US Dollars
To answer this important question, it is first necessary to clarify two terms that are used to refer to the effects that some drugs or substances can have on the mind. We refer to the terms "psychotropic" and "psychoactive".
Psychotropic:
A psychotropic or psychotropic[1] substance is a chemical agent that acts on the central nervous system, resulting in temporary changes in perception, mood, consciousness and behavior.
In essence, it applies to "drugs that affect a person's mental state"; those that affect our psychological state, our sense of reality and our perception of the world. Although it is a term that can be used to describe some prescription drugs, it is more commonly used for recreational substances.
A narrower meaning of the term "psychotropic" refers, in particular, to those medicinal substances included in the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances.
Psychoactive:
The word "psychoactive" refers to a substance "that affects the mind," and while this can have negative repercussions, there are dozens of psychoactive foods and compounds that we consume on a daily basis without taking any risk.
The fact that something can alter our mind does not mean that its effect is necessarily dangerous or unpleasant. For example, chocolate, one of the most popular foods in existence, contains psychoactive compounds that produce a feeling of well-being because it raises brain levels of serotonin and dopamine, both substances related to mood swings.
Differences between the two terms:
In reality, the difference between psychoactive and non-psychoactive is not as obvious as it seems. Both psychoactive and psychotropic describe the way a substance changes the way we think and feel. But it's worth delving into that subtle difference, and for that, the example of chocolate is an excellent one.
If you've ever wondered why eating chocolate makes you feel so good, the answer is because serotonin, the neurotransmitter responsible for transporting signals to different areas of the brain, helps regulate mood. That is why low levels of serotonin are associated with various psychological disorders.
In this sense, some studies suggest that CBD could have a similar effect. That is to say, it is believed that CBD influences serotonin receptors helping to regulate anxiety and low mood.
Obviously, as with any mechanism involving sophisticated neurochemicals, there are numerous variables to be considered. For this reason, and in order to understand the full extent of the interactions between 5-HT and CBD receptors, researchers are conducting several studies.
Effects of CBD
By now it is known that both chocolate and CBD share the common characteristic of activating serotonin (5-HT) receptors. Therefore, like chocolate, they can have favorable effects on the mind, although they should not be consumed in excess.
There are many things we still do not know about the effects of this cannabinoid, although it may have a very promising future in combating various mood-related disorders.
[1] From the Greek psykhe, 'soul', and tropos, 'to turn, to turn'.
