What is CBD? It’s a commonly asked question, and there’s a great deal of confusion and misconceptions about the substance and its uses. Cannabidiol, or CBD as it’s more commonly known, is often mistaken for its sister drug, THC. However, it doesn’t have the same psychoactive effects, and there are different benefits associated with the use of this substance.
If you’re new to cannabidiol use, there may be a lot you don’t know about CBD and CBD products. We want to go over some of the essentials surrounding this impressive health substance to help you decide if it’s right for you.
Let’s start with the very basics: CBD stands for cannabidiol. It’s extracted from the hemp plant, which also features other cannabinoids and compounds, including THC. But CBD and THC have a very different effect on the brain.
CBD doesn’t give you that “high” feeling that THC does. Because of this, CBD is easier to use without compromising safety during everyday activities. It also features a host of benefits that we’ll be discussing in more detail throughout this article.
CBD comes from hemp plants. Hemp is a type of cannabis plant that has less than 0.3% of THC. You want to make sure that you obtain pure and clean CBD products and not confuse them with THC products.
Additionally, CBD should come from a good strain of genetically qualified hemp plants grown in good soil. It’s very important to do your research to ensure you’re getting CBD from a quality source.
To ensure you get a good CBD product, you must understand how it’s extracted. There are two main methods of extraction. One is the supercritical CO2 method, and the other is ethanol extraction.
With supercritical CO2 extraction, the gas carbon dioxide is taken and put in a low-temperature, high-pressure environment. This process turns the CO2 into a liquid form. That liquid form dissolves the hemp plant and releases certain plant compounds into the liquid. This result is then placed into another pressure- and temperature-controlled environment to separate different components further and turn the CO2 back into gas.
Spruce’s preferred method of extraction is ethanol extraction, or what some like to call moonshine extraction. This method creates a perfect blend of CBD and terpenes (aromatic oils) that culminates into our high-quality product. The hemp plant is soaked in ethanol, such as moonshine, which extracts the cannabinoids needed to make CBD. The leftover liquid is then filtered out, and you get high-quality CBD oil for many beneficial uses with minimal amounts of THC and, thus, no psychoactive effects from use.
Did you know there’s more than one type of CBD? Before you buy, you need to understand what kind of CBD you’re getting along with its benefits and potential side effects. Let’s look at the most common types of CBD.
Full-spectrum CBD contains cannabidiol oil in addition to terpenes (aromatic oils), flavonoids (natural compounds that contribute to the flavor or color of foods), and tiny trace amounts of THC (less than 0.3%).
This full-spectrum blend is believed to have a positive effect on issues of the mind, including anxiety and depression. It can also help with physical problems like pain, inflammation, nausea, sleep disorders, and more. Some epilepsy patients have also experienced positive benefits from full-spectrum CBD.
Don’t be alarmed that THC is listed among the ingredients in full-spectrum CBD. Since the trace amounts of THC are so small, there are no psychoactive effects with it. You get the benefits of CBD without the mood-altering effect.
Broad-spectrum CBD is very similar to full-spectrum but doesn’t contain any THC at all. It contains the same terpenes and flavinoids that go along with full-spectrum CBD without the THC. It’s often used to treat various maladies, including pain, anxiety, sleep disorders, and even improve skin health.
Having THC makes it a good option if you’re looking to give CBD to your canine friend since THC is toxic to dogs. It’s also great for those who are nervous about taking anything with THC listed as an ingredient, even if the amount is hardly noticeable.
What is CBD isolate? It’s cannabidiol in its purest form. There are no other compounds or cannabinoids present in CBD isolate. It’s frequently used to treat pain, anxiety, and inflammation, and you can find it in topical or ingestible forms.
CBD isolate has its own uses and benefits, but they may be fewer than you’d find with full-spectrum and broad-spectrum CBD. Still, it’s a great option for those who want the benefits of cannabidiol without THC.
The difference between marijuana and CBD is the content of THC in each. Hemp and marijuana are part of the same cannabis plant family, but a cannabis plant is considered hemp if it has 0.3% THC or less. On the other hand, cannabis plants with concentrations of THC higher than 0.3% are considered marijuana.
Both marijuana and CBD share physical and emotional benefits on the brain and body. However, you won’t get a “high” feeling from CBD like you will from marijuana. They are different classes of drug.
