what does cbd do

What Does CBD Do? [The Surprising Ways It’s Revolutionizing Wellness]

CBD is everywhere, and for good reason. This hemp plant cannabinoid has become integral to many people’s daily health and wellness regimen. If you’ve been curious about “What does CBD do?” you’re not alone. Over the last few years, CBD has become a household name thanks to its potential health benefits. People use it to help manage everything from stress to physical discomfort to sleep issues and overall wellness.

Whether you’re new to CBD or just looking for more information, this guide will help you better understand CBD, how it works, and why so many people are incorporating it into their daily routines. Keep reading as we reveal what CBD does to you and why you need to incorporate it into your wellness routine today!

What Is CBD?

CBD, short for Cannabidiol, is one of the many cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. It is the main cannabinoid in hemp plants and is present in very small amounts in marijuana. The majority of CBD products you see on the market today contain CBD as the primary active ingredient derived from hemp.

CBD is often celebrated for its non-euphoric nature, meaning it won’t make you feel faded like its cousin, THC (Delta 9 THC, Delta 9, D9 THC, or D9). Instead, CBD interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system or ECS to help maintain balance and optimize various aspects of mental and physical health.

As the interest in CBD grows, so does its availability in a wide range of products. From oils and gummies to topical creams, finding CBD products that fit your lifestyle is easier than ever. The best part? According to a report on the efficacy of CBD by the World Health Organization (WHO), CBD is generally safe to use, making it an attractive option for those who are looking for natural ways to support their wellness.

cbd chemical structure sunset hemp leaves

What Does CBD Do?

CBD helps keep your body in balance by providing an overall sense of well-being. How exactly does CBD do this when inside your body? CBD works by interacting with the CB1 and CB2 receptors of your endocannabinoid system or ECS, an internal network of cell-signaling receptors that plays a key role in regulating various aspects of your everyday health and wellness. These include mood, physical discomfort, immune response, and rest. By boosting the endocannabinoid system’s natural function, CBD may help with a wide range of issues.

For example, many people take CBD to manage physical discomfort. Whether it’s joint discomfort, arthritis, or muscle soreness, CBD’s properties can offer natural relief for many looking for a more holistic approach to dealing with such issues.

Potential benefits of CBD may also be used for mental health support, particularly for feelings of stress, anxiousness, and low mood. By influencing serotonin levels — the same neurotransmitter targeted by traditional mood lifters — CBD can help improve mood and reduce everyday stress.

Sleep studies suggest CBD may also support improved sleep. If you struggle with disrupted sleep or simply have trouble falling asleep, CBD can help to promote relaxation and help regulate sleep patterns. While more studies are needed to confirm these effects, early results are promising, and many consumers report better sleep after incorporating a CBD product into their routines.

This is just a sampling of what CBD can do. CBD’s effects on health and wellness are subjective and determined by how much CBD you want to take and for what purpose. At the end of the day, incorporating CBD into your daily routine is up to you. Always consult a medical professional before doing so to determine if CBD is right for you.

What Are the Potential Uses of CBD?

CBD has been linked to a wide range of potential uses. While the potential wellness benefits of CBD are exciting, it’s important to remember that everyone’s experience with CBD is unique. What works for one person might not work the same way for someone else, so it’s always a good idea to start with a smaller dose and see how your body responds.

While more research is needed to determine CBD’s efficacy on human health, here are some areas where CBD has shown the most promise for researchers.

Physical Discomfort

If you suffer from physical discomfort, muscle weakness, or even post-exercise soreness, CBD could help. Its soothing effects make it popular among people looking for natural ways to manage physical soreness. Topical CBD products like creams and balms are especially useful for targeting specific areas of physical discomfort. Studies have shown that CBD can potentially help people recover from strenuous physical activity, such as sports.

Early-Onset Epilepsy

One of the most well-researched areas of CBD use is in treating epilepsy, particularly in children with rare, treatment-resistant conditions like Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. In fact, the FDA approved Epidiolex, a CBD-based anti-seizure medication, for treating these conditions after clinical trials showed its effectiveness.

Epidiolex is the only CBD-based prescription medication on the market. Individuals with conditions that this medication is designed to treat are strongly advised to follow their doctor’s recommendations and adhere to their prescribed medication, as this ensures the best effectiveness in managing their symptoms.

scientists scraping cbd flower

Trouble Sleeping

If you’ve been tossing and turning at night, taking CBD might help you find better sleep. By promoting relaxation, CBD may help calm your mind and body, making it easier to drift off. While research on this is still emerging, a comprehensive review of CBD’s effects on sleep shows promising results. As a result, many people use CBD as a natural way to help them get some sleep.

Heart Health

Some early research suggests that CBD might help support heart health by lowering blood pressure and reducing the risk of certain cardiovascular issues. However, more studies are needed before we can fully grasp how CBD impacts the heart and circulatory system.

Type of CBD Products To Use

One of the best things about CBD is the variety of ways you can take it. Whether you prefer something edible, topical, or inhalable, there’s likely a CBD product that fits your lifestyle. Here are some popular options.

