If you are new to CBD, then you may have a lot of questions when it comes to the basics. There are a lot of misconceptions floating around, which can turn a lot of people away from CBD products. Having a thorough and reliable understanding of what CBD is and how it works is crucial, and that’s why we’ve taken the time to put together a CBD guide. In this guide, we will be answering many of these top questions. As well as addressing the concerns people have when starting to incorporate CBD into their daily wellness routine.
What Is CBD?
CBD is short for cannabidiol and is one of the cannabinoids that are most common in the hemp plant. A CBD tincture will contain cannabidiol as the prime cannabinoid found within. It can help your body’s endocannabinoid system to regulate itself by helping your body to produce more cannabinoids. It works in this indirect way since CBD helps to stimulate your body’s natural production of cannabinoids rather than supplying them directly.
The endocannabinoid system is a system responsible for regulating many essential and vital functions in the body, such as mood, sleep, digestion, metabolism, appetite, and more. So by having a well regulated and high functioning endocannabinoid system, you are set for better health and increased wellness.
There are different types of CBD oils, with the most popular being full-spectrum CBD oil. Full-spectrum CBD oil contains all of the aspects of the hemp plant, minus the plant material. Many people believe this type of oil to be the most beneficial. This benefit is due to the components of the hemp plant working together in harmony. It keeps the oil as close to the chemical structure of hemp as possible. Full-spectrum CBD oil can sometimes contain negligible or trace amounts of THC. Because of this, if you have a career that regularly drug tests, the full spectrum variety may not be suitable. But luckily, there are CBD isolates that contain only CBD, and none of the psychoactive cannabinoids. The CBD isolates, therefore, are a safe option for those who need to pass drug tests.
CBD vs. THC
When you buy CBD oil, it will be labeled as full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, or isolate. Full-spectrum oil is CBD oil with THC but in relatively small and trace amounts. You will not get high when consuming full-spectrum CBD oil containing trace amounts of THC. However, it could possibly show up on a drug test if that is something about which you are worried or concerned.
Broad-Spectrum oils could give you a little more relief from this worry, as it is further filtered, reducing the already low amount of THC even further. But if you want to be 100% safe, then CBD isolate may be the product you are looking for. It is entirely separated from the other cannabinoids to guarantee pure CBD and no THC. Although the efficacy of CBD isolates is a somewhat debatable topic, it is still CBD. It will affect you in some way, whether it may not be as significant or noticeable as the full spectrum variation.
CBD interactions with other cannabinoids may prove beneficial, as with other terpenes within the hemp plant. It is frequently noted that CBD, in combination with THC, can be more useful than CBD alone. This is why a lot of people opt for the full spectrum variation of CBD oil. The main difference, however, between CBD and THC is that CBD is non-psychoactive. This means that you cannot get high on CBD alone. It is only the presence of THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, that causes one to feel high. But either way, the amount of THC in the full spectrum oils is so insignificant that you should not get any sort of high from them whatsoever.
How to Take CBD
When it comes to CBD, the best way to take CBD is dependent on many different factors, such as your goals or intended outcomes. Many people wonder how to take a CBD tincture properly, and that answer is usually orally. This is probably one of the most popular ways to take CBD and is done through administering a small amount, usually through a dropper, under the tongue. You can typically notice the effects slower than vaping but faster than CBD edibles.
You can also take CBD oil capsules, which are often in the form of little gel caps. Since they are easy to consume, they’re great for on-the-go. And, they are less messy to consume than oils under the tongue. You swallow it like you would any other pill, and it has the same absorption rate as typical CBD edibles. Sometimes more CBD is needed when going the ‘edible’ route since some of it may be killed off during digestion. But a sufficient amount of CBD can take care of that concern. CBD edibles are also the longest-lasting way to incur the effects of CBD, so it may just be well worth it to some users.
In addition to tinctures and CBD oil capsules, there is also a topical method of administration. CBD topicals are great when you need a targeted approach to your concern. You can massage a CBD topical directly into the problematic area, and the CBD can get straight to work and in the exact area that you need.
CBD Products
When it comes to finding a CBD product, we all want the best CBD products. So it’s necessary to check different specifications when finding CBD carefully. CBD oil should be ideally non-GMO and extracted using the CO2 method. This method involves the least amount of solvents and heat to keep the CBD oil intact. Finding CBD oil that uses organic hemp is not often difficult with the internet at your fingertips. You can find it with relative ease with just a few searches. Unfortunately, this is also true of low-quality products. Cheap CBD products litter the market and usually use low-quality hemp that isn’t grown with a lot of special care and attention.
You may also come across CBD capsules which utilize the same types of oil as does the tinctures, so the same rules apply when searching for a high-quality CBD capsule. It should come from organic and non-GMO hemp for the best results.
Also, when buying CBD gummies, you may notice that CBD extracts are the main ingredient. The CBD extracts contain CBD as they should. But they might lack in other compounds of the hemp plant that are found in other oil capsules and tinctures. That’s not to say gummies are less effective. But they will have different ingredients and perhaps a different outcome depending on the person in question.
Overall, there are many different types of CBD products available. But depending on your needs, one may suit you more than the other. One product type isn’t superior or any more effective, it simply depends on your goals and desired outcomes.
How to Choose CBD Oil
When choosing a CBD oil, there are many things for which you should lookout. One of those things is CBD lab testing. CBD that is tested in labs for purity and quality should be one of the top things that you look out for when buying an oil product. Labs can verify the purity and potency of CBD oil to make sure that you are getting exactly what you order. By finding the results online, you can double-check this for yourself.
You can also choose a CBD oil-based on CBD reviews that are on the site of the company itself or third-party review sites. These reviews can be beneficial in your quest to find the best CBD product for you. And are often a reliable way to get the information you need to make a decision. Many CBD Distributors will allow customers to leave reviews on products as well. This can be a great resource while you are browsing products that fit your needs.
A high-quality CBD oil is essential to incurring the most benefits from the hemp plant. So that is why lab testing and other factors such as the fertilizers and method of growing are crucial as well. Plants that are non-GMO in origin and extracted using gentle and heat-free processes are also ideal.
So depending on your needs, the type of CBD oil you opt for may vary, but overall a high-quality CBD oil is what you want. So, make sure you check how a product is made, to ensure you know exactly what you are putting in your body.
Difference Between CBD Oil and Hemp Oil
A lot of the time, you may come across CBD oil and hemp oil. But you should be made aware of the difference, as they are not the same. CBD oil is made from parts of the hemp plant where cannabidiol is found. It contains a lot of cannabinoids and terpenes, which can all have an impact on your health. Hemp oil or hemp seed oil, however, is made from the seeds of the hemp plant, which means that there is little or no CBD content within.
Often, hemp oil is used in body washes or massage oils as a carrier oil, with no intent on health, but rather on skin nourishment. So CBD oils will come with totally different uses than hemp oils. Knowing this important difference can save you a lot of time and money. It’s important that you don’t end up using the wrong product for your needs and goals.
CBD Side Effects
CBD oil side effects are generally very mild and primarily occur when starting to use CBD at very first. Some people may notice a bit of nausea or dizziness when they start taking CBD. But it should get better with time. It is almost impossible to overdose on CBD, and negative side effects are generally minor and often temporary. Whether you incur a cannabis oil side effect will depend significantly on your body chemistry and tolerance to CBD. So if you are a CBD newbie, you may notice some minor side effects. Still, they should pass. If they don’t, keep in mind that they are usually miniscule and should disappear with discontinued usage of CBD.
