HOW MUCH CBD IS IN WAX?

The cannabinoid (CBD) industry is growing. More people are becoming optimistic and open to incorporating CBD into their daily regimen. Skincare enthusiasts insist on using topical CBDs for smooth, supple skin. Athletes and workout enthusiasts use CBD frequently to relieve muscle pain and reduce anxiety before competitions. Is CBD actually worth the hype?

Various forms of  CBD can be processed: CBD gummies to CBD capsules, oils, and tinctures. People have begun adopting CBD wax as a common way of using CBD. CBD wax has a high potency of CBD since it does not go through intensive refinery processes, although it is thoroughly tested to remove any psychoactive compounds and harmful substances. CBD wax has a higher potency; how much CBD is actually in the wax? This article aims to delve deeper into CBD wax, how it’s extracted, how much CBD is in wax, types of CBD wax, how to use it, and any potential risks.

CBD Wax: Should I be concerned?

CBD wax is simply a type of CBD concentrate that has a higher potency of CBD in it. Eskander et al. (2020) suggested that it is a non-psychoactive chemical compound present in hemp. Hemp, alongside marijuana, is a plant strain of the cannabis plant. However, CBD does not have any intoxicating or “high” effects. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) present in marijuana is responsible for the high feeling experienced after using cannabis.

CBD also has other chemical compounds, which are also present in hemp. According to Elzinga et al. (2015), terpenes and flavonoids have therapeutic effects, with terpenes aiding in alleviating anxiety and stress and reducing muscle pain and inflammation. On the other hand, flavonoids are essential in preventing oxidative damage to the brain, which would otherwise cause diseases.

Is CBD wax legal?

In 2018, the U.S Congress passed the Farm ill. This legislation led to the removal of hemp from the legal definition of marijuana. Therefore, hemp extracts such as CBD were declared legal under federal law. However, state laws were also developed by individual states to regulate the use of CBD. Seventeen states have legalized CBD for medical and recreational use.

What feeling do you experience after using CBD wax?

CBD wax offers therapeutic effects. It is essential in reducing muscle pain and inflammation. According to Überall et al. (2020), CBD offers a stress-relieving feeling by alleviating anxiety and stress levels by increasing the level of serotonin in the brain. Kuhathasan et al. (2019) showed that CBD offers a calming feeling since it improves sleep by triggering the production of melatonin that triggers the brain to fall asleep at night. Gobbi& Comai (2019) explained that higher melatonin levels induce the brain to fall into a deep sleep. Deep sleep is characterized by slower brain waves, which have a lower frequency and higher amplitude. Deep sleep helps in the restoration of the mind and the body and the efficient removal of toxic substances from the body.

It is worth noting that CBD does not have any psychoactive effects; this can be accredited to the significantly low levels of THC present in CBD wax (about 0.3%). However, one may feel drowsy after using CBD wax, especially due to its higher potency.

How Much CBD Is In Wax?

As mentioned, CBD wax has a high potency. Moreover, there are three major CBD wax strengths.

Full-spectrum CBD contains all chemical compounds present in hemp. Such chemical compounds include terpenes, CBG, CBD, flavonoids, and traces of THC. However, THC levels are significantly lower (0.3%)

Broad-spectrum CBD is similar to the full spectrum CBD, although it does not contain THC since it’s extracted completely from it.

CBD Isolate only contains CBD as its primary chemical compound since all other chemical compounds are removed from it

Full and broad-spectrum CBD offers the entourage effect - a phenomenon whereby the chemical compounds present in hemp extracts work harmoniously to enhance the effects given out by CBD.

Drennan et al.  (2021) showed that CBD wax comes in concentrations of 15mg/serving, 30mg/serving, and even 45mg/serving. The wax comes in 30ml bottles, which usually have a total concentration of 450mg-1300mg.

How Is CBD Wax Extracted?

CBD wax can be extracted using CO2, lipid extraction, and alcohol extraction. However, alcohol and CO2 extraction are the most common methods.

