CBD stands for Cannabidiol. It’s one of over a hundred compounds produced in the resinous flowers of the cannabis plant.
The gooey resin is concentrated on the dense clusters of flowers (commonly called buds) of the plant. These are covered by tiny, mushroom-shaped structures known as trichomes.
These trichomes protect the plant from heat and UV radiation. They’re glandular, and create a treasure trove of medicinal compounds, including CBD, THC, and various aromatic terpenes.
The trichome oil also has antifungal, antibacterial, and insecticidal properties that repel pests and predators. The stickiness of the resin also helps by trapping insects.
And contrary to popular belief, CBD isn’t the compound that makes you feel “high” – that’s called tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). CBD is non-addictive, so you don’t need to worry about developing a “habit” from its use.
CBD oil comes from these resinous trichomes of the cannabis flower. However, there are many different strains or varietals of the plant, and the amount of CBD in the flowers depends on which strain you harvest.
Low-resin industrial hemp, which is legally defined as Cannabis with less than 0.03 percent THC by dry weight, has fewer trichomes (and thus, less oil) than high-resin strains do.
However, most high-resin strains nowadays are THC-dominant with little CBD. Therefore, it’s important to choose an appropriate CBD-rich Cannabis strain
Once you have a CBD-rich source, you then extract the oil. There are several ways to do this and each has its pros and cons.
The purpose of this extraction is to make the CBD and other beneficial components of the flower available in a highly concentrated form. Because the cannabinoids are naturally oily, separating the CBD from the plant material creates a thick, potent oil.
CBD is soluble in both oil and alcohol. Thus, the process of extraction usually uses a chemical that can dissolve an oil or alcohol-based compound. These chemicals include supercritical CO2, ethanol, hydrocarbons like butane, and common olive oil.
CO2 extraction is one of the safest methods, and it’s the one most commonly used commercially. Under high pressure and fluctuating temperature, CO2 becomes a liquid which can flush out the active ingredients of the plant matter.
This method is very effective because each compound in the oil can only be extracted by CO2 under very specific temperatures and pressures. This means you can fine-tune the process to extract pure CBD instead of a chemical stew.
Ethanol extraction has been used in many cultures for centuries. In 1854, the US Pharmacopeia recommended ethanol-based tinctures of “Indian hemp” to treat many ailments (including anxiety, depression, pain, and even muscle spasm).
Until 1937, when the Marijuana Tax Act was passed, these tinctures were commonly sold and used by the public, and in recent years, ethanol extraction has once again become popular.
Today, food-grade grain alcohol is used to create very potent, high-quality CBD-rich oil suitable for oral ingestion.
Hydrocarbon extraction (such as butane, hexane, or propane) has some major advantages as well as disadvantages compared to the other methods.
When done properly, this technique is very effective at separating cannabinoids and terpenes from unwanted plant components like chlorophyll.
However, the hydrocarbons are highly flammable. The potent concentrates of this extraction method, which are inhaled or “vaped,” can be very harmful to the user, especially if they have compromised immune systems.
Finally, olive oil extraction is simple and cheap – and you can do it at home if marijuana is legal in your area! Heat the plant matter in the oven. This will turn THCA into THC and CBDA into CBD. Steep the flowers and leaves in the olive oil.
Then sift, strain, and separate the oil from what’s left of the plant.
Note: This process doesn’t strain out the THC, so this product can produce a “high.” Cannabis-infused olive oil is perishable and should be stored in a dark, cool place so it doesn’t spoil.
We encourage our readers to seek out products made from the unfertilized flower tops of high-resin, CBD-rich cannabis, which is better suited for extracting medicinal oil than is low-resin fiber hemp, or industrial hemp grown for seed oil or protein.
Plant breeders have been creating high-resin cannabis varietals with CBD levels over ten percent, while keeping the THC under 0.3 percent.
If you live in a state where medical marijuana is legal, always buy your CBD from a licensed dispensary.
If you don’t live in such a state, you can still obtain CBD from the internet, but you must be far more careful.
There is no regulation of these products and you usually have no idea how much CBD you’re going to be getting. Further, many hemp-derived CBD products are mislabeled.
