What Is CBD?
Many people might have heard of CBD from different news outlets like television, radio, newspapers, magazines, and even on several websites. However, there may be some people who are not aware of what it is and what it can do to the body. Most people relate CBD to cannabis, hemp, and marijuana. It is essential to understand that the plant Cannabis sativa has two primary species, which are hemp and marijuana. Although both contain CBD, the hemp plant produces a higher percentage and low levels of THC (less than 0.3%). When the oil is extracted in the seeds of the hemp plant, know that it doesn’t have cannabinoids in it. It is crucial to know that there is a difference between THC and CBD. Unlike THC, cannabidiol has no psychoactive compounds, meaning it is safer and has no mind-altering effects.
So what exactly is CBD?
As stated earlier, CBD is the short term for cannabidiol. It is a chemical derived in the Cannabis sativa plant, which is also known as hemp or marijuana. CBD is a naturally occurring substance which you can find in products like oils for relaxation. It can also be seen in some edible gummies which are preferred by cannabidiol users who are not used to its bitter taste. In some preclinical studies, CBD has proven effective in treating anxiety, depression, and Parkinson’s disease. To date, there is no news stating the adverse effects of CBD. Even the World Health Organization (WHO) has mentioned that cannabidiol has demonstrated to have effective treatment in epilepsy.
How Is It Grown?
CBD oil is derived from the flowers, leave, stalk, and stems of the hemp plant. The seed is the only part of the hemp that doesn’t contain cannabidiol. CBD oil can be produced by growing hemp plants. Hemp is considered a versatile plant that has a vital role in the history of humankind. Before it was discovered to be a source of cannabidiol, it was used as clothing, paper, and rope before. There has been a piece of archaeological evidence that proves people have been using hemp as long as 8000 years BC.
As stated earlier, the seeds don’t contain cannabidiol. However, they are vital for the gardeners as they can grow hemp from them. In germinating hemp seeds, 50% of them will become female, while the other half are male. In terms of hemp plants, most CBD farms take special care to cultivate female hemp plants. It is because the male plants don’t produce a significant volume of therapeutic compounds such as CBD. There are also available feminized seeds that are produced by triggering the female plants to produce pollen sacs. These sacs have only female genetics for self or cross-pollination. The feminized seeds are the ones that can only produce female plants. On the other hand, the vegetative clones can be propagated by taking plant cuttings.
What’s the importance of differentiating the gender of the plant?
It is vital to understand that cannabis species are dioecious. It means the male and female flowers grow on separate male and female plants. Any cannabis plant that can produce both male and female flowers is called hermaphrodite. It became possible because of the genetics of the plants as well as the environmental stressors. When it comes to harvesting, you can get the flowers by growing only unfertilized female plants. The hemp fibres are harvested from both male and female plants while the seeds come from the pollinated female plants.
Basic Usage Guidelines
More and more individuals are starting to acknowledge the effectiveness of CBD as an alternative to anxiety medications. This is why a lot of people are considering it for medicinal use. If you are a new CBD user, it is crucial to know the basic guidelines when taking it. But before learning about the guidelines, you have to be aware of the different ways on how to take cannabidiol:
- Capsules and pills are the ones used for the systematic treatment of seizure disorders and digestive issues. Epidiolex (cannabidiol), an oral solution for the treatment of seizures, is the first drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration. The World Health Organization also recognizes it as effective.
- Creams and lotions are CBD-infused topicals that are excellent in treating muscle and joint pain. They can also manage several skin conditions, including eczema and psoriasis.
- Edibles like gummies are one of the popular ways to take CBD. A lot of people are considering CBD-infused gummies since they are more affordable and portable. These are recommended for those who are not used to the bitter taste of cannabidiol. However, it is essential to know that gummies are not ideal for diabetic people because of their sugar content.
- Oils and tinctures are liquids that usually come in the form of oils. They are infused with CBD and placed under the tongue with a dropper. Since the oral mucosa is full of tiny capillaries, the compounds are absorbed quickly. Oils and tinctures are ideal for those cannabidiol users who can’t take capsules or pills.
There are many ways on how you can take CBD. Each of them is tailored to people for their specific needs. As a CBD user, it is vital to know which one you are most comfortable with, as it can make it easier for you to maximize the benefits of CBD.
Other than determining the best way to take cannabidiol, it is essential to know the right dosage. For beginners, it is crucial to start with a low dosage then slowly increase your dosage after identifying how your body reacts to CBD. Here are some reminders regarding dosing:
- Consult your doctor if you are using cannabidiol for seizure treatment. They can assist you with the right dosage and give a piece of expert advice about CBD usage. Your doctor can also suggest the best products to use. By doing this, you can avoid the products that are not FDA approved.
- Edibles like gummies also come in standard doses.