Alcohol extraction involves using butane to pull out all vital oils in hemp, such as terpenes and flavonoids. It is a resourceful extraction method since it is cheaper and easier to carry out. However, the residual solvent could be left behind after the extraction process, which may further interfere with the purity of the product.’

CO2 extraction involves using pressurized CO2 to pull out essential oils such as terpenes and flavonoids. CO2 extraction is characterized by higher pressure and higher temperatures, making the CO2 simultaneously function as a liquid and a gas. CO2 extraction offers a purer extract since no residual solvents are left behind.

Types Of CBD Wax

CBD live resin – This type of CBD wax is manufactured unconventionally. While every other CBD wax requires hemp to be heated and dried, CBD live resin requires frozen hemp, which is later dried. The purpose of this technique is to preserve the efficacy of the chemical compounds present such as cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids.

CBD crumble –the final product is crumbly, similar to cheese. CBD oil used contains high moisture amounts, and CBD oil has a higher viscosity.

CBD budder – Here, hemp is heated at higher temperatures, and later on, air pressure is pumped onto the hemp. The final product is a flunky wax, similar to butter.

CBD shatter - This type of wax requires heat in its extraction. The oil is allowed to cool and harden afterward to form CBD wax with “shatter” glass shapes.

How To Use CBD Wax

CBD wax can be inhaled into the lungs using a dab rig, which comes in multiple shapes and sizes. For new CBD users, it is advisable to start with one hit as you slowly increase your CBD dosage. Moreover, always consult your doctor concerning the right dosage for you. Dosage varies depending on age, weight, and frequency of CBD use.

Safety Precautions

According to Huson et al.  (2018), while inhaling CBD wax, ensure optimum temperatures (below 350⁰ F). Higher temperatures could lead to lung and throat damage. Furthermore:

Ensure you confirm the ingredients on the product label. Avoid products with harmful substances such as vitamin E acetate

Ensure that you purchase CBD wax from a reputable brand

Ensure that the product has undergone intensive independent third-party testing

Ensure that the product contains not more than 0.3% THC

The bottom line

CBD wax has grown more popular in recent years. They have a higher potency of CBD oil and are cheaper since you need small doses of CBD wax to experience heightened relaxation effects. CBD wax has therapeutic effects, relieving muscle pain and inflammation and reducing stress and anxiety.

CBD wax usually has a total concentration of about 450mg-1300mg. If you are a new user of CBD wax, starting with smaller doses as you slowly increase your dosage is important. It is important to purchase high-quality CBD wax by ascertaining the product ingredients. Be on the lookout for harmful substances such as vitamin E acetate and psychoactive chemical compounds such as THC.

References

Drennan, M. L., Karoly, H. C., Bryan, A. D., Hutchison, K. E., & Bidwell, L. C. (2021). Acute objective and subjective intoxication effects of legal-market high potency THC-dominant versus CBD-dominant cannabis concentrates. Scientific reports, 11(1), 1-10.

Elzinga, S., Fischedick, J., Podkolinski, R., & Raber, J. C. (2015). Cannabinoids and terpenes as chemotaxonomic markers in cannabis. Nat. Prod. Chem. Res, 3(81), 10-4172.

Eskander, J. P., Spall, J., Spall, A., Shah, R. V., & Kaye, A. D. (2020). Cannabidiol (CBD) as a treatment of acute and chronic back pain: A case series and literature review. J Opioid Manag, 16(3), 215-8.

Gobbi, G., & Comai, S. (2019). Differential function of melatonin MT1 and MT2 receptors in REM and NREM sleep. Frontiers in Endocrinology, 10, 87.

Huson, H. B., Granados, T. M., & Rasko, Y. (2018). Surgical considerations of marijuana use in elective procedures. Heliyon, 4(9), e00779.

Kuhathasan, N., Dufort, A., MacKillop, J., Gottschalk, R., Minuzzi, L., & Frey, B. N. (2019). The use of cannabinoids for sleep: A critical review on clinical trials. Experimental and clinical psychopharmacology, 27(4), 383.

Überall, M. A. (2020). A review of scientific evidence for THC: CBD oromucosal spray (nabiximols) in the management of chronic pain. Journal of pain research, 13, 399.