A study reported in the American Medical Association journal reported that, out of 85 products tested, 69 percent had an incorrect amount of CBD listed on the label.
Another survey found significant discrepancies among some of the leading hemp-derived CBD products.
They falsely claim full-spectrum CBD-rich oil is included in their products, but lab tests of several samples revealed that only a single cannabinoid (CBD) was present.
This indicates that the products are made with CBD-isolate rather than the more effective whole plant CBD-rich extract.
Another problem: some of the highly processed hemp products also contain toxic solvent residues, corn syrup, artificial colors and flavors, and other contaminants.
How can you tell which products are safe for use?
Consumer Reports suggests using products made in states where medicinal marijuana is legalized. Those tend to have stricter standards and regulations.
If you live in a “CBD-Only” state, choose CBD products made with American-grown hemp.
Choose full-spectrum, CBD-rich oil extracts instead of products labeled “pure CBD” or “no THC.”
Full spectrum means it contains several cannabis compounds, including a little THC. If THC is illegal in your state, look for “broad spectrum” CBD oil products that still contain other cannabinoids (but no THC).
Here are some things you should avoid when choosing a CBD product:
- Companies that make grandiose promises or explicit health claims. This is not allowed by the FDA.
- CBD hemp oil vape cartridges made with toxic thinning agents like propylene glycol or polyethylene glycol. Also, avoid flavoring agents and other toxic additives.
- Poor-quality CBD-infused gummies made with corn syrup and artificial colors.
- Brands that claim their CBD is extracted from the hemp seed and/or stalk. CBD is not found in hempseed and very little is found in the stalks.
Don’t be afraid to reach out and contact any CBD company you are considering purchasing through. Ask questions prior to making a decision to purchase to ensure you are properly informed.
Unfortunately, there are many myths and misconceptions surrounding the use of CBD. Let’s take a closer look at the most common ones.
Myth #1: CBD is medical, and THC is recreational.
In truth, THC has amazing medicinal properties as does CBD. Scientists at the Scripps Research Center in San Diego reported that “THC inhibits an enzyme implicated in the formation of amyloid beta plaque,” which is the type of plaque found in Alzheimer’s disease.
The FDA recognizes single-molecule THC (dronabinol, brand name Marinol) as an anti-nausea agent and appetite booster. They classify it only as a Class III drug, which is reserved for less-addictive substances.
Myth #2: CBD is most effective without THC.
In truth, CBD and THC work best together, just as the cannabis plant creates them.
Scientific studies have proven that THC and CBD act in tandem with each one enhancing the other’s therapeutic and natural healing effects.
Myth #3: CBD is not psychoactive.
CBD certainly isn’t an intoxicant, but it’s a mistake to label it non-psychoactive.
It does act as a powerful mood-altering compound, even though you don’t get “high” like you do from THC. It’s more accurate to say, “CBD isn’t as psychoactive as THC.”
Myth #4: Psychoactivity is always an adverse side effect.
Big Pharma is looking to synthesize medically active marijuana-like molecules that don’t make people “high.” So, to them, the “high” is an unwanted side effect.
In truth, the word euphoria literally means “having health” in Greek; it’s a state of well-being.
Dr. Tod Mikuriya, a psychiatrist and author of books such as the Marijuana Medical Papers says, “We should be thinking of cannabis as a medicine first.
One that happens to have some psychoactive properties, as many medicines do, rather than an intoxicant that happens to have a few therapeutic properties on the side.”
Myth #5: CBD is just like a sedative.
The truth is that very high doses of CBD may trigger a sleep-promoting effect (perfect for those suffering from insomnia), however moderate doses can actually be mildly energizing.
In other words, CBD doesn’t cause sedation, but it may help restore better sleeping patterns by helping your brain produce more melatonin throughout the night.
And since it also helps reduce anxiety, it can help improve the quality and duration of your sleep.
Myth #6: High doses of CBD work better than low doses.
CBD isolates do require higher does than whole plant CBD-rich oil extracts. That doesn’t mean the single-molecule version is better.
