While THC is the most famous of the 113 cannabinoids found in the marijuana plant, CBD is quickly making a name for itself due to its numerous health benefits. Short for cannabidiol, CBD has long been used for its medicinal properties, but with the 2018 Farm Bill ending hemp prohibition, scientists now have much more freedom (and funding) to study CBD’s many potential effects, including its unique calming benefits.
Anti-Psychotic Effects
It’s important to note that CBD is non-psychoactive, and produces none of the mind-altering effects that THC is known for. In fact, CBD can act as an anti-psychotic, and actually counteract THC’s intoxicating effects. The more CBD a cannabis product has, the less of a mental high you can expect to experience.
How CBD Works
The human body has an endocannabinoid system that helps regulate many of our physiological processes, including appetite, pain perception and mood. When we ingest CBD, the cannabinoid interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system and its receptors, as well asother chemicals in the brain, which in turn alters the activity of hormones, neurotransmitters and other cells throughout the body. It is through this process that CBD can impact different functions of the body, including pain perception, inflammation, emotional regulation and sleep-wake cycles.
How CBD Calms
Research suggests that CBD produces its calming effect by interacting with the body’s serotonin receptors. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that sends signals between nerve cells, and plays a huge role in depression and anxiety. Low serotonin levels can lead to these conditions, and treatment usually involves rebalancing those levels.
More research needs to be conducted to determine precisely how CBD affects our serotonin receptors, but scientists have already begun connecting the dots between CBD consumption and depression/anxiety relief.
- A study found that people who took CBD before public speaking experienced less stress.
- A study in mice found that CBD produced antidepressant-like effects similar to those of the medication imipramine.
- A study on CBD’s effect on people with social anxiety disorder found that those who took CBD experienced significant anxiety relief compared to those who took a placebo.
How To Use CBD
CBD Edibles
An edible is any CBD-infused product that is taken orally, and includes gummies, cookies, chocolate, suckers, mints and even gum. Once eaten, the CBD is absorbed through either the digestive system or blood vessels in the mouth. Effect onset time is typically between 30 and 60 minutes and lasts between four and 10 hours.
CBD Tinctures
CBD tinctures typically comprise CBD extract steeped in either alcohol or glycerin, and are also taken orally. Many tinctures contain added ingredients to improve the taste, such as peppermint or orange oil. Effect onset time is typically between 15 minutes and an hour and lasts between four and six hours.
CBD Flower
The flower refers to the actual flower of a cannabis plant, and you consume it by inhaling its smoke. While edibles can take more than an hour to kick in, the onset time of smoking flower is much shorter. Effect onset time is typically immediate (within a few minutes) and lasts between four and 12 hours.
CBD Oil
CBD oil is a refined form of the cannabinoid extracted from the cannabis plant. You can also ingest the oil directly in the mouth or under the tongue. Effect onset time is typically between 30 and 90 minutes and lasts over four hours.
Note: Onset and durations vary widely from person to person and are impacted by factors such as metabolism and having an empty or full stomach.
How to Use CBD w/ MUD
The great thing about CBD—besides its bounty of medicinal benefits—is just how easy it is to add to food and beverages.
To use CBD with MUD, we recommend finding a CBD oil or tincture you love and adding your desired amount directly into your mug of MUD. Give it a stir and you’re done. That’s really all there is to it.
By combining the two, you’ll receive the energy and focus boost of MUD and the full-body calm of CBD. While we love MUD because it provides that coffee kick without the jittery side effects, folding CBD into your MUD routine further fortifies you against the anxieties of the coming day.
Written By \ Josh Kraus
