What Percentage of CBD is Good?

CBD products are constantly flowing into the market with more interesting concentrations. Read on to learn more about CBD, how it is extracted, the required percentage of CBD, and the benefits of using CBD.

Cannabidiol (CBD) has many therapeutic properties. Empirical studies have so far indicated that CBD contains anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects. This compound is derived from the hemp plant and helps reduce chronic pain. CBD also contains anxiolytic effects. It relaxes your mind and alleviates symptoms of stress and anxiety. It can also treat conditions associated with depression. The market is flooded with CBD products containing different CBD concentrations. It is important to start with a lower dose and gradually increase your dosage as your body adapts to CBD.

What Is CBD?

Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the many compounds of the cannabis plant. It can be derived from either hemp or marijuana, cannabis plant strains. Hemp contains less than 0.3% THC, while marijuana contains up to 90% THC. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is responsible for the intoxicating effects that cannabis is usually associated with. However, hemp-derived CBD is considered legal because it contains less than 0.3% THC, which cannot cause any impaired cognitive function. CBD is available in three major types; full-spectrum CBD, broad-spectrum CBD, and CBD isolate. People who don't want THC to appear on a drug test prefer CBD isolate or broad-spectrum CBD since neither contains THC.

How Is CBD Extracted?

There are different methods used to extract CBD from the cannabis plant. The most common methods of extraction used are; liquid solvent extraction and CO2 extraction.

CO₂ Extraction Method

This method uses CO₂ gas during extraction. CO₂ gas is colorless and odorless. Before it is used, it must be converted into a liquid by passing through very low temperatures. CO₂ is used to release the active components of hemp recovered to isolate CBD. Furthermore, CO₂ extraction is the most efficient method that extracts the purest CBD since it does not contaminate the resulting product.

Liquid Solvent Extraction

The liquid solvent extraction method requires a solvent liquid such as alcohol, butane, or ethanol. First, the hemp waxes are dissolved to produce chlorophyll and cannabinoids. The liquid solvent is then added to the dissolved hemp materials to separate the cannabinoids. After that, the remaining substances in the cannabinoids are removed through evaporation. The final product is a concentration of CBD oil. This extraction method is faster and cheaper. However, the liquid solvent is highly flammable and may be dangerous. Learn more about benefits of hemp

CBD Oil Percentages

Any CBD oil available in the market contains a different concentration of CBD. The concentration is usually indicated in percentage, which must also be indicated concisely on the product label. You may purchase CBD oils with 5, 10, 20, 35, or 40%. For instance, a 10ml bottle labeled 25% has 2500mg of CBD. A 10% bottle will have 100mg of CBD. This means that the concentration of CBD increases with the percentage. Understanding how these percentages administer the correct dose for effective results is tricky.

Conveniently, CBD oil is usually sold in glass bottles with a 1ml dropper containing 20 drops of CBD oil. Therefore, if you purchase a 20ml bottle, you will have 400 drops of CBD oil. To determine the concentration of CBD in each drop, you need to divide the amount of CBD oil in a bottle by the number of drops it contains. For example, a 10ml bottle of CBD oil with a CBD concentration of 10% contains 5mg of CBD in every drop.

Some CBD oils indicate the concentration of CBD in milligrams and not in the percentage form. To avoid mistakes, you need to observe the packaging of CBD oil. For example, a smaller bottle with the same amount of CBD as a larger bottle will be more concentrated and, therefore, highly potent. To avoid confusion, it is better to buy CBD oil that indicates the concentration in percentage form.

What Percentage of CBD is Good?

Experts say that more than 10% of CBD products are deemed high-concentration products. New CBD users are advised to start with low-concentration products. The most preferred way to gauge the effects of CBD quickly is through sublingual uptake. Sublingual administration involves placing a few drops of CBD oil under your tongue and waiting a few minutes before it is absorbed. For example, you can begin with one drop in the morning and the evening. Depending on why you are taking CBD, you can gradually increase the number of drops until you feel the desired effects or go for a stronger concentration.

Those with experience with CBD can choose a higher concentration for more effective results. One drop of a higher concentration CBD is more convenient than many drops of a low concentration CBD. Even so, consuming higher doses of CBD has no serious effects on your health. However, you may experience mild discomfort, such as drowsiness or nausea.

You can also consume CBD by mixing it with other foods and drinks. For example, you can add CBD oil to your cold salad or any food of your choice. Ensure that you don't mix it with very hot meals, as it loses its effects when exposed to higher temperatures.

Benefits of Using CBD

CBD research in animal models and humans has shown numerous therapeutic properties. For example, it improves brain function and protection by directly affecting the endocannabinoid system (ECS) and influencing endogenous cannabinoids. According to Maroon & Bost (2018), CBD has demonstrated anxiolytic, antidepressant, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory benefits. Patricio et al. (2020) suggested that CBD has neuroprotective properties that protect the brain from neurological disorders like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Peyravian et al. (2018) suggested that it decreases the production of inflammatory cytokines, influences microglial cells to return to a ramified state, preserves cerebral circulation during ischemic events, and reduces vascular changes and neuroinflammation.

According to William & Diane (2021), CBD has shown significant benefits in treating health issues such as epilepsy, stress, anxiety, depression, pain, inflammation, and skin conditions. However, CBD is a new field, and a lot of empirical studies need to be conducted to determine the full potential of CBD as a form of treatment.

Conclusion

The right CBD dosage is vital. However, it is not yet enough to enjoy the benefits of CBD without considering its quality. The market is flooded with CBD products, each containing a different percentage of CBD. If you are new to CBD, you should consider starting with a lower CBD concentration and increasing gradually until you feel the desired effects. Experts suggest a CBD concentration of less than 10% is good enough to produce positive results. Besides, a single dose of a higher concentration is better than higher amounts of low CBD concentration. CBD is known for several therapeutic properties beneficial for health issues such as neurological conditions, epilepsy, pain and inflammation, stress and anxiety, and skin conditions.

References

Maroon, J., & Bost, J. (2018). Review of the neurological benefits of phytocannabinoids. Surgical neurology international, 9.

Patricio, F., Morales-Andrade, A. A., Patricio-Martínez, A., & Limón, I. D. (2020). Cannabidiol as a therapeutic target: evidence of its neuroprotective and neuromodulatory function in Parkinson's disease. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 11, 595635.

Peyravian, N., Deo, S., Daunert, S., & Jimenez, J. J. (2022). The Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Cannabidiol (CBD) on Acne. Journal of Inflammation Research, 15, 2795.

Williams, C., & Nutbrown, D. L. (2021). A Review of Research into the Health Benefits of Cannabidiol (CBD). The Neighborhood Academy: Pittsburgh, PA, USA