How Does CBD Work? Your Guide to An All-Natural Powerhouse

Even if you don't use cannabis products yourself, you've probably heard of CBD, a natural chemical derived from cannabis or hemp plants. CBD has been making headlines for years for its purported health benefits. But does CBD actually do anything? And what is CBD exactly, anyway?

In today's post, we'll answer these burning questions and others still. By the time you've reached the end, you'll have a solid working knowledge about how CBD works and how to use it to address nagging symptoms such as chronic pain or anxiety, find deeper sleep, and give sore muscles the love they want and deserve.

Let's get started!

What is CBD?

CBD—short for cannabidiol—is a cannabinoid, one of a group of roughly 150 compounds found in cannabis and hemp. The cannabinoids are responsible for imparting many of these plants' most profound effects on our bodies, including the cannabis plant's most recognizable hallmark: That intoxicating "high."

That euphoric feeling comes mainly from THC and Delta-8 THC, which is why their sale is restricted to those 21 and older. By comparison, CBD doesn't make you feel high—but that's not to say it isn't entirely psychoactive. Some consumers find it imparts a gentle cerebral "buzzing" sensation that's not too different from caffeine.

Like all cannabinoids, CBD interacts with a network inside our body called the endocannabinoid system, or ECS. It's one of our most important regulatory systems, and—as you might guess from the name—it's perfectly suited to work with cannabinoids such as CBD. The ECS helps control such functions as sleep, memory, immune health, and more. What's more, we're not the only ones who benefit from an ECS. It turns out that every mammal has an endocannabinoid system. This means that dogs, cats, and other pets can all reap the potential benefits of CBD. You can learn more about how the ECS works here.

But…if it doesn't make us feel high, does CBD actually do anything? A long and growing list of clinical studies suggests the answer is a clear "Yes!" In the next section, we'll explore how CBD works, including some of its effects inside the body.

How CBD Addresses Pain, Anxiety, and Other Symptoms

CBD is often suggested as a treatment for anxiety and for certain types of pain. Let's examine each of these on their own.

Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health disorder in the United States, affecting nearly 20% of Americans each year. And a number of studies suggest that CBD can help. In one study, CBD oil successfully treated some of the symptoms of PTSD, including anxiety. Another experiment simulated the common fear of public speaking and found that moderate doses of CBD reduced anxiety in test subjects. And still another study found that CBD acted like an all-natural antidepressant, thereby reducing some of the symptoms of anxiety.

What about pain? Studies have determined that CBD acts as an anti-inflammatory, reducing pain at injury sites by modulating the actions of local repair cells. CBD also partners with signaling mechanisms in the brain, enhancing the actions of receptor cells and dampening pain signals as they arrive.

When it comes to better sleep, CBD may have a role to play as well. One study from 2017 found that CBD may reduce REM-related sleep disorders and the daytime sleepiness that stems from it. And a large-scale study from 2019 found that CBD helped improve sleep scores in the majority of test subjects.

Over and above this, CBD is currently being studied as a treatment for such hard-to-treat conditions as multiple sclerosis and fibromyalgia. One CBD study found that it may even help people reduce addictive cravings and behaviors, making it a natural non-intoxicating alternative for those who want good health from the inside out.

Thus far CBD has earned a robust safety profile, with consumers tolerating extremely high doses with few side effects. But as we point out in the next section, where your CBD comes from makes a difference.

Where Does Our CBD Come From? The HempLucid Difference

While the clinical studies we reference demonstrate the potential benefits of CBD, that doesn't mean that all CBD is the same. At HempLucid, we're committed to creating the purest, highest quality CBD products on the market.

Our medicinal hemp strain is grown to organic standards from clones cultivated and proven over the past decade, and we're incredibly proud to have maintained USDA Organic Handler's certification since 2020. That means that when you use any of our CBD Tinctures, CBD Topicals, or any other carefully crafted HempLucid products, you can rest easy knowing you're using the purest, most carefully handled CBD products available anywhere.

At HempLucid, we go the extra mile by having third-party testing done on all our CBD products. You'll find medicine made from pure 100% US-grown hemp; what you won't find are any adulterants or other products you wouldn't want to ingest or put on your body. We lab-test each and every batch of full-spectrum CBD topical we produce, and we encourage you to look up the test results yourself by entering the product information here.

If you have any questions about how to purchase or use our CBD products, don't hesitate to reach out. We'd love to hear from you!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is CBD?

A: CBD is a cannabinoid, a natural chemical produced by the cannabis and hemp plants. Studies suggest that CBD has the potential to help us manage stress and anxiety, reduce routine aches and strains, and tackle sleep troubles by fostering deeper, more restorative sleep.

Q: How does CBD oil work in our bodies?

A: CBD interfaces with our bodies through a complex regulatory network called the endocannabinoid system (ECS). As a crucial bodily system, the ECS helps control such functions as sleep, memory, immune health, and more.

Q: Are there any side effects of CBD?

A: While CBD in general is very well tolerated, there is a small potential for side effects including diarrhea, reduced appetite, drowsiness, and fatigue. When first beginning treatment with CBD oil, begin with the lowest recommended dose—typically half a dropper—and increase over time until you're getting the results you desire.