We, at Direct CBD Online, thrive to provide a wide range of high-quality products easily accessible on one site. We have become experts at discerning the good, the bad, and the ugly of the hemp industry. Here are the CBD facts you need to know!
What Does CBD Stand For?
CBD stands for Cannabidiol. It is a cannabinoid, one of 113 found in Cannabis sativa or the hemp plant. Cannabinoids are compounds found in the cannabis Sativa and hemp plants.
Today, CBD is a popular option for individuals interested in natural alternatives to common physical and mental health ailments. When taken in an appropriate serving size for your height, weight, metabolism and activity level, and other factors, CBD can help your health without the high.
When was CBD discovered?
CBD — and cannabis as a whole — aren’t some new-fangled trend. So, how far back does the use of these products go? The free-spirited tendencies of the 1960s and ’70s? Nope. Actually, cannabis has been used for medicinal purposes since 2727 BC in ancient China.
The compound in the form that we know today, however, was first extracted in 1940 by chemist Roger Adams. Then, Dr. Mechoulam, known as the “godfather of cannabis research” focused his research on CBD.
The godfather was surprised to learn that compounds in cannabis had never been extracted and isolated to serve a medicinal purpose, like cocaine and morphine. His research into CBD for epilepsy is the foundation of what we now know about CBD.
How does it relate to Cannabis?
This compound is not to be confused with THC — the psychoactive most often assimilated with cannabis. CBD is a relative to THC, which also comes from hemp. CBD is also different than hemp oil and offers different benefits.
While both are present in the cannabis and hemp plant, the 2018 Farm Bill stipulated that CBD cannot be legally sold and consumed in most states if it is derived from cannabis and contains more than 0.3% of THC.
The different types of CBD
There are 3 types of CBD, with each a different set of advantages:
Full-Spectrum CBD:
When CBD oil is extracted from the cannabis plant, it contains a number of other terpenes (essential oils) and phytochemicals. Notably, full-spectrum CBD includes a trace amount of THC – the active ingredient in marijuana that makes you feel “high” – though not anywhere near enough to experience psychoactive results. Full-spectrum CBD oil often contains the following:
- Essential minerals
- Vitamins
- Chlorophyll
- Fatty acids
- Proteins
- Fiber
- Flavonoids
All of these other ingredients are a natural byproduct of the extraction process. With CBD, they may work together in an “entourage effect” for greater efficacy in lessening certain conditions and disorders.
Broad-Spectrum:
Broad-spectrum does not contain THC. To break it down further, think of broad-spectrum as sitting at the midway point between full-spectrum and isolate. It contains a moderate amount of cannabinoids — not as many as full-spectrum, and not just CBD, like the isolate. Even though full-spectrum CBD has minimal THC, there is a slight chance it can be detected. This may also depend on your particular biome and how your body processes CBD. Like full-spectrum CBD, however, broad-spectrum also contains terpenes and flavonoids. Depending on how the CBD is processed, broad-spectrum CBD can be created from CBD isolate once terpenes and flavonoids are added.
CBD isolate:
CBD Isolate is an isomer of CBD. The isolate contains CBD and no other cannabinoids (such as CBG, CBDa, CBN). It contains no THC, which makes it a great option for people who might be put off by the trace content of THC in some CBD types. For newbies, it is also a great solution, as it is easier to get the dosage right.
It also is tasteless and odorless, which makes it ideal for cooking or inclusion in smoothies, shakes, and other beverages. For people with taste or smell sensitivities, this can make the experience of taking your daily supplements much more pleasant.
Isolates may be more expensive, however, since they undergo extensive refinement processes and require a higher volume of raw material to reach the same amount of product.
In some people, CBD isolate is faster acting and relieves symptoms more quickly. But CBD is highly personal in its reactions so test each one to see which works better for you.
What Does CBD Do?
Have you taken CBD in some form or another and not felt a thing? It’s possible. How your body metabolizes the strength of CBD you take — whether it be broad-spectrum, full-spectrum, or isolate — has a lot to do with how you’ll feel. The same goes for CBD and your pets.
When taken in the right amounts, however, CBD has been shown to provide a variety of physical and mental health benefits with relatively low side effects. The compound is still being researched for any potential long-term health implications. But the reasons to believe CBD is safe are significant.
What are the facts about CBD backed by research?
There are plenty of ongoing studies regarding CBD and how it can work as internal medicine. This is a key reason why CBD is so popular among the academic medical community. However, it takes due time and mountains of evidence to confirm CBD — or anything — as a safe and effective treatment modality. Since CBD was first isolated decades ago, studies involving it are nothing new. There have been conclusive trials since the hemp market’s expansion, however.
CBD can address symptoms (not necessarily treat) of ailments such as, but not limited to:
- Arthritis
- Epilepsy in humans and dogs
- Endometriosis
- Insomnia
- Parkinson’s, which was determined recently
- Asthma
- Digestive issues
- Diabetes
- Heart, kidney, and liver diseases
- Skin conditions
- Sleep
Evidence for mental health benefits have been shown in the following conditions, and others:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- PTSD
When considering CBD as a form of treatment, ask your doctor about what may be best for you.
