Brand new to CBD? Still unsure or have a few questions? Check out our guide: CBD 101.
CBD 101: So what is it?
Cannabidiol (abbreviated to "CBD") is a cannabinoid found in trace amounts in the hemp plant. It's only one of over a hundred compounds found in the plant. CBD does not produce the intoxication or a high in the same way as THC, the compound blamed for the "entourage effect," does.
CBD, commonly known as cannabidiol, is one of the most prominent cannabinoids found in the Cannabis genus of plants. There are three main types of cannabis plants: Sativa, Indica, and ruderalis, with subtypes such as cannabis and hemp. Hemp belongs exclusively to the Sativa genus, while cannabis may be derived from either the Sativa or Indica species. Cannabis plants often have higher concentrations of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the cannabinoid responsible for the "stoner's high."
Besides being beneficial to your health in general, CBD also contains strong non-psychoactive characteristics that prevent you from being high. Many people do it for other reasons, however, including recreation, health, and enhancement.
CBD oil, in its most basic definition, is a mixture of cannabidiol (CBD), flavourings, and carrier oil (for example, coconut or hemp seed oil). Full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and isolate CBD oils are the three most popular varieties. For this reason, their effects might vary widely, since they are made up of different compounds or combinations of components.
In a market saturated with many vendors, it might be difficult to determine whether the CBD oil you've bought is of sufficient quality. Therefore, we recommend that you only purchase products that have been verified as authentic by reputable third-party agencies.
The colour of CBD oil may range from dark brown to light pink. Several processes, including extraction, decarboxylation, filtration, and use of the base oil, all have a role in determining the final hue of the oil.
CBD oil's flavour depends on its components. The plant's terpenes and flavonoids are the primary agents of their effects. The flavour of the oil is significantly affected by its terpene content, carrier oil, and additives. Pure CBD has an earthy, somewhat grassy taste, however, this is easily altered by adding flavourings or other oils.
How is CBD oil produced?
The quality of a CBD product might be altered depending on which manufacturing method is employed. The production of CBD oil entails several steps, including:
Planting Hemp
Before planting the seeds, the soil is analyzed and worked on. We will be touching more on this when we next update this article.
Collecting Hemp Seeds
This might take up to 120 days to finish. Before any harvest can place, the crop must pass inspection and get an official certification. This is by statutory limits on THC content. The plants are stored for three to four weeks after harvest in a well-ventilated area before being processed or air dried.
Getting the oil from the plant and then purifying it before distillation to get the CBD
CBD may be extracted from plants in several different ways. Each strategy has its own set of advantages and disadvantages that may be taken into account depending on the desired result. CBD oil may be extracted using several different methods, such as carbon dioxide (CO2), alcohol, or ethanol. A little additional detail on each of them is provided below.
Extraction of Cannabidiol from Hemp
CBD oil, flavourings, and carrier oil (often coconut or hemp seed oil) are mixed without altering the efficacy in any way.
Laboratory analysis and packing
A third party inspects all products. A portion of each batch is submitted to the lab to ensure its potency and purity. The results of the organoleptic tests validate the products' excellent quality.
Methods for Isolating Cannabidiol for CBD Oil
The different CBD extraction procedures used to produce CBD oil will now be examined in further detail.
Carbon dioxide (CO2) extraction is widely regarded as a safe procedure that results in a few byproducts during the creation of CBD oil. The technique typically involves three separate rooms. The procedures performed in each chamber are necessary to convert raw plant material into a CBD oil extract.
Removing Alcohol (Extraction)
This method is critical because it cleans the solution while also separating the CBD molecule from other compounds found in the hemp plant. Since the solvent has already been removed, all that is left is the CBD oil in its purest form.
BHO Extraction (Butane Hash Oil)
Butane hash oil (BHO) is another possible source for CBD oil extraction. The process of extracting BHO is similar to that of extracting alcohol, with the exception that the solvent is not harmed by the low temperatures used in BHO extraction. With the aforementioned three extraction processes at its disposal, Marry Jane can meet the needs of a wide range of customers.
