CBD 101: Everything You Need to Know

CBD 101: Everything You Need to Know

What is CBD?

CBD is short for Cannabidiol, a naturally occurring chemical compound classified as a phytocannabinoid and found prominently in the hemp plant. CBD is a specific non-psychoactive cannabinoid which positively affects all biological systems in the body via the endocannabinoid system and is known to provide a host of health benefits for humans and animals.

What are cannabinoids?

Cannabinoids are a diverse class of organic chemical compounds that are naturally produced in all manner of living things. When produced within plants they are called phytocannabinoids. When produced within humans and animals they are called endocannabinoids. Our bodies contain hundreds of these endocannabinoids, which act upon our neural cell receptors (CB1 and CB2) altering the release of neurotransmitters. CB1 receptors are located mostly in the brain and CB2 receptors are spread throughout the body. Phytocannabinoids are almost identical in physical structure to endocannabinoids, which allows them to interact with the internal system that our endocannabinoids use, the endocannabinoid eystem or ECS.

What is the endocannabinoid system (ECS)?

Within our bodies there exists a complex network of receptors called the endocannabinoid system or ECS. This system operates throughout the body to send and receive important chemical messages for our health and for maintaining homeostasis in the body. Recent studies have shown that the ECS interacts primarily with our nervous and immune systems and is responsible for balancing and optimizing functions such as sleep, relaxation, appetite moderation, controlling inflammatory and pain responses and enhancing cognitive abilities like mood and memory.
Our endocannabinoid system, under normal circumstances, is maintained by our healthy body’s natural ability to produce endocannabinoids. When there is a deficiency of endocannabinoids in the body due to aging or other impairing factors like stress, it affects how we feel and can become problematic for our optimal functioning. Supplementation with CBD is known to help offset this deficiency and restore optimal health.

What is hemp and how is it different than marijuana?

Hemp is a variety of the cannabis species, which exhibits high levels of CBD and low levels of THC (less than 0.3%). Conversely, marijuana contains anywhere from 5-30% THC and various amounts of CBD, CBN, THVC and other cannabinoids. THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) is the psychoactive cannabinoid prominent in marijuana that is responsible for giving a “high.”
Although both hemp and marijuana are classified as cannabis species, their appearance, chemical composition, cultivation and applications are entirely different. Hemp is one of the world’s oldest domesticated crops and it is seeing resurgence after years of misconception banned it alongside its psychoactive relative, marijuana. Updated legislation worldwide has made industrial hemp available for use in over 25,000 possible applications including dietary supplementation, skin products, clothing, building materials and accessories.

Will CBD get me high?

No, CBD is entirely non-psychoactive. It does not result in the feelings of euphoria associated with ingesting THC from marijuana nor does it elicit any sensation of being “high” or “stoned.”

CBD products contain any THC?

CBD full-spectrum tinctures are formulated using industrial hemp-derived CBD which is cultivated to contain less than 0.3% THC. This trace amount of THC is rendered ineffective because the predominant CBD molecules in hemp block CB1 receptors, preventing THC from triggering them. In effect, CBD actually prevents the experience of a high. CBD isolate tinctures and Creams contain 0% THC.

Will I test positive on a drug test if I use your products?

Employment drug tests are designed to detect impairment not supplementation so most tests are not designed to detect CBD but rather to detect THC. Because there are trace amounts of THC in most hemp-derived CBD products, the regular consumption of very high doses of CBD (over 1000mg/day) may trigger a false positive result. It is, however, extremely unlikely that even high doses of CBD products would exceed allowable limits of THC per milliliter of urine. Many employers in legal areas are now looking past a THC-positive test result due to an inability for standardized tests to determine impairment and due to increasing use because of legalization. Please check your local laws for details that apply to you.

Some pre-surgical medical tests will test for CBD because it interacts with anesthesia. We recommend full disclosure of our product use to your medical professionals.
If trace amounts of THC are a concern for you we recommend using our CBD isolate tincture which has 0% THC.

Is CBD from hemp as potent as CBD from marijuana?

Yes. Whether derived from hemp or marijuana, biological interactions of the CBD molecule in the human body are the same. CBD is CBD. The key to potency is the bioavailability of the CBD molecule, which is determined by two factors: size and potentiation. Our full-spectrum tinctures contain additional hemp plant compounds that further enhance the uptake of CBD, including cannabinoids and terpenes that work synergistically to affect your ECS.

