What is CBD and What Are the Effects of CBD?

While the cannabis strains that get you high might get more attention and be seen as the ‘cool kids’ of cannabis, excitement is growing about the other type of cannabis in Las Vegas— the kind that doesn’t get you high but gives you all kinds of other benefits.

These amazing benefits are often thanks to cannabidiol – or CBD. But what exactly is CBD, what can it do, and what does that mean for you as a consumer of cannabis in Las Vegas, NV?

That’s what we at Green are here to help fill you in on— if you don’t mind getting a little science-y with us for a while.

What is CBD?

CBD is a cannabinoid, which is just the technical term for a series of naturally occurring chemical compounds that appear in cannabis and give it much of its benefits and effects. Cannabinoids are extremely similar to compounds found in the body known as endocannabinoids. Like endocannabinoids, cannabinoids bind with receptors in your body and send signals throughout the body to cause positive effects— from pain relief and feelings of calm to euphoria and increased focus. THC is another popular cannabinoid, and is the one most popularly associated with the ‘high’ effect caused by cannabis use.

While CBD and THC are both cannabinoids, they differ in some very important ways. Understanding how they’re different— and the powerful ways in which they can interact— can help you make more informed choices about the cannabis products you use on a regular basis.

What’s the Difference Between CBD and THC?

The number-one key difference between CBD and THC is that THC has psychoactive properties, while CBD does not. Basically— THC will get you high, and CBD won’t. We won’t get too deep into the science of why that is, but it comes down to how each one interacts with those receptors in your body we mentioned earlier. THC triggers the release of endorphins and other euphoria-causing chemicals.

That said, many cannabis products and strains contain both CBD and THC. When this is the case, look at product packaging and listings to see in what percentage they both appear. A CBD-dominant product will be mainly calming and provide medical wellness benefits with a minimal high, while a THC-dominant product will result in a greater high.

The Amazing Benefits of CBD

While THC might be more notorious, CBD is becoming the most exciting hero of cannabis as it becomes more legally available and widely studied. It seems that every week some new research study shows up confirming some new, exciting health benefit of CBD products. That’s a large part of the reason why (as unfair as it is) in many states, CBD products are permitted without a prescription or medical card while THC is still banned outright.

Here are some of the most promising benefits of CBD.

Reduced Pain

CBD has been shown in multiple studies to help relieve and manage pain to an amazing degree, all without the major side effects often associated with many pain relief medications from the world of pharmaceuticals. 

Treatment for Anxiety & Depression

Anxiety and depression sufferers have found a lot to be excited about when it comes to CBD— more and more studies and anecdotal evidence suggests that it can be a powerful tool for reducing the symptoms of anxiety and depression when used responsibly.

Treatment for Nausea

Nausea is no fun, but CBD has been shown to be a promising potential treatment for many types of nausea—including seasickness, air sickness, and upset stomachs resulting in a feeling of being off-balance or queasy.

Seizure Treatment

Did you know that treatment for seizures was one of the first clinically approved uses for CBD in the medical field? Even more research has emerged over the last several years proving that CBD can be incredibly effective for many seizure sufferers, helping reduce the frequency and severity of seizures in many patients.

Reduced Inflammation

CBD doesn’t just help reduce pain and nausea— it can also help bring down swelling. This is obviously exciting for anyone who’s ever had a sprained ankle or swollen knee and wanted to speed up the healing process, but there are even more exciting implications. Long-term swelling can increase the risk of a range of medical issues, and CBD treatment of chronic inflammation has been very promising in clinical studies.

Other Benefits

While more research is still required, CBD has shown a lot of promise as a potential future treatment for cancer symptoms, poor sleep habits, psychotic episodes, and more.

At Green, we want to be more than just a Las Vegas cannabis dispensary. While we take pride in a combination of value and quality that never sacrifices eco-friendly production techniques, we’re also committed to educating our customers about what makes cannabis such a powerful tool for recreational and medical use. Keep following our blog to learn more about cannabis in Las Vegas.

Want to check out cannabis products featuring CBD and other cannabinoids? Browse our menu and place an order for same-day delivery or curbside pickup.