Use, Dosage
CBD dosage and concentration are another important factor to consider. The following discussion will focus on these matters. The amount of CBD in oil s often expressed as a percentage of the total CBD content.
Due to CBD's relative newness in the marketplace, there is currently no reliable information on an appropriate dose that has been reviewed and sanctioned by bodies like the European Medicines Agency or other authoritative medical organizations. Because the recommended dose changes depending on the product being used, CBD manufacturers provide this information in their product instructions.
Concentration per dose may be calculated independently. Determine the number of doses and the milligrams per drop of oil before proceeding. The 100 mg of extract in each dose is simple to calculate once you know that a 1 mL glass syringe can hold 10 doses.
One milliliter is equivalent to one thousand milligrams, hence one milliliter contains one hundred milligrams.
This calculation should be used solely as a check, so keep that in mind. It is crucial to consult a trusted medical professional and read the product information supplied by the maker of a product that has undergone independent testing.
Choosing the right concentration of CBD oil might be complicated by the wide range of options now on the market. Recognizing the unique possibilities of each concentration is essential. As an additional precaution, try not to overestimate, and remember to begin with smaller quantities of CBD and increase them as needed if this is your first time using them.
Drops of CBD are sold in a variety of strengths, measured in either milligrams or percentages. The concentrations of CBD in 10 ml drops range from 5% (500 mg) to 30% (3000 mg).
Several factors may affect how much CBD to take and how often. Among the most crucial are a person's gender, weight, health, how CBD will be ingested, the goals for which it will be used, and the desired strength.
How To Use CBD Oil
When should you use CBD oil drops? It's crucial to ask yourself this when first beginning to take them. What is being used the oil for, how often it is being used, and how well the body tolerates and responds to the oil are the most essential considerations here. Some people may be more sensitive to the effects of CBD oil than others, and these reactions might vary depending on when and how they take it. The quantity consumed and the frequency of oil usage are two more variables that might affect the outcome.
CBD oil may be taken whenever it is most convenient for you.
For instance, some individuals like to include CBD oil in their daily routines. Yet some use CBD oil towards the end of the day before retiring for the night.
How often should CBD oil be used is another important issue. There is still no definitive solution. Whether and how often to use CBD oil depends on the individual and the condition being treated. Taking the oil every day isn't always necessary.
Of course, before starting to take CBD oil, you should talk to your doctor about the aforementioned questions regardless of personal preference.
Does CBD Oil Get You 'High?
There is no "ideal" time to use CBD oil, as we discussed before. Moreover, multiple studies have shown that CBD oil does not produce the so-called "entourage effect," meaning it will not get you high. In contrast to THC, which is banned in certain countries and subject to rigorous regulations everywhere else, the principal element of CBD in this product has no psychoactive effects. Pay close attention to the national and state laws that affect your use of CBD and THC. CBD oil may contain trace amounts of THC (between 0 and 1 percent), which is very negligible.
Rather than taking it in the morning or evening, some individuals choose to take their CBD oil sometime in the middle of the day. It shouldn't alter your routine since it doesn't get you high and it's easy to use.
CBD does not have an intoxicating effect, but it might still show up on a drug test. It's important to realize that CBD may accumulate in the body for a while. We've shown below the estimated lengths of time that CBD oil may remain localised in several parts of the human body.
Tests for THC metabolites may be performed on blood samples, while blood tests for CBD and cannabinoids are not as common as urine tests. Blood tests are not the best drug screening method since THC is eliminated from the body so quickly.
One of the most frequent ways to check for CBD and other cannabinoids in the body is via a urine test. However, urine testing's detection window for CBD and other substances may vary widely.
How often and how much you take will have the biggest impact. Typically, these metabolites may be detected in the urine anywhere from three days to two weeks after the last dose.
CBD comes in many forms.
