Every Question You Have About CBD — Answered

You may have heard about people using CBD to potentially relieve issues such as pain or anxiety. There is no question that CBD is the hot product that everyone is turning to at the moment. You might feel that everyone has started using CBD at once. You can find CBD facials at spas, CBD lattes at coffee shops, and even beauty products with the hemp product in it. Everyone from people with arthritis to anxious friends wants to try CBD gummies.  Although you can find it nearly everywhere, many people still think that CBD can be confusing, particularly when they need to figure out how to use it and ensure they are getting the right products. Knowing more about CBD will help you make the right purchasing and usage choices. 

About CBD 

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a component that you can find in the cannabis plant, which is also called hemp or marijuana. This substance occurs naturally, and it can be used in edibles and oils. Some people believe that it can make them feel calm and relaxed. Unlike with THC, or delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, it will not make you feel high.  THC and CBD are the two most common cannabinoids in the plant. CBD will not make you feel sedated or altered, and it will not give you a feeling of euphoria. However, there are a couple of interesting exceptions.  Some people can react differently to CBD. Around 5 percent of CBD users say that they feel different after using it. These are often the same people who have side effects from over-the-counter pain relievers. Your body can react differently to various substances, which means that you want to use CBD under the supervision of your doctor for safety. You should also purchase CBD that has been tested by a third party to ensure that it is a quality product. Some companies may try to save money by selling products that do not have as much CBD in them as they say. You might even get products that have more THC in them than you wanted. 

How Hemp Factors in

You might have heard about marijuana, hemp, and cannabis all used to refer to where CBD comes from. There are two main species of the plant, which include marijuana and hemp. Each one contains CBD, but there is more CBD in the hemp plant. Hemp also has lower levels of THC compared to the marijuana plant.  When you hear the term “hemp oil,” it means oil that comes from the hemp seeds. There is no THC or CBD in hemp oil. Instead, it has fats in it that your body needs. It is often in beauty products, such as lotions, since it can moisturize the skin.

Why Do People Use CBD?

Many people believe that CBD may be beneficial for health issues, such as osteoarthritis, cancer, and back pain. For people with chronic health conditions, medical marijuana may be prescribed to try to alleviate the symptoms. Although cannabis is legal in Canada, a medical marijuana card allows patients to potentially access more options.  Some people who have Dravet syndrome or Lennox-Gastaut syndrome use a medication derived from cannabis that is designed to prevent seizures. Although it may work for some people, more research is needed on the potential advantages of using CBD. 

Is It Worth Trying?

There are two kinds of pain that people might experience, which are nerve and musculoskeletal pain. CBD may help some people with each of these. However, some research has suggested that CBD might be the most helpful for pain when it is used with some THC. Depending on the kind of pain that you have, you might be able to see advantages from using only CBD. However, some people who experience chronic pain choose to use both, although not enough THC to be high.  Determining the right dosage can be tricky at times. For example, a certain dosage might work for one person, but for someone else, it might not do much at all. The best way to determine if it is worthwhile to try CBD is to consult with your doctor. They also can determine if it is safe for you since it can interact with certain medications. 

Can CBD Help with Anxiety?

Some people who have anxiety believe that using CBD can make them feel calmer and more relaxed. When you take CBD, it will tell your body to become calmer and tell you that you are safe. It may help mellow your nervous system so that you do not feel like you need to fight or flight.  However, many people still believe that CBD is considered a miracle cure-all for anxiety. Many times, people believe that they only need to take CBD to see results. However, you should get lots of exercise and eat properly since CBD is not a substitute for living a health-conscious lifestyle. 

Which Is the Best Option for Using CBD?

You can take CBD using vape pens, lotions, tinctures, and more, and the right option for you will depend on why you are using CBD. For example, if you do not want to ingest anything, you might prefer to use a topical ointment or CBD cream. You can put it on your skin in the area where you are experiencing joint, ligament, or muscle pain to try to feel localized effects.  However, the largest differences between edibles, vape pens, and tinctures are how long they can last and the delivery speed. For example, using a CBD vape can quickly affect you, but it may also wear off quickly. If you get up in the morning and have severe back pain, you may want to use a vape pen and get your results in around 10 minutes.  An edible or tincture takes longer to affect you, but it can last for four to five hours. A tincture is a liquid that will go under your tongue. It can help you see potential relief in around half an hour. If you like eating, you might want to try an edible, such as a baked good, gummy, or a capsule. Some people like to use gummies for longer-lasting effects, and they then use inhalation methods when they want to feel instant effects. 

