Your Questions About CBD – Answered

From skincare to sleep aids, you’d be hard-pressed to find a single space that CBD products haven’t made their home. But with its apparent versatility comes a lot of questions: what is CBD meant to do? Is it even legal? AT GR8NESS, we understand how frustrating it can be to scour the Internet for the most recent facts about CBD. So, without further ado, we present all of your questions about CBD – answered.

What is CBD?

CBD is short for “cannabidiol,” one of the approximately 115 cannabinoids naturally occurring in cannabis plants like hemp and marijuana. CBD is usually the second-most abundant cannabinoid, behind THC.

What Are Cannabinoids?

Cannabinoids are a diverse group of active chemical compounds found naturally within both the human body and the cannabis plant. When derived from cannabis, we refer to these chemicals as “phytocannabinoids.” When derived from the human body, we refer to them as “endo-cannabinoids.”

What Is the Difference between CBD and THC?

While CBD and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) are both cannabinoids, their effects on the mind could not be more different. CBD is a non-psychoactive compound, meaning it does not cause any “high” sensation, or really, affect cognitive function much at all.

THC, on the other hand, is the primary psychoactive compound found within cannabis. THC is the chemical responsible for causing the high associated with consuming marijuana. We explore more about their differences, here.

What Is the Difference between Hemp and Marijuana?

To the eye, hemp and marijuana are nearly indistinguishable from one another. They are both derived from the cannabis sativa plant species, which breeds thousands of different varieties of cannabis. It’s the chemical composition of hemp and marijuana that truly sets them apart.

Hemp plants are cannabis strains that legally contain less than 0.3% THC, to limit any psychoactive properties. Marijuana comes from the dried flowers of cannabis plants that contain more than 0.3% THC, although most marijuana used for medicinal and recreational purposes is taken from plants with much higher THC concentrations.

What Is the Difference between CBD Hemp Oil and CBD Cannabis Oil?

CBD hemp oil and CBD cannabis oil are two very hot topics but mean two very different things. CBD hemp oil is made from hemp plants, which contain little to no traces of THC. CBD cannabis oil is made from marijuana plants, which contain elevated levels of THC.

CBD hemp oil will cause no psychoactive effects, while CBD cannabis oil can contain an equal amount of THC to CBD, and subsequently cause a high sensation.

Are CBD Hemp Oil and Hemp Oil the Same Thing?

No, not at all. CBD oil, or CBD hemp oil, is a liquid concentrate specifically made using isolated CBD compounds. Hemp oil is made from whole, pressed hemp seeds. Hemp oil contains no CBD, but it is a highly nutritious food product.

If you’re looking for hemp-derived CBD products, ensure that the product you’re interested in specifically states “CBD hemp oil” or “CBD oil,” as strictly “hemp oil” will contain no CBD.

How Is CBD Isolated from the Cannabis Plant?

There are a few different methods of isolating or extracting CBD from cannabis. Most companies opt for CO2 extraction, which uses pressurized carbon dioxide to pull the desired compounds from a plant. CO2 is recyclable and does not create any toxic waste in the environment.

Other options include alcohol extraction, in which a liquid such as ethanol, butane, or hexane is run through the raw plant material to extract the CBD, and is then evaporated to leave only the active cannabinoid behind. However, this method can leave traces of chemicals in its extract, so be mindful of how the compound was isolated when choosing a CBD product.

Is There a Difference between Full Spectrum and Broad Spectrum CBD?

Yes. When shopping for CBD, you’ll often find products listed as full spectrum, broad spectrum, or CBD isolate. Think of it this way: CBD isolate is the purest form of CBD – there are no other compounds in the product aside from CBD.

Full spectrum CBD is an extract that contains all compounds found naturally in the cannabis plant, including other cannabinoids, like THC, and essential oils.

Broad spectrum CBD is essentially the same as full spectrum, with one big difference: THC has been completely removed. Your choice between the three is purely personal preference.

Will It Feel Like Getting Intoxicated?

No, consuming CBD will not feel like getting intoxicated, nor will it feel like the “high” associated with smoking weed. CBD is not psychoactive in the way that THC is psychoactive.

However, CBD can be used for anxiety relief and as a sleep aid, and many users of CBD report a subtle feeling of relaxation, alertness, or mental clarity from taking CBD.

Will CBD be Exposed in a Drug Test?

Truthfully, this depends on the product you choose to use. Drug tests do not test specifically for CBD.  They’re looking for THC, the psychoactive cannabinoid found in marijuana.

