- [Inverse] So, what is CBD?
CBD stands for cannabidiol and it is one
of the roughly 500 compounds
found in the marijuana plant.
CBD is perfectly legal and is actually
the second most prevalent
compound found in cannabis.
Falling short to the more
famous and semi-legal THC
or tetrahydracannabinol.
These compounds are very
similar on a microscopic level.
Both CBD and THC share the
exact same molecular formula.
C21H30O2.
Both compounds also interact
with the CB1 and CB2 receptors,
which are found on the
endocannabinoid system present
in all mammalian species.
But while THC is known for
its psychoactive effects.
- I feel like a slice of butter melting
on top of a big ole' pile of flapjacks.
- [Narrator] CBD acts
a little differently.
Early research shows that
it has the opposite effect
on dopamine compared to THC.
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter associated
with the feeling of reward
that you get when taking drugs
like cocaine and heroine.
THC causes dopamine activity to rise,
but CBD seems to decrease its activity.
Some researchers think
this raises CBDs potential
for understanding and treating addiction.
Early studies have shown that CBD
is also fairly helpful in
treating anxiety, insomnia
and sleeplessness and chronic pain.
There's also early evidence
that CBD can prevent seizures
and some forms of severe epilepsy.
And can help normalize brain
activity linked to psychosis.
In the last few years,
its found its way onto
millions of people shelves
and topical, ingestible,
or oil-based forms.
It's still the early
days for CBD, but so far,
the world health organization
deems it pretty safe.
Cannabidiol is, for now,
legal and potentially
a pretty helpful compound
for a lot of people.
(light music)