Is CBD safe?

Yes, taking CBD is proven to be completely safe and non-toxic assuming the hemp plant it is derived from is high quality and farmed with organic standards.

Is CBD safe for children and pets?

Yes, when accurate doses are administered based on body weight and the plant source of the CBD meets high quality standards, CBD is completely safe for children and pets.

Is CBD addictive?

No, CBD is not an addictive substance nor are there withdrawal symptoms upon ceasing to take it. CBD does not produce an excessive release of dopamine, therefore the euphoria associated with opioids or THC, or the relaxing effect of nicotine do not occur when taking CBD. CBD merely works to balance natural levels of neurotransmitters in the brain and nervous system. If there is an excess of one neurotransmitter, CBD will help to lower it, and if there is a deficiency of another, CBD will help to restore it back to an optimal level.

Can I develop a tolerance to CBD?

Early research suggests that developing a tolerance for CBD is an opposite phenomenon to developing a tolerance for THC, involving what is known as a reverse tolerance. With reverse tolerance, continued use of CBD results in a continually lesser dose being needed to achieve the same effects over time. THC diminishes the effectiveness of receptors in the endocannabinoid system with repeated use. Conversely, over time, CBD promotes increased activity in these receptor cells so there is no breakdown of the interaction between CBD and the endocannabinoid system and the CBD can stay continually active without diminishing its own effectiveness. Many CBD users have reported using lower doses as time goes on to sustain their desired effects, proving to be both therapeutically and financially beneficial for them.

If I take too much will it hurt me?

Cannabidiol is known to be non-toxic, with no known fatal overdose levels ever reported. Studies have shown that chronic use and high doses up to 1,500 mg/day of CBD are well tolerated in humans. Doses exceeding this amount may, in rare cases, result in the minor side effects mentioned above and may interfere with the efficacy of certain medications. Always consult your physician when trying a new supplement such as CBD in you health care regimen.

How long does it take to work?

Results from CBD manifest at different rates, depending on what symptom you are addressing and the degree of any health imbalances. Usage method, the quality and type of CBD plus your weight, metabolic rate and composition also play a role in how long it takes to get results.
Ingesting the CBD tincture can provide effects in as little as 10 minutes on an empty stomach and up to an hour if taking on a full stomach. Chronic conditions may require up to 3 months for effects to be noticeable.

How long do the effects last?

The noticeable effects of CBD generally last for about 4 to 6 hours. CBD concentration in the bloodstream drops significantly each hour after the initial dosage and after approximately 7 hours, its overt effects wear off. However, this doesn’t mean that CBD has fully exited the body. In most cases it takes about 4-5 days for remnants and traces to be eliminated entirely. Until that point CBD will continue to work alongside the natural endocannabinoids to optimize the body’s systems.

When do CBD products expire?

Once opened, CBD products have a shelf life of up to 2 years, longer if kept refrigerated.

Will CBD work for my condition?

We are prohibited to discuss with you any disease or condition in conjunction with our products. We are not physicians and cannot make claims that would prevent, diagnose, treat or cure any disease or condition you may have. Please always consult and inform your doctor before deciding to use CBD.

Can I take CBD with other medications?

To be safe, please always consult your doctor before using CBD products in conjunction with other medications. CBD has no harmful side effects when used on its own but may interact with some prescribed medications. It can have a cumulative effect with some sedatives and can inhibit enzymes required for metabolizing certain pharmaceutical drugs (like hepatic drugs) and botanical medicines.

Do I need a prescription?

No, you do not need a prescription to order or use CBD products.

Are your products organic and vegan friendly?

Yes. All our suppliers use organically grown hemp in all products although domestic hemp production is not organically certifiable to date. All carrier oils and flavors are also organic and vegan.

How do you ensure the safety and efficacy of your CBD products?

All our products are third party tested to ensure safety and potency of our products and ingredients. Furthermore, the testing reports (COAs) are transparent and available for public review upon request.

Are there heavy metals, pesticides or solvents in your CBD products?

No, our rigorous testing standards ensure that these toxins are not at all present in our products.