What is CBD?
CBD has become a familiar acronym in the news and wellness circles, but what is it exactly?
CBD (cannabidiol) is one of 85 unique cannabinoids, chemical compounds in the hemp plant. Which leads to the question, “What is hemp?” Hemp includes all varieties of the cannabis plant that contain extremely low amounts of THC, the mind-altering cannabinoid found in marijuana. The most abundant cannabinoid in hemp, CBD has no intoxicating effects. It is an example of a phytocannabinoid, a plant-produced cannabinoid that can be consumed.
The human body also produces a type of cannabinoid, known as endocannabinoids, on its own. The endocannabinoids our bodies produce help support the endocannabinoid system, our central regulatory system, which helps maintain balanced conditions within many of our interdependent biological processes.
The endocannabinoid system is recognized for its role in regulating immune system functions, inflammatory response, blood sugar, body temperature, hormones, stress response, sleep, mood and emotions, metabolism and more. When our endocannabinoid system is deficient or compromised in some way, we can experience a variety of unpleasant physical and emotional symptoms that might prevent us from doing the things we love to do and enjoying life to its fullest.
CBD from hemp can help support our endocannabinoid system by imitating endocannabinoids to keep cannabinoid receptors working optimally.
How Is CBD Different from THC?
Because CBD and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) are the cannabinoids found most abundantly in cannabis plants, people get confused about the difference. Unlike THC, which causes psychoactive effects (a “high”), CBD does not because it doesn’t act on the same neurological pathways as THC. You cannot get high from CBD oil that has been extracted from industrial hemp because it has insignificant traces of THC (less than 0.3 percent).
How Does CBD Work?
Cannabinoids attach to CB1 receptors in the brain and CB2 receptors, sending signals to tell cells what to do. The effects that cannabinoids have depend on which receptors they bind to.
The feeling of euphoria from marijuana is caused by the cannabinoid THC binding with CB1 receptors, which are concentrated in the brain and the central nervous system.
CBD, on the other hand, does not bind well with CB1 and CB2 receptors. However, it has an impact indirectly by activating or interacting with other receptor systems including:
- Serotonin – Regulates hormones responsible for metabolism, reactions to stress, mood, cognition, and appetite
- TRPV1 (Vanilloid) Receptors – Contributes to body temperature regulation, inflammation, and pain perception
- GPR55 (Orphan) Receptors – Involved in modulating blood pressure, bone density, and bone density
- PPAR (Nuclear) Receptors – Linked to anticancer effects
CBD is also known to enhance the body’s levels of anandamide, a fatty acid neurotransmitter, known as the “bliss molecule,” that affects higher thought processes, mood, and motivation.
Researchers continue to explore CBD’s therapeutic properties and how it may help people that are dealing with physical and psychological issues such as stress, depression, anxiety, epilepsy, sleep problems, and more.
Is CBD Legal?
For decades, growing hemp was prohibited until the 2014 Farm Bill made state-based hemp research programs legal. The amount of hemp farm acreage has increased significantly since the bill was passed.
As a result, the CBD oil industry has exploded. CBD products manufactured from industrial hemp, provided they contain no more than 0.3 percent THC, are legal to sell, buy, and use—without a prescription—in all 50 states.
A Word to the Wise Before You Buy CBD Products
Although CBD is legal in the U.S., lack of industry regulation remains a challenge. Before buying CBD products, make sure you do your homework to ensure the manufacturer adheres to the highest standards of quality and purity.
Be an informed customer and think about more than just price when comparing CBD products. Consider our Three T’s of CBD:
- Transparency – Know who and how the products are produced. Any reputable company should be able to answer any questions that you may have.
- Traceability – All products should be clearly labeled with a batch number for ease of traceability of ingredients.
- Testing – Third Party Testing – Current lab reports must be available on the company’s website or upon request.
Other things to consider:
- Products produced in a current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) certified lab
- Mandatory local, state and federal licences for facility in place
- Food & Drug Administration (FDA) label guidelines strictly adhered to on all product labels
- CBD milligrams clearly noted on label (with Third Party lab results to verify)
- International Nomenclature Cosmetic Ingredient (INCI) names used on ingredient lists
- Knowledgeable team, including cannabis industry professionals (Compounding Pharmacists, Chemical Engineers, Healthcare Professionals, etc.)
- Concentration of the formulation (more is not always best)
CBD Uses
Types of People Who Use CBD
Is CBD right for you? While that’s a decision for you to make based on your own individual needs and preferences, we can tell you that many different types of people use CBD to improve the way they feel and perform.
- Athletes (from marathon runners to tennis players to wrestlers to martial artists to football players and others)
- People who work out regularly at the gym and weekend warriors
- Factory workers
- Construction workers
- Roofers
- Painters
- Movers
- Outdoor enthusiasts (hikers, kayakers, cyclists, etc.)
- Mail carriers
- Landscapers
- Adults with arthritis
- Dancers
- Mechanics
- Restaurant servers
- Brick, cement, and stone masons
- Road crews
- Machinists
- Fence and deck installers
- Fitness trainers
- Professionals in high-stress jobs
To make a long story short, CBD could benefit almost everyone who wants to lead an active life and encourage wellness.
Reasons People Use CBD
CBD’s therapeutic properties have been known to help people find relief from a broad range of ailments including*:
- Arthritis pain
- Muscle soreness
- Depression
- Joint pain
- Nerve pain
- Anxiety
- Insomnia and other sleep disturbances
- Epilepsy
- Inability to concentrate
- Inflammatory diseases
- Autoimmune disorders
- Ischemic diseases
- Mood disorders
- Poor appetite
CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties are even being studied as a way to prevent and slow the progression of Alzheimer’s Disease and dementia symptoms.
More and more scientific studies are being done about CBD’s effectiveness in helping people reduce symptoms that prevent them from feeling their best and doing everything they want to do at home, at work, and at play.
Available types of CBD products include:
- CBD Topicals – cream, oils, gels
- Sublingual CBD Oil – oil suspensions, tinctures
- Oral CBD – capsules, edibles
- CBD vape
- Dry flower
The ideal dosage of a CBD product will vary from one person to the next depending on the CBD concentration in the product, and the individual’s responsiveness to the product. Current recommendations are 1-6 milligrams of CBD per ten pounds of body weight.
Depending on what you’re intending to use CBD for, it may help to experiment with different types of products to find out which method of administration delivers the best results. Also, we recommend talking with your health provider first to find out if a CBD product might cause harmful reactions when interacting with any medicines or supplements that you use.
Considering all of these things will help you decide which products will be right for you. And if you have questions about a product, the manufacturer or seller should be happy to answer them.
At Hempfield Botanicals, we’re confident that you’ll love our THC-free and full spectrum, hemp-based CBD products that are certified cruelty-free, third-party tested, and 100% vegan.
Visit our online store today to learn more about their quality and effectiveness!
