What is CBD?

What is CBD? CBD stands for cannabidiol, the most prominent naturally-occurring cannabinoid component found in Hemp. It comprises up to 40% of the plant. Cannabidiol is “a cannabinoid devoid of psychoactive effect.” After THC (Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol), CBD is by far the most studied natural cannabinoid. According to many researchers, CBD may be the single most important cannabinoid ever discovered. Cannabidiol (CBD) is a natural constituent of the industrial hemp plant that promotes and supports the nutritional health of aging bodies. Source: US Patent #6,630,507 (The United States of America as represented by The Department Of Health And Human Services): "Cannabinoids as antioxidants and neuroprotectants." ( http://google.com/patents/US6630507 ) How is it legal? Natural cannabinoids from industrial hemp, like CBD, are 100% legal in all 50 states. No doctor recommendations and no medical cannabis cards needed. The FDA is threatened by the effective uses of CBD and continues to wage a war on trying to get CBD under their control. What is the endocannabinoid system? The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is one of science’s newest and most exciting discoveries. The ECS regulates relaxation, eating, sleeping, certain inflammation responses and even cognitive function. There are two types of cannabinoid receptors found throughout the body (CB1 and CB2), but they are most abundant in the brain and immune system respectively. In a nutshell, your ECS is responsible for making sure your entire body is working optimally—no small task!

Why would hemp (instead of marijuana) be grown for cannabidiol (CBD)? Industrial hemp is already rich in CBD and naturally low in THC, whereas most marijuana is just the opposite (high THC, low CBD). Our industrial hemp is considered Cannabis sativa L., although we have developed our own unique cultivars of this particular type of industrial hemp.

Through a combination of these unique cultivars, advanced plant genetics, and cutting-edge growing techniques, an exceptionally high percentage of CBD can be produced naturally and consistently in the hemp plant. When CBD-rich hemp oil is extracted from these hemp cultivars—which can be grown in dozens of countries and imported to the USA legally—it doesn’t make legal or practical sense to obtain CBD from marijuana.

Are CBD and THC the same thing? No, they are different compounds. CBD and THC are both cannabinoids, but THC is the cannabinoid that gets you “high” or “stoned.” CBD is non-psychoactive, meaning it won't get you "high."

What is the nutritional value of hemp?

Hemp seeds are notable as a high-protein food source, providing 73% of the Daily Value (DV) in a 100 g serving. Hempseed amino acid profile is comparable to other sources of protein such as meat, milk, eggs and soy. Protein Digestibility Corrected Amino Acid Score values (PDCAAS), which measure the degree to which a food for humans is a "complete protein", were 0.49-0.53 for whole hemp seed, 0.46-0.51 for hemp seed meal, and 0.63-0.66 for dehulled hemp seed. Hemp seeds are also a rich source of the dietary minerals, magnesium (160% DV), zinc (77% DV) and iron (53% DV), and a good source of dietary fiber (13% DV). Approximately 73% of the energy in hemp seeds is in the form of fats and essential fatty acids, mainly polyunsaturated fatty acids, linoleic, oleic and alpha-linolenicacids.

So Why Do I Bring You This Info?

After much research and even a personal experience with our oldest daughter, I am inclined to educate the public on the CBD, how our bodies have receptors in which to process CBD, and its uses. The public is very aware of what marijuana is, however there is much confusion around hemp and how it is different from marijuana. My daughter's inflammation markers were out the roof and she was experiencing leg and joint pain and after our doctor's recommendation she was placed on hemp CBD and within 2 weeks her inflammation markers were back to within normal limits and her pain had subsided. There are cases where people are treating their anxiety effectively with hemp oil. There are others who use it to address gastrointestinal distress issues with great success. There are many uses for this natural product and it can be obtained legally, but you should make sure you are getting it through a reputable source. I use www.hempremedies.com for obtaining hemp CBD. On the other hand, marijuana CBD has to be obtain by a prescription and in my home state of Alabama, neurologists are the only doctors that can prescribe it. The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), presently has an ongoing study where they are using marijuana CBD for epilepsy patients, and other neurological issues like inoperable brain tumors. You can Google UAB CBD Study. Again, the FDA is involved as they have 14 patents on marijuana, not to mention, marijuana has been classified as a controlled substance. Because marijuana and hemp are natural subtances, they legally can't be patented. Drug companies can patent the extraction and processing processes and drug companies have to synthetically replicate in a lab to obtain patent, thus the controversy. When replacing drugs or making someone asymptomatice removes a patient and customer from our so called healthcare system and this effects the profits and the gross domestic product(GDP).

Notes: Information courtesy of Hemp Remedies and Wikipedia. I did compare against other website info before publishing.