CBD is a powerful substance. Despite being one of the most studied and well-understood compounds, we still don’t understand its full effects on humans. However, from what we have seen so far, it has the potential to bring us closer to optimal living.

In this article, we focus on what we know about CBD today, how it affects our brains, and how it manifests in our lives. Read on to find out more.

What Do We Know So Far?

There are various ways CBD can help maintain a healthy lifestyle. Currently, it is most commonly used to relieve exercise-induced muscle discomfort, support restful sleep, and manage occasional anxiety. However, this is just the tip of the iceberg — the list of benefits is long. So, let’s explore how and why CBD is so powerful.

Where Does CBD Come From?

CBD stands for cannabidiol (pronounced “can-uh-bih-dee-ol”). It is one of two main cannabinoids found in cannabis (the other being tetrahydrocannabinol or THC). The cannabis plant has a long history of use that traces back to the ancient world, and CBD has been extracted from hemp plants. 

There is evidence of hemp being grown as a cultivated crop and used by early hunter-gatherers in China. The earliest evidence of its use for medicinal purposes dates back to 1300 AD, as listed in the Yellow Emperor’s Book.  From the Silk Road to the Industrial Revolution and now in the Digital Age, it has remained a ubiquitous part of human history, and for good reason. Naturally, hemp’s rich history encouraged scientists to learn more about the how and why of medicinal cannabidiol.

How Does It Affect Our Brain?

To understand how CBD works, let’s start by looking at what cannabinoids are and why they’re important.

There are at least 113 different cannabinoids found naturally in the cannabis plant (cannabis sativa). These compounds are called cannabinoids because they can bind to cannabinoid receptors throughout your body — including in your brain and nervous system.

So what happens when cannabinoids bind to the natural receptors we have in our body?

Activates Our Endocannabinoid System

CBD interacts with our brain and body receptors and changes how our natural cannabinoids act. There are three types of known receptors: CB1, CB2, and TRPV1. There are more receptors that appear to be endocannabinoid receptors that we are discovering, such as CB3, and likely more.

CB1 receptors are primarily located in the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) and organs such as the liver, kidneys, and heart. These receptors are responsible for many functions, such as sleep and appetite.

CB2 receptors are also located throughout our body but mainly exist in immune cells known as macrophages.

TRPV1 receptors are found primarily in sensory neurons (such as those that transmit pain signals from your skin). 

No High

There are many misconceptions about CBD — including the belief that it gets you high. This is simply not true! Contrary to popular belief, CBD is different from tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana that produces a high.

The truth is that CBD is produced in cannabis plants, both in hemp and high-THC varieties. Hemp-type plants produce more CBD than THC and, by definition, have no more than .3% THC total. High-THC plants, on the other hand, contain anywhere from 5% to 30% THC content by volume, depending on how it’s grown, processed, and tested.

In fact, having trace amounts of THC helps contribute to the efficacy of CBD products. Dr. Raphael Mechoulam, the man who discovered the endocannabinoid system, tested CBD isolate against a CBD-rich full-spectrum complex and found that the full spectrum had vastly more effective implications in the body. This is because CBD needs to be used in conjunction with other cannabinoids, terpenes, and phytonutrients as they work together to optimize the health of the whole endocannabinoid system. He dubbed the term the “entourage effect,” and it’s a key advantage that full-spectrum CBD holds over CBD isolates. 

Could Help Bring Us To A Flow State

CBD’s interaction with our endocannabinoid system produces a calming effect, easing our mental and physical tension. These effects allow us to enter our flow state more easily.

When we enter a flow state, we become more open and receptive to new ideas. The mind becomes more precise and focused. We can understand complex concepts quickly and make decisions with greater ease.

This is why many people take CBD—to help them unlock their flow state more often. It’s also why it’s so popular among athletes like pro surfer Kassia Meador, who takes CBD whenever she hits the waves. Many athletes find that CBD helps them perform at their peak when they need to stay focused and locked in.

Helps With Occasional Anxiety

CBD is currently being studied as a helpful tool for people who suffer from occasional anxiety. On a physiological level, occasional anxiety is a nervous system response that is triggered by situations or events that cause us to feel fearful, worried, or panicked. It can also manifest in physical symptoms such as sweating or trembling.

For instance, it’s normal to get nervous or anxious when speaking in public or doing something out of our comfort zone. But this fear can keep us from performing our best in crucial moments. 

One of the ways CBD can help manage this type of occasional, non-chronic anxiety is by increasing our body’s production of anandamide. This important neurotransmitter can help us transition into a flow state. In fact, feeling anxious or frustrated is a precursor to entering a flow state. Data indicates that CBD could help us transition to a flow state, where these feelings are eventually overridden.

Exercise-Induced Inflammation

Inflammation is the body’s natural response to stress or irritation. It’s an immune response that involves swelling, redness, and pain. When you constantly work out, exercise-induced inflammation can prevent you from getting back into the gym quickly.

CBD has anti-inflammatory properties that may help ease exercise-induced muscle soreness. This makes it an ideal solution for athletes who need to maintain their fitness level while recovering from training or competitions.

It is advisable to take CBD both before and after exercise for optimal results. CBD is also beneficial for those already in their recovery process. Whether it be temporary or exercise-induced pain or fatigue, adding CBD to your routine can help accelerate progress towards your rehabilitation goals.

Speeds Up Recovery From Muscle Pain

In line with the previous section, CBD can help muscle soreness after exercise or physical activity. This makes it a natural choice for athletes seeking relief from minor aches and pains while exercising or training for a competition.

As mentioned earlier, CBD works by interacting with our ECS. This bodily system works with receptors throughout the body and plays a vital role in regulating moods and pain perception. Once in contact with these receptors, CBD sends signals that reduce exercise-induced inflammation, promote relaxation, and boost mood — all of which encourage faster recovery, help muscle inflammation, and give you the mental boost you need to continue your health journey.

Supports Restful Sleep

Many factors can influence how well you sleep, including diet and exercise. A busy mind is another common reason many people have difficulty going to sleep. CBD is a great natural sleep aid because it promotes relaxation making it easier to wind down for the night.

Sleep aids are often beneficial to those who want to achieve deep sleep. While CBD is not an aid that will put you directly to sleep, it prepares and relaxes your mind and body to achieve the deep sleep you need. When we become better at priming our minds and body for sleep (e.g., putting our phones away, journaling, or reading a book), achieving the much-needed REM sleep that our body craves is easier.

An interesting hack for sleep and relaxation is to take full-spectrum CBD (like this Full-Spectrum Hemp Elixir), then take a deep inhalation of lemongrass or oregano essential oil. These essential oils contain myrcene, a terpene that works to guide the cannabinoids toward sedation. There are a lot of benefits to using terpenes alongside CBD, and better sleep preparation is just one of them. You can learn more on how to custom-curate your mood with the CBD-and-terpene combination here.