The endocannabinoid system
Dr. Ethan Russo, neurologist and pharmacologist describes the theory in a review and still actively conducts research on cannabis and its compounds.
Cannabinoids affect our bodies by interacting with our endocannabinoid system and more precisely the cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2. Both receptors manage different parts of the body and answer to different cannabinoids.
The human endocannabinoid system is designed to link with cannabinoids produced by the body, but compounds found in cannabis plants can bind with these receptors just as efficiently. Although each receptor has its specialty, the source of some issues like sleep and anxiety can overlap on both receptors. Therefore, working the ensemble of your endocannabinoid system can only do good for you.
Do you hate it when your doctor tells you that “lifestyle changes could improve this or that condition”? Well, that’s kind of the same principle here. In the same way exercising and a good diet usually improve wellness and overall health, cannabis compounds work together to restore balance on many levels in your body which can secondarily improve problems you were encountering.
The Entourage Effect is the synergistic effect of multiple cannabis compounds working together at once. In other words, all compounds found in hemp have their specialty. Therefore, when those compounds work together, they produce a greater overall effect (energy/focus or relaxation/sleep).
This is why terpenes in the different strains of CBD Full spectrum are very important. They are the miracle workers behind it all and they help you manage the effects you want.
Will CBD make you high?
What may confuse some people — and, trust us, it’s understandable — is that some extraction methods or blends of CBD can expose you to THC. That’s why you’ll always see full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and isolate clearly distinguished if you are in fact buying from a reputable source. Again, THC is psychoactive, which means it elicits a unique chemical response in your brain which in turn, affects your entire body. This response may vary with each use and will depend on other factors such as the product used, strength, what you ate or drank prior, and more.
What CBD can potentially do for your body, not just your mental health, may offer effects significant enough that some users may identify their relief as a “high.” This isn’t exactly correct, either.
According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health, and Harvard Health Publishing, the side effects of CBD are as follow:
- Fatigue
- Drowsiness
- Diarrhea
- Change in appetite
- Irritability
- Nausea
- Liver failure
- Cottonmouth/dry mouth
It’s important to keep in mind that the most extreme side effects are usually experienced when taking CBD in high doses or doses that are simply too high for you. Reactions also depend on individuals and how each person metabolizes CBD, methods of absorption, and different CBD strengths. After experiencing minor undesirable effects, trying another form of CBD (gummy, oil, capsules…), might get you better results.
Until we know more about the effects of CBD and proper dosage, CBD can only be taken as a supplement and shouldn’t be used to replace any kind of medication.
Where to Buy CBD Oil?
As stated before, CBD seems to have made it everywhere. But to make sure that the product you are intending to consume is safe and legal, there are a few simple steps you can take.
What quality-control protocol is there?
Since the FDA has not yet come to a consensus for federal guidelines regarding CBD — after all, it’s a massive undertaking — it’s instead up to smaller jurisdictions. How can you be sure that the products you’re buying are high-quality, according to an objective source? Many brands grow their hemp according to stringent guidelines and send it to third-party labs that test for potency and purity.
What does it take for a lab to be a “third-party?”
A third party, generally speaking, doesn’t have a vested interest or stake in the subject matter at hand. Third-party laboratories are not affiliated with their assigned CBD brand — or whatever it is they’re testing. Furthermore, they don’t reap any benefits from positive results and serve as objective, scientifically motivated mediators. This is a good source of information for consumers to know for a fact that their CBD products contain the right amount of extract.
What do labs test for?
If labs are testing for potency and purity, what does this actually mean? Labs analyze hemp similarly to how other agricultural products are evaluated. They are tested for solvents, heavy metals, pollutants, chemicals, pesticides — anything that would render the products unsafe for use. Many brands send each batch of hemp products through multiple rounds of testing at different stages in the production process.
What are some seals found on hemp products and what do they mean?
Some products include the Remedy Review Approved Seal or the U.S. Hemp Authority Seal. Remedy Review commissions third-party testing to ensure products are as high-quality and trustworthy as they claim. The U.S. Hemp Authority is an effort made of state and federal authorities, with the cooperation of hemp companies, all working together to set the bar for hemp purity, quality, and trustworthiness. What else should I look for in a CBD brand?
Some CBD brands have a reputation that precedes them. Some are small but growing businesses, others are larger, successful companies pivoting into the hemp arena. There are benefits to both, but you should familiarize yourself with brand specifications, shipping speeds, how they fulfill their orders, and more. That is, if you care about how quickly and reliably your purchases get to you!
Regardless of the product sold, there are a number of other factors to consider as a potential customer. Think about your values, motivations, and budget. Many CBD brands are:
- Family-owned
- Women-owned
- Veteran-owned
- Eco-conscious
Direct CBD Online has made it a commitment to provide only the highest-quality CBD and to personally vet all brands and products we offer. All products have their own COAs, and they buy directly from the brands to ensure authenticity and traceability.