CBD: What's the Buzz?

CBD: What's the Buzz?

Summary:

  • The THC molecule works by binding to specific receptors throughout the body within the endocannabinoid system
  • There is evidence that THC can reduce pain signaling, reduce inflammation, and treat PTSD.
  • CBD is a psychoactive molecule that works peripherally through the endocannabinoid system.
  • Both CBD and THC have a multimodal approach to enacting change upon the body.
  • There is limited evidence that CBD is a sleeping aid, reduces inflammation, and reduces anxiety.
  • More clinical data is needed to fully determine the effectiveness of CBD and THC.

 

The Difference Between THC and CBD

Unless you have been living under a rock, you’ve probably noticed that CBD has become a cultural and health craze in recent years. As marijuana becomes legalized state by state, CBD also becoming easily accessible. There are now CBD drinks, edible snacks, lotions, tinctures, and dozens of other products. Despite the mass accessibility of CBD and THC products, there still is a gap between the availability of these potent molecules, and the actual understanding of how they work. Are there really any differences between these two cannabinoid molecules? Are there any actual benefits, or is it all marketing nonsense? Let’s take a deeper look.

 

THC

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is probably the most recognizable cannabinoid from the marijuana plant family, most commonly associated with intoxication (the “high”) and the marijuana consuming culture. Although THC is found on the marijuana leaf, it is actually most potent on the flower portion of the plant.  That is where most medicines products are derived from. The picture to the right breaks down the anatomy of a marijuana plant.  

But how does THC work on the body? The THC molecule enacts its effects on the body through CB1 and CB2 receptors found throughout various points within the body. Receptors are essentially “docking stations”, where specific molecules will dock and then create change within the body. These receptors or docking stations are found outside of immune cells, organs, and other parts of the endocannabinoid system. CB1 receptors are found more often within the brain and other nerve sites, while CB2 receptors are peripheral receptors for the cannabinoids.

 

As previously mentioned, THC has historically been associated with the “high” in marijuana consumption, but the reality is that depending on where receptors are located, the effects of THC change. The hippocampus may be stimulated to destroy memory (which has potential for PTSD treatment), or the periaqueductal gray areas can be stimulated to reduce pain signaling. THC also can work on the outside of immune cells to reduce inflammation. Many researchers have attempted to find the “one pathway” in which THC achieves its medicinal properties, but the reality is that that cannabinoids are not like traditional pharmaceutical medicine, and instead have a multimodal approach. They most likely enact on multiple pathways within the body, which is why their complex way to heal the body is not completely understood (for now).

CBD

Besides THC, Cannabidiol (CBD) is without a doubt the next most recognizable cannabinoid molecule. It also the most readably available for purchase within current markets. It has always been available for harvest and medicinal use, but it has historically been overlooked because of its wrongful association with intoxication and confusion with THC. Like THC, it has many medicinal applications, but actually lacks the intoxication effect of THC.

CBD enacts its effect on the body by using the endocannabinoid system as well but uses indirect or different receptors than compared to THC. It’s a fairly complex system that once again, does not work through only one avenue alone. For example, for pain relief CBD acts on internal endocannabinoids that sit on CB1 receptors (note; CBD doesn’t actually sit on these receptors itself). It also acts upon epinephrine, norepinephrine, dopamine receptors and simultaneously enhances them.

One interesting note is that neither THC or CBD exist within nature. THC is found on the marijuana plant as Tetrahydrocannabinolic Acid (THCA), and is not actually a psychoactive compound. CBDA also must be decarbed to become CBD. Usually, some form of heat is used to remove the carboxyl group, and thus making a compound that is bioavailable by our endocannabinoid system.

CBD as a sleep aid:

At the moment there is little to no clinical research on CBD and THC’s efficacy on sleep. Medical universities without DEA licenses are not willing to risk losing their federal funding by pursuing research related to cannabinoids, as marijuana is still considered a Schedule 1 Drug by the DEA (despite its vast potential for medicine and non-addictive nature). Nonetheless, the hope is that in coming months or years CBD will become more readily studied and clinically understood. Even so, it is unlikely a sleep study would be done anytime soon, namely because sleep studies are very expensive and methodologies vary greatly (as opposed to a pain or anxiety study where variables can be easily quantified). However, there are countless anecdotal reports about CBD an excellent natural sleep aid, especially in reducing the time to fall asleep. Hopefully, clinical data to back up these claims will be available soon.

Other uses

 CBD also has many other proposed medicinal uses. When CBD activates the endocannabinoid system it can promote an anti-inflammatory response. It activates the CNS and GABA receptors, which have a variety of benefits on nerve and mental health. Many users have reported better coping with anxiety and a much better mental health state. Until we have clinical data, we will not know quantifiable changes that CBD and THC enact upon the body, but there is plenty of evidence (directionally) that these miraculous molecules heal and support our bodies in a elaborate and extraordinary way. For now, we look to the future with eagerness and hope.

References

Castle, D., Rege, S. The Psychopharmacology of Cannabis and its Impact on Mental Health – A Primer. Psych Scene Hub. September 25, 2018.

Bolla KI, Lesage SR, Gamaldo CE, et al. Sleep disturbance in heavy marijuana users. Sleep. 2008;31(6):901–908. doi:10.1093/sleep/31.6.901

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