What is CBD?
Cannabinoids are chemical compounds, a group of terpene phenolic compounds concentrated in the viscous resin of the glandular trichomes on the plant bud. Some cannabinoids are responsible for the main effects of cannabis and others have important medicinal properties that the scientific community continues to study and find new discoveries every day. These chemical compounds act directly and indirectly with cannabinoid receptors to help the body maintain stability, health, and homeostasis. While there are over one hundred known cannabinoids, in this article we will focus on the one cannabinoid that’s making waves with its recent popularity.
CBD- Cannabidiol- is a chemical compound found in marijuana and hemp. Cannabis doesn’t actually produce CBD or THC. The plants produce all cannabinoids in their acid form. THC and CBD are synthesized from THCA and CBDA, from their CBGA precursor.
CBD is a safe, non-addictive substance that is closely related to THC but is non-psychoactive and acts in different ways on different receptors in the brain and the body.
CBD can also lessen or neutralize the psychoactive effects of THC, depending of the ratio of each compound consumed.
CBD may have neuroprotective effects. A 2010 brain cancer study in California found that CBD enhances the inhibitory effects of THC on human glioblastoma cell proliferation and survival. This means that CBD makes THC even more potent as an anticancer substance.
CBD may stimulate neurogenesis, the growth of new brain cells. CBD and THC interact with our bodies in a variety of ways. One of the main ways they impact us is by mimicking and augmenting the effects of the compounds in our bodies called endogenous cannabinoids, so named because of their similarity to the compounds found in the cannabis plant. These endocannabinoids are part of a regulatory system called the endocannabinoid system(ECS).
On June 25, 2018, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recognized cannabidiol as a real medicine by approving Epidiolex, an almost pure pharmaceutical CBD formulation, as a treatment for two severe pediatric seizure disorders, Lennox Gastaut syndrome and Dravet Syndrome. This is the first time since the peak of the “reefer madness” era 80 something years ago that the federal government had given an official thumbs-up for a cannabis-derived product. There is compelling evidence that CBD works best in combination with THC and the full spectrum of other cannabis components.
CBD may have a wide range of therapeutic and pharmaceutical benefits, with more being discovered daily through trials and studies. Although we cannot claim that this compound cures any diseases, we can still recognize that it is has been therapeutic in alleviating symptoms of various diseases and ailments.
Cannabidiol comes in many forms. You can get Full Spectrum, which is CBD with a host of other cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids, including trace amounts of THC. You can get Broad Spectrum which is CBD with a host of other cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids with no THC. Or you can get CBD Isolate, which, as it sounds, is isolated CBD. There are methods for isolating CBD from the rest of the compounds in the plant. The most popular and cleanest form of extracting CBD is by CO2 extraction. The subcritical CO2 method uses carbon dioxide under high pressure and extremely low temperatures to isolate, preserve and maintain the purity of the oil. This process requires expensive equipment and room for learning, but when done right is the safest and most pure and potent form of CBD.
There are four specific ways that cannabidiol is administered into your bloodstream:
- Sublingual: Ingesting cannabinoids orally by placing drops under the tongue and holding for 30-90 seconds before swallowing. Highly effective, the mucous membranes absorb the cannabinoids, bypassing your digestive system and liver, reaching your bloodstream and interacting with your endocannabinoid system within minutes.
- Inhalation: Inhaling the compound into your lungs via vape or smoking flower, where it enters your bloodstream instantly. Most experience sensations of relaxation. Effects are immediate but the duration is the shortest.
- Topical: Ideal for localized pain relief. Rub into the area of distress. Most do not enter the bloodstream, however, transdermal patches do enter your bloodstream transdermally bypassing the digestive system and liver and acting instantaneously.
- Ingestion: The act of orally swallowing the cannabidiol where it passes through the digestive system and metabolizes in the liver. The active compound or compounds enter your bloodstream the same as how your daily vitamins are administered. Effects take longer due to the digestive process but last the longest.
CBD isn’t exclusive to just Cannabis plants, either. CBD is also derived from lichen found in invasive evergreens and citrus peel. A company from Chicago, Windy City Organics’ Veggimins, offers a great alternative to those wanting hemp-free CBD products.
Veggimins is a reputable brand that offers Citrus CBD Tinctures. I already carry their Raw Hemp oil tinctures and their 25mg Unwind dark chocolate bar, which is the first USDA certified organic CBD chocolate bar on the market, so adding their Hemp Free CBD tinctures to their line of products I carry seemed like the right move to make.
Most CBD comes from hemp, especially since the passing of the Farm Bill on December 20, 2018. The market is flooded with different options of CBD products to choose from. It is important to find products that are organic and that have a certificate of analysis convenient for you to view.
There are any type of products from infused honey, gummy bears, suckers, to just the isolated CBD powder itself. Black Tie CBD has an isolate powder that tests at 99.9%+ pure every batch. It’s the ONLY completely water-soluble CBD Isolate on the market. It’s also tasteless, and odorless. I do not carry it but if you order through my link or use my code MJCBD at the end I will not only get a portion of that sale which goes right back into my cause, but you will also get a discount. The link to order is https://blacktiecbd.net/discount/MJCBD
Black Tie CBD also has isolate capsules. You can purchase different strengths and capsules are a convenient way to dose because they are pre-measured doses. Again, you can purchase their capsules here: https://blacktiecbd.net/discount/MJCBD
I carry isolate capsules as well as tinctures and edibles such as suckers and gummies in my shop. The Creating Better Days brand is all Nano-Amplified isolate CBD products. Their products sell quickly because of the rapid bioavailability and the length of time the CBD lasts, plus they’re products are beyond effective.
This is just the tip of the iceberg of CBD products. I also carry creams, salves, massage oils, facial cleansers, bath bombs, infused honey, transdermal patches, teas, tinctures, herbal roll-ons, herbal capsules, and even lip balms. Each serve their own unique purpose of providing healing benefits and targeting specific areas of distress, but each is effective in getting the job done as long as the product is of good quality.
CBD, cannabidiol, is still being extensively studied for its therapeutic and pain relieving effects. With so many modes of administration (topical, sublingual, inhalation, ingesting) and so many different products on the market to choose from, there’s bound to be something that will tailor specifically to every individual need. It is my mission to find that product for each individual, researching the best sources and testing them on myself even to see firsthand how the product works before committing to selling it.
I hope to enhance your quality of life through the nurturing natural products provided in my shoppe.
-Mary Jane