Reports suggest that a synergistic combination of CBD, THC, and other cannabis components can be more effective at lower doses.
Myth #7: CBD is converted to THC in your stomach.
There have been extensive clinical trials demonstrating that CBD, even at high doses, does not cause THC-like effects.
On the contrary, in the right amounts, CBD can lessen or neutralize the THC “high.”
CBD is available in many different forms, so before you choose which one is best suited for you, here’s a quick overview of currently available options.
@LittleIvan via Twenty20
Let’s take a closer look:
Capsules
These are used for systemic treatment of conditions such as seizures or digestive issues. They are also ingested to help with a variety of other health problems, including acne, anorexia and even glaucoma.
Remember that you must allow enough time for the capsule to dissolve in your stomach and be distributed throughout your body by your blood stream.
When you swallow a capsule, it’s absorbed through your intestines and sent to the liver. It takes about an hour to feel the effects if you take it on an empty stomach, and up to three hours if you’ve eaten recently. This means don’t take more until after at least 3-4 hours have passed.
The psychoactive effects of a capsule subside after around six hours in the average person. Other effects may last up to twelve hours. This longer-acting effect makes capsules suitable for many chronic conditions.
Gummy Edibles
Like capsules, gummy edibles first must be digested and pass through the liver before they begin to take effect. Again, remember not to take more until at least three hours have passed.
Oral Spray
Many studies have shown that CBD, through oral spray specifically that has a combination of CBD and THC, have been proven to be a safe and effective way to reduce muscle spasticity in those suffering from multiple sclerosis.
Tinctures
Tinctures are made with a solvent like ethanol or sesame or olive oil. They’re applied into the mouth, or under the tongue. These doses are absorbed directly into the blood vessels in the mouth.
How it works: You spray or drop the liquid onto the skin in your mouth and wait at least 1-2 minutes for it to absorb before you swallow.
If you just swallow immediately, it’s going to take much longer to have an effect, like a capsule or edible does. It’s best not to eat or drink immediately before or after taking a tincture.
Tinctures take between 15 minutes to an hour to have full effect. They last anywhere between six to eight hours.
Tip: Always start with the lowest dose possible if you are new to CBD. 2.5 to 5.0 milligrams are a good starting dose for most people. Always pay close attention to the label so you’ll be certain exactly how much cannabinoid you’re getting per dose.
Vaping
Inhaling CBD is the fastest way of administering the drug.
The chemicals are sent straight to the brain before they pass through the liver, so they take effect within seconds to minutes.
Most effects usually dissipate within two to three hours. The short onset and duration make this method good for acute problems like nausea.
The fast onset also allows patients to adjust their dose quickly. Even if you do get a “high,” it won’t last very long and you can adjust the next dose accordingly.
One thing to consider, however: vaping has been shown to be a dangerous habit and carries unique risks as they are often diluted with other substances such as MCT, oils and fats that are typically derived from natural sources like olive or coconut oil.
And while these oils are safe to eat, it hasn’t been proven whether they are safe to vape.
Creams, lotions, and gels
These topical products are rubbed onto the skin to provide quick pain relief for muscles and joints.
The CBD is not usually absorbed into the blood stream in any significant amount, so you don’t need to worry about getting “high” or causing side effects.
Before I start I have to say that there has been very little CBD research, I recommend looking for verified medical sources and avoiding mainstream media sources which tend to have a bias in this area. I am also not a Doctor or have any medical experience, I have taken CBD oil and have had my own experiences which I will speak about in future articles
@LittleIvan via Twenty20
The following is a listing of the benefits of CBD that I have managed find from research
Arthritis Pain
CBD was discovered that it may be a safe and useful therapeutic for treating osteoarthritis and joint neuropathic pain.
Anti-Depression
There have been studies that have shown that a single dose of CBD induced antidepressant-like effects in mice. Hopefully this will be replicated in humans as well but testing will be required.
Anti-Anxiety
CBD can also be used to help treat chronic stress and social anxiety disorder, and has even shown to help with stress associated with public speaking.
