There is a lot of buzz around CBD and the hemp industry lately. You may have seen CBD products being offered at niche health food stores or small herbal pharmacies in the past. You may have also noticed an explosion in who carries CBD and it’s being offered almost everywhere! From the gas station to the local neighborhood grocers CBD is all the rage and the newest health supplement that is breaking records daily. In fact, it is quite possible that you know someone who is currently using CBD to help with a myriad of conditions from anxiety to pain and everything in between. Maybe you have begun to ask yourself what is CBD? Do not fret, we are here to help you sort this out and help you to make an informed decision on if CBD is right for you.
What Is CBD? Has Become A Question Asked Frequently!
New to CBD and Hemp?
What is CBD and furthermore what is hemp? Won’t that get me high? Hemp, also sometimes called industrial hemp, is a strain of the Cannabis Sativa plant that does not have or has very low levels of tetrahydrocannabinol, also known as THC. THC is the cannabinoid that has a psychoactive effect and is what “gets you high.” Cannabidiol, better known as CBD, is also a cannabinoid but lacks the property of altering the user’s mind. CBD in recent years has been reported to reduce the effects of anxiety and depression, help to reduce inflammation, promote a healthy sleep schedule and even to reduce the chances of someone with epilepsy from having a seizure. Not all users report the same level of results when using CBD products.
There are many reported benefits to CBD and many more people every day find ways that it can help them in their day to day life.
Some CBD FAQS We Will Answer For You Today!
- What is Hemp?
- Does CBD Get You High?
- What Are People Reportedly Using CBD For?
- What Is The Endocannabinoid System?
- How Can I Take CBD?
The Endocannabinoid System and the Benefits of CBD
The Endocannabinoid System (ECS) was discovered in the 1990s, while scientists were analyzing the effects of THC. Whether or not you use marijuana the ECS is present within the body. It gets extremely complicated and experts are unsure of exactly what the ECS controls and effects, but it has been linked to many processes such as appetite, digestion, chronic pain, mood, sleep, stress, inflammation, motor control, metabolism, memory, cardiovascular system function, muscle formation, liver function, reproductive system function nerve function, skin, bone remodeling, and growth. It is believed the primary function of it is to help to control homeostasis in the body by fine-tuning all of those processes combined. Endocannabinoids are molecules similar to cannabinoids but are made by your body.
There are two main types of endocannabinoid receptors in the body, some are found in the central nervous system and others in the peripheral nervous system. Endocannabinoids then bind to these receptors, depending on the body’s needs, reduce inflammation or to reduce stress. Studies have shown that CBD either bonds to these receptors or prevents other endocannabinoids from breaking down allowing them to be more effective. The use of CBD has been reported particularly effective for a wide range of conditions and everyday people feel the benefits of this supplement with almost zero side effects, especially when compared with other prescription or over the counter medicines for the same ailments. CBD is reported to be an all-natural, safe, and effective way of harvesting the medical benefits of the Cannabis plant without the intoxicating effect of THC.
How to take CBD
There are a variety of products that supplier will offer such as distillate in two forms (t-free distillate, no THC at all & full-spectrum distillate, < 0.3% THC) and cbd isolate (99.5% pure CBD, no THC), they should have things like smokable CBD flower in different strains. Find someone that also carries gummies, salves, and lotions.
Although available in many different forms there is no absolute go to dosage, it can vary for different people and depends heavily on the form. If you need a starting place our CBD Dosage Calculator can help! The best practice is to start at a low dosage such as 5 mg or 10 mg a day and gauge how you feel from that in a safe controlled environment. You can always take more, but you cannot take less and CBD can make some people feel drowsy or even upset their stomach so it is best to start small. Furthermore, it is a good idea to take it towards the end of the day, possibly after work or even right before bed. That way you can relax and enjoy the great quality of sleep that CBD users often report. For something such as a lotion or salve, you can go ahead and use it as you would any other lotion or salve.
For the smokable flower, it is often best to smoke a little at a time until you can accurately gauge how it will affect you. Some people do not report any results until 5 to 10 days after starting use. This is especially true in non-cannabis users as CBD has been shown to be more effective with users who already consume cannabis on a regular basis. The speculation is that there ECS is more active and willing to accept the cannabinoids and that for non-users the ECS needs to adapt to the new levels of cannabinoids in the system. Start in small doses, give it a few days to weeks and just pay attention to your body and how you feel. Once you start feeling the benefits you can fine-tune how much is a good dose for the day.
We have often found that 10 to 20 mg, once or twice a day is often the perfect dose for most days. If especially stressful or in pain a higher dose can help combat that. Taking CBD can be different for everyone and the users have a wide range of experiences for an even wider range of ailments. If unsure, ask a friend who may be experienced with taking it or do not hesitate to send us an email and ask for our advice. We are always willing to help and look forward to answering your questions and concerns.