The human body has an endocannabinoid system. Everyone has this system regardless of whether or not the person uses cannabis or takes cannabinoids.
The endocannabinoid system helps regulate functions in your body, such as sleep and your mood. This regulation occurs based on interactions between anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglyerol, two key endocannabinoids manufactured within the human body, and cannabinoid receptors. Cannabinoid receptors are referred to as CB1 receptors and CB2 receptors.
You will find CB1 receptors in your central nervous system. The CB2 receptors are in your peripheral nervous system, which includes the cells in your immune system and exists outside your brain and spinal column.
THC attaches directly to CB1 receptors, causing the psychoactive effects people experience. CBD, on the other hand, influences these receptors in a more indirect way that helps enhance the endocannabinoids already present in the human body without causing psychoactive effects.
When asking the question, “What is CBD?” you’ll find many different forms of CBD products. What you choose will depend on your individual need for using CBD. There are oils, topicals, gummies, vape juice, and capsules.
CBD oil can come in regular and extra-strength potencies and include a variety of flavors. However, the oil still maintains that underlying earthy flavor of cannabis products. It comes in a bottle with a dropper that allows you to easily apply the correct dosage under your tongue to provide some of the relieving benefits you seek.
Topical CBD products include things like creams, ointments, and salves. These are applied to the outside of the body where you need CBD treatment. A CBD cream is a great option to provide targeted relief to painful areas of your body. You may find even more relief if you pair a CBD topical with another CBD product, such as CBD oil.
If you don’t feel using an oil is very appealing, you may enjoy trying CBD gummies. They’re easy to eat and can give you the CBD benefits you’re hoping for. If you need extra help sleeping, you can try some CBD sleep gummies to help you get a good snooze.
CBD can come in a vape juice form. Smoking in any form, even as CBD vape juice, is not recommended by doctors, so it may be better to choose from one of the many other options. Spruce has many oils, gummies, and creams that provide a safer alternative to vape juice.
Pill capsules are the final form of CBD. You would take these like any other kind of pill capsule by swallowing with water. The capsule dissolves in your stomach, allowing the CBD to enter your bloodstream as you digest.
Deciding which form of CBD is best depends on what you’ll use it for. If you’re using CBD for joint pains, you may find that using a topical cream as a targeted approach works best. Applying CBD as an oil under your tongue can give quick relief if you’re using CBD for sleep or mood relief. If you find it hard to take the oil for texture or other reasons, then trying gummies can still give you the benefits of CBD.
More research needs to be done regarding the effectiveness and benefits of using CBD, but there are promising results seen so far. Specifically, people have seen benefits from CBD use in connection to issues such as anxiety, sleep issues, pain, seizure disorders, cancer symptoms, and depression.
As mentioned earlier, the use of CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system in the body. This interaction also influences serotonin receptors in our bodies. CBD seems to enhance serotonin activity, which in turn creates a greater sense of calm and can lessen anxiety. Another benefit of CBD is the lower risk of side effects compared to conventional anti-anxiety medication, and it isn’t addictive.
Traditional sleep aids can be addictive, which can create a whole new problem for someone who is having sleep issues. You gain a non-addictive option with the use of CBD. Since the endocannabinoid system regulates sleep, CBD can interact with the receptors of this system to influence the body’s sleep-wake cycle. This benefit, along with the benefits of reduced anxiety and a sense of calm, can improve sleep quality overall and help people fall asleep more quickly.
CBD is well known for helping to alleviate symptoms of pain and inflammation. As stated earlier, more studies need to be completed, but anecdotal evidence suggests CBD is associated with lessened pain intensity from conditions such as multiple sclerosis and arthritis. Whether pain is acute or chronic, CBD seems to offer relief without the adverse side effects of traditional pain medications.
Studies have shown that CBD is a possible effective supplement in helping those with seizure disorders. You should always consult your doctor before trying any new medication or supplement. It’s well worth asking your doctor about the use of CBD to help with seizure disorders, as results do look promising in being able to help.
The most common CBD-based medication for seizures is Epidiolex. It’s the only CBD drug the FDA has approved for use in treating some kinds of epilepsy. This new medication shows further evidence of the promising effects of using CBD to help treat seizure disorders.
