What is “CBD”?
CBD stands for cannabidiol – the second most common cannabinoid found in cannabis. THC is the other most common cannabinoid
What are the basic intended effects of CBD ?
CBD has shown to have the following effects: non psychotropic (does not cause a high), alerting in low to moderate doses, sedating in high doses, reduces pain, reduces muscle spasms, anti-inflammatory, stops nausea/vomiting, reduces anxiety/depression, counters psychotic thoughts, antioxidant, anticonvulsant, neuroprotectant, and anti-tumor
How does it work?
Cannabinoids generally work by binding to our body’s cannabinoid receptors (CB1 or CB2). Cannabinoids like CBD can work in other ways by targeting non cannabinoid receptors in the body.
What is the Entourage Effect?
The entourage effect is a the synergistic relationship of the naturally occurring compounds found in cannabis plants. The cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids found in cannabis have shown to work better when they are taken together as opposed to in isolation from each other.
Can I get CBD from juicing raw cannabis?
By juicing or otherwise ingesting raw, unheated cannabis, one consumes THC and the other cannabinoids in their acid form. A CBD-rich strain contains CBD-acid (CBDA), which, when heated, becomes CBD. Unheated CBDA and unheated THCA (THC-acid) both have medicinal attributes, but there has been comparatively little scientific research into cannabinoid acids and their true benefits to date.
Will I fail a drug test if I use CBD?
CBD IS psycho-active. Because the compounds impact neurological function, it also affects mood and chemical balance. CBD is NOT Psychotropic, like THC. Psychotropic implies a debilitating mind set or altered mental state in which judgement may or may not be impaired.
It is entirely possible the user may fail a drug test even if there is no experience in a mood-altering affect from the phyto-cannabinoid medicine. Drug tests are geared toward identifying THC, not CBD or any other cannabinoid. If one medicates with CBD-rich cannabis that has a small amount of THC, the THC may register on the drug test. It is dependent upon the user and the way he or she uniquely metabolizes the product.
Does CBD interact with other medications?
Yes. CBD inhibits the cytochrome P450 enzyme, which is involved in metabolizing many drugs. Compounds in grapefruit inhibit the same enzyme group, which is why physicians advice patients not to eat grapefruit shortly before or after taking a medication. By inhibiting cytochrome P450, CBD can either reduce or increase the effects of other drugs. In some situations, it may be advisable for a physician to monitor a patient’s blood levels of other medications while taking CBD.
Is it Legal?
Although the FDA has issued warning letters against some CBD hemp oil companies for making false claims about their products, thus far the federal government has not taken action to halt these illegal business operations. The situation is different in Europe, where CBD is not a controlled substance. While in the United States, the FDA rules CBD is not legal, the industry is viewed much like that of the vitamin supplement industry. The labels dispel claims made, and the disclaimer should state that the content of the product has not been approved by the FDA.
Can you overdose on CBD?
CBD has been shown to be safe to use in high doses. CBD will not cause a fatal overdose. However it is possible to take too much CBD. A consequence of taking too much CBD is the increased chance of negative side effects like lethargy or drowsiness.
When will I feel the effects?
The length of time it takes for CBD to take effect will depend on the route of administration. The fastest effect will be felt from smoking or vaporization (onset of effects in minutes). Topical administration of CBD will be felt quickly as well. The next fastest effect will be felt from a sublingual dosage (onset of effects in 15 – 60 minutes). The slowest effect (but the longest lasting) will be felt from oral ingestion (onset felt in 90 minutes).
Is CBD and Hemp Oil the same thing?
No. CBD oil is a medicinal product. CBD oil is a liquid concentrate of CBD. Hemp oil is a food product made from pressed hemp seeds. Hemp oil is a highly nutritious food product which contains no CBD
What is the endocannabinoid system?
The endocannabinoid system is the collection of cannabinoid receptors, endocannabinoids, and enzymes involved in the production and break down of endocannabinoids. Endocannabinoids are naturally occurring cannabinoids found within our body. The two most studied endocannabinoids are anandamide and 2-AG. The two most studies cannabinoid receptors are CB1 and CB2. CB1 receptors are located mostly in the brain and CB2 receptors are located mostly throughout the immune system.
CB1 receptors are located primarily in the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord). CB2 receptors are located primarily in the immune system.
The endocannabinoid system acts a homeostasis regulator in the body. Its purpose is to maintain balance.
Will CBD increase my anxiety symptoms?
Anxiety is a complex condition. For some users, CBD may cause them to experience anxiety or increase their existing anxiety. Usually this occurs with high volumes of THC, while CBD can counter the anxiety. For many users, CBD will act as a powerful anti-anxiety drug. CBD has been well studied as an anxiolytic and anti-psychotic drug. Anti-anxiety is one of the most common reasons people seek out and use CBD.
What is the best way to produce CBD-rich cannabis oil?
In truth the best oil comes from the male of the cannabis species, hemp. Producing high CBD’s or cannabidiols and low THC or delta-9, the hemp plant is the primary for the extraction of the medicine the world is now talking about.
There many methodologies in the process of extraction of oil from the plant, each has its pros and cons. While some methods are proven safer and more effective than others, the technology that now lies behind the science is ever expanding daily. Extracted phyto-cannabinoid rich oils extracted using neurotoxic solvents like butane and hexane may leave unsafe residues that interfere with immune function and can impede healing, if not processed properly. Supercritical CO2 extraction is non-toxic and produces a very pure, high quality oil, but requires staff with experience and expertise
Is a CBD-dominant cannabis strain with very little THC better medicine than a cannabis strain with a fifty-fifty CBD-THC mix or full spectrum in which there is a small amount of THC ?
A CBD-dominant strain or product with little THC is not necessarily a superior treatment option compared to a balanced phyto-cannabinoid-rich remedy that hold equal amounts of CBD and THC. A CBD-dominant extract or strain might be optimal for treating anxiety and seizure disorders, but patients with pain syndromes and neurodegenerative disorders may benefit from a substantial amount of THC. CBD and THC act synergistically to potentiate their respective therapeutic attributes. Different ratios of CBD and THC are more suitable for different conditions and different individuals.
How is CBD metabolized when consumed orally? Is it converted to another compound?
Because the compounds are active organisms, they can change structure at any time in the life cycle. Activated by heat the conversions are unique to the user. CBD is metabolized into an analogous compound, 7-hydroxy-CBD, by the liver. Some 6-OH-CBD may also be formed. But scientists know relatively little about the activity (or lack thereof) of these compounds. There is strong evidence that CBD will not convert to significant amounts THC in the stomach.
What do you mean when you say a product is “CBD-rich” or "CBD dominant?"
“CBD-rich,”; a strain or product that has equal amounts of CBD and THC, or more CBD than THC (usually at least 4 percent CBD by dry weight). By “CBD-dominant,” we mean strains or products that are CBD-rich but have very little THC content.
What are Terpenes?
Terpenes are essential oils found in plants. There are around 200 terpenes in cannabis. They are what give cannabis its distinct aroma and flavor. Terpenes have beneficial effects and work synergistically with cannabinoids like CBD and THC – this relationship is called the entourage effect.
What is ISOLATE?
CBD isolate or otherwise called “pure CBD” is the CBD molecule separated from the rest of the compounds it normally occurs with. CBD isolate usually appears as a crystalline white powder. CBD isolate can either be synthesized in a lab (synthetic CBD) or made from a CBD containing plant like marijuana or hemp
Is CBD addictive?
While nearly anything in the world can be addictive, no CBD is not known to be an addictive drug. In fact, CBD has shown strong potential to be a useful tool to help people break addictions to harmful substances.