Perhaps you are wondering what there is to know about cannabidiol (CBD). Or maybe you don’t even know what CBD is. Well, we are here to help. What is there to know about CBD? There is a lot to learn about CBD still but, some people need some assistance with the basics. What is CBD? Why do people use CBD? Should I use CBD? These are all great questions and we have the answers and more information that should set you on the right track to begin your CBD journey. Let’s start at the beginning.
The basics
One of the most basic and important things to know about CBD is what it is. CBD is one of the 113 cannabinoids found in the Cannabis sativa plants. A cannabinoid is a chemical compound that makes up a huge part of these plants. The Cannabis sativa plant is found in nature and comes in a few different variations that you may be aware of. One of the variations is the plant that we use to make our products, the Hemp plant. The hemp plant is one of the variations of the Cannabis sativa plant that in 2018 was legalized federally. This means that every state can decide whether or not to legalize the use or growing of hemp. Another Cannabis sativa family member is the marijuana plant. This plant is a bit different as it contains high amounts of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and lower amounts of CBD. THC is a cannabinoid that you have likely heard of because of the reaction it gives. THC is what causes the ‘high’ feeling when people use it. Because of this feeling the marijuana plant is not federally legal but has been legalized in a handful of states. In those states they can use it for medicinal purposes or recreationally. CBD and the hemp plant cannot get users high as it contains at or lower than 0.3% of THC. If it isn’t inebriating, what does it do?
CBD: what does it do?
There are many things that CBD does and there are many things that still need to be researched when talking about CBD. But here are some researches and reason that people currently use CBD:
- Skincare: CBD topicals generally don’t make it to the bloodstream this doesn’t mean that they cannot assist in the health of your skin. In this study they concluded that those with and those without skin conditions had improved skin health after the use of CBD topicals. They used a few different tests to note before and after the use of a CBD topical. Their evidence was supported with photographic evidence.
- Promote a sense of calm: Giving a sense of calm in those who have feelings of anxiousness could be helpful to many. In this study, they used brain scanning to exam subjects who have SAD (social anxiety disorder). Those who were given CBD showed a decrease in their social anxiety disorder. Those who did not receive the CBD did not have any decrease and remained the same.
- FDA approved medications: There are quite a few FDA approved medications that contain CBD. Epidiolex is the most well-known. This medication assists those with two severe types of epilepsy, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome. There are also a handful of others that assist those going through anti-cancer treatments and the nausea it often causes. These are called Marinol (dronabinol), Syndros (dronabinol), and Cesamet (nabilone).
- Anti-inflammatory properties: CBD has been researched for the possibility of joint health benefits. In this study they looked at dogs who are older and have joint health issues. During this study, we asked pet owners to administer CBD to their dogs two times a day for four consecutive weeks. The owners were to take a weekly test to show if anything had improved. At the end of the four weeks pet owners described their dogs to be more mobile. Therefore, the CBD may have helped with their joint health.
- Antibacterial properties: There has been research coming to the front of the potential antibacterial properties of CBD. In this study they concluded that CBD had the capability to kill certain types of bacteria.
These are just a few different reasons that people have decided to use CBD. There is still a lot of research that has been done on CBD and what it can do, but this information is encouraging.
How do you use CBD?
This may seem like a silly question, but it’s not! There are a lot of ways to get CBD into your system. There are more and more CBD products that are out there. Here are some that we here at Nature Blend carry:
- Topicals: CBD topicals are a bit different than the others as they never reach the bloodstream. They, however, can reap benefits from the pores on the surface of the skin. These are best used frequently and in the same area. They come in lotions, salves, creams, and even hand sanitizer for antibacterial purposes.
- Tinctures: This type of CBD gets into the bloodstream quickly. When the dropper full of CBD is placed in the mouth it is absorbed into the bloodstream from there. A tincture is an oil like substance that is added to carrier oil. Some tinctures come flavored to mask the earthy hemp taste that some do not enjoy. Although tinctures give the CBD effects quite quickly, they have been described to last not as long as other products. These are similar to tablets in their bioavailability.
- Tablets: A tablet is placed in the mouth and dissolves there. It enters the bloodstream from the mouth as the tincture does. You can add or subtract amounts of CBD with a dropper, but tablets are made with the same mg every time making it easier to know how much you are getting.
- Softgels: A softgel is a capsule that is full of CBD. Once the capsule is swallowed it goes through the digestive tract and then lands in the stomach. Once there the CBD is absorbed as the capsule is broken down. The CBD is absorbed by the stomach and enters the bloodstream from there.