Cancer and its treatments can cause pain, inflammation, and all-around discomfort. Though studying the use of CBD in treating cancer symptoms is early, it does seem that CBD can help lessen some of the pains and discomforts that come from cancer symptoms and treatments.
Just as CBD can help with anxiety because of its interactions with serotonin, it can also help with depression. Along with a sense of calm, CBD seems to help boost your mood and reduce depression symptoms without traditional antidepression medication side effects.
As with any supplement or medication, there are always risks of potential side effects. It’s wise to be aware of these as you explore the question, “What is CBD?” It’s also important to note that most people experience these side effects when they have their CBD dosage wrong, and they may simply need to adjust the dose to alleviate the symptoms.
Always consult with your doctor before taking any type of CBD, medication, or supplement, and report if you experience any side effects so your doctor can help you address them.
Some users of CBD have experienced a change in appetite, and they aren’t as hungry anymore. While you might think this is a good weight-loss plan, it can cause issues with malnutrition if you’re not eating enough calories and nutritious foods every day.
Using CBD can cause some gastrointestinal discomfort, such as nausea or diarrhea. The symptom of nausea could also influence the side effect of appetite suppression since you aren’t usually as hungry when feeling nauseous. Consult your doctor on the best course of action if you experience this side effect. Trying a lower dosage could help reduce the effect of nausea.
Some CBD users have experienced dizziness as a side effect. Using CBD could cause a drop in blood pressure, which could contribute to feeling dizzy. Adjusting dosage or stopping use should help this symptom.
As with any supplement or medication use, you must be aware of possible drug interactions. Familiarize yourself with common medication interactions with CBD, and avoid using it if you’re already taking any of the listed medications.
Examples of medications that should not be taken with CBD are blood pressure medications, drugs used for epilepsy, and opioids.. That list is not comprehensive, but it gives you a good start at determining which medications may cause interactions.
If you’re currently taking other medications, even over-the-counter drugs and supplements, always consult with your doctor before using CBD.
This article represents a comprehensive list of what CBD is, how it can help you, potential side effects, safety, and more. Overall, CBD can be highly beneficial to many people suffering from a variety of ailments. It’s generally considered safe with minimal side effects, and it can help you too.
If the positive effects of taking CBD appeals to you, then your next step is to find a high-quality CBD product to try. To further answer the question “What is CBD?” and find quality products, check out Spruce’s high-quality CBD products and try them today!
CBD is not addictive and does not have the same psychoactive effects as THC. Though hemp is now legal because of the Farm Bill that the federal government passed, look into your state’s guidelines, as some states still have CBD listed as a controlled substance.
When extracted from industrial hemp, CBD is legal since hemp is now legal in the U.S. By law, hemp cannot contain more than 0.3% THC, or it’s illegal in many states.
When using high-quality CBD products, such as those from Spruce, you won’t have to worry about THC levels being above the legal limit. It’s essential to know your state’s laws since some states still have CBD products listed as controlled substances.
CBD can be safe when properly extracted and formulated in its pure form. That being said, the FDA doesn’t currently regulate the use of CBD, so take that into account when discussing the safety of using CBD. Since CBD isn’t regulated right now, it can be hard to be sure that the ingredients list matches the bottle’s contents.
To ensure you’re using a high-quality and safer product, it’s always wise to ask companies for a certificate of analysis (COA). A COA lets you know that a third party has been involved in testing and proving that what is on the label of the CBD container matches what’s inside. If a company cannot provide a COA for you, it’s safest to find a different company that can.
Trace amounts of THC will be found in full-spectrum CBD products since up to 0.3% of THC is allowed in hemp. It’s rare, but these trace amounts could trigger a positive marijuana test. If you’re potentially going to be drug tested at all, then you should not use any full-spectrum CBD products.
The ability to take CBD will be different on an individual case-by-case basis. If you’re already taking medications that cannot be taken with CBD, don’t take it. Additionally, the effects of CBD on babies when a mother is pregnant or breastfeeding are also unknown, so avoid taking CBD if pregnant or breastfeeding.
If you don’t fall into any of the above categories, then taking CBD could be an option for you. Before starting any supplement or new medication, consult your doctor about the appropriate use and dosage. As you take it, discuss any side effects you may experience with your doctor. With an all-clear, you can be well on your way to enjoying the many positive benefits of using CBD.