The cannabis plant has always divided opinion. Those who partake either recreationally or medicinally tend to sing its praises, while those who don’t often have strong opinions against it – some warranted, others not. Psychoactive cannabis may come with mental health risks, but there is a new form of weed that is much, much different, and totally non-intoxicating: cannabidiol (CBD).
Cannabis is an herb containing more than 400 compounds, and one of those is CBD. Teeming with health benefits, CBD causes hardly any side effects and has been deemed safe and non-addictive by the World Health Organization. What’s more, the cannabinoid has unique and crucial value for our health, as it helps to regulate the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS). Without getting too technical, the ECS is implicated in our mental and physical wellbeing, influencing immune system function, pain sensitivity, cognition, reproductive health to name just a few.
CBD can be used as a medicine, but hemp-based CBD wholesale products are also marketed as food supplements, and can be effectively used as a recipe ingredient. While available in creams, vape juices and edibles, the most suitable product type for using CBD in this way is a tincture oil.
CBD oil can be added to pretty much any recipe at any time, and goes particularly well with salad dressings. However, do be aware that the powerful earthiness of the hemp extract can be somewhat overwhelming if it is not matched by other strong flavors. Furthermore, as CBD boils at around 160°C (or 320°F), be sure that you aren’t heating your recipe beyond that after mixing in the CBD, or you will miss out on the benefits.
Here is a closer look at the benefits of CBD.
CBD: packed with antioxidants
CBD has lots of beneficial antioxidants, as studies have consistently demonstrated. Believe it or not, the US government has an active patent on CBD being used as an antioxidant medicine. Antioxidants are essential for brain health as they help to decrease oxidative stress, which occurs when the body fails to neutralize the harmful effects of free radicals, uncharged molecules which can cause cell degradation. Antioxidants are, therefore, very important for protecting neurological health.
CBD: a unique anti-inflammatory
There are many foods that can cause inflammation, especially processed foods such as ready meals. Sugar is also known for triggering inflammation, which can lead to breakouts of skin conditions such as acne. This explains why anti-inflammatory diets have become more popular. CBD is a very effective anti-inflammatory, as the ECS has a direct passage to the immune system through CB2 receptors. Taking CBD doesn’t directly reduce inflammation, but the compound stops the breakdown of the endocannabinoid anandamide. This chemical is a CB2 receptor agonist, and can send immunomodulatory signals to the immune system to taper inflammation.
Improve mental wellbeing with CBD
When we eat great food, not only does our physical health improve, but our mental wellbeing does, too. With CBD, this comes once again from the promotion of anandamide, but this time the chemical has an effect on the CB1 receptor, which is found in abundance throughout the central nervous system. The CB1 receptor regulates mood, and anandamide is an endogenous antidepressant, an effect it initiates as a CB1 receptor agonist.
Moreover, when we feel good about ourselves, we often have more energy and motivation, which makes us more likely to want to exercise – a positive knock-on effect.
CBD helps to regrow the brain
The brain tends to deteriorate with old age, or because of inflammation. When areas like the hippocampus are affected, the result can be neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s. However, new neurons and brain connections can be formed with compounds capable of neurogenesis. Surprise surprise, studies have found that CBD is capable of just that. If your memory needs a boost or you just want to protect your brain’s health, boost your next meal with some CBD.
CBD is great for bone health
Our bones are in a constant state of flux, as minerals and calcium are pulled in and removed. However, with age, bones get weaker due to bone resorption, where more vital minerals are taken than replaced. This brings about an increased risk of bone fractures and osteoporosis. However, CBD helps to improve bone health as the ECS is implicated in bone growth. Those with broken bones can also enjoy quicker recovery times by adding CBD to their diet.
Final thought
Incorporating CBD oil wholesale into your meals is a clever way of enhancing your all-round health via regulation of your endocannabinoid system.
