EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CBD OIL

This article also originally appears on www.monroeblvd.com​

Cannabidiol, also known as CBD, is a natural compound that is found in cannabis plants and has been known for thousands of years to have medicinal properties. While CBD was being used for therapeutic reasons, many people were worried to use it due to the false idea of it causing some hallucination side effects. After years of testing CBD and learning more about its healing properties, it was finally confirmed by scientists that it is a safe, natural, and non-addictive substance and doctors began to recommend using CBD to their patients.

CBD gained a bad reputation in the beginning, as it is derived from the cannabis plant and was considered similar to another cannabinoid that is known as THC. CBD is a non-psychoactive compound, meaning it will not produce the famous high that happens from using marijuana and THC products.

While CBD and THC are different compounds, they both have a therapeutic benefit on the body and the mind. CBD is also often mixed with THC products, as it helps to minimize the psychoactive effects caused by using THC that often leads to a bad trip of anxiety if it is used in large amounts. You can learn more here about the shelf life of CBD oil.

HOW IS CBD DIFFERENT FROM THC IF IT IS DERIVED FROM THE SAME PLANT?

CBD and THC interact with the body differently through a system called endocannabinoid. When scientists discovered the endocannabinoid system and its receptors back in 1992, it completely changed the way cannabidiol was being tested and they were able to fully understand how CBD and THC work in different ways, as well as learning about its healing properties.

Dr. Lumir Hanus and researcher Dr. William Devane discovered the endocannabinoid anandamide at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem after studies have shown that CB1 and CB2 receptors are natural neurotransmitters in the body. Check the study here.

This endocannabinoid system plays a major role in what people experience each day such as energy, mood, stress, hunger, pain, blood pressure, and more. If the body’s endocannabinoid system doesn’t function properly it will cause diseases. The discovery of CBD and THC has been groundbreaking due to its ability to impact the endocannabinoid system to slow, stop, and prevent such diseases from developing.

Cannabinoid receptors are considered the bridge between the endocannabinoid system and cannabis products. The cannabinoid receptors are known as CB1 and CB2, which have different pathways in the human body.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CBD1 AND CBD2?

CB1 receptors are found in the spinal cord and the brain, meaning it has an impact on the central nervous system. It affects both cerebral and behavioral functions in the body such as appetite, memory, emotion, cognition, and feeling pain. THC is a compound that can interact with CB1 receptors, which is the reason it can enhance one’s mood and provide a euphoric experience, as well as cognitive impairment from higher doses.

CB2 receptors are located in the peripheral nervous system that provides responses in the immune system. Since CB2 are found in the human body’s peripheral nervous system, it can’t cause any intoxication or psychoactive effects on the brain. When CBD interacts with CB2 receptors and begins to travel through the body, which starts to release a sensation that reduces stress and relaxes any type of anxiety.

The discovery of how CBD can be a natural pain reliever without causing the unwanted psychoactive effects by not stimulating the CB1 receptors has been a major breakthrough for the cannabis industry and scientists.

WHERE DOES CBD OIL COME FROM?

CBD is found in the resin that can be seen on cannabis flowers, also known as buds, that is covered by trichomes. Trichomes are glandular structures where multiple oils with medicinal properties are found, such as CBD and THC. Trichomes has an oily texture that protects the cannabis plant from heat and UV radiation, along with providing antifungal, antibacterial, and insecticidal properties to trap bugs and get rid of other predators. This oily resin is also the beneficial component for the health of the human body.

CBD oil is extracted from the oily resin that trichomes contain and that can vary from each plant. CBD is found in different concentration in both cannabis plants and hemp. Generally, hemp has less trichomes and different cannabis strains.

CBD is frequently made from plants that re rich in such compounds. Extracting the CBD oil can be done in different methods to ensure its purity and handling it with care. While each method has its own purpose, they all focus on extracting high concentrated CBD.

Products of CBD are made in different forms to be consumed by humans and animals such as edibles, gel caps, tinctures, topical, beverages, and more, but all of these refined formulas were in the form of CBD oil. Extracting the CBD as oil is considered the first step to make different products due to its high concentration.

WHAT ARE THE EXTRACTION METHODS OF CBD OIL?

Both of the texture and purity of CBD will rely heavily on the extraction method. Here are the most common ways of doing it:

1. CO2 extraction is the most common method to separate CBD from the cannabis biomass, and it is also the safest way to produce the oil. The CO2 will extract the active ingredients in cannabis plants after adding pressure that separates the CBD substance, which is golden in color. The oil will later go through a process called winterization that will purify the CBD and help to increase its quality.

2. Ethanol extraction: Using ethanol to extract medicinal compounds is a very common way that has been known for decades. The cannabis industry refers to such extractions as Rick Simpson Oil or Full-Extract Cannabis Oil, and these oils are made by soaking the cannabis flower in ethanol. The oil residue is then heated slowly until it produces gooey textured oil that is infused with cannabinoids. This method is not the most favorite way to do it due to the doses being inaccurate and the presence of THC in CBD oil.

WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO USE CBD?

CBD oil can be consumed in many different ways and they all have their own advantages. Consuming CBD will depend on the product and the dosage that is required.

• Smoking or vaping:

The most common way of taking CBD is through smoking or vaping. It takes about one puff to receive 0.3 to 1.0 grams of CBD and it affects the lungs first, then your heart and your brain through distributed it in an even amount. The smoke will transfer to the brain after entering your lungs before the liver metabolizes it.

Inhaling CBD through smoking or vaping is the fastest method to receive the healing properties from cannabis. If you are suffering from anxiety and stress, smoking CBD will be the best choice to relax your body instantly.

Smoking or vaping CBD is not associated with lung cancer, but it is considered harmful for the lungs through causing asthma, chronic cough, and congestions. The duration of this effect can last 2-3 hours.

• Edibles and capsules:

Taking CBD in the form of edibles or capsules is easier to control, as the dosage is fairly accurate. It takes about 1-2 hours to feel the impact of CBD on the body through the gut absorbing and modifying it in the liver. It later spreads throughout the human body in an event amount.

It also depends on whether it is taken on an empty stomach or with food. It can take an hour to feel the effects of CBD on an empty stomach and 3 hours if it is ingested with food. It is a great method for people who suffer from chronic conditions, as the duration for this effect generally lasts for 6 hours and 12 hours for some.

• Placing it under the tongue

This method is very popular among CBD users, as it is believed to be the best way to provide a high concentrated dose. It is absorbed into the blood vessels in the mouth and you will notice the effects of CBD started within 15-30 minutes. It is important to follow the instructions on the label to avoid ingesting it as a form of edibles.

Depending on the product, it is often recommended to avoid eating before or after, and waiting for 15 minutes before swallowing the oil that is placed under your tongue. If swallowed immediately you will receive the impact of edibles, meaning a lower dose and weaker effect.

DOES CBD HAVE AN EXPIRATION DATE?

CBD products will vary from each company and each user’s recommended dosage. For example, if you are using a full dropper or more each day, you may consider purchasing a large bottle for value purposes or a backup bottle in case you run out.

The most common shelf life for CBD is 14 to 24 months before it begins to lose potency. Expired CBD will not become spoiled or rancid, it will only oxidize and lose its effectiveness.