Just about everybody has come by the abbreviation CBD, but how many of us know what it really stands for? So what does CBD stand for?
Well, there’s no need to keep you in suspense: CBD stands for Cannabidiol.
The story doesn’t end there, though! You can learn a whole lot about cannabidiol and where it comes from just by taking a close look at its name.
What CBD Stands for & Its Benefits?
How Cannabidiol (CBD) Gets Its Name
Cannabidiol is a chemical compound that can be found in the eponymous cannabis plant. It’s one of over 150 cannabinoids that have been identified in the cannabis plant.
Cannabinoids are the molecules responsible for most of the intriguing effects of cannabis plants.
Science first began identifying cannabinoids in the 1940s. A lesser known cannabinoid known as CBN was the first to be isolated in 1940. Two years later, CannaBiDiol (CBD) was isolated.
Perhaps the most (in)famous cannabinoid is tetrahydracannabinol, or THC. THC is the main compound responsible for the infamous “high” produced by smoking marijuana.
Although all cannabinoids are closely related to similar chemical structures, their effects can vary widely. Not all cannabinoids produce intoxication. Unlike THC, CBD produces no impairment or “high” and has no potential for recreational abuse.
Outside of CBD and THC, the other 150+ cannabinoids appear to be fairly benign. On their own, they don't seem to do very much.
However, an intriguing phenomenon known as the Entourage Effect suggests that when taking in combination with one another -- such as the sort of natural cocktail concocted by the cannabis plant -- cannabinoids work in concert to produce unique effects.
This effect may be one of the underlying forces responsible for the popularity of Broad Spectrum CBD products. Unlike CBD Isolate products that strip away everything but CBD, Broad Spectrum products include traces of every cannabinoid and terpene found in the hemp plant.
Where Cannabidiol (CBD) Comes From
While you already know that CBD and other cannabinoid plants come from the cannabis plant, what you might not know is that most of the CBD on sale in the United States comes from a very specific type of cannabis plant.
Prior to 2018, CBD was technically illegal to sell or possess in the United States. Except for in extremely limited areas with a medical cannabis program that allowed for CBD use, CBD was not something you could find for sale.
With the 2018 Farm Bill, all of this changed. Before this law came into effect, the cannabis plant was illegal across the board in the US. No variety of cannabis could be cultivated, processed, or sold.
Under the new law, cannabis was divided into two categories: hemp and marijuana.
The defining factor? THC content. Any cannabis strain which contains 0.3% or more THC is classified as marijuana and is still federally illegal.
Meanwhile, cannabis with less than 0.3% THC is legally classified as hemp. Hemp can be grown, processed, and sold.
As a result, the CBD industry was born. Any of the CBD you buy online or at an ordinary shop will be CBD derived from hemp plants.
In states with legalized medical or recreational marijuana, it is possible to purchase CBD products derived from marijuana plants.
However, this is something of a rarity. The type of hemp used to make CBD products is carefully cultivated to maximize its CBD content, making it the most efficient way to produce potent CBD oils.
What Cannabinoids Taught Us About Ourselves
Ever wondered how CBD works?
Science was first introduced to cannabinoids through the cannabis plant, but they could have looked much closer to home. Cannabis plants may be prodigious producers of cannabinoids, but it turns out they are far from the only organism capable of making cannabinoids.
As essential as this system is, it was only revealed to science as researchers worked to understand cannabinoid compounds like CBD.
Why CBD Is Popular
In a very short time, CBD has gone from obscurity to become America’s favorite supplement.
See For Yourself
Now that you know what CBD stands from, where it comes from, and a bit about how it works, you might want to continue your studies.
Want to get a first-hand appraisal of what CBD can do?
You’re in luck. It’s easier than ever to get high-quality CBD products. In fact, you can have them delivered to your home with just a few clicks.
Take a look at a classic CBD Tincture if you want to kick off your CBD journey with the best of the best.
FAQ On What Does CBD Stand For
When was CBD first discovered?
Dr. Roger Adams first discovered CBD at the University of Illinois in 1940. It wasn’t until 1963 that the structure of CBD was analyzed more.
Is CBD good for me?
The study of CBD is still on-going; the cannabinoid and its effects will need to be put through complex studies on humans to understand its full benefits.
What is the best way to take in CBD?
The best way to take CBD is orally through the mouth. CBD oil and tinctures make it easy for users to consume the correct serving size every time they want to use it.
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