CBD products have exploded into the economy in recent years. With hemp’s full federal legalization in 2018, thousands of products burst onto the scene, creating a market that’s rich with options. Among those options are CBD pills, which many trust for ailments such as chronic pain, inflammation, and even anxiety.
What makes CBD pills so great? How do they affect the body? Who can use them? In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about CBD and CBD pills. From health effects to legality and everything in between, this is your ultimate guide to understanding CBD pills.
What is CBD
CBD, CBD, CBD! What is it? Why is everyone talking about it? What does it do? Is it an acronym? Let’s start with what CBD actually is. CBD, or cannabidiol, is what’s known as a cannabinoid. Cannabinoids can be found both inside our bodies, in the endocannabinoid system, or in a plant you might know of: Cannabis. That’s right, CBD comes from Cannabis, but it’s not to be mistaken for its cousin, THC/marijuana.
Cannabis is a versatile and useful plant and can be grown in separate strains. Hemp and marijuana are two separate strains of Cannabis, each of which contains vastly different concentrations of THC and CBD. Cannabis is home to over 100 cannabinoids, so while you can’t exactly rid the strains of a cannabinoid entirely, you can certainly limit the concentrations of specific cannabinoids.
That being said, CBD is extracted from hemp, which is more CBD-rich than its cousin, marijuana. Marijuana contains much higher THC concentrations, and THC is the compound responsible for the “high” that comes with inhaling marijuana smoke or ingesting THC edibles.
According to our new federal guidelines (per 2018’s new laws), hemp must contain 0.3% or less THC. That means you won’t get high from broad-spectrum CBD products.
Conclusion: CBD is a naturally-occurring compound found in Cannabis that does not produce a high of any kind or cause impairment, despite its close relation to THC.
How Does It Affect The Body?
Now that you know what CBD is, let’s look at how CBD interacts with our bodies. It’s actually quite fascinating when you look at the science behind cannabinoids in the body! For starters, our bodies are already set up to accept cannabinoids.
The endocannabinoid system contains special receptors for cannabinoids, and we even create our own cannabinoids inside the ECS. Researchers are still looking at the role of the ECS, but so far, we know that the ECS plays a role in things like immune response, mood, and appetite.
When CBD enters your body, it interacts with the ECS in a specific way (we’re still not 100% on how) to create effects like pain relief, anti-inflammation, appetite suppression, and more. We do know that CBD doesn’t bind to CBD receptors the way that THC does, which could explain the difference in the effects that each has on the body.
Why Pills?
So, why do so many people choose CBD pills or capsules? For starters, CBD capsules are easy to take, discreet, and effective. When you absorb CBD through the digestive tract, its effects take longer to show up but also last a bit longer than taking oil under the tongue or applying a topical solution.
CBD pills are usually a bit more potent than things like gummies as well. Your average CBD gummy contains anywhere from 10mg of CBD to about 20mg; whereas a CBD capsule can contain up to 35mg, providing a much more potent dose. It’s also a better value for your money, since you’re getting longer-lasting effects, higher doses, and increased potency.
Pills come in many varieties, depending on the brand you’re choosing from. They’re normally unflavored and swallowed like a vitamin or supplement and dissolve in the stomach. You can take them anywhere!
Is It Dangerous?
One of the most frequently asked questions regarding CBD is “is it dangerous?” This is a perfectly understandable inquiry, especially given the close relationship that CBD shares with THC/marijuana.
Dianna Ranere