Wellness trends like tea-toxes, foot facials, or goat yoga may come and go, but CBD’s here to stay.
Found in the cannabis plant, CBD (cannabidiol) is a nutrient-rich compound that has become far more than a wellness trend — and in such little time might we add. CBD is believed to have great medicinal value, containing health-boosting properties that may be able to address a number of health conditions, including insomnia, appetite loss, inflammation, anxiety, and others. However, the longstanding stigma of cannabis seems to have made some folks confused about the nature of the cannabinoid. Though you might already be familiar with all the basics, there’s so much more to discover about it. In this article, we share the scoop on six things you should know about cannabis’ increasingly popular CBD.
CBD is a Type of Cannabinoid
There are two key cannabinoids in the humble cannabis plant, THC is the most abundant, and CBD comes after. Cannabis contains over 400 chemical compounds called cannabinoids. Of those, CBD is one of 113 cannabinoids and known to have a direct effect on the body through cannabinoid receptors found in cells located in the endocannabinoid system. The particularly interesting thing about CBD is that it amounts to almost half (around 40%) of extracts from the cannabis plant. Other cannabinoids include CBN (cannabinol) CBN, CBC (cannabichromene), and CBG (cannabigerol) and of course, THC (tetrahydrocannabinol).
CBD Can’t Get You High
With all the hype, one burning question that might be circling your mind is, can it get me high? The answer is, no. Unlike its popular psychoactive cousin tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), CBD does not produce any psychoactivity. Not only non-psychoactive, but the cannabinoid has also been found to balance the effects of THC which can sometimes cause paranoia, anxiety, and others. Due to the lack of side effects, consumers can reap all of the health-boosting benefits of CBD without impairment. This may explain why CBD is growing in popularity for over 50 different health conditions including mood disorders, arthritis, epilepsy, chronic pain and inflammation, Parkinson’s disease, and so many more.
There Are Many Ways to Take CBD
Contrary to popular thought, CBD doesn’t have to be used in the same way as many do THC. In fact, there are a ton of CBD products available in the market able to suit whatever preference one may have. Applying CBD topically with creams and tinctures or taking it sublingually or orally, by way of a capsule or CBD-infused edibles are just a few of the many ways you can consume the cannabinoid. The possibilities are truly endless. Although there are many ways of taking CBD oil, research has found that one of the quickest and best methods of taking CBD oil.
CBD Use is Safe For Some Pets
Considering that more people are turning to cannabis as a natural treatment, it’s no surprise that pet owners, in particular, have been searching for something their furry companions can benefit from. While we are still in the infant stages of research, CBD use has been proven safe for some pets. That’s right! Whether your kitty cat or pooch is suffering from inflammation phobias and anxiety, skin issues, or joint pain/arthritis, there are a ton of dog-friendly CBD products popping up on the market that can offer effective relief. We should mention, though, those cannabinoid receptors found in animals are more concentrated as opposed to humans, so the potency and delivery method will vary.
Hemp-Derived CBD is Legal in All 50 States
CBD is able to be extracted from both hemp and marijuana plants (two different cannabis species, however, only hemp-derived CBD is legal in all 50 states. Marijuana-derived CBD isn’t federally legal and hasn’t quite made it there yet, with consumption only available in certain areas of the country. Hemp has been classified by the government as, “any plant of the cannabis family containing less than 0.3% THC”, which is why consumption of hemp-derived CBD has been approved anywhere hemp is legal. Any plant containing THC levels greater than 0.03% is considered “marijuana”, which may explain why most CBD products use CBD derived from hemp and not good ol’ mary jane.
Not All CBD is The Same
Although a CBD molecule is the same no matter the source, whether made from a lab, hemp, or full-spectrum cannabis, not all CBD is the same. The most important thing to note is the fact that much more than medical cannabis, you can liken the CBD industry to the Wild West, where some products are unregulated and often get mislabeled. That said, accurately verifying the purity of these inferior products in a trustworthy manner can be difficult, so it’s important for consumers to choose products from a reputable company.
All in All
It’s no doubt that CBD has been gaining a lot of traction. With more and more people looking to take advantage of its potential therapeutic benefits, these six facts are just a drop in the bucket as to what you can start discovering about the extraordinary cannabinoid. We are in the still in the preliminary stages of research and there is certainly still so much more to learn. Want to see what all the hype is about? Before taking the plunge, we recommend that you first do your research and speak directly with your healthcare provider for further guidance.