Anti-Inflammatory
CBD has been shown to regulate inflammatory responses by regulating the production of cytokines.
Blood Pressure
Cannabinoids are known to regulate various cardiovascular functions which include heart rate, vascular tone, and blood pressure.
Cancer
Cannabinoids have been shown to have anti-tumor progression properties. They have shown promise in treating several cancer types, including leukemia, brain, endometrial, breast and prostate cancer.
Diabetes
CBD has been showing promise in the treatments of diabetes and lipid metabolism when combined with nonpsychoactive phytocannabinoids. It has shown to reduce the incidence of diabetes by over 50%
Depression
CBD has shown significant antidepressant-like effects. It does this by increasing the production of serotonin, this in turn can help alleviate depression.
Energy Balance
There has been some evidence found that our body’s endocannabinoid system can help to control our emotional states.
Epilepsy
CBD has been shown as a very promising candidate for the treatment of drug-resistant epilepsies.
Inflammation
Cannabinoids have exhibited significant potential to be used as anti-inflammatory agents.
Memory Function
A study which was aimed towards Alzheimer’s showed that CBD may actually help to boost memory.
Multiple Sclerosis
CBD has shown a significant reduction in clinical scores of paralysis and decreased T cell infiltration in the central nervous system.
Nausea
CBD interacts with the serotonin releasing receptors in our brains, this in turn can help manage chronic nausea.
Pain Relief
CBD Oil can help with chronic pain by decreasing the inflammation. Also, the study showed that people using CBD were very unlikely to build up a tolerance to the effects of CBD unlike other drugs.
PTSD
Cannabinoids have been shown to be useful in reducing post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms by disrupting fear memory reconsolidation.
Schizophrenia
Studies have suggested that CBD can help people with schizophrenia and other similar mental disorders.
Stress
CBD has been shown to prevent the effects of stress. The CB1 receptor signaling provides resilience against the development of stress-related pathologies.
Sleep Disorder
There is research that suggests CBD may have potential for the treatment of insomnia.
Substance Abuse and Dependence
CBD has been shown to help drug addiction by modifying your brain circuitry. It has also been shown to reduce drug-seeking behavior.
Summary
As stated at the beginning a lot more research is required and some of the benefits above may turn out to be untrue and by the same token there may be other benefits.
What is important is that the studies need to be done for this potentially extremely positive compound.
There is a very unfortunate, and untrue, stigma which still surrounds CBD related products.
This actual stems from a long campaign against Cannabis starting from the early 20th century led to the effective criminalization of cannabis in 1937 – now there are various reasons for this and if you have time I wholeheartedly recommend reading up, as it was very politically driven at the time. This trend continued and even got worse until Charlotte Figi came into spotlight.
@LittleIvan via Twenty20
Charlotte Figi’s story
Charlotte was 3 months old when she sadly had her first seizure, by the time she was 5 she was having ~300 seizures a week. The Doctor’s gave up, thinking that there was nothing that they could do but thankfully her parents did not.
They continued to search and press for medical cannabis having heard that it may be of benefit and help their daughter. On this journey they discovered the Stanley brothers, who produced high CBD and low THC strains of cannabis, though this was not in demand at the time.
Once the CBD Oil regime was started Charlotte began to improve and her seizures were limited to 2 to 3 a MONTH. This particular strain then became known as “Charlotte’s Web” and this might be thought of as a turning point of the sentiment toward cannabis.
What Is Cannabidiol?
Cannabidiol is an organic chemical found in cannabis plants, including the hemp plant. There are over one hundred cannabinoids found within the cannabis plant. The most commonly known and looked down upon compound is known as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), this is the compound which contains psychoactive properties.
While one of the lesser known compounds, which as you may have guessed is CBD, is non-psychoactive, making it a prime candidate for medicinal benefits without the mind-altering side effects.
Cannabis containing 0.3% or less of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is classified as hemp, while that containing over 0.3% of THC is classified as marijuana.
Is CBD Legal?
The short answer is, yes but there are quite a few grey areas still.
