What should you know about CBD? I get asked a lot about CBD; what it is, how it works, does it make you high and does it work? Hopefully this post can shed some light on the mysteries of CBD.
What is CBD?
CBD (cannabidiol) is one of the most trending supplements in the market its everywhere; in supplements, skincare and even food and drinks products. CBD is one of many cannabinoids found in cannabis, other known compounds include THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol), CBDA (Cannabidiolic Acid) and CBG (Cannabigerol). CBD is not a psychoactive compound like THC is. In certain cannabis species, the amount of THC is higher, and these are used for recreational purposes whereas other cannabis species produce higher levels of CBD and these are the plants used to make CBD supplements.
Endocannabinoid system and CBD receptors
The main role of the endocannabinoid system is to achieve homeostasis which means to maintain normal conditions within the body. It is involved in many different reactions which impact processes such as mood, memory, pain, appetite and immune responses. Cannabinoids act on the receptors of the endocannabinoid system in the body. There are also two types of cannabinoids; those which are produced in the body (endocannabinoids) and those which are produced in cannabis plants (Phyto-cannabinoids). Both types of cannabinoids act on the receptors of the endocannabinoid system in the body.
How CBD Is made?
There are different methods of producing CBD oil, majority of the products on the market use extraction, however there are other procedures such as cold pressing. In the extraction method a solvent is used to extract CBD from the cannabis plant. The type of solvent used for the extraction can affect the flavour of the supplement as well as the concentration of CBD extracted, colour and viscosity.There are many different types of extraction solvents which include:ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, butane and CO2. One of the most popular methods is super-critical CO2 extraction. The extraction is then dissolved in a carrier oil and there are a wide range of different products on the market which use a variety of different carrier oils.
Some examples include; hemp seed oil, MCT (medium chain triglycerides) oil and olive oil. The type of carrier oil used also impacts the product, for example in taste, absorption and stability. The type of carrier oil used really depends on the product and its applications as each carrier oil would have different benefits. For example, hemp seed oil is great in CBD skincare products as its low on the comedogenic scale which means it has a low ability to clog pores. Hemp seed oil is also high in omega 3 fatty acids which play an important part in the production and absorption of cannabinoids. On the other hand, MCT oil has a high content of saturated fat levels which can allow for better absorption and stability.
Uses of CBD
The specifics of how CBD impacts and effects the body is not yet very well understood but research has shown the compound to have benefits such as:
- Antioxidant activity
- Muscle relaxing
- Brain protection
- Pain relief
These are some of the cases where CBD has shown to be effective in treatment:
Epilepsy, Parkinson’s, anxiety, schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, pain, anxiety, depression, inflammatory diseases, Crohn’s disease and many more...However, even though there are clinical studies about the applications of the CBD, there is not enough to clinically support any claims.
What does Full spectrum mean?
Full spectrum CBD oil is usually recommended as it not only would contain CBD, but other cannabinoids and compounds found in the cannabis plant. Other compounds include CBDA and CBG which are still being researched for medical uses and benefits, but it is known that all the cannabinoids and compounds such as terpenes and flavonoids work synergistically and have shown to have a better affect when taken together compared to isolated CBD. Full spectrum supplements may contain trace amounts of THC as the extraction is completed on the whole plant, rather than isolating a single compound.
CBD and Omega-3
Omega 3 is also important for maintaining the endocannabinoid system, its receptors and even creating endocannabinoids. It is therefore important to supplement with omega 3’s which will ensure that the endocannabinoid system is functioning as it should be and works to enhance the effect of the CBD supplement. The use of omega-3 supplements can help relieve depression, inflammation, and pain, which are the same symptoms that can be relieved when taking CBD oil, which may be why they work well when taken together.
Dosing and usage
When looking at dosing, there still isn’t enough research to indicate on how much someone should take as everyone reacts differently depending on their body. There are so many factors which have an impact on how effectively CBD works in the body; for example; time of day, body size, gender, stress levels and omega 3 status which are just a few of many. Everyone is different, and it might take some time to see the effects. My advice would be to continue taking it consistently and to follow the instructions on the purchased product starting off at the lowest dose working up. Eventually some may find that they would need to start taking a higher concentration of CBD depending on their needs. One of the most effective ways to use CBD oil is under the tongue where there are many capillaries which allows efficient and quick absorption.
In summary, when looking for a CBD supplement:
1) Less is more- start off with low doses of CBD and build up, this has been shown to have a more therapeutic effect.
2) Go for a full spectrum supplement as mentioned before all the compounds in the plant work synergistically creating an “entourage” effect.
3) CBD is really a personalised supplement, finding your own balance and dose is key for seeing results.
4) Supplement with omega 3 which will help with the uptake of CBD.
This post was made for educational purposes and it is not advised to use CBD unless you seek advice from a practitioner or doctor particularly if you are taking prescribed medications. CBD should not be used in conjunction with other medication as there are many known and unknown drug interactions.
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