While those who are interested in getting high from their cannabis are looking at THC levels, those who use cannabis for medical purposes are usually more interested in the CBD levels because this element doesn’t produce the same intoxicating effects and has been found to provide relief for pain and other symptoms associated with numerous medical conditions, including seizures, anxiety and inflammation. However, before you start taking cannabis to help with your medical conditions, it’s important to learn more about what it actually does and how it affects your body so you can make an informed decision.
Why Doesn’t CBD Get You High?
The primary question many people have is why does CBD-rich cannabis not produce the same kind of high most people associate with taking cannabis that is high in THC. The reason for this is simple. Both of these elements affect your endocannabinoid system, or ECS, but they do so in different ways. For instance, THC activates the primary ECS receptor in the brain known as CB1. However, CBD actually has the opposite effect and can even block the THC from reaching the CB1 receptor to begin with, thus negating the intoxicating effects of the THC. This can also eliminate some negative effects of THC, which can include short-term memory issues and anxiety.
Medical Benefits of CBD
There’s good reason more doctors are beginning to prescribe CBD products to their patients for a variety of medical conditions. One of the biggest reasons doctors are turning to CBD products for the treatment of ailments is it has been found effective in treating the effects of certain health conditions that don’t currently have any other form of treatment, such as childhood epilepsy. Through ongoing studies, CBD has been proven to provide anti-inflammatory, pain relieving and neuroprotective benefits to help in the treatment of this condition, along with many others, such as anxiety and depression. It may even be effective in overcoming addictions.
Effects on Brain Receptors
You experience the feelings you do based on how your brain reacts to certain chemicals naturally produced by your body, such as serotonin and dopamine. However, it can also be affected by chemicals from outside the body, such as the THC and CBD found in cannabis. However, while THC directly affects several receptors in the brain, the CBD doesn’t actually interact with them directly. Instead, it impacts how these receptors send and receive information. CBD can also increase the body’s natural production of cannabinoids. In addition, CBD has been found to impact other non-cannabinoid receptors, which could make it an effective treatment for opioid addiction therapy to eliminate or dampen drug cravings and the withdrawal symptoms common during the recovery period. It also can affect the receptors that interact with serotonin, which can also help with opioid addiction, as well as other issues, such as anxiety, depression, nausea, vomiting and even negative side effects of conditions like schizophrenia. As more research is conducted, even more possibilities emerge.
A Complicated Process
Because of all the areas of the brain that can be affected by the use of CBD products, there are many more studies that must be done. However, because of the complexity of many medical conditions, along with the high prices of pharmaceuticals and a growing desire to take a more natural approach, the research is well worth it to help doctors find the most effective ways to provide relief for their patients. If a natural solution exists, it stands to benefit patients by reducing the amount of unnatural ingredients they introduce into their bodies.
