The Best Products

Not all CBD products work the same. One person may require a higher dosage than another, so it is important for consumers to know how much they need according to their symptoms (it’s common to start with a low dosage and gradually increase until reaching the desired effectiveness).

The kind of CBD product also makes a difference in how quickly it delivers its benefits. Individuals using CBD for mental disorders may prefer to ingest it as an oil or tincture. Gummies are also advantageous for this; people who need anxiety relief throughout the day can keep a bottle of gummies on their person and take them as needed and inconspicuously. For readers interested in which products are the best in terms of quality and taste, I compiled a comprehensive list of the best CBD gummies based on quality, ingredients, taste, and effectiveness accessible here. I’m a big fan of Verma Farms, due to their social conscious focus , tastiness, their high bar for the organic, pesticide-free hemp they use in their products.

People needing joint or muscle pain relief can take CBD as drops, but they can also opt for lotions and creams (which are popular for localized pain). Individuals should consult with their doctors or CBD experts to determine if oils, vaporizers, edibles, and other products are most suitable for their needs (such as shorter periods of relaxation).

But CBD has not only become a solution for humans, CBD for dogs is now one of the fastest growing trends among pet owners. I researched the best CBD products available for dogs today, with a focus on ingredient quality and anxiety relief. You can find the full list here.

Also important: a history of the endocannabinoid system

So, CBD and other cannabinoids can affect the body in numerous ways—but how? CBD (along with THC, CBN, and more) does not simply induce the effects it does because it has the properties to do so. Instead, it works with the body’s “endocannabinoid system,” which researchers have also found in other mammals.

Wait—endocannabinoid system? Yes, the human body has a system named after cannabis because it was discovered much later than the plant. Melissa Moore from Labroots reports that a government-funded project at the St. Louis University School of Medicine found that mammalian brain receptors have sites that respond to certain cannabinoids. As it turns out, these receptors are the brain’s most abundant kind of neurotransmitter receptor.

Various other researchers, such as teams lead by Lisa Matsuda at the National Institute of Mental Health, and Dr. Lumir Hanus and Dr. Willian Devane with Hebrew University in Jerusalem continued to learn more about how THC and other cannabinoids affect the brain, though rarely with human subjects. Labroots notes:

“In the pursuit of unearthing the metabolic pathways of phytocannabinoids and endocannabinoids, scientists came across and unknown molecular signaling systems within the body that is involved in regulating a broad range of biological functions. This system was named the endocannabinoid system (ECS).”

“Endo” means “inside,” while “phyto” refers to “plant.” The body’s endocannabinoid system performs a multitude of tasks, but its supposed ultimate purpose is to maintain homeostasis. Humans have two known (possibly more) kinds of cannabinoid receptors: CB1, which are located in the central nervous system; and CB2, which are located in the peripheral nervous system (extremities as opposed to brain and spinal cord), specialized immune system cells, and the digestive system.

The receptors part of the ECS inform the body when something is off-balance. For example, if a person is overheated, then the ECS plays a vital role in instructing sweat glands to begin producing sweat. Similarly, it tells the stomach to “growl” to indicate hunger when the body is low on energy.

How does CBD work?

The endocannabinoid system helps regulate a number of other essential functions apart from appetite, digestion, and temperature control. These functions include the immune system, inflammation, sleep, fertility, motor control, mood, memory, pain, and pleasurable sensations. In simple terms, when something is wrong, the ECS helps correct it with its network of endocannabinoids, enzymes that break them down, and receptors.

Therein lies the secret to how CBD products yield such incredible health benefits: ingesting external cannabinoids—namely, phytocannabinoids from the cannabis plant—gives the ECS a boost. It’s possible for the body to have an endocannabinoid deficiency, in which case phytocannabinoids are exceptionally advantageous. THC boasts a broad range of health benefits, but its intoxicant qualities create a “high” when it bonds with CB receptors. CBD, on the other hand, does have psychoactive properties, but it does not negatively alter a user’s state of mind while helping the body work toward homeostasis.