The often confusing legal status of CBD largely stems from the lack of congruity between the quickly changing federal and state laws, along with the status of medical marijuana and recreational marijuana, and continuous misinformation and lack of clarity in the complex law between the hemp plant and marijuana.
Hemp Made Legal…
The US Congress passed the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (“Farm Bill”), which was then signed into law at the end of the year. The Farm Bill removed hemp from the Controlled Substances Act, expanding commercial cultivation practices, and legalizing the production of hemp on Indian tribal land and in U.S. territories.
Regulations regarding hemp now are under the charge of the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) instead of the Drug Enforcement Administration. Given that hemp is now legal, most presume compounds extracted from it are legal as well. However, regulations do not necessarily provide legal status to hemp extracts.
As with most new laws in the United States, the structure and publication of laws surrounding CBD derived from Hemp are still yet not fully complete but hopefully are moving in the right direction.
Now add to the fact that various US states can have their own set of legislation that do not always conform to federal standards and vice versa, we are left with a plethora of varying and often unclear rules, but one thing is clear is the following:
At the federal level buying CBD, with THC content of less than 0.3% that is derived from the hemp plant, is currently legal.
You would like to join a fitness club but there are so many choices! And then you will just end up having a headache! Fitness clubs are effective motivators. They should motivate us and not frustrate us. Before you choose on a fitness club, make sure that it suits your needs and goals. And before you do that, you should first learn and decide on what is your priority. By then, you will know what you really need in a fitness club. Here are some guidelines you can consider in choosing a fitness club that is best for you:
1. Where is it located?
The location is the first thing that you should consider when finding a fitness club. If the club is far from your home, you will just another excuse not to work out. It is best to find a facility that is near your home.
2. Are the employees friendly and nice? Will they be able to help you reach your goals?
Make sure that the instructor has the necessary experience to work with you. The instructor should be a certified professional that can work with you safely and effectively. Your instructor should also know if you have physical limitations or you may find an instructor that is well trained to work with you. You can also check the age of the instructor especially if it is one factor for your motivation and learning. The staff should also be helpful, friendly and professional. You can also ask the services they offer and find what is important for you. Some facilities have their own dietician and physical therapists that can offer services for you.
3. What kind of programs does it offer?
Find time to see what programs are there for you and check if they suit your interests. Do they offer group classes? Choose the facility that offers the classes you really like. You can do a trial class to check it out if you want.
4. Are the facilities and equipments good and will they be available anytime that is most convenient for you?
Check if the equipments are enough for all members. Otherwise, you will waste your time falling in line and waiting for your turn. Also make sure that the facility is open during the time you are most likely to do work outs and exercises.
5. Is the entire facility well maintained, clean and safe for you?
Machines and other training facilities should be in clean and in good order. If you see a lot of “out of order” signs, it could be something to think about. Modern equipments are safer and more comfortable to use, so you may also want to consider that. Are the floors cleaned regularly to avoid accidents? Is there enough room for everyone? Also check if the facility is located in a place away from danger, consider also if the location is well lit.
6. Are the members of the club friendly and can they be your friends?
The fitness club is also a venue for social interaction. Take time to drop by and meet the members of the club before you enroll. Other members can be your buddies in the near future and should be considered.
7. What is the schedule of classes and will they be convenient for you?
Find out what classes are offered at a specific time and consider if you will be available at the schedules given.
8. How much would it cost you?
It is important to know the monthly membership fee and what it covers. Some fitness clubs have hidden charges and you should be keen in checking that. Check if they have promotions or discounts and do they offer services at an extra fee. It is also important to know how long the club has been and how often they increase rates.
9. How is it different from other fitness clubs?
Don’t just stick into one fitness club. Try to visit as many facilities as you can and make a comparison. Then you can just narrow down your choices to the facilities that met your needs and priorities.
10. What do people say about it? Take your time to gather feedback from other members. Ask them what they can say about the club and let them tell you about the experiences with the facility.
Choosing a fitness club is just like shopping on the best shirt for you. Do not be pressured and do not try to contact them right away. You can take your time to review and gather enough information if you are still not sure which one to choose. Once you have made your choice, enjoy and make the most out of it.