- If you are using topicals, make sure to use the creams and lotions sparingly at first.
- Read the labels carefully when buying CBD products, especially if you are changing brands. When it comes to oils, know what amount of CBD each drop provides. Usually, CBD oils come in one milligram per drop concentration.
- Vape oil dosing could be quite challenging since it depends on exactly how much you inhale. Not only that, but dosing is also relevant to the concentration of the vaping liquid. Make sure to ask your doctor about it. Most edibles like gummies can tell you the exact dosage of CBD per serving. For oils and tinctures, they can be measured through droplets. That’s why you should always check the label, before buying a CBD product.
If you are considering CBD for medication, it is important to consult your doctor who can assist you with the proper dosing. Even though CND has no psychoactive properties, it is still recommended to consume the right amount, no matter what method you are using.
What Is Full-Spectrum CBD, Broad-Spectrum CBD, and Isolate CBD?
If there comes a time that you will buy CBD for medical use, you may encounter terms such as full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and isolate. These are the labels that you may usually see across CBD products. Whether you are a new or frequent user of cannabidiol, it is vital to know the differences of these terms. These labels are used to define which type of CBD is used. For a more in-depth understanding, it is crucial to know first what cannabinoids are.
Cannabinoids are the classification of compounds within the cannabis plant. There are hundreds of cannabinoids that are naturally occurring in the cannabis strains. As mentioned before, these include tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). Each cannabinoid has different effects on the human body. For instance, THC has psychoactive properties that can make a person euphoric. Unlike THC, CBD has no mind-altering effects. There are various ranges of impact provided by other cannabinoids, such as cannabigerol (CBG) and cannabinol (CBN). The full collection of the cannabinoid forms is referred to as the cannabinoid spectrum.
What is full-spectrum CBD?
Full-spectrum CBD refers to the extract having all the compounds found naturally occurring in the plant. These compounds include essential oils, terpenes, and other types of cannabinoids. They work together to maximize the therapeutic benefits of each cannabinoid. The phenomenon is called the entourage effect.
What is broad-spectrum CBD?
Broad-spectrum CBD is a mix of “full-spectrum” CBD and “isolate” CBD. In this spectrum, the compounds are preserved, but the tetrahydrocannabinol is completely removed. Some people prefer broad-spectrum CBD because it can deliver the benefits of the entourage effect without experiencing the mind-altering effects of THC.
What is isolate CBD?
When it comes to scientific terms, the term “isolate” refers to the purest form of a compound. It is produced by singularly extracting the compound from its environment, making it isolated from the other compounds. The same goes for isolate CBD. It is considered as the purest form of CBD that is produced by removing all other compounds in the plant. These compounds include flavonoids, terpenes, etc. Isolate CBD is extracted from hemp because of its non-existent THC content.
When it comes to picking the best spectrum, there is no answer since it depends on the needs of the CBD user. Since everyone has unique conditions, it would be better to consult your doctor who can guide you in selecting the best type of CBD for you.
What Is the Difference Between Hemp Oil vs CBD Oil?
Both hemp oil and CBD oil are derived from the hemp plant. Some people believe that there is no difference between the two; that’s why it is crucial to understand their unique characteristics. Unlike CBD oil, hemp seed oil has been commercially available for decades. You can even purchase it at health food stores since it can be used for cooking and skincare.CBD oil and hemp oil are derived from different parts of the cannabis plant that’s why they have distinct uses and benefits. Unlike CBD oil that uses the whole plant, hemp oil only comes from the seeds. When it comes to skincare, hemp oil and CBD oil have distinct uses.
Hemp seed oil is effective for not clogging pores and providing moisturization. It also has anti-inflammatory properties that can make the skin look and feel supple. You can use the hemp seed oil by combining it with other products or using it as a face oil. Other benefits of hemp oil include healing skin conditions such as acne, eczema, psoriasis, and rashes. It is also recommended for CBD users who have sensitive skin. Like hemp oil, CBD oil also contains a lot of antioxidants. However, more research should be performed to identify more of its benefits.
CBD Strength: CBD Mg vs Percentage
If you have bought a CBD product or are still considering availing one, you’ll notice some numbers on the label. This is vital information about the product, but some people may not know what it is for. Some individuals who claim that the numbers tell how strong a CBD product is. For a clearer view regarding this matter, it is vital to know the difference between the milligram and the percentage labelled on the CBD product.
The milligram usually refers to the total absolute amount of cannabinoids present in the product. Some CBD users think that this figure is relevant to the strength of the product. However, this is not always the case since other users measure the doses in reference to the drops, droppers, and even millilitres. When it comes to dosing, the volume of the product container should also be considered. If you find it challenging to use the milligram for dosing, you can use the percentage instead. It represents the concentration and includes the drop-to-strength of a product.