New Hemp CBD Research: Brain Health, Gut Health, Drug & Smoking Help
The Cannabis genus of plants includes marijuana and hemp. While there is still debate about whether these plants are distinct species or whether both are variants of a single species, the fact is that both marijuana and hemp are rich in phytochemicals known as cannabinoids. These plant-derived cannabinoids (called phytocannabinoids) can, like endogenously produced cannabinoids, bind to cannabinoid receptors on human cells and influence neurotransmitter release in the brain. Cannabis contains more than 100 different cannabinoids. Two of the more well-known cannabinoids are tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). THC has psychoactive properties and is present in higher amounts in marijuana, while CBD is present in higher levels in hemp varieties and more recently has gained research notoriety. CBD also does not have the psychoactive properties associated with THC. As scientists continue to explore the human health effects of CBD, they are finding that this cannabinoid ha