What is CBD?

You may have noticed a recent influx of CBD products lately, making it pretty clear CBD is the newest trend in the wellness niche. It’s in almost everything, from coffee to vegan baked goods to face creams or bath products. You can get it from dispensaries or drug stores, or even at your local corner store. It seems like everyone is trying some kind of CBD product to see if it has a health benefit. If you’re curious and are thinking about trying it, this article is for you.

Many people find CBD confusing, particularly if the whole concept is new to them and they don’t know where to start. There are a lot of factors to consider as well, like how to know whether a product is good quality, what the right way to use it is, and what you would use it for. 

What is CBD Exactly?

You may be wondering, what does CBD stand for? Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of 104 chemical compounds found in the Cannabid Sativa plant, or more commonly known as cannabis, which includes both the hemp and the marijuana plant. It’s a natural substance that’s extracted from the plant to be used in products like edibles and oils.

The CBD compound is quite similar to those that the human body already produces on its own. These compounds are called endocannabinoids, and they function in a variety of ways, including to help regulate stress, sleep, memory, immunity, inflammation, metabolism, digestion, and the release of hormones. There is some thought that CBD is similar enough to these naturally-occurring compounds in our bodies, thereby producing the same results. However, not enough information is known to make a definitive statement of the entourage effect, nor has there been sufficient research concluded to definitively say whether there are any specific benefits to CBD at this time. 

How Might it Work?

Until CBD was legalized federally in 2018, scientists and researchers had less access to get their hands on mass samples to test how CBD works, or find out if it even works at all. While they still are conducting clinical trials to get definitive answers on how CBD works, there are early results from animal studies that indicate a possible relationship between CBD and pain management in those animal subjects. We stress that further studies need to be further conducted in both animals and humans to make any conclusions regarding any potential benefits of CBD in this respect.

It is commonly believed (although this belief has not been endorsed by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) at this time, so we do not specifically endorse such claims as a company either) that CBD impacts the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which is made up of cannabinoid receptors found all over the human body, but primarily in the brain, central nervous system, and immune system. Naturally-occurring endocannabinoids help you sleep, eat, remember things, and aid with the healing process if you cut yourself. However, we lack the scientific data and research to claim that our/any CBD products for humans could have any of the same effects as naturally occurring endocannabinoids.

Enzymes end up destroying these endocannabinoids when they have completed their job. So, the unproven theory is that CBD can help fill in any gaps for those whose ECS doesn’t produce enough endocannabinoids naturally, or if the enzymes in their bodies destroy the cannabinoids before they get a chance to do their various jobs.

Recent studies have been conducted that look at the potential benefits of CBD. However, this research is still in its early days and has not been proven as of yet. In the public domain, there are stories and statements that speak of the “benefits” that a person might experience vary from person to person. Due to a lack of approval by the FDA and lack of sufficient research, we can neither claim nor endorse that products containing CBD can be used to treat or manage the following health conditions:

• Breast cancer
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Schizophrenia
  
• Severe forms of epilepsy
• Providing pain relief for chronic pain conditions, rheumatoid arthritis

However, regarding these claims above we reiterate that there is no definitive proof of their validity yet, and researchers are still studying CBD’s true effects before doctors can give 100% reliable medical advice on possible health benefits of CBD oil for CBD users, if any.

Again, it’s important to remember that currently health claims relating to CBD have not been FDA approved and existing studies are not conclusive. They do not offer any definitive information as of yet, and there is insufficient research for us to endorse any claims or make any statements as a company that CBD is effective against any of the above-listed health conditions.

Will CBD Get Me High?

In short, no, it will not get you high. CBD is not psychoactive like its cousin compound, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and therefore does not produce any psychoactive effects.

However, it’s worth noting that there are some other side-effects you may experience from CBD like dry mouth, drowsiness, dizziness, lower blood pressure.

Is CBD legal?

Today, the legality of cannabis and its derivatives, CBD and THC, varies from country to country. Some countries like Canada and Uruguay have completely legalized all forms of cannabis, while many forms of cannabis still remain illegal in most others. CBD that is extracted from hemp plants is the only type of CBD that is legal in most countries around the world, as opposed to CBD that is extracted from marijuana. This is mostly because marijuana growth and cultivation are not legal in these countries.

The use of CBD is mostly legal around the world, although because it is still sometimes confused with marijuana, there is some lingering stigma towards this product. From a legal perspective, CBD is legitimate and there is no threat of federal prosecution if you possess or use it in the United States—the hemp plant is legal under the 2018 Farm Bill as long as it contains less than 0.3% THC. While marijuana farmers selectively breed their plants so that they contain higher levels of THC than CBD, hemp farmers have genetically modified their hemp plants over time. CBD is the compound they want to extract, and they want to ensure that there are minuscule amounts of THC.

CBD can be found in Epidiolex, which has been approved by the FDA for one specific purpose. Epidiolex is a drug that is given to children as young as age 2 who have Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, which are rare forms of epilepsy. It is important to note that our products are not Epidiolex, nor are they intented to substitute for it. If you have any questions about using over-the-counter CBD in relation to any medical condition, the first and only person you should consult with is an expert licensed physician who can advise you whether this is at all advisable or useful.

How Do You Take CBD?

CBD comes in a number of different forms, including pure CBD oil, raw CBD oil, supplements, gel capsules, tinctures, edibles, and more. It’s difficult to say which product is the best because the potency can vary, and your own personal reaction can differ between them. The best bet is to find a reputable brand and try out their different products to see the effectiveness of CBD and which one works best for you.

When shopping for a reputable brand, you want to keep a few things in mind before you buy CBD. There are so many CBD brands now, and not all of them are of high quality.

• Check the label: What’s included on the label? If any product claims to be a dietary supplement for some use or purpose, it should have a section with an FDA disclaimer and warning. If it makes statements that do not have FDA approval, it’s likely making false claims.
• Check if it’s third-party tested: You should find CBD products that have been tested by a third-party to confirm that the products label is accurate and displaying all the right information. Because the CBD industry is so new, it’s not uncommon for companies to display misleading information on their packaging, like stating the amount of CBD in the product is higher than it actually is or that it has confirmed benefits. Be sure to check for a quality assurance stamp or logo on the product, or check the brand’s website for a guarantee.
• Check for a concentration amount: Another common oversight from brands is not including the CBD concentration amount for the product. Try to find a product that includes this information so you can safely take it as desired, and to make sure you’re getting your money’s worth. You should also check to see if the CBD is full-spectrum (includes other cannabinoids) or isolate (pure, 100% CBD). Each could have a different effect on blood tests you may take, for example.
• Check for definitive claims: If the brand is making any claims that their products are actual cures for any disease, including heart disease, Parkinsons disease, multiple sclerosis, and Huntington disease, or if they are promising at this time that their products can fix either an illness or a chronic condition affecting your quality of life, avoid them. While there may be many user claims surrounding the benefits of CBD, there is no definitive evidence that CBD can cure or treat these conditions, illnesses and diseases, as it is still being medically reviewed. This means they either don’t care about breaking the FDA rules or that they aren’t even aware of the rules. Either way, it’s a poor reflection of the company’s quality control and/or ethics.

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