Since CBD oils are among the most widely used CBD products, it seems to reason that they would be available in a broad variety of flavours. Many different types of CBD oils exist depending on their various classifications. In this section, let's check them off the list.
There is a plethora of CBD oil options available. There are three main groups based on their contents, and they are as follows:
In other words, full-spectrum CBD oil. Cannabinoids such as cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and other secondary compounds such as terpenes and flavonoids are all included.
We recommend a full spectrum CBD oil.
There is no THC in this oil, but it has everything else that is in full-spectrum CBD oil. To do this, we use a full-spectrum CBD oil and a liquid chromatography method (which involves selective binding of THC and eliminating it at low temperatures while keeping the remaining synergistic cannabinoids, terpenes, and amino acids intact).
CBD Isolate
This oil is the most concentrated form of cannabidiol on the market since it contains nothing but CBD. Because it lacks THC, terpenes, flavonoids, and other chemical additives, it has no discernible taste or odour and may be used as a tasty substitute in cooking.
Among full-spectrum and broad-spectrum CBD oils, what are the distinctions? Compared to "Broad Spectrum" Oil, "Full Spectrum" Oil has a far wider range of benefits.
Among the many types of CBD oil available, these two are quite well-liked. Trying to identify what sets them apart from the others may be difficult for some of you. Here, therefore, are the major issues:
I'm referring to the meat of the matter here. Both oils have different components, as was mentioned before. THC-free CBD oils are also known as full-spectrum or broad-spectrum CBD oils since they include all of the plant's primary components (terpenes, flavonoids, and essential cannabinoids) without the psychoactive ingredient THC.
Industrial Production: CBD oils may vary greatly because of the several ways they can be produced. Hemp oil containing CBD, minor cannabinoids, and terpenes is produced by a winterization process (the removal of waxes, solvents, unwanted lipids, or chlorophyll). Using liquid chromatography, the full-spectrum CBD extract is refined into a more versatile oil.
The variety of compounds found in the plant, the research suggests, might increase the therapeutic potential of CBD. It has been shown that a full-spectrum CBD product including both CBD and THC is superior to CBD alone in relieving pain. The full-spectrum product is the only one that ensures the aroma and flavour of the plant are preserved since it contains all of the essential compounds. It has been speculated that full-spectrum CBD oil might reduce the occurrence of seizures and perhaps act as an antioxidant. Moreover, antibacterial characteristics have been shown in some research, suggesting they may be effective in alleviating pain, reducing inflammation, and calming anxious feelings.
CBD Oil VS Hemp Oil VS Cannabis Oil
Hemp oil and CBD oil are sometimes mistaken, yet they serve very different purposes. In that case, how do you tell them apart?
The first distinguishing feature is that these oils come from various parts of the same plant (whereas CBD oil is extracted from the plant itself, hemp oil is extracted from its seeds).
Second, they have unique compositions. To recap, CBD oil is an oil in which cannabidiol (CBD) is the main component. Since CBD oil comes in a wide range of concentrations, it is easy to experiment with different combinations of cannabinoids. The essential omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids are among the more than 80% of fatty acids in hemp oil, also known as hemp seed oil. It's also a good source of vitamins B, C, and E.
Many CBD products include hemp oil as their base oil (such as broad-spectrum and full-spectrum CBD oils).
Lastly, their effects may vary somewhat. Numerous research is still needed to establish CBD's purported medicinal benefits, however, preliminary results from some of these studies seem promising. One study found that CBD reduced anxiety and stress as well as helped people sleep better. In addition to its anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties, CBD has also been discovered to be an antioxidant and multivitamin, according to another study.
This means that hemp oil may be used as a dietary supplement. In addition, a clinical study on the effects of hemp seed oil on the heart found that it may have a beneficial impact on heart disease. Applying hemp oil topically has been shown to improve the skin's strength and immunity, according to another research. Finally, alpha-linolenic acid, one of the fatty acids in hemp oil, has been demonstrated in studies to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Nonetheless, bear in mind that further research is needed to fully understand the benefits of hemp oil.
