INTRODUCTION TO CBD OIL AND ITS DIFFERENT FORMS FOR NEWBIES OF CBD

This article provides information on the forms of CBD and how they are beneficial to the body.

 It also explains and suggests the criteria used to identify the best quality CBD for new users.

If you are a newbie to CBD, you may not be entirely familiar with the types of CBD products and their therapeutic properties. CBD is currently available in many products ranging from edibles, gummies, bath bombs and some pharmaceutical drugs. The cannabis derivative is also legalized in several countries although, THC, a psychoactive cannabis derivative, is highly regulated. In this article, we look at CBD and the different forms it can be processed.

Introduction to CBD: What Is It?

CBD is a non-psychoactive chemical compound obtained from hemp. Hemp and marijuana are plant strains of the cannabis plant. These plant strains have a variety of cannabinoids besides CBD, which include THC, cannabigerol (CBG), and cannabichromene (CBC). However, CBD is more popular because it has therapeutic properties and does not make one feel “high” since it is non-psychoactive. It is worth noting that hemp contains higher levels of CBD, while marijuana contains higher levels of psychoactive THC

CBD also contains other essential oils and chemical compounds such as terpenes and flavonoids. According to Kandi et al. (2015), terpenes have anti-depressant properties which help improve mood and reduce high anxiety levels

Is CBD Legal?

For a newbie unfamiliar with CBD, it is common to doubt whether CBD is legal, especially because of its close association with marijuana. However, Congress passed the Farm Bill in 2018, which led to hemp legalization. This meant that hemp was removed from the legal definition of marijuana and considered federally legal because it does not have any psychoactive properties.

However, state governments were required to develop laws regulating the use of CBD in their states. Currently, 17 states have legalized CBD for medicinal and recreational purposes. It is also worth acknowledging that the FDA does not regulate CBD products and has only certified Epidiolex for a rare type of epilepsy.

How Does CBD Work?

CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system in the brain. It binds with endocannabinoid receptors located in various body parts. For example, CB1 receptors are located in the spine and brain, while CB2 receptors are located in the spleen and the white blood cells. Therefore, when CBD binds with the endocannabinoid receptors, electrical messages are transmitted throughout the body, reducing muscle pain and inflammation or correcting certain irregular body functions. In addition, CBD also helps in improving sleep quality. When it binds with endocannabinoid receptors, it strengthens the function of anandamide. Anandamide is a neurotransmitter that helps in regulating sleep and mood.

Moreover, CBD triggers the production of higher levels of melatonin. Melatonin is a hormone responsible for alerting your brain to fall asleep at night. Higher melatonin levels induce your brain to fall into a deep sleep, characterized by drastically slowed brain waves. These brain waves have a low frequency and high amplitude. Deep sleep helps in improving cardiovascular health, boosting energy levels, restoring hormonal balance, and improving stomach health

Different Forms of CBD for Newbies

CBD Gummies

These are chewy edibles infused with a precise amount of CBD oil. They are popular because they are delicious and can easily be prepared and customized. CBD capsules are pill-like substances that are ingested. They have a gelatin outer casing with a precise amount of CBD oil infused in them. They have no distinct flavor, although they disguise the earthy flavor of CBD oil.

CBD Tinctures

These are CBD oils with an alcohol base. They are administered sublingually, and the alcohol base helps improve their effectiveness and longevity.

CBD Vapes

These refer to CBD vape oil heated at low temperatures and vaporized to be inhaled directly into the lungs using a CBD vape pen. CBD vape oil contains chemical ingredients such as propyl glycol and vegetable glycerin, which ensure that it dispenses beneficial properties when in inhaled.

CBD Topicals

They include creams, lotions, balms, and salves infused with CBD oil. They have antioxidant, that when applied to the skin relieve inflammation and moisturize the skin. It is worth noting that CBD capsules and gummies have a low bioavailability; they have to be processed through the gut, and therefore take 30-45 minutes for their effects to kick in

On the other hand, CBD tinctures have a higher bioavailability. They are administered sublingually, and therefore the numerous blood capillaries under the tongue and the glands facilitate faster absorption into the bloodstream. It takes 15 minutes for the effects to kick in

CBD Formulations

Full spectrum CBD is a type of CBD that contains all cannabinoids found in hemp, such as CBD, THC, and CBG. It also contains various terpenes and flavonoids. However, THC levels are low to prevent any psychoactive effects.

Benefits of CBD

According to Dawidowicz et al. (2021), CBD has antioxidant properties which help stabilize free radicals that cause wrinkles on the skin. Moreover, CBD helps moisturize the skin and improves skin firmness. Watt et al. (2017) suggested that CBD has anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce muscle and skin inflammation. CBD also has analgesic properties which help reduce chronic pains. According to Masataka et al. (2019), CBD has anti-depressant properties which help reduce high anxiety levels and improve a person’s mood. Moreover, CBD helps alleviate depression. Grimison et al. (2020) suggested that CBD has anti-emetic properties which help improve gastrointestinal health.

Where to Buy CBD Oil

CBD oil can be purchased from various local and online stores. Local stores that sell CBD oil include dispensaries, chemists, health centers, and convenience stores. Buying CBD online from trusted brands is also advantageous for several reasons:

• You can check the hemp source
• You can confirm the extraction methods
• You can check the THC levels
• You can read the customer reviews
• You can contact customer support
• You can confirm whether the product has undergone intensive independent third-party testing

Can CBD Cause Side Effects?

You may be curious about the possible side effects of CBD oil. CBD oil is an organic compound and therefore has few side effects. However, low-quality CBD oils may have additional ingredients such as heavy metals, pesticides, and moulds. These ingredients may intensify the side effects, which include headaches, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Conclusion

CBD is a non-psychoactive chemical compound obtained from hemp plants. It is popular because of its non-psychoactive nature and its therapeutic properties. For example, CBD is known to reduce muscle pains and inflammation. Additionally, CBD can reduce high stress and anxiety levels, moisturize skin, boost energy levels and improve focus. The oil binds with endocannabinoid receptors. Various forms of CBD include gummies, capsules, and tinctures. There are various CBD formulations, such as full and broad-spectrum CBD. CBD can be purchased from online and local stores, although shopping online from trusted brands is more advantageous.

References

Dawidowicz, A. L., Olszowy-Tomczyk, M., & Typek, R. (2021). CBG, CBD, Δ9-THC, CBN,             CBGA, CBDA and Δ9-THCA as antioxidant agents and their intervention abilities in             antioxidant action. Fitoterapia, 152, 104915.

Grimison, P., Mersiades, A., Kirby, A., Lintzeris, N., Morton, R., Haber, P., ... & Stockler, M.             (2020). Oral THC: CBD cannabis extract for refractory chemotherapy-induced nausea      and vomiting: a randomised, placebo-controlled, phase II crossover trial. Annals of     Oncology, 31(11), 1553-1560.

Kandi, S., Godishala, V., Rao, P., & Ramana, K. V. (2015). Biomedical significance of terpenes:    An insight. Biomedicine, 3(1), 8-10.

Masataka, N. (2019). Anxiolytic effects of repeated cannabidiol treatment in teenagers with             social anxiety disorders. Frontiers in psychology, 2466.

Watt, G., & Karl, T. (2017). In vivo evidence for therapeutic properties of cannabidiol (CBD) for             Alzheimer's disease. Frontiers in pharmacology, 8, 20.