One of the most recent developments in the vape industry is the use of hemp and cannabis derivatives in vape liquids. As the cannabis debate rages on, CBD has become widely used and completely legal, even without prescription. It might sound complex, why are two slightly different chemicals from the same plant separated as legal and illegal? On top of this, we can see the use of CBD applied to many different products, not just vaping. Nowadays you can find nasal sprays, coffee and tea shots, alongside creams and foodstuffs infused with the products. The world isn’t turning into Amsterdam or Canada, but instead is wising up to the uses and benefits of CBD. Here are some of the reasons why CBD is becoming so popular.
What is CBD?
CBD is a derivative of the cannabis plant and a chemical which is found in about 40 percent of the plant extract. When isolated, CBD has a wide range of effects which make it beneficial for medical and recreational purposes.
What is the law surrounding CBD?
In the UK, CBD is no longer a controlled substance and can be bought from cafes, vape shops and many other outlets. Bin recent years, a highly publicised email from the home office concerning CBD infused chewing gum that cannabidiol on its own was not illegal. That being said, any CBD product containing any other prohibited marijuana-based product or chemical will be under far more scrutiny.
What are the benefits of CBD products?
Pain relief
One major use of CBD is in its pain-relieving effects. This makes it perfect for creams aimed at arthritis and sports injuries. CBD impacts a neural receptor named the endocannabinoid receptor and reduces inflammation in the affected areas. Sprays such as Sativex have been developed for this very reason, especially in combatting the symptoms of multiple sclerosis.
Anti-anxiety and depressant
Cannabidiol reacts with the serotonin receptor in the brain, releasing chemicals that induce feelings of happiness and relaxation. This means that CBD has been used successfully in the treatment of young people with PTSD, alongside combatting insomnia and anxiety disorders.
Reduces cancer symptoms
With chemotherapy making leaps and bounds in terms of its effectiveness recently, it continues to induce debilitating side effects such as vomiting, nausea and pain. CBD combats these side effects, smoothing out the cancer treatments side effects.
Improves circulation
In part because of its uses in stress relief and in combatting anxiety, CBD has shown evidence of lowering blood pressure which in turn helps to improve circulation and heart function.
Reduces epilepsy symptoms
Used in the treatment of several very rare epilepsy conditions in children, one of the main reasons that CBD has gained so much media attention is due to its use in epilepsy medications. The anticonvulsant properties of CBD is in part due to its soothing effects.
What is THC?
Tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC is a chemical found within the cannabis plant which can cause a range of physical and psychological effects on the human body if ingested. THC is the chemical mostly attributed to cannabis and differs from cannabidiol in that it triggers psychoactive side effects. THC and CBD are in fact quite similar in their chemical makeup. The only difference is that their identical atoms are arranged in contrasting ways.
What is the law surrounding THC?
In the USA THC is legal as a prescribed medicine in over 33 states. 10 states now allow cannabis to be sold without prescription. The UK differs in that cannabis is still illegal, but has been allowed as a prescribed medicine in some cases.
What are the benefits of THC?
The comparably mild effect of CBD make way for a stronger and sometimes hallucinogenic set of cannabis related symptoms.
Improves appetite
Cannabis is well known to eb associated with “munchies”. A plot point in many stoner comedies, the munchies are caused y the cannabis triggering hunger glands in the body.
Sensory enhancing
CBD enhances sight and hearing, alongside the imagination. This is where the psychoactive effects come into play, sometimes creating hallucinations in high doses. This can help in certain therapeutic ways, even though some would see these hallucinatory effects as more of a side effect than a benefit.
Antioxidant
In the cannabis plant, the THC chemical is used to defend against poisons, in the human body it has the potential to defend against toxins as well. THC is often used to combat carcinogens, cancer causing chemicals, and whilst smoking it can cause pollutants to be formed, THC when added to the best e liquids, will not cause the inhalation of any harmful products.
Anti-convulsant
Alongside CBD, THC is also a potent anti-convulsant. THC sprays and pills are used in states and countries where it is legal to combat the effects of epilepsy. In the UK it has also been allowed in cases of severe epilepsy. Usually this is through oral administration.
Can protect the brain
A study as recently as 2014 showed that those with THC in their systems are 80% less likely to die from brain injuries such as head trauma. Animal experiments have also shown that animals are protected by THC after brain injury. The THC chemical, whilst acting as a muscle relaxant and anti-depressant, can also protect brain cells.
Side effects of CBD
Although it has many beneficial effects, CBD has been known to cause nausea, skin irritation and vomiting. This completely depends on the person and the method of ingestion. With CBD, too much could make you feel sick or cause a headache, especially if you use too much CBD vape.
Side effects of THC
Whilst there are many benefits to the medicinal use of CBD, it can have an adverse effect on anxiety, depression and other mental illnesses. Some recreational marijuana uses have been known to become paranoid, the heightened sensitivity leading to negative effects and an irrationality of thought. Although the mid twentieth century propaganda of “Reefer Madness” is a tad hysterical, marijuana can still have an adverse effect on your mental health, especially if from untrustworthy sources, which is an argument in favour of its regulation.