Benefits of CBD & The Endocannabinoid System
The cannabinoid cannabidiol (CBD) is thought to have a calming effect by interacting with receptors in the central nervous system. Potential anti-inflammatory effects and product development
Cannabinoids are endogenous chemicals having the ability to bind to and activate certain receptors throughout the body. When cannabidiol (CBD), the primary ingredient in CBD oil, binds to these receptors, it triggers a cascade of physiologic responses that play a role in the maintenance of normal levels of appetite, pain, emotion, and memory.
Many diverse things, from food to skincare to supplements, may include CBD oil, yet these products are not all the same. Here are a few of the ways that you may consume the oil:
A: Under the tongue. Sublingual administration is another method of ingesting CBD oil. CBD might enter the bloodstream more rapidly if applied here due to the high concentration of capillaries. Thus, the oil is absorbed directly by the liver, skipping the digestive system.
In a verbal exchange. Oils containing cannabidiol may be ingested sublingually or added to food or beverages for oral ingestion. It's a great way to get your CBD while enjoying your favourite meallocalized.
In a topical sense. Applying CBD oil topically is a great way to relax. To make CBD more user-friendly, it is often mixed with a scented carrier oil like coconut oil or beeswax. When used topically, CBD may specifically target areas like sore muscles or aching joints.
CBD Treatments
Several research suggests that CBD oil could be helpful for people. Studies have shown that CBD oil may help with:
Addiction
Glaucoma
Seizures
ADHD
Anxiety
Alzheimer's
Insomnia
Depression
Hypertension
Spasms in the muscles,
Chronic pain
Muscle Recovery
Acne
Epilepsy
Severe loss of appetite
Parkinson's Disease
Researchers have found some encouraging results from studying CBD oil, but further investigation is needed to reveal more.
CBD Side Effects
Every argument has two sides, and it's important to see both. That's also true with CBD oil. The following are some of the potential side effects that have been linked to CBD oil use.
Drowsiness
Abnormalities in the digestive system
Dry tongue
Nausea
Suppressed appetite
Diarrhea
Contraindications and drug interactions
It's important to keep in mind that CBD oil may have a variety of unintended consequences, some of which depend on how it's taken. You should always consult a GP if you are intending to use CBD to treat an illness.
However, a study evaluating the possible side effects of CBD in a variety of populations indicated a substantial tolerance. However, diarrhea, drowsiness, and reduced appetite were detected in almost 20% of patients receiving CBD oil to treat epilepsy symptoms in one clinical study including adolescents and young adults. One-half or so of the people in the experiment reported fewer seizures.
Storing CBD
Protecting the CBD oil you've purchased from deterioration via improper storage is your responsibility. All of the manufacturer's directions for using CBD oil must be strictly adhered to. Avoid exposing your CBD oil to light, heat, or moisture to preserve its potency. Is refrigeration necessary while storing CBD oil? A resounding "Yes" is the correct response. Keep it away from moisture, air, and sunlight, and you shouldn't have any problems. This will extend the lifespan of your CBD oil. Keep in mind that air, humidity, heat, and sunlight are all detrimental to the efficacy of CBD oil.
The History Of Cannabis
As early as 2800 BC, the first cannabis strains appeared in Central Asia. The cultivation of the plant was originally recorded in China, where it was used to make pottery, clothing, and even paper in place of papyrus. China is also the location of the first documentation of the drug's medicinal use. In the years that followed, the factory opened in other countries, including India, Egypt, and the Middle Eastern republics. Many different civilizations have identified the plant to be useful for a wide range of functions, including food and drink, fiber and clothing, ropes, building materials, art, science, plastic, and more.
We're seeing new and interesting applications for hemp outside its traditional industrial usage, and who knows, maybe it'll become even more of a need in the years to come.
Final Thoughts
We will be updating this article very often, to truly turn it into the definitive guide for CBD - we will also be writing a guide for CBG as well as terpenes too, so be sure to check back!