CBD Gummies

Gummies are a great option if you’re looking for a tasty and convenient way to take CBD. They’re pre-dosed, easy to carry, and come in various flavors. What do CBD gummies do, and why are they the most popular form factor? They provide a discreet and easy way to get your daily dose of CBD, especially if you’re new to it. Plus, they’re easy to use; just eat a gummy, and you’re set!

CBD Live Resin

For those seeking a more intense CBD experience, live resin is a potent option. Live resin is a powerful hemp extract made from freshly harvested plants flash-frozen at maturity. This process locks in peak cannabinoids and terpenes, the compounds responsible for a strain’s flavor and aroma, delivering a fresher, tastier, and more potent experience. If you’re looking for a faster-acting form of CBD, live resin vapes could be worth trying since they provide immediate effects.

CBD Flower

If you enjoy the act of smoking, CBD flower might be for you. These are the raw buds of the hemp plant, rich in CBD but low in THC (0.3% or less). Smoking CBD flower offers a more immediate effect, but keep in mind that inhalation isn’t for everyone, especially if you’re concerned the harshness of smoke. Vaping might be a better option as it offers the immediate effects of smoking but without the smoke.

CBD Oil and Tincture

CBD oils and tinctures are among the most versatile and popular CBD products on the market. You can swallow your dose directly, take it sublingually (under the tongue) for quick absorption, or mix it into your food and drinks. CBD oils also allow you to control your dose more easily than gummies or capsules, offering a customized experience every time. Most CBD oils come with a dropper top, making oral CBD application easy.

Let’s take a closer look at oil and why it’s one of the most popular products on the CBD market.

woman taking cbd oil using dropper top

What Do People Most Often Use CBD Oil For?

CBD oil is one of the most popular forms of CBD, and people use it for a variety of reasons. People often choose CBD oil because it offers flexibility in dosage and a fast-acting option for relief.

Whether taken under the tongue or added to food and drinks, CBD oil is an easy and effective way to incorporate CBD into your wellness routine. Here’s what CBD oil is most commonly used for.

Anxious Thoughts

One of the top reasons people turn to CBD oil is to manage anxious thoughts. As we previously mentioned, studies have shown that CBD can reduce feelings of stress and anxiousness by altering the way the brain processes serotonin. Whether you’re dealing with anxious thoughts or the rigors of daily stress, CBD oil could offer some relief.

Low Mood

Taking CBD oil may also help those struggling with low mood. It’s thought to influence the brain’s serotonin receptors but without the same risk of side effects or addiction as other methods. However, it’s important to note that further research is needed to fully understand its effects on mood.

Physical Discomfort 

Whether it’s joint stiffness, muscle soreness, or general aches and discomfort, CBD oil is commonly used for physical discomfort relief. Its soothing properties make it a natural choice for people looking for relief from nagging discomfort issues.

Scientific Research and Evidence

While CBD has been widely embraced, it’s still an area of ongoing and limited research. Studies have shown that CBD can be effective in treating certain conditions, like certain childhood cognitive disorders. The research is still in its early stages for many other uses.

For instance, we previously mentioned various studies and clinical trials showing CBD’s potential in managing physical discomfort and anxious thoughts. Still, most of the research has been small-scale or done on animals. Larger human studies are needed to confirm these benefits.

The FDA has approved only one CBD-based medication so far — Epidiolex, a prescription drug used to treat severe forms of childhood epilepsy — so many other claims about CBD’s effects are still awaiting more scientific backing.

That said, anecdotal evidence from thousands of consumers suggests that CBD may have real potential. Whether it’s improving sleep, reducing physical discomfort, or calming anxious thoughts, many people report significant benefits from using CBD. However, it’s essential to talk with your healthcare provider before starting any CBD regimen, especially if you’re taking other medications.

cbd chemical structure blackboard isolate oil

Legal Status of CBD

Is CBD legal? Yes, hemp-derived CBD products are federally legal as long as they do not exceed 0.3% total THC on a dry-weight basis. The 2018 Farm Bill legalized all hemp and hemp-derived products if they meet this THC threshold. However, individual state laws can vary significantly. Some states have fully embraced CBD, while others have more restrictions. It’s important to check your local laws before buying or using CBD products.

CBD derived from marijuana (which is a cannabis plant that contains higher levels of THC) is still illegal at the federal level. However, it may be legal for medical or recreational consumption in some states. Make sure you understand the cannabis laws in your area to avoid any legal issues.

Final Thoughts – What Does CBD Do? 

CBD is a naturally occurring hemp plant cannabinoid that offers a wide range of potential wellness benefits, ranging from relieving physical discomfort to reducing anxious thoughts and promoting improved sleep. The cannabinoid works by engaging the receptors of your body’s endocannabinoid system, which is integral to optimizing several biological processes important to your everyday wellness. As more research continues, we’re likely to learn even more about what CBD can do and how it can support both physical and mental health.

Whether you’re new to CBD or looking to expand your knowledge, understanding how CBD interacts with your body can help you make informed decisions about whether it’s right for you. Just remember to start slowly, monitor your body’s response, and consult a licensed healthcare professional if you have any concerns or may be wondering how CBD will interact with certain prescription medications. Are you ready to give CBD a try and add it to your daily routine? Shop Budpop’s selection of premium, federally legal, hemp-derived CBD products and find the right one for you and your needs!

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