How Do You Measure Out the Right Dose?

It can be confusing to determine how much CBD to take. Many brands to not clearly communicate with the consumer on how to measure out enough of the product. Consider whether you have isolate or full-spectrum CBD. With full-spectrum CBD, you might have other cannabinoids in it, such as cannabigerol or cannabidivarin. It is a good idea for many people to choose full-spectrum CBD because of the entourage effect.  On the other hand, CBD isolate does not have any other cannabinoids or terpenes in it. If you have to undergo drug testing that may look for THC, you might be better off going with 100 percent CBD. However, sometimes with CBD isolate, you have to take more to see the same effect that you would with full-spectrum CBD. 

What Is the Entourage Effect?

THC and CBD can work together along with the other cannabinoids and terpenes in the plant to create what is known as the entourage effect. It is believed that compounds in the marijuana plant, even the lesser-known ones, together can create a stronger effect than if you were to take one or two of them alone.  When using THC, some people feel hungry, anxious, and even sedative effects. However, by using CBD, you may be able to mitigate the side effects. The phytochemicals, such as flavonoids and terpenes, might be advantageous to the health of your brain. They might offer anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties. They also might improve the potential of CBD and help it affect you better. 

How Do You Choose the Right CBD?

At this point, there are hundreds of CBD brands to choose from. Make sure that the company you are purchasing your CBD from does not claim that the product can cure diseases. The company is not allowed to do this, and if it does, this means it is willing to break rules, so the product may not be of high quality. It also might not even be aware of the rules, which is another red flag.  Look at the batch number of the product. If there is a recall of lettuce or chicken, you know that you need to check the batch number, so you can see that it will not make you sick. You also have to be able to do that with CBD. If there is no batch number, then the company might not be following good manufacturing practices. You should be able to identify your CBD in case the company needs to recall it after improper practices.  Look at the label. It should have a warning section and disclaimer in the back if it is for a dietary supplement. Having third-party testing is important to confirm that the label is accurate. One study from 2017 looked at 84 CBD products, finding that around 26 percent of them had a lower dose of CBD than the bottle said.  Look for a certificate of analysis or quality assurance stamp from a third party. You can also look at the website of the retailer if the label does not have a COA or quality assurance stamp. That way, you can know that you are getting an accurately measured product and that you can have a good dose.

Can CBD Show Up on a Drug Test?

It is important to purchase CBD that has been tested by a third party and has no THC added to it. That way, you will know for sure what you are ingesting. However, if you are an athlete, you might have to take drug tests that look for more things and can be more likely to find even trace amounts of cannabis.  That means that you may want to look for CBD isolate. Whether you have to undergo routine drug testing, you will want to make sure that you read over the ingredient label carefully. If you are unfamiliar with any of the ingredients, take the time to do your research before purchasing the product. 

How Is CBD Made?

The best method of extracting CBD isolate is CO2 extraction. It will exist as a white or clear crystal. This method is preferred since it does not leave any traces of chemicals in the resulting product.  Other companies choose to use alcohol extraction. A liquid, such as butane, hexane, or ethanol, is moved through the raw plant material to extract the CBD. Then, the liquid is evaporated and leaves only the cannabinoid at the end. However, this can be dangerous since it might leave some traces of the chemicals in the product.  You can also extract CBD from the plant yourself at home by using vegetable oil. Choose an oil, such as grapeseed, olive, or canola oil. Next, grind up the plant material and decarboxylate, or heat, it to activate the CBD. Then, you can place it in the warm oil at around 100 degrees Celsius for about two hours. The oil can then be used for cooking or in beauty products, such as lotions, salves, or even lip balms.

Can CBD Be Given to Pets?

If your pet is showing signs of pain or anxiety, you might want to give them one of the CBD pet treats. Usually, these products are considered to be safe, and some pet owners believe that they can be beneficial. However, you will want to look at the available research before getting CBD treats. While there may be good products out there, you also will want to consult with your vet first. 

Closing Thoughts

The best way to determine how to use CBD is to consult with your doctor. While more research is still needed on the potential advantages of it, it seems as though CBD is relatively safe for most individuals.