However, some CBD oils can contain trace amounts of THC, especially if you’re using CBD cannabis oil. These amounts of THC, even if they are small, can cause a failure of a drug test if an individual is consuming the oil in large quantities.

Caution should be taken with drug tests and CBD oil, but strictly speaking, the CBD found in oils, lotions, and balms will not show on a drug test.

Is It Legal?

A bill passed in December 2018 legalized the production of hemp as an agricultural commodity while removing it from the list of controlled substances.

Therefore, CBD products extracted from hemp are legal agricultural products provided that they contain <0.3% THC. All other CBD products must adhere to medical and recreational cannabis laws per state. For your protection, it is still up to you to know the laws for where you live.

How Does CBD Work?

While the exact mechanics are still debated by doctors and scientists, so far it is believed that CBD might affect your health by attaching to receptors in the body’s endocannabinoid system – a system that contains the body’s own cannabinoids.

This system is thought to maintain certain aspects of your health by regulating functions such as memory, sleep, mood, energy balance, and more. CBD can also play a role in improving a variety of health conditions via interaction with the body’s own cannabinoids.

What conditions can CBD help?

The reason why CBD can be found in so many products is because of the large list of health issues it’s believed to help. From everyday ailments to chronic medical conditions, CBD is thought to help:

• Acne
• Anxiety
• Chronic pain
• Depression
• Epilepsy
• Glaucoma
• Inflammation
• Insomnia
• Loss of appetite and body weight
• Muscle spasms
• Nausea and vomiting
• Parkinson’s disease

Likewise, CBD is thought to promote sounder sleep, fight oxidative stress, counter psychotic thoughts,  and have potent anti-tumor effects.

Are Drug Interactions Possible with CBD?

Yes, drug interactions are possible with CBD. The same enzymes that metabolize CBD are also responsible for metabolizing many commonly used drugs.

While CBD-drug interactions are more likely with high doses of CBD, precaution should always be taken when using CBD alongside routine medications. Consult with your doctor before incorporating CBD into your medication routine.

Are There Studies on CBD?

There have been hundreds, if not thousands, of studies conducted about CBD, and more are being published as you read this article. Browse some of the most recent medical studies on CBD via the National Institutes of Health (NIH), here.

How Do I Know What Serving of CBD to Take?

There is no ‘one size fits all’ approach when it comes to CBD. Everyone’s body is different, and what works for someone else may not work for you.

If you’re interested in ingesting CBD, there are several factors you should understand first, such as how you will be ingesting the CBD and your own internal factors, such as weight and metabolism.

General guidelines adults can follow – not use as a recommendation – when it comes to taking a CBD dose each day include:

• General health: 2.5 – 15 mg CBD per day
• Chronic discomfort: 2.5 – 20 mg CBD per day
• Sleep issues: 40 – 160 mg CBD per day

How Can I Use CBD?

The beauty of CBD is that it’s found its way into so many products. You can use CBD as a lotion or salve, you can ingest CBD as an oil or edible, you can smoke it, and you can even pamper yourself with a CBD facemask (yes, really).

How you choose to use CBD depends entirely on your preferences, as well as the condition you’re aiming to treat. Consider your options:

• Lotions and balms: Ideal to be rubbed on localized pain, inflammation, and stiffness
• Vape Oils: Enter the bloodstream the fastest for quickest relief
• Edibles: Take longer to be metabolized, making them ideal for insomnia and poor sleeping
• Tinctures: Dropped under the tongue for discreet use anywhere, anytime

Can I Cook with CBD?

Of course! You can use CBD oils in a variety of dishes. In fact, here are some CBD recipes.

How Do I know It’s Safe to Purchase CBD Online?

Buying anything online can be risky, especially CBD. While it is safe to buy CBD online, the general rule of thumb is to do as much research on the product as possible before purchasing.

Check the ingredients list first: if the ingredients only specify “hemp oil” – it’s not CBD. CBD oil, CBD cannabis oil, or CBD hemp oil should be one of the first ingredients.

If you can’t pronounce most of the ingredients, pass on it. Likewise, do your research on the company selling the product. Ensure you feel they’re trustworthy before entering any payment information.

A Word from GR8NESS

Are you interested in experimenting with CBD? The world is truly your oyster. But, before you go hopping on the Internet to make your latest CBD haul, be sure to check in with your doctor first. Your health comes before any of the latest trends, so confirm that adding CBD to your routine would be beneficial for you.