Introduction to CBD
As American marijuana legalization continues to spread from state to state, so does interest in the plant’s practical applications beyond its common usage of getting high. But perhaps the biggest explosion of marijuana byproducts in recent years comes in the form of CBD-infused products. It’s in tea, makeup, candy, and seemingly infinite other products. But what is it actually, and what does it do?
What are Cannabinoids?
CBD is an abbreviation for cannabidiol. Cannabidiol is a cannabinoid, which is the name for any chemical substance produced by the cannabis plant. The most prevalent cannabinoid is THC, which is the chemical that produces the psychoactive effect that marijuana smokers get high from. CBD is the other most prevalent cannabinoid, but where THC produces the euphoria that marijuana is known for, CBD produces relieving sensations without the mind-altering effects.
Consider the two strains of marijuana: Cannabis Sativa and Cannabis Indica. The former is known for its “head” high and alertness while the latter is known for its “body” high and relaxation. The notable difference in their chemical makeup is the higher concentration of THC in Sativa and the higher concentration of CBD in Indica. Both chemicals work together in each strain, but the psychoactive effects are lessened where THC is in lower concentration, and the relieving effects are heightened where CBD is in higher concentration.
Like THC can be extracted to produce concentrates like hash oil to produce a more potent high in dabs, edibles, or anything else that the smoking population has rigorously tested, CBD can be extracted into oils that produce the relieving effects of marijuana without the high. Hence, CBD tea, makeup, candy, and in our case, intimate moisturizer.
What are the effects and benefits of CBD?
Marijuana has been prescribed as a reliever, deterrent, or enhancer of various health issues recorded at least as far back as 28th Century BCE in Ancient China. Records continued in the following millennium in India and Egypt, and into the Common Era in Europe in the Middle Ages, and onward. Even in the United States, where marijuana laws are greatly restrictive, medical journalists endorsed medical marijuana in the late 1700s. Only in the last 23 years has the United States begun to embrace medical marijuana this century to growing effect with over half the states allowing the use of medical marijuana to treat the following issues and more.
CBD for Pain
The most common symptom cited for patients requesting medical marijuana is pain. Whether for headaches, muscle pain, joint pain, or any other source in the body, marijuana is proven and testified to relieve pain. Even arthritis and Parkinson’s disease patients report less discomfort after smoking. During the current opioid crisis, marijuana can potentially provide an alternative to such addictive drugs.
CBD for Seizures
The CBD-containing drug Epidiolex is used to treat rare forms of epilepsy called Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome. These syndromes affect children with frequent seizures and often lead to ongoing speech, motor skill, and intellectual disabilities. Epidiolex is the first drug containing a marijuana product to be approved by the FDA.
CBD for Glaucoma
Doctors prescribe marijuana as a treatment against the eye disease glaucoma as a means of relieving pressure buildup in the eye, which can result in damage and loss of vision. This is commonly cited as a motivation to legalize medical marijuana for states that have done so.
Potentially Many More
Marijuana is used personally or is undergoing studies with positive results to treat many more issues. Smokers report a “just right” level of consumption that alleviates anxiety before increasing it. Some states allow marijuana as a treatment for PTSD. Studies even suggest positive effects against issues related to strokes, Alzheimer’s disease, Crohn’s disease, cancer, and more. These studies are limited in part due to marijuana’s status as a controlled substance and the resulting stigma.
How does CBD work?
Like the lack of studies conducted to fully test the effects of marijuana products on these medical issues, the lack of studies has yielded varied conclusions about how CBD takes effect.
Both CBD and THC interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system through receptors called CB1 receptors and CB2 receptors. Endocannabinoids are molecules produced by the human body that resemble cannabinoids in the marijuana plant and contribute to the body’s regulatory homeostasis, like neurotransmitters. THC manipulates effects of the endocannabinoid system by attaching itself to CB1 receptors, which are primarily in the brain, and altering the release of these neurotransmitters, which yields THC’s effects on the human body.
It was initially thought that CBD took effect in a similar fashion at CB2 receptors, which are primarily in the immune systems and gastrointestinal systems, but studies since then have suggested that CBD instead helps the body to produce more endocannabinoids.
Furthermore, some studies suggest that, though CBD can be extracted separately from THC and other cannabinoids and terpenes, the presence of these other agents can enhance the intended effects of CBD. This interaction, called the entourage effect, has led to three primary classifications of commercialized CBD. The first is CBD Isolate, keeping a purity of nearly 100 percent CBD. The second is Full-Spectrum CBD, which contains all cannabinoids and terpenes, including THC, to produce the intended entourage effect. Of course, THC’s presence presents issues for those who don’t want the euphoric effect, in addition to legal issues. This brings us to the third classification of Broad-Spectrum CBD, which contains all cannabinoids and terpenes except THC to produce the strongest entourage effect possible without THC.
If marijuana is still illegal federally, how is CBD legal?
In 2018, Congress passed the Agricultural Improvement Act, more colloquially known as the Farm Bill, which legalized the industrialization of hemp. As we discussed earlier, CBD can be extracted from cannabis to be separated from any potent level of THC content. CBD that is extracted from Sativa or Indica sources would not be legal to sell under federal laws due to the Schedule 1 Controlled Substance status of these plants. But the Farm Bill allows industrialization of hemp plants that contain less than .3% THC content. Hemp, though very low in THC concentration, can be high in CBD concentrations.
Why am I only hearing of CBD recently?
This is mostly due to the aforementioned passing of the Farm Bill. Though marijuana users have long appreciated the effects of CBD, its ability to be produced and sold legally if separated from THC content under regulatory restrictions has knocked down the gates for commercialization. Once again, hence, CBD tea, makeup, candy, and in our case, intimate moisturizer.
Finally, What is CBD Intimate Moisturizer?
The aforementioned benefits of CBD are absolutely applicable to sex! Anxiety relief can make sex much more fun, focused, and relaxed. If sensitivity or pain is an issue, reduction of friction can be complemented by direct pain relief. If sex makes you feel good, and CBD makes you feel good, their intermingling is bound to make yours better!
Featuring hemp-derived broad spectrum CBD, Vibed’s CBD Infused Water-Based Intimate Moisturizer brings personal moisturizers into the future.
Sources
Grinspoon, Peter, MD. “Cannabidiol (CBD)—What we know and what we don’t.” Harvard Health Publishing. Harvard University. 8/24/2018.
Gupta, Dr. Sanjay. “Medical marijuana and ‘the entourage effect.’” CNN Health. Turner Broadcasting System. 3/11/2014.
Johnson, Jon. “Everything you need to know about CBD oil.” Medical News Today. Healthline Media. 7/27/2018.
Kosecki, Danielle. “What is CBD and why is it so popular right now?” CNET. CBS Interactive Inc. 8/5/2019
Kubala, Jillian, MS, RD. “7 Benefits and Uses of CBD Oil (Plus Side Effects).” Healthline. Healthline Media. 2/26/2018.
Loria, Kevin. “23 Health Benefits of Marijuana.” Business Insider. Insider Inc. 3/7/2018.
Ries, Julia. “Can CBD Improve Your Sex Life?” HuffPost. Verizon Media. 9/30/2018.
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