A Beginner’s Guide to CBD

Humans have been enjoying the effects of cannabis for centuries now, and to celebrate the current freedom it truly deserves, everybody should be taking full advantage of the extraordinary qualities of CBD, a fantastic compound sourced from hemp.

Cannabidiol (CBD) is phytocannabinoid derived from the Sativa strain of cannabis. Other popular phytocannabinoids are also present in this strain, and in some cases, they are also extracted to help enhance the effects of this naturally occurring cannabinoid. However, presently, CBD is the most sought-after for its beneficial therapeutic effects.

Hundreds of different types of Sativa strains exist, and cannabis enthusiasts around the world are continuously growing new phenotypes with the goal of achieving a new optimal terpene rich strain of CBD. Currently, the most popular strain of the Sativa plant species used to extract high-quality CBD is the hemp plant, more commonly known as industrial hemp.

High-quality CBD is usually sourced from industrial hemp for the simple reason that hemp plants naturally produce the highest yield of CBD. Hemp is also incredibly eco-friendly; every part of the plant can put to good use.

CBD can be extracted from the flowers, stalks, leaves, and stems of the plant. The remaining hemp fibers can also be used to create hemp paper, plastic, and fabrics. Recently, the engineers at Porsche have even embraced the use of hemp plastic— comparing the weight and stiffness of it to carbon fiber, a much more expensive material.

Industrial hemp is the perfect candidate, and often there will be also be trace amounts of other phytocannabinoids. Cannabichromene (CBC) and Cannabigerol (CBG) are great examples of other significant phytocannabinoids that can increase the therapeutic effects of CBD.

Occasionally, Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), —the principal psychoactive phytocannabinoid found in cannabis— is also extracted during the procedure. However, for the product to be federally legal, the concentration is required to be 0.3% or lower. With such a negligible amount of THC, you do not have to be concerned about any mind-altering effects.

While many people use THC (medical marijuana) to help them with various conditions, other people would like to experience the benefits of cannabis without the typical high associated with it. This is what makes CBD such a popular choice, as it contains all the benefits of cannabis but will not cause a user to become stoned.

When shopping for CBD something to look out for is whether the product is considered a CBD Isolate or a broad or full-spectrum CBD product. A CBD isolate is the purest form of CBD while broad and full-spectrum products contain other compounds from the hemp. CBD isolates contain 0% THC while legal full-spectrum products may contain up to 0.3% THC.

For most people, they have no clue about the history of CBD. Since they have really just started hearing about its popularity and benefits, many believe that it is a brand new product just being pushed out there to sell and make money. However, if they would dig a little deeper they would find an incredible storied history behind CBD and the hemp plant.

On our page dedicated to the history of CBD, we take a closer look at the past, present and future of Cannabidiol. We also cover the history behind the hemp plant. Many may be very surprised to find out how long they have been around and have being used by people from all over the world.

CBD is exclusively found in the cannabis plant, and its effects are unrivaled. Other plants with CBD-like compounds exist like the cocoa plant, but these naturally occurring compounds are slightly different.

The previously mentioned phytocannabinoids in CBD interact with the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in the human body, the ECS is a group of neuromodulator lipids and receptors. The two primary receptors are Cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1) and Cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CB2).

These endocannabinoid receptors stimulate biochemical communication within the body and regulate many of its important functions including temperature, appetite, pain perception, immunity, mood, and more.

The diverse beneficial qualities of CBD are one of a kind, and no other plant has the same concentration of CBD as the Sativa strain. This large concentration of high-quality CBD is extracted from the plant to make it suitable for human consumption.

Currently, multiple extraction techniques are used to obtain high-quality CBD. Each procedure has pros and cons, but the two most common procedures are C02 and ethanol extraction.

CO2 is frequently used as a food additive, and major food companies have been using this method for years. This extraction technique has a much lower risk of contaminants, and it can also produce full-spectrum CBD.

This type of high-quality CBD can also isolate other beneficial phytocannabinoids, and the overall strength of the CBD may be more potent. However, the specialized industry equipment needed for this complicated procedure is costly.

The second most popular technique, ethanol extraction, can be used in lieu of expensive equipment, and the process is quite straightforward. If this procedure is done correctly, it also can yield a high-quality product.

Fortunately, rigorous independent laboratory testing is required before any product with large amounts of CBD can be legally sold. Companies are also encouraged to share these results openly, so always check the laboratory results before purchasing. In some cases, these results can also be helpful to gauge the correct dosage of CBD.

When purchasing CBD, it is essential to assess what dosage is best for you. Typically, dosage is judged on total body weight, the severity of the symptoms, desired effects, and natural tolerance. It is also imperative to remember that every human body can react differently. Those who have a tiny bit more experience with CBD will likely consume more, although this is frequently to help with pain, inflammation, or sleep-related issues.

In addition, thoroughly understanding the concentration of CBD as well as other beneficial compounds in the product is just as crucial. The total amount of CBD is the most important element to look out for because it has the most beneficial qualities. Most products will either state the total amount in milligrams (mg) or milliliters (ml).

The exact amount of CBD a product contains is required to be correctly labeled on each product, and this total amount needs to be divided by the number of servings in the bottle to come up with the dose. Most products are made with this in mind, and the label will usually state how many servings are in each product.

A single serving of any baseline product with CBD is enough to produce a moderate effect on an average sized human being, and this is usually an excellent place to start, that way there is always the option of a more potent product with a higher concentration of CBD in the future. Further, you can decrease or increase dosage according to your needs.

With the development of specialized industry technology and federal funding, scientific studies on CBD have helped illustrate how the non-euphoric properties of CBD can naturally help regulate serotonin levels. Additionally, research data from case studies has successfully proven that the natural analgesic effects as well as natural anti-inflammatory properties of CBD can easily rival prescription pain medications.

Researchers at some of the top universities in the world are putting these naturally occurring cannabinoids to the test, continuously discovering new methods and appropriate ways to use CBD without the risk of some of the nasty side effects prescription medications can produce.

Addiction to prescription pain medications has skyrocketed in the last several years. These medications can be miraculous at first, but over time, the analgesic effects will diminish. Additionally, the regular consumption of synthetic medicines can also cause many undesirable side effects, and if another health issue were to arise in the future, one’s natural tolerance would be off-balance.

In this scenario, high-quality CBD oil could be beneficial as a natural boost to the immune system, and it could also be introduced in minimal doses to combat these uncomfortable side effects. This situation is just one of the many instances where the daily intake of high-quality CBD could help resolve troublesome symptoms.

As of January 2019, CBD is legal at the federal level across the US. Individual states have the final say, however. It you are considering purchasing CBD but are concerned about your local laws, you should always check to see what the legislation is in your area for added peace of mind.

If this beginners guide to CBD has been helpful and you would like to understand more about the numerous other advantages of CBD be sure to check out the benefits of CBD Oil or read through our Frequently Asked Questions.