What Do You Need to Do Before Doing CBD

Cannabis has been subjected to many laws for years due to its psychoactive effect on the user. In the past few years, many states have loosened the laws since congress passed the Farm Bill in 2018. However, CBD is not approved for medical use by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). On the flip side, the FDA has only approved Epidiolex, a CBD drug used to treat two rare forms of epilepsy in children. CBD's popularity is due to its therapeutic effect, for example, pain relief.

Additionally, CBD is widely known due to the research that backs up the medical claims of CBD and the positive reviews from different CBD consumers. Since CBD reacts differently to people, you need to consult your medical doctor, especially if you are using any other medication, as the compounds react with the drug.

CBD: What Is It?

Many people have heard about CBD and used various CBD products. Cannabidiol, commonly known as CBD, is a chemical compound derived from hemp and marijuana. It is widely appreciated for the therapeutic effects it has. CBD does not cause a'hig' feeling since it does not have a psychoactive effect. On the other hand, THC is the most known cannabinoid with a hallucinogenic effect; it alters the user's mental state

You need to know different things before using any form of CBD to get a good quality product that can serve your needs. For example, consider knowing the source of CBD and the type of CBD contained in the products.

There are three types of CBD; full spectrum, broad spectrum, and CBD isolate. CBD isolate does not have any additional compound from the plant besides CBD. The broad-spectrum CBD has all the compounds from the plant except THC, while the full spectrum CBD contains all the compounds from the plant, including traces of THC. According to Arkell et al. (2019), THC is the most known marijuana compound with a psychoactive effect. It would be best if you remembered that the THC found in any product should be below 0.3%, which is the approved THC level that has no intoxicating effect on the user.

Studies show that CBD and THC work together, forming an entourage effect and thus work for the whole body's benefit. They complement each one's effect and potency. It is also essential for THC to be present for CBD to offer some therapeutic benefits, for example, enhancing good sleep and treating epilepsy.

Things to Consider Before Using CBD

The Source of CBD

CBD can be derived from cannabis and hemp. The FDA approves using hemp-extracted CBD because the plant has more cannabidiol than marijuana, which has higher THC amounts. Also, US-grown hemp is emphasized since it is grown under strict agricultural regulations prohibiting inorganic cultivation techniques. Therefore, the resulting compound is certified for human consumption. Cannabis plants tend to absorb all the compounds from the soil. If grown with many chemicals, they will be present in the end product, thus contaminating it and lowering its potency, reducing the quality.

Method of CBD Extraction

CBD can be extracted from the plant by alcohol or CO₂. Rochfort et al. (2020) suggested that CO₂ is the better CBD extraction method. It does not expose the compound to harsh chemicals that contaminate it.

Type of CBD iIn the Products

Since CBD can be infused in several products, it is good to consider the type of CBD. For example, full-spectrum CBD has all the compounds from the plant. Therefore, if you do not want any traces of THC in your system, full-spectrum CBD might not be the best choice. Furthermore, it might test positive for a drug test, which may limit a person during sports competitions or frequent drug tests conducted at work. CBD isolate does not have any additional compound from the plant. Also, you should note that CBD isolate does not increase the effect with an increase in the dosage. On the other hand, the effects of full-spectrum and broad-spectrum CBD increase with the dose.

Manufacturer's Reputation

Products from a trusted and reputable manufacturer will earn value for your money because they produce good quality products. It can be hard to know the manufacturer since there are many products of different brands. However, you can research online by visiting their website and reading customer reviews. If they show satisfaction, their products are good and can efficiently serve your needs.

Certificate of Analysis (COA)

The Certificate of Analysis contains all the necessary information about the products, from the source to the extraction method and all the other compounds available. This could be good for you since you can tell if the compound is good for consumption.

Third-Party Testing

Since many products are in the market and most, tend to be counterfeit, purchase products that have undergone intensive independent third-party testing. The test will show if there are any contaminants from the plant, for example, pesticides and heavy chemicals. Therefore, you will be able to choose the best quality product.

CBD Formulations

CBD is a compound that can be infused in different products such as topicals, tinctures, edibles, and vapes.

CBD vapes have become popular among teenagers and younger adults. The e-liquids are filled in the vape pen cartridge and then exposed to a certain temperature. The compound is converted into vapor and directly inhaled into the lungs. According to Darabsehet al. (2020), vaping is healthier than smoking; thus, many smokers tend to vape to quit smoking. However, there is a need for further studies on the long-term effects of CBD on the body.

CBD topicals are mainly skin care products used on the skin surface. According to Cooray et al. (2020), they work by interacting with the cannabinoid receptors in the skin. On the other hand, tinctures are placed below the tongue where they are absorbed, and they have a higher bioavailability since they are not gut-processed. Edibles such as gummies are popular due to their delicious taste. They are more suitable for beginners since they disguise the earthy taste of hemp.

Conclusion

There are many CBD products in the market, making it harder to purchase high-quality ones. Before using any CBD product, you should consider confirming the source, extraction method, Certificate of Analysis, and mode of administration. Also, the type of CBD in the product is essential due to personal preferences. People react differently to CBD, and experience the effects differently due to their body size, metabolism, dosage, the potency of CBD, and body tolerance. Taking CBD offers different health benefits, for example, pain and inflammation relief. Topical CBD products are majorly used for pain relief since they can be directly applied to the affected area, and the analgesic effects kick in faster.

References

Arkell, T. R., Lintzeris, N., Kevin, R. C., Ramaekers, J. G., Vandrey, R., Irwin, C., ... & McGregor, I. S. (2019). Cannabidiol (CBD) content in vaporized cannabis does not prevent tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)-induced impairment of driving and cognition. Psychopharmacology, 236(9), 2713-2724.

Cooray, R., Gupta, V., & Suphioglu, C. (2020). Current aspects of the endocannabinoid system and targeted THC and CBD phytocannabinoids as potential therapeutics forParkinson's andAlzheimer's diseases: a review. Molecular Neurobiology, 57(11), 4878-4890.

Darabseh, M. Z., Selfe, J., Morse, C. I., & Degens, H. (2020). Is vaping better than smoking for cardiorespiratory and muscle function? Multidisciplinary respiratory medicine, 15(1).

Rochfort, S., Isbel, A., Ezernieks, V., Elkins, A., Vincent, D., Deseo, M. A., & Spangenberg, G. C. (2020). Utilization of design of experiments approaches to optimize supercritical fluid extraction of medicinal cannabis. Scientific Reports, 10(1), 1-7.

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