What To Expect When You Start Taking CBD

CBD has been gaining popularity in recent years. It can be taken in various methods, including vapes and gummies. This article highlights types of CBD, methods of consuming CBD to feel the effects, and the benefits.

There is an aura of excitement among teenagers and young adults whenever cannabis is mentioned. Young people majorly associate cannabis with recreational use, precisely to feel "high," scientifically referred to as intoxication. However, there is more than meets the eye since cannabis as a plant has various strains and specific chemical compounds which have particular effects on the human body. In this article, we shall delve deeper into what CBD is, its difference from THC, how CBD is consumed, what are positive and negative consequences expected, and factors to look out for when purchasing CBD.

What Exactly is CBD?

According to Meissner & Cascella (2021), CBD (cannabinoid) is a non-psychoactive chemical compound found in the hemp plant, a particular strain of the Cannabis Sativa plant. Cannabis Sativa has two major types: hemp and marijuana, both having chemical compounds such as CBD and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). The major difference between the two types of cannabis is the level of THC in marijuana which is significantly higher (2.5%) compared to hemp, which is 0.03%. This difference indicates that higher THC levels cause intoxication, which young adults comprehend as the "high" effect that they deem "relaxing and nourishing."

CBD is the major chemical component found in hemp, although other chemical compounds are present in the cannabis strain. They include terpenes and flavonoids.

According to LaVigne et al. (2021), terpenes, for example, can be used to treat mood and anxiety disorders. This seems to be quite revolutionary in the medical field since terpenes, a natural chemical compound, exhibits improved advantages compared to manufactured drugs.

Types of CBD

Depending on the cannabinoid profile and other cannabinoid chemical compounds, there are three forms of CBD. They include:

Full-spectrum CBD

Full spectrum CBD contains all the chemical compounds in the hemp plant. They include CBD, psychoactive THC, flavonoids, terpenes, CBT, and CBC. However, due to federal regulations, the THC levels cannot exceed 0.03%.

Isolate CBD

Unlike the full spectrum CBD, this type of CBD excludes all other chemical compounds found in the hemp plant, such as terpenes and THC. Isolate CBD contains the cannabinoid compound only, as the extraction method ensures that all other chemical compounds are removed.

Broad-spectrum CBD

This is a hemp extract similar to CBD. The main difference is that THC, as a chemical compound, has been extracted and removed. However, other chemical compounds found in the hemp plant still exist in the broad-spectrum type of CBD.

How Legal Is CBD?

Different states have specific laws concerning the use of CBD. In 2018, Congress agreed on the Farm Bill, officially passed into law and separated CBD from other chemical compounds found in various cannabis plant types. The regulatory state of play distinguished CBD from other chemical compounds due to extremely low levels of psychoactive THC (about 0.03%) present in CBD. About 34 states have legalized the medicinal use of CBD, while another ten states have also legalized the recreational use of CBD.

How Is CBD Consumed?

There are four main ways to consume CBD. They include:

• Oral ingestion via edibles like gummies, candies, snacks, as well as capsules
• Topical application of a CBD ointment, lotion, or cream
• Vaping or smoke inhalation
• Sublingually (with oil or tincture absorbed under the tongue)

Various research has proven that each method of consumption has its own "onset" and "offset" time frames, as well as different side effects.

CBD Gummies

CBD gummies are not absorbed into the bloodstream quicker since they must be processed first by the digestive system, and therefore lesser amount of CBD is dissolved into the bloodstream.

CBD Vapes

CBD vapes contain CBD oil (or CBD juice) in a refillable cartridge, or "pen," where the CBD oil is administered through inhalation.

Vaping CBD causes faster absorption of CBD into the bloodstream. However, there is a risk of damaging your lungs if not controlled

Oils and Tinctures

CBD oil is packaged into a small bottle that contains a dropper, thus administered sublingually (under the tongue). One must be careful and ensure that the amount of tincture in the dropper is the right amount of dosage, which makes this consumption method quite inconvenient. On the flip side, CBD is absorbed faster into the bloodstream when administered sublingually than when consuming CBD gummies or edibles.

Consequences of Consuming CBD

Positive Consequences

According to Maroon & Bost (2018), CBD boasts various neurological uses, including adjunctive treatment for malignant brain tumors, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, neuropathic pain, and childhood seizure disorders Lennox-Gastaut and Dravet syndromes. In addition, psychiatric and mood disorders, such as schizophrenia, anxiety, depression, addiction, post-concussion syndrome, and posttraumatic stress disorders, are well treated using CBD.

Negative Effects of Using CBD

According to McGrath et al. (2018), adverse effects of CBD consumption, especially uncontrolled and in excess, include: diarrhea, gastrointestinal upset, vomiting, lung damage due to vaping, and the addition of CBD consumption may lead one to become unproductive.

While purchasing CBD, whether for recreational or medicinal use, always remember to verify its quality. Recommendable CBD companies always ensure that their products have undergone intensive independent laboratory testing to ensure potency and purity levels are as high as possible. These companies are always willing to indicate their results to their customer and offer a money-back guarantee if the customer's needs are not met. Learn more about what does cbd taste like?

Conclusion

In summary, CBD consumption possesses some benefits and health risks. Therefore, one must remain with an open mind and properly understand that, as much as CBD helps massively in treating malignant brain tumors, overconsumption of CBD possesses damage to your lungs, especially through vaping. Also, read through the article to understand what you will expect when you start taking CBD. Learn more about what does cbd stand for?

References

LaVigne, J. E., Hecksel, R., Keresztes, A., & Streicher, J. M. (2021). Cannabis sativa terpenes are cannabimimetic and selectively enhance cannabinoid activity. Scientific reports, 11(1), 1-15.

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

McGrath, S., Bartner, L. R., Rao, S., Kogan, L. R., & Hellyer, P. W. (2018). A report of adverse effects associated with the administration of cannabidiol in healthy dogs. Vet Med, 1, 6-8.

Meissner, H., & Cascella, M. (2021). Cannabidiol (CBD). In StatPearls [Internet]. StatPearls Publishing.