What Is CBD?

CBD 101: A Wise Woman’s Guide to CBD

You may have noticed that CBD is becoming a BFD — but what exactly is it? Here’s a quick guide to the what, why, and how of CBD so you can make more informed decisions about your wellness routines.

What is CBD?

CBD is the abbreviation for cannabidiol, which is a chemical compound extracted from the cannabis plant. CBD is just one of more than 100 naturally occurring cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant.

The word “cannabis” is commonly associated with marijuana, weed, Mary Jane, whatever you want to call it. But cannabis and marijuana are not synonyms. Marijuana and hemp are two types of cannabis plants with similar but different properties (we’ll dig into this shortly). House of Wise uses only hemp-derived CBD extract.

CBD offers a long list of health benefits without the side effects of other cannabis products like marijuana.

Does CBD work?

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) consists of cell receptors and neurotransmitters found throughout your body, concentrated in your brain and nervous system. The ECS plays a huge role in the biological signaling associated with pain, stress, sleep, fertility, and more. CBD has been proven to interact with the receptors, helping our ECS achieve balance by either increasing our endocannabinoid levels when needed or stopping them from becoming overactive.

CBD, by nature, creates chemical reactions. As with any new supplement or drug, it’s best to seek medical advice before mixing with existing medications (especially blood thinners).

Can you get high from CBD?

Hemp-derived CBD doesn’t produce a high because it doesn’t have enough THC (aka tetrahydrocannabinol). Hemp has a minimal amount of THC (<0.3%), which means it is nonpsychoactive. In contrast, marijuana is a psychoactive drug due to its high THC content (5%-35%).

Read more: Does CBD Get You High? The Blunt Truth

Types of CBD oil

CBD products will have one of three extract types: full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, or isolate. These terms describe the chemical medley of the CBD oil (and the amount of processing after extracting it).

Full-spectrum CBD: Contains the whole cannabinoid party (80+ cannabinoids) from the hemp plant. It may contain small traces of THC, though not enough to produce a high (<0.3%). The blended interaction of all compounds creates what’s called the entourage effect.

The entourage effect describes the synergy created by full-spectrum cannabinoids, which produces a therapeutic effect useful in sleep, sex, stress relief, energy management, and more.

Broad-spectrum CBD: The same as full-spectrum but with the THC wholly removed; this more processed option creates a less-impactful entourage effect.

CBD isolate: Artificially created in a lab or pulled from CBD extract with no entourage effect, CBD isolate ensures zero additional chemicals.

Read more: Full-spectrum CBD Is Our Favorite for Routine Use — Here’s Why

Is CBD effective?

People have been reporting CBD’s calming effect for decades, and researchers suggest that CBD affects multiple systems in the human body, including the brain, nervous system, and glands.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is starting to spend more time proving its efficacy. Last year, the FDA approved Epidiolex, a CBD oral solution for treating seizures associated with two rare and severe forms of epilepsy (Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome). There is much more to learn, though.

Many people are turning to CBD in their wellness routines, swapping out alcohol and other coping substances for their sleep, sex, and focus regimens.

Read more: How Long Does CBD Stay In Your System? Let’s Break It Down

There are many forms of CBD on the market, including tinctures (drops) and edibles like gummies. Different methods and dosages may produce slightly different effects. Read more on how to take CBD oil to see what’s best for you.

Gummies are an easy way to ingest CBD quickly and discreetly, like during a date or at work. Whichever method or product you choose, read dosage instructions to ensure efficacy and safety.

Read more: How Do I Use CBD Oil? 4 Tips For CBD Dosing
 

CBD legality and product quality

Unlike marijuana, hemp-derived CBD is legal in the U.S., but it’s unregulated. This means that sales of CBD products (e.g., oil, gummies, vape juice) are allowed, but the FDA doesn’t currently provide or enforce standards, which leaves room for misuse and poor-quality products. Only shop from trustworthy companies who are transparent about processes and ingredients. Check for labels like organic, lab-tested, and non-GMO. You can always ask the company to see lab reports if you’re unsure.

BTW: We know there is a huge problem in the U.S. surrounding cannabis incarceration injustice. That’s why House of Wise is proud to partner with Last Prisoner Project, a nonprofit that fights criminal injustice and drug policy restoration.

House of Wise is produced from farms outside of Denver, CO, and tested multiple times during the extraction and production process to ensure quality and consistency. We believe in full transparency for all sourcing methods and ingredients, which means we’re always open to your questions.

Read more about our ingredients, flavors, and more: SEX, SLEEP, STRESS: Meet the House of Wise Products.

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