The effects of CBD

CBD is the main active substance in hemp plants and is a cannabinoid, like its cousin THC. However, this hemp extract does not cause addiction or psychotropic effects: it is a psychoactive substance which provides multiple health benefits and is used by many French doctors. But what exactly does CBD do to the body? What is the difference with cannabis, and how can you benefit from CBD’s properties? Find out everything you need to know about the effects of cannabidiol on the body!

What effect does CBD have on the human body?

Pain reduction

The primary therapeutic effect of CBD is that it reduces pain and inflammation. This cannabinoid is a natural substance that binds to specific receptors in the body (CB1 and CB2) to enhance the nervous system’s natural response to pain. CBD has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, which is why millions of consumers use it to relieve the pain associated with chronic inflammatory diseases and ease their suffering.

Reduction in anxiety and depression

CBD is also said to be more effective than antidepressants. CBD has beneficial anxiolytic properties which help treat psychological disorders. So, CBD’s effect on mood is very positive: it regulates the mind and anxiety attacks, but it also reduces the symptoms of anxiety and depression. There are even ongoing studies that are investigating the effect of cannabidiol as a substitute for antipsychotic drugs in the treatment of schizophrenia.

Soothes the skin

Another effect of CBD is that it improves the appearance of the skin and is a natural treatment for acne that does not dry out or irritate the skin. Additionally, due to its anti-inflammatory properties, CBD is used in creams and cosmetic products to treat certain skin conditions such as acne, dermatitis, and psoriasis. By acting on the CB2 sensors in our endocannabinoid system, cannabidiol prevents the sebaceous glands from producing too much sebum. CBD creams and oils are a gentle and equally effective way to improve the daily lives of people with skin conditions, both physically and aesthetically.

Support for physical and neurological diseases

The use of CBD in medicine could also help to relieve more acute conditions such as multiple sclerosis. CBD’s properties also treat other symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, chronic inflammation, epilepsy, and diabetes. Within the scope of neurological diseases, which are very difficult to treat, CBD could be beneficial for:

• neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s;
• neuropsychiatric conditions such as autistic disorders, alcoholism, schizophrenia, or OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder).

Obviously, treating these illnesses with CBD is out of the question: appropriate medical and psychiatric treatments must still be used. However, thanks to its soothing properties and its ability to slow down the ageing of nerve cells, CBD is a simple and natural way of alleviating side effects and improving the daily lives of many patients suffering with these nerve and brain disorders.

Reduction in side effects caused by cancer treatments

Finally, CBD beneficial for serious conditions such as cancer. Although research is still ongoing, it appears to show that CBD acts as an anti-angiogenic which inhibits development of tumours and the growth of cancer cells in the body. In addition, the euphoric effects of CBD alleviate the side effects of chemotherapy or radiotherapy, such as pain and nausea. However, the concentrations used in these situations are higher than those you can find over the counter. 

How does cannabidiol work?

Cannabidiol acts on various bodily functions. CBD’s main effect comes from endogenous cannabinoids: these endocannabinoids are part of the endocannabinoid system, which directly impacts our health and the diseases that affect us. Thanks to their similarity to the compounds found in cannabis plants, CBD improves our sleep, appetite, and immune response. Taking CBD impacts the neurotransmitters linked to cannabinoid receptors, this then triggers beneficial antioxidant and anti-inflammatory responses.

In what form can you benefit from the effects of CBD?

There are several ways that you can enjoy the benefits of cannabidiol and the effect of CBD on the body and mind. No one option is better than another, it all depends on your preferences and your body’s reaction:

• CBD oil: liquid extracted from the flowers and leaves of the hemp plant, to be consumed by placing a few drops under the tongue or by using a vaporiser.
• CBD e-liquids: to be used in a vaporiser, like an e-cigarette.
• CBD flowers: flowers to be consumed in herbal teas or potpourri.
• Capsules and CBD sweets: sweets (flavoured and unflavoured) or capsules to be taken as a course of treatment.
• CBD cosmetics: creams and oils to be applied to the skin for external CBD penetration.

However, be sure to use only the best quality oils and products! The CBD market is not regulated and there are currently no quality requirements. Make sure you know before you start looking at online shops or in-store to avoid products mixed with toxic chemicals. By ordering from The CBD Farm, you can be sure you’re getting premium hemp produced using organic farming methods.

Can you become addicted to CBD?

When thinking about CBD’s effect on the body, many people are left with one question: can you become addicted to CBD like you would to cannabis? The answer is no: all products legally marketed in France contain less than 0.3% THC, which is the psychotropic compound responsible for addiction. Although it has psychoactive effects, CBD is not a narcotic. It acts positively on dopamine and serotonin receptors. Cannabidiol is not addictive if consumed without THC and if not burnt with tobacco. In fact, among CBD’s beneficial effects, it could be an effective treatment for addiction and substance withdrawal!

Is CBD legal in France?

In November 2020, the Court of Justice of the European Union recognised that cannabidiol is not a narcotic, which subsequently led to the legalisation of the sale and consumption of CBD in France. Therefore, CBD is legal in France provided that the products respect the following conditions:

• the hemp plant must have a THC content of 0.3% or less;
• flowers and leaves are harvested, imported, or used only for the industrial production of hemp extracts;
• hemp extracts and products must not exceed a THC content of 0.3%.

Thanks to its benefits, there is now a medicine in France which only contains CBD (Epidyolex®). It obtained French Marketing Authorisation (MA) for the treatment of epileptic seizures in patients aged 2 years and over. Many doctors in France have also prescribing CBD as part of a medical cannabis trial since March 2021, to take advantage of its therapeutic properties.

The effect of CBD: are there any dangers?

CBD legally sold in physical shops or online helps you to relax, feel calmer, de-stress, sleep better, and cope better with pain. Low doses of CBD are not harmful to your health: simply follow the recommended dosage according to your weight, the product, and its CBD content. There are dangers associated with high doses, but the risks of exceeding this dose are very low: a potential overdose only occurs after taking over 20,000 mg in a day. This is a very difficult quantity to reach as individuals consume between 20 mg and 60 mg per day on average! The only exception is when combining tobacco and CBD: smoking cannabis flowers involves combustion. Inhaled smoke carries substances that are harmful to the respiratory system, which can cause cancer or cardiovascular conditions. Therefore, gentler forms of consumption, or using the flowers in infusions are preferable.