Exploring the Facts, Benefits & Reducing the Stigma Around Cannabinoids
As public interest in cannabinoids continues to rise, especially CBD, it's crucial to understand what the science really says. While cannabis has long been surrounded by stigma, increasing research is uncovering the unique roles that CBD (cannabidiol) and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) can play in human health.
Sit tight, we have a lot to unpack. After my last post on instagram, caused ruffled a few feathers with the medical canabbis community. I wanted to take some time to further research and explore the effects of CBD and THC as a therapeutic potential, and how we can move the conversation forward with facts, not fear.
THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol)
- is the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis. It binds directly to CB1 receptors in the brain, producing the “high,” and to CB2 receptors in the immune system. Medically, THC is used to manage chronic pain, nausea, and muscle spasticity in conditions like multiple sclerosis (MS) (Devane et al., 1988; Cassano et al., 2017).
CBD (Cannabidiol)
- is non-psychoactive and interacts more subtly with the body’s systems. It modulates several receptors including TRPV1 (involved in pain), 5-HT1A (linked to anxiety), and may influence CB1 receptors indirectly (Mechoulam et al., 2007; Brown et al., 2010). It's FDA-approved for treatment-resistant epilepsy and is being studied for its impact on pain, anxiety, inflammation, sleep, and neurodegenerative diseases.
What UK Research Shows
🌿 What Is CBD?
CBD (Cannabidiol) is a non-intoxicating compound found in the cannabis plant. It won’t get you “high” like THC (Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol) does.
It interacts with the endocannabinoid system (ECS) and other receptors (serotonin, TRPV1, adenosine) to offer potential therapeutic effects including:
Pain relief
Anti-inflammatory action
Anxiety reduction
Neuroprotection
