CBD 101 : The definitive guide about Cannabidiol

CBD or Cannabidiol is one of the hidden molecules behind hemp (Sativa, Indica, etc ..), it has been used for relaxation for generations and was already used in the bronze age. Well, to be honest, they probably weren’t aware of all the molecular components at that time, but they for sure were intelligent enough to notice the positive effects that hemp can have on their bodies. So let’s dive into the Cannabidiol subject and discover why CBD is such a strong topic in 2019.

Before you continue on this page, we recommend you to read The story of Charlotte, a little American girl who stabilized her Dravet Syndrome by using a high CBD hemp Strain named Charlotte’s web. This event was the real beginning of the rise of Cannabidiol and it’s always a good story to know and to tell 🙂

It’s a chemical found in all hemp species at differents concentrations, this molecule is from the cannabinoids family, like THC but the effects are far opposed from tetrahydrocannabinol. THC and CBD both act on the endocannabinoid system (for all mammals) but while THC generates a psychoactive effect, Cannabidiol doesn’t make people high.

So … it’s light Cannabis, right?

People like to call Cannabidiol “light cannabis“, but it’s wrong because these terms refer to hemp flowers highly concentrate in CBD with the purpose of being smoked. For medical Cannabis it’s a bit different because flowers contain THC at different levels and people need a medical approbation to use these products, then they can smoke it (not recommended) or make oil or edibles from it.

So this compound cannot really be called “light cannabis” or “medical cannabis” because it’s just one of the molecules of the full plant, it is one of the numerous elements you can find in industrial hemp like terpenes, cannabinoids, wax, fibers, etc …

Let’s get scientific

Cannabidiol molecule structure on Wikipedia

At a molecular level, when Cannabidiol is fully extracted from the plant, it looks like a tasteless and odorless powder. Extracting only cannabidiol while removing all other plant material is difficult and expensive because you need high-pressure CO2 extractor.  This separation has to be made to have a pure 99.99% CBD crystals without any THC, the powder is then used to make CBD oil, edibles or cosmetics.

Now it’s getting interesting: Cannabidiol is a cannabinoid that acts on the pain system and Serotonergic system in all mammals brain. It acts on specifics brain receptors like 5-HT1A or 5HT3A which are the same receptor used by opioid drugs like pain killer, anti-depression and sleeping pills. And what is even better it that CBD/CBDa have very few benign side effects in contrary to the previous drugs. Now we understand why there is a great potential in cannabidiol: It could simply replace a huge quantity of drugs currently used by 5 to 10% of the world population!

Yes, cannabidiol is 100% legal in the United-States and in 95% of the world countries. The molecule is considered as a food supplement that can be taken without restriction. But you have to be careful of the kind of CBD products that you buy and use because it shouldn’t contain any trace of THC in it. If the product contains even the smallest amount of THC you have to look at the marijuana law in your State. For more informations, you can read the updated 2019 CBD law.

You are lucky, all Naturicious products contains 0% THC :

There are plenty of ways to assimilate this cannabinoïd but before diving into this I recommend you to read the most common mistakes while taking CBD, it is an interesting summary to help you to avoid making those mistakes.

Can I smoke CBD?

Okay … Let’s get straight to the point: This is probably the worst way to take Cannabidiol and we do not recommend this method. Firstly CBD buds/flowers are not authorized everywhere and even if it’s from industrial hemp. Most of the cannabidiol flowers contain THC and its use is highly restricted in some States.

Secondly, smoking is an old fashioned way of assimilation, because it burns with a too high and non-necessary temperature. At about 1472 °F (800 °C) everything is burned and the person who smokes is getting all the heavy metals and toxin (toluene, tar, carbon monoxide, heavy metals, etc…).

And to top that, it’s a very inefficient method because most of this active compound is lost in the smoke because the lungs cannot assimilate all the smoke at once.

Should I vape it then?

Even if it’s not the best way to assimilate cannabidiol, vaping is way better than smoking cbd buds. To vape this molecule you cannot use raw plant material like flowers but you need to use pure Cannabidiol crystal mixed in your PG/VG solution.

By vaporizing the solution to about 329°F (165°C) you can activate the decarboxylation process of the CBD (if not already done by manufacturer). The smoke is way colder than real combustion but it’s way cleaner too!

But it is still not a recommended method because the efficiency of assimilation is as bad as smoking.

