Over the past years, CBD has earned praises from health and wellness enthusiasts all over the globe. However, the industry still waits for the FDA to provide guidelines about the marketing and distribution of the new consumer product.
This notwithstanding, the booming sales and increased consumer excitement prove beyond any reasonable doubt that CBD is not just a passing cloud. If you are recent to CBD and cannabis in general, you must have so many questions regarding this subject. Trust us to answer all your burning questions by the end of this article!
What is CBD?
Cannabidiol, commonly known as CBD, is a naturally occurring compound in cannabis Sativa plants. This plant is known to produce more than 113 compounds known as cannabinoids, CBD is one of them. Naturally, cannabis is among the most reliable sources of cannabinoids but it is not the only source.
The most common cannabinoids have been CBD and THC for their role in health and wellness. However, unlike THC, you will not get high from using CBD and we shall explain this in detail later in this piece. For now, learn about the different types of CBD below.
Types of CBD
All CBD products are available in three forms namely:
Full-spectrum CBD
This one retains the rich and raw diversity of the compounds contained in the mother plant. These include other cannabinoids, phenolics, terpenes, minerals, vitamins as well as fay acids. THC levels aren’t a concern because they’re barely 0.3 percent, which isn’t enough to make someone high.
Broad-spectrum CBD
This is similar to its full-spectrum counterpart. The only difference is that broad-spectrum CBD has been processed to remove the residual THC amount. It has been recommended for people who want the benefits of CBD and its associated compounds while completely keeping THC at bay.
Isolates
These are products that are only made to have a single cannabinoid like THC or CBD alone. It is believed that a CBD isolate does not offer the same effects that full or broad-spectrum CBD does. However, isolates enable the consumer or producer to benefit from precise compounds when desired.
How Does CBD Work?
To properly understand how CBD works, we need to understand the Endocannabinoid System (ECS) concept. The main role that CBD has is mimicking and augmenting the effects of compounds within the body known as endocannabinoids (ECS). The endocannabinoids are part of the endocannabinoid system which is responsible for keeping everything in the body working right.
What Does the Research say About CBD?
A medical research about CBD is still in its early stages. Since cannabis has been under the illegal status for a long time, scientific studies have not been so serious. Early in 2017, a review was carried out to determine the role of marijuana on health.
Findings had it that there was substantial and conclusive evidence for the claimed therapeutic benefits. It is however good to state that as time moves, more and more trials have continued being carried out.
Benefits of CBD
In particular, CBD has been reported to help with so many mental and physical issues including:
- Depression, stress, anxiety, and other mood issues
- Insomnia and sleep disorders
- Chronic pain, joint pain, and inflammation
- Epilepsy and seizures
- Nausea and appetite problems
- Nerve pain common in multiple sclerosis
- Headaches and migraines relief
How to Use CBD
CBD products arrive in all sizes and shapes and have different delivery methods. The three common ways of using CBD are as follows:
- Oral
CBD edibles including soft gels, gummies, candies, and others are taken orally. You will also realize that CBD oil tinctures come with a dropper allowing you to administer them through the mouth. This is one form of consuming CBD which gets CBD processed through the digestive system.
- Topical application
Creams, lotions, salves, and balms infused with CBD are applied topically to offer localized pain relief. Topical application also helps with skin ailments like eczema, acne as well as psoriasis.
- Inhalation
This is also known as vaping whereby you inhale concentrated oils. With this method, however, users are advised to exercise a lot of caution as it might affect their lung health. Additionally, most vaporizers are not well-made meaning that they can add toxins to the mix.
CBD Dosage
Because the CBD industry is unregulated, it is hard to determine a dosage that fits everyone. Everyone responds to CBD differently. For that reason, there will be no one size fits all kind of dosage. You should start low on dosage and scale up to a point when you get your desired effects. That way, you will get a good understanding of your body’s response. Consequently, you will be able to work out the lowest dosage that brings you desired effects.
Side Effects of CBD
The most reported side effects of CBD include:
- Appetite changes
- Diarrhea
- Tiredness
- Low blood pressure
Does CBD Show up on Drug Tests?
The truth is that CBD can easily be detected on drug tests. The good thing is that this will never happen for the reason that law enforcers and employers aren’t interested in screening for CBD. Instead, they are focused on illicit substances such as THC, steroids, narcotics, and much more. CBD is legal at the federal level and it does not impair or improve athletic performance artificially. For that reason, no organization will bother testing for CBD.
Can You Give CBD to Your Pets?
Even though CBD benefits are extensive among people, quality CBD products can also be beneficial for pets too. They can provide your pet with a sense of calm and also help them battle joint and mobility issues associated with age. Despite the minimal side effects that have been seen after giving pets CBD products, no long-term side effects have been noted.
Can You Travel With CBD?
People who are used to the day-to-day routine of CBD consumption will be curious to learn whether they can carry CBD wherever they go. The possibility of being unable to carry abroad or during holidays can be frustrating. With the relative flippancy that CBD’s legality is handled with, this is not a simple no or yes situation.
Different states will have different laws regarding the legality of CBD. It even gets worse when you are traveling outside the US. In this case, you need to research the laws governing CBD usage in your destination.
Is CBD Legal?
The 2018 Farm Bill states that it is not illegal to grow, process, and distribute hemp as well as CBD products derived from hemp in the United States. However, the THC content must not be higher than 0.3% among other requirements. When this threshold is surpassed, the products turn to be marijuana which is illegal federally.
The Farm Bill also managed to remove hemp-derived products from the list of controlled substances. However, even with the federal legal status, some states have impartial or complete restrictions on CBD products. You, therefore, need to check individual state laws to determine CBD’s legality.
Where to Buy CBD?
With the federal CBD’s legality, it has become easier for one to get their favorite CBD products both from physical stores and online. The tip towards accessing safe and reliable CBD products is getting to know a brand legitimately.
Fortunately, many companies are playing their part in being transparent and giving consumers the information that they need. However, other than transparency and listing the ingredients used, a reputable brand has to research CBD products that best suit its customers.
Final Thoughts
Even though much has been learned for the past years regarding CBD, more research is still needed to discover the potential benefits and uses of products derived from cannabis like CBD. This is a complex industry that can be confusing at times.
However, over the years, some form of stability has been seen where the government has intervened through standardization and regulation. Up to this far, we believe that you are armed with the vital knowledge that is important to kick start your CBD journey.
