Elixicure

For most of history, little was understood about the effects of cannabis on the human body. In the 1990’s, however, scientists discovered what is known as the endocannabinoid system. The endocannabinoid system is a biological network of endocannabinoids and receptors that help regulate a variety of physiological processes. These receptors are found throughout the body and help regulate mood, appetite, digestion, stress, sleep, immune function, pain, and memory. Endocannabinoid receptors are activated by cannabinoids, which are chemical compounds that the body naturally produces. Interestingly, cannabinoids are also found in the cannabis plant, which mimic the effects of cannabinoids produced by the body. Though there are several different cannabinoids derived from cannabis, the two most popular are tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). Cannabinoids such as THC or CBD activate endocannabinoid receptors, which respond differently depending on the cannabinoid and pe...

Though tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) are perhaps the two most well-known cannabinoids(chemical compounds derived from the cannabis plant), other cannabinoids can also be extracted that have proven health benefits. One such cannabinoid is cannabinol (CBN). Sharing a similar chemical makeup to THC, CBN is actually produced when THC is oxidized. Being heated or exposed to oxygen for prolonged periods of time will enhance the oxidation process, which is why CBN is oftentimes more present in aged or poorly stored cannabis. Like all cannabinoids, CBN works by interacting with the body’s endocannabinoid system. The endocannabinoid system is a network of receptors that regulate a variety of bodily activity, and are activated by cannabinoids such as THC or CBD. There are two types of receptors: CBD1 and CBD2. CBD1 receptors are primarily found in the brain and nervous system, where CBD2 receptors are mostly found in the immune system and gastrointestinal tract. Cann...

Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the most popular chemical compounds derived from the cannabis plant. It boasts a variety of health benefits, which has resulted in a surge in popularity and use over the past few years. However, since cannabis use has long been federally illegal, the legal status of cannabis-derived products such as CBD has been somewhat of a grey area. Furthermore, each state has its own cannabis laws, and CBD and marijuana is not the same thing despite their close association. Thus, navigating who can and cannot legally use CBD is tricky. To better understand the legality of CBD, it is first worth distinguishing cannabis, hemp, marijuana, and CBD. Cannabis is a plant with primarily two classifications: indica and sativa. Marijuana is derived from both cannabis indica and cannabis sativa plants, where hemp is derived from just cannabis sativa. Marijuana contains both tethrydrocannabinol (THC—the chemical compound that induces a “high”) and CBD, where hemp contains mos...