Cannabis is more than just a buzzword but a revolution. This revolution started in the US state of California when it passed a law decriminalizing marijuana. However, that is just a highlight in a long history of a substance that many believe has extensive medical applications. For example, the World Health Organization confirmed that CBD helps with epilepsy and many other medical conditions.
That is not all. CBD and marijuana are believed to help with many other conditions like stress relieving and controlling anxiety. Unlike THC, CBD has been found to have little to no adverse effects on the users. Perhaps, this is because CBD does not have psychoactive effects. On the contrary, THC causes the euphoric ‘high,’ which is the most popular aspect of marijuana. In states like California, you can order marijuana or CBD online without issues. This availability creates a dilemma for customers. So let’s dive into whats a better de-stressor.
Is there a difference between CBD and marijuana?
Yes. On the one hand, cannabidiol (CBD) is the dominant substance in hemp, a plant that belongs to the cannabis genus. The hemp plant has less than 0.3% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content. Usually, specialists extract the CBD from hemp from which they produce gummies, gels, supplements, extracts, oils, and more. Particularly, CBD is easy to ingest, and it does not need sophisticated avenues.
On the other hand, THC exists in plenty in the marijuana plant. Similar to hemp, the marijuana plant is of the cannabis genus. The plant has little to insignificant CBD content. Notably, THC is an active substance that brings about psychoactive effects in the users.
Interestingly, CBD and THC interact with the endocannabinoid system of the human body. The system is responsible for facilitating the signaling system of the human body. This means it is a significant part of the central nervous system. Particularly, the endocannabinoid system regulates the signals from one cell to another.
Here, the cannabinoid (CB) receptors bind with endocannabinoids to stimulate the signaling system. This means THC and CBD can also help with stimulating the signaling system. Unfortunately, CBD does not bind with any of the CB receptors, and that is why its consumption does lead to the euphoric high. On the contrary, THC binds with both CB1 and CB2 but with a higher affinity to CB1. As a result, THC produces intoxicating effects.
CBD stress relieving properties
CBD might not cause one to be high, but it is a good antidepressant. In mid-2018, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a drug derived from CBD. According to the FDA, the drug (called Epidiolex) treats seizures in epileptic patients. Besides epileptic patients, those suffering from seizures because of suffering conditions like Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome can benefit from the healing effects of Epidiolex.
Studies show that CBD has a calming effect, especially for stressed people. According to this study, CBD is anxiolytic. This means the substance can reduce irritability and tranquilize a highly anxious person. Notably, the study established that patients with a social anxiety disorder (SAD) socialized better after ingesting CBD. Many other studies have been carried out that support the anxiolytic properties of CBD. They include this, this, and this.
Usually, stress and anxiety result from depression. According to this study, endocannabinoid imbalance is a major cause of depression. Oftentimes, this imbalance results from the body being unable to produce enough endocannabinoids. Therefore, artificial ingestion of CBD could help to return the endocannabinoid system to balance. As a result, users experience some calming effects.
Does marijuana relieve stress?
Marijuana is a cannabis plant, which means it has CBD. However, the CBD content of marijuana is in very low concentration. Instead, THC makes up the bulk of the chemical content of marijuana. Although THC may relieve stress, the fact that it has psychoactive effects makes it unpopular among users. Certainly, not all stressed people want to feel high.
Conclusion
Marijuana and hemp are the most popular cannabis plants. The cannabinoid substances in the plants are at the center of a long-running debate about the medical qualities of cannabis. Fortunately, studies show that CBD helps patients suffering from conditions that result in seizures. The substance calms down the patients, which makes it also ideal for de-stressing. Although marijuana’s THC also has calming effects, its psychoactive effects make it unpopular.
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