CBD | PINEAPPLE WAVE

Cannabidiol — more commonly referred to as “CBD oil” — is one of more than 100 different chemical compounds found in the the cannabis plant. These compounds, known as “cannabinoids”, react with a biochemical communication system in the body called the endocannabinoid system. The recently discovered network of cannabis receptors plays an important role in psychological functions like sleep, pain, mood, and appetite.

Perhaps the most widely known cannabinoid is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the compound responsible for the majority of the psychological effects. Like THC, cannabidiol is also found in marijuana. But unlike THC, cannabidiol does not induce intoxication or get you “high”.

Instead, CBD oil helps promote relaxation, healthy sleep, and pain relief. Because the compound is associated with a variety of health benefits but lacks mind-altering effects, it is being marketed as treatment for insomnia and other sleep disorders, in addition to issues like anxiety, epilepsy, and pain.

Although CBD oil can be manufactured synthetically, it’s most easily and often harvested from industrial hemp. To harvest CBD oil, producers use extraction solvents to separate and collect CBD oils from the seeds and stalks of the hemp plant. The oil is typically tested for cannabidiol content and treated in a heating process known as decarboxylation, which helps the CBD react more easily with the body.

A member of the cannabis family, industrial hemp contains high amounts of natural cannabidiol but negligible amounts (less than 0.3 percent) of mind-altering THC. In the U.S., there are two primary categories of hemp-extracted CBD oil products available

Touted for a variety of health benefits, CBD is flooding the marketplace in the form of topicals, edibles, tinctures, and vape oils. If you’re considering purchasing CBD oil, it’s important to consider your health goals to determine the best form of CBD oil for you. For those seeking to promote restful sleep or relieve insomnia, consuming cannabidiol edibles or mixing tinctures into food or beverages is recommended. For more information on cannabinoids and sleep, check out the resources below

Crystalline isolate. This type of oil has been purified to remove THC and all other cannabinoids, so only CBD remains.
Full spectrum or whole plant CBD. When CBD oil is referred to as full spectrum or whole plant, the product contains other cannabinoids. This could include trace amounts (0.3 percent or less) of THC, along with cannabinol (CBN) and tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV). Some studies have shown that full spectrum CBD may be more efficient due to its synergistic reactions with the terpenes and minor phytocannabinoids present. Keep in mind that the trace amounts of THC in full spectrum CBD oil could compromise a drug test.
Virtually non-existent levels of THC make it impossible to get high on CBD oil that has been extracted from industrial hemp.
Note that in states where marijuana is legal, CBD oil can also be extracted from marijuana plants. When extracted from marijuana plants, CBD oil may have higher levels of THC — as much as 30 percent — and include psychoactive effects.
After decades of villainization with the rest of the cannabis industry and scheduled as a narcotic, cannabidiol has only just begun to be researched and understood. Even in the early stages of research, medical scientists have discovered CBD oil could be used to treat a variety of physical and mental ailments.
Specifically, researchers have found CBD oil may be therapeutic for the following physical conditions:
Cancer. After avoiding cannabinoids for fear of unwanted psychoactive effects, some scientists are becoming increasingly interested in the non-psychoactive CBD oil as a potential anti-cancer drug. Certain lines of research have found that CBD oil and cannabinoids may help to interfere with the spread of cancer and induce the death of cancer cells.
Heart disease. A growing body of evidence suggests CBD could play a positive role in treating heart disease and strengthening the cardiovascular system by protecting against inflammation and other damage.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Studies have named cannabidiol as an effective treatment for IBS because of its ability to control the neuroimmune system, a network of structures connecting the gut microbes, immune system, and central nervous system.
Glaucoma. Researchers have discovered CBD could potentially be used as a topical therapy to treat glaucoma. CBD and other cannabinoids have been shown to protect neuron cultures from glutamate-induced death.
Seizures and epilepsy. In recent years, medical researchers have become increasingly interested in CBD as a treatment for seizures and epilepsy, particularly for children. CBD contains anticonvulsant properties like other cannabinoids, in addition to the advantage of being non-psychoactive.
Acne. Thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, cannabidiol has been introduced to lotions and other skincare products to treat acne.
Chronic pain. CBD has been demonstrated to help ease pain and inflammation in a variety of chronic pain diseases, including
arthritis and multiple sclerosis.
Beyond treating physical conditions, studies show CBD may be able to treat the following mental ailments:
Sleep disorders. One of the most intriguing properties of cannabidiol is its ability to promote restful sleep. CBD has been used for centuries across many cultures as a sleep aid. Modern research finds that CBD can help improve sleep in a variety of ways, including regulating sleep patterns, alleviating pain, and reducing stress.
Anxiety. Mounting evidence shows that cannabidiol may be able to help reduce anxiety symptoms. CBD may be a powerful treatment for a variety of forms of anxiety, including social anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Depression. Abnormalities in the endocannabinoid system have been linked to depression and suicide. Research finds that CBD oil can help increase and stabilize the release of serotonin, a natural mood regulator.
PTSD. Studies find that the endocannabinoid system may be an ideal avenue for treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). CBD oil can be used to help minimize PTSD symptoms, including anxiety, nightmares, and insomnia.
Stress. Scientific findings link the endocannabinoid system to the regulation of stress and other emotional behaviors.