Cannabidiol or CBD, is a phytocannabinoid which is produced by the cannabis plant. In contrast to the other main compound found in cannabis, Tetrahydrocannabinol, THC, CBD does not have the psychoactive properties THC does, thus when using CBD you don’t get “high” or feel “stoned”. CBD has been shown to have neuroprotective and neurogenic effects. As well a wide range of medical conditions have been shown to be improved by CBD, we will get into these in a later section of the course.
CBD is a cannabinoid, which is primarily found in the cannabis plant. THC and CBD are the most prevalent cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant, but there are over 100 other cannabinoids, all with particular effects and medical applications. However the research to date has focused on CBD and THC, therefore are the most recognized compounds in the cannabis plant. While in the past, commercial, black market cannabis was specifically bred for high THC content, with legal, medical cannabis becoming wide spread around the globe, CBD dominant strains and extracts are becoming more prevalent.
The main reason that clandestine breeders focused on THC is that CBD is non-psychoactive, thus makes a poor choice for recreational consumers. However, for medicinal use, this has a significant advantage as it reduces side effects when using this medicine.
Why is CBD not psychoactive? In short, because it works on different pathways in our body that THC does. Our body has a system called the endocannabinoid system ECS which produces and utilizes cannabinoids. Our body makes several “endogenous” cannabinoids as well, when we consume a compound like CBD, it is the endocannabinoid system that utilized this compound thus affecting its medicinal potential, more on this in the next section.
In 2011 a paper published in Current Drug Safety stated that CBD “does not interfere with several psychomotor and psychological functions,” as well the authors concluded that CBD is “well tolerated and safe” even at high doses.