol in cannabis can vary drastically depending on the plant’s genetics. Most cannabis plants have very little CBD levels (1-5%), while hemp plants will contain around 10-15% CBD. While hemp buds produce higher levels of CBD, they produce nearly undetectable, nonpsychoactive levels of THC (no, CBD cannot get you high).

Healthline reports that CBD strains like Remedy, Charlotte’s Web, & Lifter have between 13 and 16 percent CBD with very little THC. Critical Mass tends to contain around 4 to 7 percent THC and up to 10 percent CBD. While some of the more popular cannabis strains contain very little CBD and much higher concentrations of CBD.

What are the therapeutic benefits of CBD?

Due to the recent federal legalization of hemp-derived CBD, this particular cannabinoid has gained a lot of attention from both manufacturers and consumers. For this reason, the cannabinoid is widely proposed to be beneficial for a long list of human ailments. Nevertheless, the current scientific research into CBD is relatively limited, but it is definitely a growing area of medicinal interest.

According to Harvard Health, animal and human studies have shown that CBD may be beneficial for:

• Sleep issues
• Certain types of pain
• Inflammation
• Stress
• Seizures
• Certain types of addiction

Of course, anecdotal reports on the efficacy of CBD for other conditions are not hard to find. Numerous people have made CBD a part of their everyday wellness plans and report positive outcomes. For example, several athletes use CBD-based products and report that the cannabinoid helps them relax and recover after a hard workout.

CBD vs THC – What’s the difference?

CBD and THC are derived from cannabis, both are cannabinoids, and both interact with the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in the body. However, beyond these similarities, these two cannabis-derived compounds are quite unique.

Primarily, THC is known for inducing psychoactive, euphoric reactions. THC binds to the endocannabinoid receptors that heavily influence the inhibitory and excitatory neurotransmitters, which is why THC can lead to well-known euphoric effects. On the other hand, CBD does not directly bind to cannabinoid receptors within the ECS. What CBD does do is affect a number of biological pathways by influencing receptors found within the ECS, but all the specifics are not well understood.

We know for sure that CBD is non-intoxicating, however, CBD and THC offer complimentary, synergistic benefits when consumed together. In fact, CBD is thought to potentially neutralize some of the undesirable psychoactive effects of THC (like anxiety).

Discover How Valuable CBD Could Be to Your Wellness Goals

When you look closely at the cannabis plant, there are so many unique constituents that offer value for therapeutic purposes, and we are truly just getting started with research. CBD is only one in the fascinating lineup that we are beginning to learn so much about.

At Uma Flowers, we make an effort to keep CBD-rich strains and CBD-rich extracts available for customers who prefer to enjoy cannabis wellness with fewer psychoactive effects. If you would like to experience these products, be sure to take a look at our menu or ask one of our helpful budtenders to help you find the right products.