Since the legalization of hemp in 2018, CBD has become a major topic surrounding healthcare approaches. Cannabidiol (CBD) is extracted from the hemp plant and combined with oils, tinctures, gummies, and body products.

The industry surrounding CBD is booming with options right now and with so much information available it can be difficult to digest. Also, this plant has been illegal for so long and is still surrounded by so much stigma that there is a lot of misinformation out there.

Is CBD psychoactive? The short answer is yes.

What Does That Mean?

Psychoactive is simply a substance that has an effect on your mental faculties. Chemicals are psychoactive if they cross the blood-brain barrier that relates to your mood or perception. Its function, therefore, is to act on your central nervous system and alter how your brain operates.

CBD displays the potential to improve symptoms associated with seizures, mood disorders, anxiety, and chronic pain for certain people. CBD can be a game-changer for your health: though always consult with your doctor or healer beforehand.

How Does CBD Effect Your Body?

Much like our respiratory, lymphatic, or circulatory system, the human body is equipped with an endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS assists in regulating many physiological and cognitive processes, such as pain, stress response, mood, appetite, and memory.

Cannabinoids send signals that bind to receptors throughout your CNS and peripheral nervous system. The two main receptors of your ECS are CB1 and CB2.

CB1 receptors are mainly located in the brain and CNS, while CB2 receptors are found all over, but mainly in the immune system.

When the ECS translates the signals from additional CBD, it acts mainly to modulate your body’s natural levels of anandamide and serotonin. Anandamide is a chemical associated with improved mood, and serotonin is a chemical that affects mood and opioid receptors that provide pain relief. Unlike conventional opioids, CBD does not suppress your body’s natural endorphins.

CBD vs. THC

The physical and mental effects of THC are much stronger and potent than with CBD alone. It should be noted that CBD also regulates and balances THC. High-CBD cannabis strains result in less impairment to brain function than strains with lower amounts of CBD.

This creates an entourage effect. Legal hemp contains .3% THC. Yet, even pairing CBD with this tiny amount of THC increases the bioavailability of CBD to your body. When shopping for CBD products, if you are comfortable with ingesting THC, then you will want to look for full-spectrum products.

If you are ready to begin incorporating CBD and hemp products into your lifestyle, then sweet gummies can be an easy and fun place to start! CBD gummies dosage can vary depending on your body height, weight, and chemistry.