CBD is short for cannabidiol, a naturally-occurring cannabinoid that’s found within cannabis. It’s also a byproduct that can be extracted from hemp plants. This organic compound is another one of the “big six” cannabinoids that have been studied for medical research. It’s not psychoactive, meaning it will not cause a high when consumed alone. Partially due to this, CBD is currently legal in almost every state. Although it still has some restrictions, it’s one of the most widely available cannabinoids. States have a wide variety of laws though, which can range from slight differences in age limits to complete illegality (in Idaho for example).
In legal cannabis sectors across the country, CBD is found in of many cannabis products. As research is being expanded within these legal markets, many people report they are using cannabidiol for a variety of lifestyle improvements. These benefits can range from helping with nausea and anxiety reduction, to its physically calming properties, to even working as a possible sleep aid. CBD is also found to be most effective when paired with a full spectrum of a strain’s cannabinoids and terpenes. Caution and research are heavily encouraged when looking for CBD products, and every individual’s body is unique. What works for some may not work for others.
Although a majority of cannabinoids and cannabis itself are still under-researched in the scientific world, cannabidiol has become uniquely well-known. The FDA has even approved a prescription oil containing CBD, called Epidiolex, for use in every state. Epidiolex has been approved to treat two different types of epilepsy! Despite this breakthrough use of CBD in a prescription, cannabidiol is still not approved by the FDA. Further research must be done by the federal government before that will happen. Hopefully as time goes on, research will discover and prove what many individuals have been finding out for themselves.