Written by Cody Coulson for Dankr.ca.

When writing this my intention was to inform the public about the benefits of cannabis. I really hope some people start doing some of their own research on how the miracle cannabinoid (CBD) can help them! When it comes to intake and dosages ask as many questions as possible because these are still being studied today. A general rule is anything less then 3 mg of CBD you are wasting your time. Anything more just adds to the benefits. There are topicals, salves, tinctures, extracts, and even strains high in CBD. So there is a lot to explore when it comes to the new world of CBD medicine, and I highly recommend people try!

Background information:

I started consuming cannabis at a young age. My father passed away when I was 15 of a rare cancer in his lower intestines, and knowing what I know now I wish we could have explored other options other than chemotherapy. After 6 years of loving and enjoying the cannabis world I changed my guilt of smoking into a passion. After many fights and phases with my mother, the stigma around cannabis changing everyday, and her own research we have finally agreed that it has a place in this world. I was very lucky to have my mother support me and help pay to get a certificate in plant production and facility management from Kwantlan Polytechnic Universtiy. With some schooling to get my foot in the door, I now work at a dispensary in Toronto and love my job! I get to help people pick up their cannabis easier then ever, what’s not to like! But my favourite part about my job is I get to answer questions about CBD and give my thoughts on how the cannabinoid can benefit them. I am always learning new things about cannabidiol and I love sharing it. There are so many things surrounding the subject that it can become confusing when knowing what it is, what it does, and how it can benefit so many different things in the body.

What is CBD?

CBD, or cannabidiol, is a cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant. Unlike THC, CBD is anti-psychoactive and will actually work along side it’s other cannabinoids to improve itself. (THC improves the effects of CBD, while CBD decreases the psychoactive effects of THC). It is important to note that CBD does not rely on THC and can still be beneficial without it. CBD is found in the crystals, or trichomes, of the plant and can be extracted and consumed in many different ways. Recreational consumers that are looking for a high tend to buy products high in THC, while other consumers looking for relief in areas like anxiety, blood sugar, blood pressure, brain function, muscle spasms and more should be looking for products with an even THC:CBD ratio or a high CBD ratio depending on the consumer and their desire to feel “stoned”.

How does CBD work?

Inside the body there are two groups of cannabinoid receptors, CB1 and CB2. These receptors can be activated by cannabinoids like THC found in cannabis. Once activated the receptors affect a series of processes in the body like appetite, memory, mood, and pain. While THC activates these receptors, CBD actually blocks some and will result in a less psychoactive high. CBD activates other receptors in the body like the vanilloid, adenosine, and serotonin receptors. By activating a specific receptor, CBD can benefit mediation of body temperature, pain perception, and inflammation.

How can CBD help with anxiety?

CBD activates adenosine receptors in the brain and body that will give anti-anxiety and anti-inflammatory effects. These receptors are also involved in the release of dopamine and glutamate. Dopamine affects the body’s motor control, motivation, and reward mechanism. (What makes you happy) Glutamate is one of the major mediators of excitement, memory, learning, and cognition.

What can CBD benefit?

Reduce pain, reduce seizures, improves sleep, relieve anxiety, reduce blood sugar, kill/slow bacteria, reduce nausea, inhibit some cancer, reduce artery blockage, treat psoriasis, antipsychotic, suppress muscle spasms, promote bone growth, reduce inflammation, etc.

Here is a chart of cannabinoids found in marijuana and their benefits:

More information: CBD is a very safe supplement and the human body can tolerate up to 1500mg a day in extreme cases. If enough CBD is used, the cannabinoid can alter how the body metabolizes some pharmaceuticals. This is because it can inhibit the activity of some liver enzymes called cytochrome P450.

Written by Cody Coulson for Dankr.ca.