What should I know about cannabidiol, one of the active substances in cannabis? Far from using a drug, CBD has health benefits, and is in no way a recreational or harmful substance. Be careful not to confuse CBD with hemp oil, which is obtained by pressing the hemp seeds, while CBD is obtained from the flowers.

What is CBD?

Cannabidiol (or CBD) is a cannabinoid found in cannabis. It is the second most studied cannabinoid after THC, the plant's psychotropic substance (1). CBD is a major compound in hemp, just ahead of flavonoids and terpenoids. Cannabinoids are the substances that bind to receptors in our endogenous cannabinoid system. The best-known plant sources of CBD are cannabis (Cannabis sativa) and cocoa (Theobroma cacao). Yes, it is not only found in cultivated hemp!

The controversy surrounding cannabidiol

Cannabidiol suffers from a bad reputation due to its origin, since it is derived from cannabis. However, it is not an illicit or recreational substance: that is why it is used medicinally and cleared for sale. It is essential to differentiate it from THC, which is the active and recreational substance of the plant. It is this molecule that makes cannabis banned for sale and consumption in France as well as in other countries of the world.

On the other hand, cannabidiol-based products are not prohibited: they are even recommended in certain cases and have caused a significant increase in the consumption of CBD in recent years. They have nothing to do with the use of marijuana in the form of a soft drug. It is a simple plant extract like any other, with its own health effects. Its active ingredients act on various ailments, diseases and other health problems. They can provide relief to people who consume it, just like any other herb.

The benefits of CBD

Cannabidiol is a virtuous component of cannabis. In medicine, CBD is a substance used to treat and relieve various diseases and their symptoms. Here are the main benefits of cannabidiol, an exciting active substance, which is used in the composition of many drugs (2).

A considerable anti-inflammatory effect

CBD is an active substance, which exhibits significant natural anti-inflammatory effects (3). This is the case with all cannabinoids. For this reason, cannabidiol is a popular food supplement for athletes, who find it a source of relief for their muscle and joint pain. Likewise, people with chronic inflammatory pain can use cannabidiol to relieve and prevent them. Cannabidiol is a substance used medicinally to treat inflammation, among other things. It can of course be combined with other dietary supplements in this context such as Korean ginseng, for example.