WTF is CBD?
CBD.. It’s everywhere and in everything! Brownies, facials, creams, ointments, coffees, you get the point! But, what exactly is CBD, what’s in it, and why is it so popular?!
When I first heard of CBD, I was working in a gym in early 2017 and the owner allowed a CBD rep to sell some products at the store. I had never heard of it before, but from what I gathered, it was just hemp-scented lotions that claimed to reduce muscle soreness. I thought to myself, that’s lame, just another useless hoax on the market. I could not have been more wrong. Since then, CBD EXPLODED and I don’t think I’ve ever seen something take off so fast! Now, I’ve seen CBD in every form imaginable. I’ve seen it in everything from products that you eat and swallow (brownies, gummies, pure oil), to products you use topically, to CBD facials and dog treats!
Still, I wasn’t too sure what it was. I’ve always been a skeptical person to wellness fads. I must be honest, I’ve used a CBD sample in the past before bed and I had no idea how it was supposed to work! I definitely should have done research before I ingested something (I usually do but this time I didn’t). Nothing bad happened, but it wasn’t smart of me to ingest something that I had no idea what it was..
So, as of lately, I’ve been doing some research into what CBD is, the different types there are, with hopes of solving some of the common questions around CBD. And so, if you’re interested in trying it out for yourself, you can be educated into what you’re doing! So, if you’re interested in learning more about CBD, keep reading!
Disclaimer - I am not a medical professional and this post isn’t intended to cure, treat, or prevent any disease. All opinions stated are my own, and any resources used can be found at the bottom of this post!
The Endocannabinoid System
Our bodies have what’s called anCBD (Cannabidiol) What Is It?Cannabidiol (CBD)A Simple Guide to the Endocannabinoid SystemEvery Question You Have About CBD—AnsweredTypes of CBD, which is a complex cell-signaling system. Since its first identification in the early 1990s, researchers have found that the ECS plays multiple roles in our body, such as regulating our sleep, mood, chronic pain, inflammation, motor control, and appetite, among many other processes. The ECS exists, and is active, whether or not you use cannabis. Different cannabinoids (such as CBD, CBG, THC, etc.) bind to different receptors of the ECS in our body, perhaps relieving pain, improving sleep, or reducing anxiety. This is why CBD seems to help relieve a wide range of pain and/or symptoms.
What Is CBD?
CBD, which stands for cannabidiol, is a type of cannabinoid found in the cannabis (marijuana) plant, as well as the hemp plant. There are over 80 over chemicals in the cannabinoids family, including THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol). While THC is the psychoactive chemical (“getting high”) found in marijuana, some CBD products do not contain THC, and therefore, don’t cause the “high” feel that you get from marijuana/THC. Of those CBD products that do contain THC, there isn’t enough THC to cause the “high” feeling, although everyone is different and may feel the effects more than others.
Types of CBD
There are 3 types of CBD products out there: Full Spectrum, Broad Spectrum, and Isolates
Full Spectrum
This CBD product is derived from the whole hemp plant matter, including the stems, flowers, roots, etc. This leaves us with a product containing a full spectrum of cannabinoids (including, CBD, CBG, THC, etc.), as well as other phytochemicals (including chlorophyll), and terpenes. According to KC HEMP Co, the “resulting oil will have a strong ‘hemp-like’ taste and be dark in color”. This type of CBD product will also contain 0.3%, or less, of THC (the psychoactive cannabinoid). The benefits of a full spectrum product is the entourage effect that the different cannabinoids have on each other (meaning they work better when used together).
Broad Spectrum
A broad spectrum product is created the same way as the full spectrum, using the entire plant, however, after extraction, the THC compound is then separated and removed from the product. Therefore, this type of product still gives you a wide range of cannabinoids, not just CBD. Therefore, this type of product allows you to still get the benefits of the entourage effect, without the risk of THC being found in your system. Because there are no trace amounts of THC, Broad Spectrum seems to be growing in popularity, especially among people who can’t run the risk of having any THC found in their system (such as drivers, government employees, nurses, etc). If you fall into this category, it is highly recommended that you find a broad spectrum CBD product that has been third-party tested for no detectable traces of THC (since the FDA doesn’t regulate CBD, it’s possible to buy a product that isn’t as effective as advertised and/or contained small amounts of THC).
Isolate
An isolated CBD product is a single isolated compound (CBD) from the plant, meaning only the CBD is taken from the plant, not any of the leaves, roots, etc. This results in 99% pure CBD product.
Health Benefits of CBD
There are many claims to the health benefits of CBD. Common claims are a relief in back pain, osteoarthritis, improved sleep, less anxiety, but the only FDA-approved CBD medicinal product is Epidiolex, which is a treatment for certain types of epilepsy.
Should You Take It?
That's a question that should be discussed between you and your medical professional. If you chose to take CBD, it’s always best to begin with a small dosage and under supervision.
Buying CBD Products
Make sure you find a brand you trust, that has been third-party tested (& they show you the results!), includes an FDA disclaimer and warning section on the label, is the type you feel most comfortable taking, and will list what other ingredients are in the product (such as what carrier oil they’re using, any flavorings, dyes, etc.)
Dosing
When deciding how much CBD you should take, consider what type you’re taking, as a full/broad spectrum may be more effective in lesser dosages, compared to an isolate, due to the entourage effect. It’s recommended to start small (5-10 milligrams) and gradually use more (5 additional milligrams), if needed, until the desired effect is achieved. Also, consult your doctor or naturopathic practitioner.
Veronica’s Thoughts
Like I mentioned above, I’ve used CBD in the past, but I didn’t use it consistently, which may be why I didn’t notice an improvement in my sleep. I was also using an isolate product, which could be why. It’s hard to say. Some people can notice the effects right away, other’s need to build it up in their system first. Even though I didn’t notice a difference, I am not completely ruling it out. At this time, I don’t have any interest in trying another product, but that may change down the road. Just like my philosophy of nutrition and exercise, everyone is different and therefore, their response to CBD will be different. I know CBD is just another resource that may provide benefit to myself, or my clients, in the future.
Final Thoughts
Don’t rely on CBD to solve all your issues. Health is first improved through nutrition and exercise. Treat CBD like a supplement, use it when you need it. Take breaks from it when you don’t, give your own ECS a chance to work on its own!
If you found this post informative, please share with your friends. Still have questions on CBD, send then my way and I’ll do my best to answer them, or point you to a better resources!
As always, be our own advocate and do your research when wanting to try a new product!
Chat soon,
Veronica
Resources Used:
Photo by Hanf garten on Unsplash