What is CBD?

CBD (Cannabidiol) is a chemical compound that comes from the hemp plant. It is one of over 85 unique compounds found in hemp, known as cannabinoids. Cannabinoids, which can be either consumed (phytocannabinoids) or produced naturally by the body (endocannabinoid), are chemical compounds that interact with the body’s central regulatory system. This system is known to manage homeostasis and affect bodily processes such as appetite, mood and sleep. CBD is an example of a phytocannabinoid. Although our bodies can naturally produce its own endocannabinoids that bind to cannabinoid receptors in both the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system, phytocannabinoids are known to help to kickstart our central regulatory system.

How does it work?

Where Does It Come From?

CBD is extracted and separated from specific varieties of cannabis. It is the second most abundant compound in cannabis, typically representing up to 40% of its extracts. CBD is a compound that can be found in both psychoactive cannabis (marijuana) and non-psychoactive cannabis (hemp). However, most legal CBD products that you find on the market will be extracts from hemp, as federal law allows for the cultivation, processing and marketing of hemp and hemp products.

How It Affects The Body?

The body does create its own cannabinoids, called endocannabinoids, to help support our regulatory system. This central system helps to keep our bodies balanced day to day, including: appetite, pain sensation, mood, memory, immune system functions, and inflammation control. Similar to how we use vitamin C to kick start our immune system, CBD acts as a kick starter for these cannabinoids to to keep the receptors working at optimal capacity and to help the functions of the body’s central regulatory system.

Does CBD Get You High?

CBD often gets mixed up with THC, which is another cannabinoid found in cannabis. Yet, it’s important to distinguish them as they have fundamentally different properties and benefits. THC, an intoxicating and illegal substance, is responsible for causing marijuana users to get “high.” Unlike THC, CBD is non-psychoactive because it does not act on the same pathways as THC. Thus, it is impossible to get “high” by smoking or ingesting CBD or CBD oil extracted from industrial hemp plants, as they only have minuscule traces of THC (<0.3%).

Why CBD?

‘Cannabinoids as Antioxidants and Neuroprotectants’ (Patent # 6,630,507) held by the United States Department of Health and Human Services

Cannabinoids have been found to have antioxidant properties, unrelated to NMDA receptor antagonism. This new found property makes cannabinoids useful in the treatment and prophylaxis of wide variety of oxidation associated diseases, such as ischemic, age-related, inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. The cannabinoids are found to have particular application as neuroprotectants, for example in limiting neurological damage following ischemic insults, such as stroke and trauma, or in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and HIV dementia. Nonpsychoactive cannabinoids, such as cannabidiol, are particularly advantageous to use because they avoid toxicity that is encountered with psychoactive cannabinoids at high doses useful in the method of the present invention.

Types of CBD products

We recommend you do your own research before deciding which type & concentration to buy

Tinctures

Tinctures are taken by dropping a couple drops on your tongue. Tinctures are typically offer a lot stronger concentration of CBD than any other CBD products. Concentration can range from 100mg-1000mg.

Usage Advice: A tincture is known to be most effective by not swallowing the liquid right away. You want to ingest as much as you can sub-bilingually. Place the drops under your tongue and along the cheeks for as long as you can.

Concentrates

CBD concentrates typically contain the strongest dosage of CBD compared to any other CBD products. It can contain up to 10 times the average CBD products. Concentrates are also convenient in that it only takes a few seconds to consume. Overall, CBD concentrates seem to be most popular among customers who are extremely busy, yet seek high potency CBD.

Usage Advice: Hemp concentrates come in dispensable oral applicators. Press suggested serving size onto the tip of your finger or a spoon and place under the tongue. Place the drops under your tongue for some time before you swallow.

Capsules

CBD capsules are a great way to add CBD to your diet as a daily supplement. It is much easier to take than tinctures. Capsules typically offer ~25mg of CBD.

Usage Advice: Capsules are great as it’s the easiest to take in your daily regimen. Just take recommending serving (or as needed) daily with water.

 

 

Topicals

More brands have started to add CBD onto topicals, such as lotions, salve, and lip balms, for its skin benefits. CBD topicals are known to help with chronic pain, inflammation, acne, psoriasis, cancer treatment, anti-aging, and so many more. For topical products, always look for keyword on the product labels that indicate that the product uses nano technology, encapsulation, or micellization of CBD. This shows that their solution can carry CBD through the dermal layers, rather than just staying on the skin.

Usage Advice: CBD infused topicals are recommended to be used as other similar body care products – use it when you deem necessary or when you have certain skin conditions.

 

 

Sprays

CBD sprays are typically the weakest in concentration among the different type of CBD products. You spray one serving (or as needed) of the bottle into your mouth. Typical concentration of CBD sprays ranges from 1-3mg.

Usage Advice: Spray one serving of the bottle into your mouth. Serving size should be labeled on the bottle (typically 2-3 sprays). Use daily or as needed.

Vape Juices

Based on reviews, smoking or vaporizing CBD vape oil seems to have less effects when compared to other methods of administering CBD, such as tinctures, capsules and sprays. On the flip side, others argue that smoking or vaporizing has less drawbacks than taking CBD orally, since ingesting CBD orally could result in inconsistent absorption and a delayed effect.

Usage Advice: In order to use CBD vape oil, you will need an e-cigarette, vape pen, or vaporizer. Add, heat and inhale the appropriate amount of vape oil to your choice of device.