If your friends and family have been raving about how much the best CBD oil has helped them and you want to give it a try, but aren’t quite sure, here are the most important things to know. Even if you live in a state where medical or recreational marijuana use is still illegal, chances are you’ll be able to find and use CBD products where you live.
1. It Won’t Get You High
CBD is shorthand for cannabidiol. It is one of the hundreds of active compounds found in the Cannabis sativa plant, which you likely know as marijuana. However, it doesn't produce the psychoactive effects that THC does yet it offers many of the same benefits. using CBD products, whether CBD oils, topicals, or edibles, lets you get the therapeutic benefits the marijuana plant offers without feeling high or stoned.
CBD is found in both hemp and marijuana plants. The difference between the plants is the amount of CBD and THC in each. Though there are multiple differences between CBD and THC, the CBD oil that comes from Industrial Hemp has .3% or less THC in it which isn't enough to give you the stoned feeling. Marijuana-based CBD oil doesn't have that restriction in can contain more which may lead to unwanted symptoms. This is why most of the CBD products are hemp-based.
2. Your Body Has an Endocannabinoid System
All of us have an endocannabinoid system (ECS) with receptors for CBD. The ECS plays a role in several bodily functions, from appetite to sleep, pain response, mood, metabolism, and immune system response.
The body produces its own endocannabinoids, or neurotransmitters, that bind to cannabinoids in the nervous system. These neurotransmitters tell cells what to do and can also influence how cells react to other neurotransmitters, such as serotonin.
3. It’s Available in Many Forms
You can find CBD in a variety of forms. Each has its benefit and maybe more useful to you depending on the condition you are aiming to treat and your lifestyle. Options include oils and tinctures, CBD topicals, CBD pills, and CBD edibles.
CBD Oils and Tinctures
CBD oil is extracted directly from hemp plants and because of this, it tends to have the highest level of CBD - making it the most expensive CBD option. You can add it to food, drinks, or consume it by placing a few drops under your tongue. A little goes a long way, and the sublingual method allows it to enter your bloodstream quickly.
If you want to vape the product, make sure you purchase a CBD vaping oil, rather than a regular CBD oil, as there are differences between the two. Do not vape any oil that isn’t explicitly labeled for this purpose.
Pictures are taken the same way as pure CBD oil. The difference is that tinctures have been mixed with flavored oils or alcohols to serve as carrying agents. The tinctures are quick to absorb in the bloodstream when they are taken sublingually. The flavors often make them taste better and offer an affordable option for people who are just getting started with using CBD.
CBD Topicals
CBD topicals are lotions, creams, and salves that are applied directly to the skin. They are available in a variety of strengths and scents. These products are often used for arthritis pain as they can be applied directly to the area of the body that hurts, such as the knees or back.
CBD Pills
CBD pills are capsules with powder inside. They don’t have any taste and are digested in the stomach to enter the bloodstream. The effects with this method are longer-lasting than with most other methods, but it does take a bit longer for the effects to kick in.
CBD Edibles
CBD edibles include things like Penguin CBD gummies, protein bars, dried fruit, and more. Edibles, like pills, are absorbed through the stomach and digestion so they take a bit longer to take effect, but the effects are long-lasting. The edibles are the ideal choice for people who don’t like the taste of oils and tinctures or want something that’s easy to take on the go.
4. It Helps Treat a Number of Conditions
Because of the ECS and how CBD affects the brain, CBD has been shown to help treat arthritis pain, anxiety, and depression, addiction, seizure disorders, multiple sclerosis, and more. While many of the studies are animal-based, the results warrant further studies with human subjects.
5. Not All Products Are Created Equally
You can find raw CBD oil and CBD concentrate. When the hemp plant’s essential oils are first extracted, it is considered raw CBD oil or hemp extract. The fresh extract can then be put through a series of filtration and distillation processes to remove unwanted compounds including wax and chlorophyll. This produces various classes of oils that have differing CBD content and Purity levels. The refined oils are known as CBD concentrate or CBD distillate.
When shopping, you may also see terms like full-spectrum CBD hemp oil, broad-spectrum CBD oil, and CBD isolate. While they each have their purpose, it’s important to know the difference so you understand what you’re getting, and whether the price you pay is giving you real value.
You've likely heard of CBD and THC, but those are not the only cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. A full-spectrum CBD oil contains all of the cannabinoids, nutrients, terpenes, and vitamins together to create a balanced option. It, however, contains THC and as such, may not be available in all areas, and is not an option for people who don’t want THC in their products.
Broad-spectrum CBD oil is very similar to full-spectrum oil. Broad-spectrum contains concentrations of the beneficial cannabinoids and terpenes but has all Trace Amounts of THC removed. This is the best choice for people who do not want THC in their CBD products.
CBD isolate offers the purest form of CBD available. It is either a crystal or a powder that could be used to make a tincture or as an ingredient in food.
Since the additional cannabinoids, terpenes, and other compounds in full-spectrum CBD offer beneficial properties of their own, many people prefer this approach. All of the elements working together is believed to produce a better and stronger result than using isolated components individually.
If you see the terms CBD-rich oil, know that it is a CBD oil that has gone through some kind of distillation and filtration to remove any unwanted compounds. As a result, the final product has a higher concentration of CBD compared to the raw extract.
6. Start Small and Gradually Increase the Dose and Intake
Because everyone’s endocannabinoid system is different, they will respond differently to CBD oil and other CBD products. It’s much the same way we have different metabolisms, and how some of us are gluten intolerant or lactose intolerant.
That’s why it’s important to start with a small dose and stick with the product you’re using for a few weeks before switching to a different form. Talk with your doctor to be sure CBD will not interact with any other supplements or prescription medications you may be taking.