There is a lot of information about CBD that is exciting and confusing. In this post, I will demystify CBD and answer the question “what is CBD oil?”
What we'll discuss in this post
What is CBD?
Cannabis plants contain more than 60 naturally occurring active compounds called cannabinoids.
Tetrahydrocannabinol, aka “THC,” is the most well-known cannabinoid and is associated with the psychoactive or “high” properties in marijuana.
Cannabidiol, better known as “CBD,” is another one of these compounds.
Unlike THC, CBD does not cause a “high” effect. It can offer relief and benefits without the feelings of lethargy or dysphoria.
There are two types of cannabis crops: 1) industrial hemp and 2) marijuana. Both come from the Cannabis sativa L. species but differ in their levels of cannabinoids.
In this post, we will focus on industrialized hemp CBD.
Hemp is one of the oldest plants known to man, dating back to 8000 BC. The tall thin plant is cultivated to produce food, oils, paper, other textiles, and high CBD extractions.
How is CBD extracted from hemp?
After the hemp plant is cultivated, cannabinoids and other compounds are extracted via ethanol or C02. The resulting product then goes through decarboxylation which involves heating the cannabinoids into a form of oil (distillate). This oil is CBD oil.
This process allows the cannabinoids to immediately interact with the endocannabinoid system and makes the compound more usable in the body.
Many people mix CBD oil into a carrier oil like hemp seed or MTC oil, or further process it into an isolate or crystalline form.
The Endocannabinoid System (ECS) and CBD Oil Benefits
Endocannabinoids are created by the body from foods that contain fatty acids.
Plant cannabinoids including CBD and THC are naturally occurring in all cannabis plants.
The human cell contains two cannabinoid receptors:
- CB1 Receptors for our central nervous system.
- CB2 Receptors for our immune cells, gastrointestinal tract, and peripheral nervous system.
Endocannabinoids and plant cannabinoids bind with cannabinoid receptors and send messages to the body to aid in:
- Sleep
- Appetite
- Mood
- Motor Control
- Immune Function
- Pleasure
- Pain
- Reproduction and Fertility
- Memory
- Temperature Regulation
When the endocannabinoid system is balanced, we experience homeostasis – the tendency toward a relatively stable equilibrium between interdependent elements.
Is CBD Oil safe?
Studies suggest that CBD is safe and has minimal to no side effects.
Is CBD Oil legal?
There are several states in the United States that can legally grow and process industrialized hemp containing less than .30% THC (the legal limit) along with its seeds. These states include California, Colorado, Kentucky, Oregon, and Tennessee.
CBD is legal in 44 states. Medicinal Marijuana is legal in 28 states. Sixteen states have passed CBD-only laws for possession and use of CBD products for specific qualifying conditions but not cannabis products containing higher than .30% THC.
No one can legally state whether a person using CBD products will pass a drug test. It is recommended that all consumers concerned about drug screening complete additional research prior to making the decision to try CBD products.
Non-psychoactive cannabinoids such as CBD, CBG, and CBN, among others, typically do not have cross-reactivity in a drug screen with the psychoactive compound THC. However, when consuming above 1000mg daily, you could potentially get a false-positive.
How to use CBD Oil
Sublingually
Placing oil under the tongue and holding it for several seconds. This is considered the second fastest form of consumption.
Added to food
Known as edibles or infusion.
Orally
In capsule form.
Topically
When CBD oil is applied topically, or directly to the skin, it never reaches the bloodstream but can be absorbed through the skin’s surface to interact with nearby cannabinoid receptors. The skin has a particularly low absorption rate for cannabinoids, so the application of CBD balms, salves, and lotions needs to be heavy enough to overcome this barrier. However, when applied liberally, CBD is permeable to the skin through its pores.
Smoked
In a joint or cigarette.
Vaping
A liquid form of CBD that is heated and inhaled through an e-cigarette, vape pen, or vaporizer.
Dabbing
Cannabidiol is applied to a hot surface, where it is flash vaporized and inhaled.
Rectal Suppositories
Exert systemic effects when they enter the rectal mucosa, spreading healing compounds quickly through nearby organs and into the bloodstream.
Rick Simpson Oil “RSO”
A very concentrated form of cannabis or CBD that is typically taken by mouth via oral syringe. Many with cancer, MS and other forms of debilitating disease take RSO.
How to choose the best CBD Oil
The first thing to consider when selecting CBD is to understand where the industrialized hemp comes from.
Choose products that are extracted from industrial hemp that is grown with organic practices, pesticide-free, and non-GMO to ensure safe consumption. Hemp is not a USDA-certified organic product.
Price does not determine quality. The best companies provide third-party analysis of their products.
Full Spectrum and The Entourage Effect
Some CBD oil products on the market are limited to CBD explicitly – like CBD isolate – while others advertise their product as “full spectrum.” This means it contains other cannabinoids such as CBN, CBC, and THCA.
A wider range cannabinoid spectrum can aid in what is known as the entourage effect, which is the scientific belief that cannabinoids have greater therapeutic benefits when working together rather than acting as a single molecule.
The interaction of more than one cannabinoid stimulates the endocannabinoid system and the molecular interaction.
CBD Oil Dosage
CBD affects everyone differently, so it is important to customize the dosage to your individual needs. It is recommended to start with a small dosage and then slightly increase as necessary to achieve the desired result or as recommended by a healthcare provider or physician.
Below is a breakdown of how much CBD is in each strength of CBD tincture:
| Tincture Strength | Amount of CBD |
|---|---|
| 1000 mg | 66.66 mg/ml |
| 500 mg | 33.33 mg/ml |
| 250 mg | 16.66 mg/ml |
Droppers can vary in size, but typically 1 mL is about 10 drops or one full dropper.
One gram of CBD isolate is generally 998mg of CBD (499mg/.5g and 98mg/.1g).
CBD Oil for Pets
Animals, like humans, have cannabinoid receptors in the brain and central nervous system. For mammals, the system partially controls inflammation, pain, motor control, skin condition, appetite, aggression, anxiety, and neurological disorders. CBD is an agonist, weakly binding to endocannabinoid receptors, causing a long-lasting response with nonintoxicating effects.
THC can be poisonous to pets, so be sure to select a CBD product that is “non-psychoactive” or made with 99.99% CBD isolate. Consult your veterinarian before giving your pet CBD.
 | Celeste M. Munford is the Owner and Formulator of Third Day Hemp, an African-American woman-owned company. Celeste handcrafts holistic CBD products for self-care and wellbeing. Products include industrialized hemp flowers, tinctures, salves, infused EVOO, tea, beauty products and more. At Third Day Hemp, our CBD flowers, isolate and distillate are sourced from organic, pesticide-free, non-GMO farms. In addition to being helpful for pain, inflammation, PTSD, restlessness, arthritis, tremors and more, CBD is proving to be very beneficial for skin and hair health, too. In our recipes, I lean more towards using more full-spectrum compounds, terpenes, and flavonoids and believe that the legal limit of .30% THC helps produce a balanced effect. I’m more than happy to help in your quest for holistic CBD products and information. Please contact me at relief@3dayhemp.com. |
