What is CBD and Why Has it Become So Popular?

CBD

The cannabis industry is booming. This remarkable growth is due in part to changing attitudes towards cannabis. For years, the plant was demonized by anti-drug campaigns and laws that treated possession as a serious offense.

Why Has CBD Become So Popular?

However, public opinion has shifted in recent years, with a majority of Americans now supporting cannabis legalization. As attitudes have changed, so too has the industry.

Today, there are a growing number of legal dispensaries selling everything from CBD oil to pre-loaded THC vapes. And with more states legalizing cannabis every year, the industry is only expected to grow larger.

Some states take small steps at a time, such as legalizing medical use first before recreational one. For example, West Virginia allows legal marijuana use if you get a West Virginia medical marijuana card beforehand.

If you are like most people, then you probably don’t have the best understanding of what CBD is, what it does, or even why it has become so popular. CBD is also called cannabidiol, and it is a cannabinoid found within the cannabis plant.

If you are reading up about CBD because you are thinking of consuming it, or if you want to know which of the many consumption methods to use, then this article is for you.

Below you will find out what CBD is, the difference between CBD and THC, the benefits it offers, and how to consume it. Continue reading to learn more!

What is CBD?What is CBD and Why Has it Become So Popular 2

The first place to start if you are looking to gain more of an understanding as to why CBD has become so popular is by understanding what it is. Many people have developed a misconception about CBD due to its relationship with the cannabis plant, and some people even use the two terms interchangeably.

CBD, otherwise known as cannabidiol, is the second most active cannabinoid in the cannabis plant, of the 113 that have been discovered.

It is very similar in terms of genetic makeup comparison to THC but does differ quite substantially in terms of what it does. CBD is now commonly used to treat the symptoms of anxiety and depression, as well as being used for pain relief.

How Does it Differ from THC?

The biggest question that many people have when they first begin learning about CBD is “how does it differ from THC?”, and this is quite a good question, as stated above, many people have quite a few misconceptions about what CBD is and does.

The first way that CBD differs from THC is the fact that CBD does not have the same intoxicating properties as THC, meaning that it won’t get you high, however, it is still psychoactive like THC, just not in the same way.

To better explain this, it’s worth taking a look at how the two interact with the brain and body since this makes all of the difference.

First, it’s worth noting that CBD raises the levels of anandamide that exist in the body, which in turn results in improved pain tolerance and mood because the body is more reactive to the endocannabinoids that naturally exist in the body.

THC on the other hand mimics anandamide and binds to the CB1 receptors quite tightly, thus resulting in the neurotransmitters being inhibited and causing an extreme mood response of positive emotions.

What Benefits Does It Offer?

The next question that is frequently asked is “what benefits does CBD offer?”, which again, is a great question for many reasons. The first reason is that it’s only very recently that the medical industry is recommending CBD for certain conditions.

The second is the fact that the cannabis industry is overhyping the benefits that CBD, as well as cannabis, offers. Unfortunately, CBD is not a wonder drug, but it does offer a few benefits that can be helpful in the short term.

One such benefit is the treatment of symptoms related to anxiety and depression. Although research is still underway to fully understand why CBD can provide such benefits, studies have shown that those who consume a specific amount of CBD before public speaking display much fewer symptoms of social anxiety than those that do not.

More than this, CBD has also shown a lot of promise in terms of treating chronic pain, as well as being used in medication to prevent and reduce the frequency of seizures caused by two rare forms of epilepsy.

How is it Usually Consumed?

Finally, the last commonly asked question about CBD, especially by those that don’t consume CBD or who are thinking about consuming it is “how can it be consumed?”. If you are thinking of consuming CBD, then you will be pleased to learn that there are many different ways to consume it, and it depends on personal preference.

For example, if you want to be able to consume CBD on the go, or if you just need a little bit to help you sleep, then using a vaporizer is a great choice.

If you want to experience the anxiety-reducing benefits of CBD throughout the day, then consuming it in its edible form will be the way to go. You will also need to read about how potent each method is to choose the best for you.

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