To fully understand what CBD is and all its characteristics, an endless manual full of explanations and information about this versatile and nuanced substance could be prepared. To simplify the introduction to this topic, this is a simpler guide to CBD for beginners that can be expanded with the rest of the blog articles published and to be published.
What is CBD?
Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the cannabinoids present in the cannabis plant. Along with THC, it is one of the numerous cannabinoids and is responsible for some of the effects caused by marijuana, although its impact on the body is very different from that of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The first topic to address in a good beginner's guide to CBD is the difference between THC and CBD because only one of them causes the famous results of cannabis.
Differences between THC and CBD
THC and CBD are the two most abundant cannabinoids in cannabis, although a total of 113 have been discovered in their composition so far. These cannabinoids are organic compounds capable of activating the cannabinoid receptors of the human body.
The biggest difference between THC and CBD that should appear in a cannabidiol guide and that any beginner should know is that the former is the substance responsible for causing the psychotropic effects of marijuana, that is, for producing the well-known "stoned." On the contrary, CBD is unable to generate this sensation and its most common effects are relaxation and other medicinal effects without having to endure the “high” of traditional marijuana.
However, the THC from most varieties of cannabis plants is also therapeutic, especially anticancer. When discovering the close relationship between CBD and conventional marijuana, the first question that usually comes to every individual is if it is legal.
CBD Legal Status
Cannabis (not CBD) legislation in the USA goes from one extreme to another. A few years ago, this country was among the nations condemning, with the utmost vigor, the possession, consumption, cultivation, and distribution of cannabis. Today, the reality is quite different. Why? Because about 31 out of 50 states have legalized at least one form of cannabis (medical or recreational). As far as CBD goes, The 2018 Farm Bill legalized the production and sale of hemp and its extracts. This Act legalized the farming of industrial hemp, which, as defined by the Act, contains less than 0.3% THC.
Types of CBD products
You should know that there are currently three main types of CBD products. These are full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and isolates.
How to define them?
· Full Spectrum CBD
Full Spectrum CBD contains all the molecules naturally present in the hemp plant. During its extraction, all parts of hemp are used: flowers, leaves, seeds, and stems. You will therefore find all the cannabinoids mentioned above (CBN, CBG, CBC, etc.) as well as THC, in an amount of less than 0.3% as required by the United States regulations. Full-spectrum CBD allows you to take advantage of the entourage effect through the synergy between the different molecules, and thus allows you to fully benefit from the benefits of the plant.
· Broad Spectrum CBD
Broad Spectrum CBD is very similar to Full Spectrum CBD. It, too, contains all the cannabinoids naturally present in the hemp plant, except for THC. For this type of CBD, the THC is completely removed during the extraction process. The other molecules are well-preserved, and their action is multiplied thanks to the entourage effect.
· CBD Isolate
CBD isolate is CBD in its purest form. Unlike broad or full-spectrum CBD, only the CBD molecule is extracted from the hemp plant. It is isolated and separated from other cannabinoids (hence its name) to obtain a 99% CBD. This type of CBD, therefore, does not benefit from the entourage effect and the positive interaction between the other molecules present in the plant. This option is great for those who worry about drug testing. Although the THC content in Full Spectrum is low, prolonged use can show up on a drug test.
Benefits of CBD
The introduction of CBD-based products in recent years is unprecedented. Every day it is easier to find creams, serums, gels, oils, capsules, makeup, etc. that contain this cannabinoid. The main reason for this increase in CBD products is its numerous health benefits with hardly any side effects, provided by a substance classified as natural.
Although most of the studies related to these health benefits are in the preliminary phase, the first results are very optimistic. Until now, the usefulness of CBD in diseases related to epilepsy has been proven. In addition, indications have been found that indicate that it has important properties:
anxiolytic
Antiseptic
anti-inflammatory
Antitumor
Analgesic
Antiemetic
Additionally, improvements have been observed in people with neurodegenerative conditions and neuronal disorders who have used CBD to alleviate the effects and slow down the progression of the disease. Therefore, it is close to confirming that this substance is also neuroprotective. It could be used against multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's, schizophrenia, or PD, among others. However, it is also necessary to take into account the possible contraindications that will be cited below to guide beginners in their entry into the world of CBD. While CBD has shown promising results for pain, inflammation, PTSD, sleep issues, seizures, anxiety and more please do not stop taking your prescription medications without discussing with your doctor. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
For dosing assistance please visit this dosing calculator on our website. This calculator is a starting guide. All humans and our symptoms are different so its important to be patient when first starting out as you may need to see what dose works best for you.
Contraindications
Due to the lack of studies mentioned, there are specific cases in which the safety of this substance cannot be ratified in people with certain conditions or in specific circumstances, and everyone reading this guide should keep in mind that it's a CBD guide for beginners. It is not known with certainty how CBD can affect people who are pregnant or breastfeeding, so its use is discouraged for now.
In the same way, you should consult your doctor if you suffer from any serious pathology or are following another treatment because it could be contraindicated and have consequences that range from causing too much drowsiness to more dangerous situations. In the case of liver disease, the doses must be much lower, but, above all, self-medication with extremely high doses of CBD should be avoided due to possible health risks.
CBD is often well-tolerated in most cases, but some side effects may appear, although they are not very serious and are always transitory. The most common are dry mouth, decreased appetite, fatigue, diarrhea, and drowsiness. In isolated cases, it can cause dizziness and low blood pressure. Be Well & Enjoy your life!
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