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What is CBD?
We now know what CBD stands for, but what exactly is it? CBD is a natural substance obtained from hemp plants that can promote wellness without any psychoactive or intoxicating effects. It is an active compound known as a cannabinoid. Cannabinoids are the molecules which give the cannabis plant its medical and recreational properties. CBD is used more for its health purposes. The most known cannabinoid is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is what is used for the recreational function of the cannabis plant.
What are the different CBD product types?
There are a wide variety of CBD products on the market. At Absolute Hemp Products, we offer CBD in the form of pure hemp oil, tincture extracts, oil concentrates, vape oils, and even oils for pets! You can also choose from many CBD infused foods such as candies and coffee. Hemp oil has a pretty strong and distinct taste (think earthy) so some decide to purchase capsules instead of raw forms or oils. If flavor is added to the oils however, they taste a lot better.
How do you use CBD Oil?
CBD has to be ingested; pure oils and tinctures are taken sublingually. This means you place the oil under your tongue, wait 1-2 minutes and swallow. Vape oils must be inhaled using a special vaporizer e-pen.
CBD can also be used topically. Skin and beauty products made from hemp are all natural and good for the skin. Many athletes enjoy using CBD salves on their joints and muscles before and after workouts to help with soothe aches and pains from rigorous exercise.
Is CBD the same as Marijuana? Will I get high?
CBD, or cannabidiol, is a compound in marijuana that offers many benefits without any high.
Most people have heard of THC, which is the ingredient in marijuana responsible for the high. But recently, attention has shifted to another compound in marijuana called CBD.
CBD appears to be helpful for many health conditions, including epilepsy, anxiety, chronic pain, and more. And while research is still in its early stages, doctors are generally supportive of CBD because it has very few side effects.
Today, CBD is available in a variety of products ranging from oils and tinctures to edibles and vaporizers.
Unlike THC, CBD does not cause a high. While many people enjoy the marijuana high, health professionals prefer treatments with minimal side effects.
CBD is non-psychoactive because it does not act on the same receptors as THC. These CB1 receptors are highly concentrated in the brain and are responsible for the mind-altering effects of THC.
Are CBD edibles the same as Marijuana edibles? Will they give me the munchies?
CBD edibles primarily contain CBD and have little to no THC. This means they won't give you the mind-altering, hunger-inducing side effects that are usually associated with marijuana, which is high in THC.
What are the health benefits of using CBD?
Although CBD and THC act on different pathways of the body, they seem to have many of the same medical benefits.
According to a 2013 review published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, studies have found CBD to possess the following medical properties:
Antiemetic - Reduces nausea and vomiting
Anticonvulsant - Suppresses seizure activity
Antipsychotic - Combats psychosis disorders
Anti-inflammatory - Combats inflammatory disorders
Anti-oxidant - Combats neurodegenerative disorders
Anti-tumoral/Anti-cancer - Combats tumor and cancer cells
Anxiolytic/Anti-depressant - Combats anxiety and depression disorders
Analgesic - Combats pain and pain-related disorders
Unfortunately, most of this evidence comes from animals, since relatively few studies on CBD have been carried out in human patients.
Is it safe to give to pets?
When it comes to your furry friends, CBD is often preferred over THC because it has fewer side effects.
Some people feel uncomfortable giving their animal something that could make them high, but CBD offers medical benefits without the high.
Dr. Wendy Kramer, a B.C. veterinarian, explains: "If we use part of the cannabinoids that are involved with the plant, we get great benefits. It's the THC... that makes them stoned."
CBD products for pets target specific health concerns, like anxiety, epilepsy, joint pain, and skin problems.
How will CBD affect my sleep?
CBD has what is called a "biphasic effect" on sleep, meaning it has different effects depending on dosage. Small doses of CBD appear to increase wakefulness, while large doses are sedating.
Large doses of over 160mg/day have been linked to more time spent sleeping. But when taking doses less than 15mg/day, subjects report feeling stimulated and more awake.
CBD also appears to counteract the sleep-inducing effects of THC, which may explain why some strains of cannabis are known to increase alertness.
How does it work in the body?
Every human possesses an advanced physiological system known as the Endocannabinoid System (ECS). This regulatory system is already making cannabinoid-like structures every day to create cellular balance throughout nearly every biological system in your body. Research seems to indicate that introducing hemp-derived cannabinoids such as CBD might help your ECS function more properly and efficiently and help regulate vital biological functions such as sleep, appetite, pain modulation, mood enhancement, and sexual activity.