CBD 101
CBD 101: A Wise Woman’s Guide to CBD Oil
What is CBD?
You may have noticed that CBD is becoming a BFD in politics, women’s health, and even #momlife — but what exactly is it?
CBD is the acronym for Cannabidiol, which is the chemical compound (hello chemistry class!) extracted from the cannabis plant. CBD is just one of over 100+ naturally occurring cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. Thanks to its many benefits, more people than ever are making cbd a core part of their daily wellness routine.
Marijuana and hemp are two types of cannabis plants with similar but different properties. We’ll dig into this shortly.
Can you get high from CBD?
Hemp-derived CBD does not produce a high. House of Wise uses only hemp-derived CBD extract. CBD doesn’t have any of the psychoactive properties of THC. That’s right — you can save yourself a “trip” but enjoy the benefits of the chemical’s properties. The stigma around using CBD is associated with recreational marijuana use, which is why it can be a controversial product. CBD is not marijuana - send tweet.
Is CBD legal?
Unlike marijuana, hemp-derived CBD is mostly legal in the United States, but it’s unregulated. This means that sales of CBD products (e.g. oil, gummies, vape juice) are totally fine, but the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn’t currently provide or enforce standards. Private organizations like The U.S. Hemp Authority are helping to close the cannabis industry’s regulation gap.
As the cannabis industry grows, the landscape of products expands. As you can imagine, this leaves room for misuse and poor-quality products. Know where your CBD products are coming from and how the ingredients are sourced. Check for labels like organic, cruelty-free, vegan, and kosher. House of Wise is produced from local farms outside of Denver, CO and is tested multiple times during the extraction and production process to ensure quality and consistency.
Is CBD proven to be effective?
CBD is growing in popularity as many users claim CBD promotes feelings of calm, relief, and more and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is starting to spend more time proving it’s efficacy (most recently with the approval of Epidiolex, a CBD oral solution for the treatment of seizures associated with two rare and severe forms of epilepsy, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome, in patients two years of age and older.
Researchers suggest that CBD affects multiple systems in the human body, including the brain, nervous system, and glands. It’s why it’s popularity in day-to-day use is growing around the world.
CBD vs. Marijuana
The biggest difference between hemp and marijuana plants is the level of THC (short for Tetrahydrocannabinol).
These two cannabis-family plants also grow and thrive in different environments. Hemp can be grown outdoors and organically, while marijuana needs a ton of attention and a controlled environment (kind of like your toxic ex).
Psychoactive properties
THC creates brain-altering effects that CBD doesn’t. Marijuana is a psychoactive drug due to its high THC (5%-35%). Hemp has very little amount of THC (<0.3%), which means it is nonpsychoactive.
Full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and isolate CBD
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 produces what’s called the entourage effect. We love a well-rounded queen.
- Broad-spectrum CBD is the same as full-spectrum but with the THC completely removed. This makes it a more processed option while creating a less-impactful entourage effect.
- CBD isolate is what it sounds like: only CBD. If a company is selling CBD isolate products, it is either artificial (created in a lab) or pulling it out of the extract. Isolate doesn’t provide the entourage effect, but ensures zero additional chemicals.
Which kind should you choose? Full-spectrum provides the best “entourage effect” making it a great option for consumers looking to create sense of calm, better sleep, and improve their sex life. The entourage effect is the synergy created by the chemicals reacting together to create a more therapeutic output. It’s kind of how Justin Timberlake is really good as a solo artist, but it hits different when the whole N’Sync crew is together. Broad-spectrum or isolate make sense when you want to ensure no THC shows on an upcoming drug test.
How does CBD work?
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is made up 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 naturally with the receptors, helping our ECS achieve balance by either increasing our endocannabinoid levels when needed but also stopping them from becoming over-active.
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).
Ways to take CBD
There are many forms of CBD on the market, including drops (oil) and edibles like gummies. CBD gummies can be an easy way to ingest CBD discreetly (like at your office). Heck, it’s like eating candy that actually will make you feel better (though keep out of children’s reach). Whichever method or product you choose, read dosage instructions to ensure efficacy and safety.
Dosing is a very important part of using anything in the cannabis space. Just like alcohol tolerance levels (you know your one-drink wonder friends), finding your correct dosage takes trial and error. Start with the recommended dosing on the packaging and see how you feel. Every body is different.
The cannabis industry is growing quickly and with good reason. CBD’s benefits have so far shown to outweigh the risks. Using the plethora of available information, you can feel empowered to make a wise decision on which products are trustworthy and effective.
