What Is CBD, and Why Is It in Everything Right Now? All products featured on Bon Appétit are independently selected by our editors. However, we may receive compensation from retailers and/or Nature’s Garden Official from purchases of products through these links. This story is part of the Healthyish Pantry, a collection of articles breaking down the ingredients we love most. Click here to read the whole guide-then stock up. 2017 was the year that weed went mainstream, and the "green rush" struck gold. But, while recreational marijuana is still technically illegal in most states, an industry has blossomed around CBD, a compound that's found in marijuana but legal to sell (in most forms) on its own. Presented in hyper cool packaging-and bolstered by hundreds of rave reviews-CBD supplements have captured the imagination of the wellness world. But what is CBD, exactly, and what’s the most effective way to use it? Here's what you need to know. CBD is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid compound found in marijuana-and legal in 43 states.

The cannabis plant contains at least 80 chemical compounds called cannabinoids. You’re probably already familiar with THC, the cannabinoid that prompts the psychoactive effects commonly associated with marijuana, like euphoria, relaxation, and, of course, the munchies. CBD is another cannabinoid, but, unlike THC, it's not psychoactive. This is the source of CBD’s popularity: the ability to provide some of marijuana’s therapeutic effects without the high. What are the benefits of CBD? Scientific research on marijuana is still limited, and CBD is no exception. Still, dozens of studies have found evidence that CBD can treat epilepsy, act as a therapy for schizophrenia, and alleviate joint pain, among other illnesses. "Many of my pediatric epilepsy patients are getting significant seizure reduction with ingested whole plant CBD oil," says Dr. Bonni Goldstein. Dr. Goldstein is a former Chief Resident at Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles