What is CBD - Cannabidiol
What's the job of the Endocannabinoid System?
The Endocannabinoid System: A quick overview
Your body is equipped with a marvelous communications system whose chief function is to foster an atmosphere of homeostasis, that state when the internal climate from skin to core is in perfect balance, regardless of what's going on outside the protective shell of skin. A body in homeostasis has no place for disease. This communications system is your Endocannabinoid System (ECS). Endo, a prefix from Greek ἔνδον endon meaning "within, inner, absorbing, or containing", cannabanoid for the plant that led to the discovery of this system that reaches every part of your body, the brain, organs, connective tissues, glands, and immune cells. You'll find endocannabinoids and their receptors everywhere you look. The ECS is a bridge between mind and body, an insightful thought that explains why a reduced stress level and positive mindset can influence healing and health maintenance.
It's believed that cannabanoid receptors, found in the cell membranes, are the predominant cell receptors in the body. Their stimulation causes a variety of physiological changes. The sheer number of cannabanoid receptors throughout the body points to the importance of the ECS. We're still in the infancy stage of understanding the ECS, hobbled almost planet wide by an antiquated and frustrating climate of prohibition that drastically restricts research, but there are some important things we've learned.
Two types of cannabinoid receptors have been identified:
* CB1 receptors are mostly found in the nervous system, connective tissues, gonads, glands and organs.
* CB2 receptors are mostly found in the immune system, which includes the lymph nodes, spleen, bone marrow, lymphocytes, thymus and leukocytes.
Many cells have both types of receptors, charged with different responses. There's scientific speculation of a third receptor and in time there may be others found.
* Endocannabinoids are created by your own body to stimulate these abundant receptors. The two best known molecules are anandamide and 2-arachidonoyglycerol (2-AG). The body synthesizes them on demand right where the need arises. They have a short half-life before specialized enzymes begin to degrade them.
* Phytocannabinoids are plant-produced cannabanoids that mirror the action of the body's own cannabanoids. Herein lies the magic of Concentrated Cannabis Oil (CCO). You have the potential to dramatically increase the presence of cannabanoids when your body can't produce enough due to stress or disease. The phytocannabinoids most of us are familiar with are Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabinol (CBN). More cannabanoids are being discovered in cannabis all the time, and they work synergistically, meaning they team up to create better health with less side effects than if you used them individually.
This was a simplistic explanation of the ECS. There are increasing resources available for further investigation, if you're so inclined. Simply Google Endocannabinoid System and begin your in-depth study. Numerous YouTube videos exist to explain this important system working overtime to keep you healthy. Seek them out at your leisure.
FULL SPECTRUM INDUSTRIAL HEMP VS CANNABIS ISOLATE
AS THE TERM SUGGESTS, FULL SPECTRUM CBD COMES WITH ALL THE OF THE CANNABINOIDS PRESENT IN THE PLANT. IN HEMP OIL, THIS INCLUDES A LONG LIST OF CANNABIS COMPOUNDS, SUCH AS CANNABINOL (CBN), CANNABICYCLOL (CBL), TETRAHYDROCANNABIVARIN (THCV) AND CANNABICHROMEVARINIC ACID (CBCVA). IT IS CRUCIAL TO POINT OUT THAT SMALL AMOUNTS OF THC CAN ALSO BE FOUND IN HEMP. THE GOVERNMENT REGULATES CONCENTRATION LEVELS AT 0.3 PERCENT (DRY WEIGHT) FOR “INDUSTRIAL HEMP” PRODUCTS, RESULTING IN VERY LIMITED CEREBRAL STIMULATION.
WHEN CBD IS IN ISOLATE FORM, IT IS SEPARATED FROM OTHER CANNABIS COMPOUNDS IN THE SOURCE PLANT. IT WAS PREVIOUSLY BELIEVED THAT CBD ISOLATES WERE MORE POTENT AND CONCENTRATED THAN FULL SPECTRUM CBD. THIS ASSERTION WAS EVENTUALLY DEBUNKED BY A STUDY FROM THE LAUTENBERG CENTER FOR GENERAL TUMOR IMMUNOLOGY IN JERUSALEM. IN THE 2015 STUDY, RESEARCHERS WERE ABLE TO PROVE THAT FULL SPECTRUM CBD IS CAPABLE OF OFFERING GREATER LEVELS OF RELIEF, AS HIGHER DOSES WERE ADMINISTERED TO MICE. BY COMPARISON, THE GROUP THAT WAS GIVEN CBD ISOLATE DID NOT EXPERIENCE THE SAME LEVEL OF RELIEF AT HIGHER DOSES.
TO BETTER UNDERSTAND HOW THESE TWO CBD FORMULAS DIFFER, IMAGINE BEING PRESENTED WITH TWO TYPES OF SPAGHETTI SAUCE. IN THE FIRST BOWL, YOU’LL FIND A SIMPLE SPAGHETTI SAUCE MADE OUT OF PURE TOMATOES (CBD ISOLATE). IN THE SECOND BOWL, YOU CAN FIND A MORE COMPLEX SPAGHETTI SAUCE, CONTAINING ROASTED GARLIC AND FRAGRANT ITALIAN HERBS (FULL SPECTRUM CBD). IT’S CLEAR THAT BOTH BOWLS ARE HOLDING SPAGHETTI SAUCE – BUT THE SECOND RECIPE IS MORE FLAVORFUL AND INTERACTS WITH ONE’S TASTE BUDS DIFFERENTLY (ALSO KNOWN AS THE “ENTOURAGE EFFECT”).
CBD vs. THC and the Rest: Making Sense of the Options
CBD is rapidly gaining popularity on an international scale, but there is still plenty of confusion about what CBD is and how it compares to other cannabinoids. Here is a quick overview of how CBD differs from some of these other substances.
CBD vs. THC
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is, alongside cannabidiol (CBD), one of the two main substances found in the marijuana plant. While both CBD and THC are cannabinoids, there are many key differences.
First and foremost is the fact that THC, unlike CBD, is psychoactive. This means it can get you high, which makes it obviously more appealing to recreational users. CBD’s non-psychoactive properties, meanwhile, make it particularly appealing in the world of medicine, as doctors want to limit the amount of side effects a patient will experience as much as possible.
THC in high doses can cause anxiety or paranoia, while CBD actually has the opposite effect, being used in many cases as a means of relieving people of their anxiety.
Many people use marijuana as a sleep aid, because THC has many sleep-inducing effects. However, CBD by itself actually works to promote alertness and provide the body with more natural energy, which is another reason why it is so appealing in the natural products sphere.
CBD Oil vs. Hemp Oil
CBD oil also differs from hemp oil in that CBD oil comes from the aerial parts of the cannabis plant (whether it’s hemp or marijuana), whereas hemp oil typically refers to the oil pressed from the seed. Hemp oil does not contain any cannabinoids, but is a rich source of linoleic acid (Omega 6). Hemp is often mistaken for marijuana, but it has much lower levels of THC (the legal definition of hemp is any part of the plant must fall below 0.3% THC). It is important to understanding the difference between these when seeking alternative therapies.
Why Choose CBD?
CBD has gained more and more traction in the medical marijuana industry because of its positive medicinal benefits without the psychoactive effects normally associated with marijuana. CBD can be beneficial for a variety of different medical conditions, but it is particularly praised for its anti-inflammatory qualities and its ability to relieve pain, muscle spasms, and anxiety. CBD is found in most strains of cannabis, but an increasing number of strains are now bred so that CBD is the primary cannabinoid found within the plant, rather than THC, which is of course psychoactive.
Cannabis or Hemp
CBD can be sourced from cannabis marijuana or hemp, and there are many differences between the two. Hemp is naturally low in THC and high in CBD. Hemp-based CBD oil is legally sold across the country and more accessible, though it tends to contain far less CBD than oil derived from cannabis, which is referred to as marijuana. CBD oil made from cannabis also contains the added benefits of higher levels of complementary cannabinoids, which are believed to lend added benefits. Often this is referred to as the entourage effect, and many people claim that without the additional cannabinoids, CBD is far less effective medicinally.
CBD Oil
CBD oil can be extracted from the whole plant of a CBD heavy strain of marijuana using a variety of solvents. It is important to look for an oil that is not extracted using neurotoxic materials, such as butane, which may leave dangerous residues in the final product. One of the best methods for CBD oil extraction is through the use of CO2, which uses low temperatures and high pressures to create a potent and pure oil. Ethanol and Coconut oil are also commonly used in the extraction process, depending on what the intended use for the oil is. CBD oil can be taken directly or it can be put into capsules to be taken like regular pills.
CBD oil can also be mixed into different foods. The oil can be mixed into food items like smoothies, or it can be baked into edibles. Pre-made CBD edibles available in dispensaries are commonly made with CBD oil that has been distilled using edible oils, like coconut or olive oil. CBD oil, whether in the form of an edible or in its pure state, can be a great option for people who desire to have a discreet administration method for their medical cannabis.
CBD Tinctures
Tinctures are alcohol,vegetable glycerin or MCT oil based cannabis extracts that tend to be less concentrated than oil. Tinctures are normally found in dropper bottles and come in many different concentrations of CBD to THC. Tinctures can be easily made at home or purchased, depending on what is most convenient for the patient. A tincture can be taken through a dropper directly into the mouth or mixed into food or drink. Much like oil, tinctures can be a very discreet method of administration for cannabis, making it a good option for patients who need doses throughout the day when they may be in a more public setting than their homes.
CBD Topical Products
Topical products come in a variety of different forms, from salves to creams, that can be applied directly to the skin. CBD topicals can provide anti-inflammatory and pain relieving properties. Topical products are non-physcoactive, no matter their concentration of THC or CBD. CBD topicals can aid in reducing inflammation, which can particularly help people who suffer from conditions such as arthritic joint pain or muscle aches.
CBD Oil vs. MCT Oil
Medium chain triglycerides (MCTs) are a type of fatty acid that comes in medium-length chains. MCT oil is used for a wide variety of purposes, from weight management to better brain function. A common source of MCTs is coconut or palm kernel oil, as approximately two thirds of the fatty acids in it are MCTs.
MCT oil is a food-grade oil that acts as a great carrier for CBD or other cannabinoids as it can play a synergistic role with energy and brain function.
CBD—is a hemp/cannabis compound that has significant medical benefits, but does not make people feel “stoned” and can actually counteract the psychoactivity of THC. The fact that CBD-rich cannabis is non-psychoactive or less psychoactive than THC-dominant strains makes it an appealing option for patients looking for relief from inflammation, pain, anxiety, psychosis, seizures, spasms, and other conditions without disconcerting feelings of lethargy or dysphoria.
Scientific and clinical research—much of it sponsored by the US government—underscores CBD’s potential as a treatment for a wide range of conditions, including arthritis, diabetes, alcoholism, MS, chronic pain, schizophrenia, PTSD, depression, antibiotic-resistant infections, epilepsy, and other neurological disorders. CBD has demonstrable neuroprotective and neurogenic effects, and its anti-cancer properties are currently being investigated at several academic research centers in the United States and elsewhere.
Project CBD responds to inquiries from all over the world. Almost everyone wants to know where to get CBD-rich products and how to use them for maximum benefit. After decades in which only high-THC cannabis was available in North America and beyond, CBD-rich strains and products are now available to medical users.
“CBD-rich” versus “CBD dominant:” By “CBD-rich,” we mean a cannabis strain or product that has equal amounts of CBD and THC, or more CBD than THC (usually at least 4 percent CBD by dry weight.). By “CBD-dominant,” we mean strains or products that are CBD-rich but have very little THC content.
CBD Vaporizing
You can vaporize high CBD cannabis oils through typical vaporizer pens. Vaporizing allows for the effects of the medication to be felt quickly, without the adverse effects that can come with smoking. There are also high CBD disposable vape pens available. Evoxe CBD oil disposable pens are a good option for convenient, on-the-go vaporizing. The Evoxe pens last between 150-200 puffs, which lasts between 3 days to 2 weeks, depending on the frequency of use. These disposable pens are particularly useful for people who do not want to invest in a reusable vaporizer or want to try out the effects of vaporizing on their condition before committing.
CBD Sublingual Spray
Sublingual sprays are concentrated cannabis tinctures that are meant to be used by being sprayed under the tongue. You can get sublingual spray in a variety of CBD to THC ratios, depending on your desired results. Care by Design makes a range of CBD heavy sublingual tinctures, from 1:1 CBD to THC all the way to 18:1 CBD to THC. Sublingual sprays can be discreet and allow for a patient to have a choice of multiple different CBD to THC ratios depending on what symptoms they are trying to target or the time of day they are administering their medication.