Sublingual & Ingesting

The best way (efficient & healthy) is to use Cannabidiol edibles (oil, tincture, mix) because it’s very easy for your organism to absorb it this way.

The best method to take Cannabidiol is to use some good quality oil (check our 3% Isolate CBD oil) and to put 6 drops of oil under your tongue. You can let it rest here for some minutes before swallowing it. By doing this you will absorb the active compound faster and it will act faster on your organism, then the non-absorbed material in your stomach will be assimilated in the next hours.

Topical

Topical is another way to use Cannabidiol, it could be interesting if you want to use it on specific regions of your body for it to act locally. CBD lips and gloss are interesting too because the assimilation process is pretty efficient on the lips where a high quantity of blood circulates.

To relieve pain

According to the research conducted by GW Pharmaceuticals in the USA by E.B.Russo, the use of CBD oil can interact with the body’s protein cells and transmit chemical signs both to the immune system and brain through a variety of stimuli. This creates a positive impact and helps the cells deal with chronic pain. CBD is extremely useful for people who are facing back pain and inflammation. Another survey proved how this molecule can improve sleep quality and mood patterns. Patients going through chemotherapy find relief with the usage of Cannabidiol when both the treatment and disease becomes unbearable.

To deal with anxiety

CBD has earned its fame for its ability to reduce stress and deal with anxiety. The Journal of Cannabis Therapeutics published a report explaining how the natural components present in CBD is beneficial when it comes to releasing pleasure hormones. It enables to relax the mind. CBD oil also brings about a sense of relaxation and calm. The serotonin levels of our body are altered due to this cannabinoid action over our endogenous cannabinoid system. It has an impact on the CB1 receptors present in the brain. This helps to improve mental health.

The ability to help patients with Cancer

Though a massive amount of research is still going on regarding the ability of CBD to fight cancer, the reports so far have been affirmative. Both cannabis and CBD oil are known to reduce the side effects of cancer therapy and reduce its symptoms. A combination of both the components Cannabidiol and THC will help to deal with the pain that is related to cancer. According to research conducted at the Medical University of Vienna, Austria by Hansen M, it can be concluded that CBD will help to deal with the harmful effects that are caused by chemotherapy including anxiety, vomiting, and nausea. Please note that there is not a single medical study that proves that Cannabidiol could reduce the tumor’s size or actively fight metastasis, for now, science only has certitude over the reduction of side-effect of the main radiology treatment.

No more signs of acne

The winner of a Nobel prize – George Andrew Olah conducted research and declared how CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties can fight the signs of acne. CBD also controls the production of sebum which reduces oiliness and helps the skin fight inflammatory cytokines and bacteria responsible for causing acne.

Better Mental Health

Patients who suffer from multiple sclerosis and epilepsy can make the most of this cannabinoid. In the University of London, a research was conducted which proves that CBD can deal with a wide range of different neurological conditions. This includes Parkinson’s disease and Dravet syndrome. It also reduces cognitive decline and neurodegeneration, this helps those suffering from Alzheimer’s.

Better Sleep

The struggle to fall asleep at night is real for a majority of the population. This molecule can work wonders for those who simply want undisturbed sleep without any side effects. The components present in this cannabinoid can relax the body and lower the energy levels.

The testimonies of several people around the globe hold scientific explanations and theories that have been related to the use of CBD. The purpose of the CBD oil extracted from the hemp plant that is a member of the Cannabis family has shown explicit benefits to several people all around the earth. The testimonies of some of them go as follows:

Stephanie beats her cancer

Stephanie was a 30-year-old woman when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She had to undergo chemotherapy. However, after some of the sessions, she decided to take a different route. She found out about Rick Simpson’s cannabis oil. Right after using this oil, she went into remission. She has been free of any cancer for over the past nine years now.

An anonymous person goes pain-free, beats drug abuse

A person, whose identity has been withheld, says that he had been diagnosed with severe neck pain for over 30 years and had got addicted to the painkillers like Excedrin. This led him to suffer from a severe ulcer that was enough for him to succumb to his conditions. Finally, he bought some CBD oil while he was in Florida which was about 1200mg in strength and proved miraculous for him. Not only did it make him feel ultimately better, but it also rinsed the pains and swellings off him. He was able to stretch his muscles out again that he had not been able to in years. He sends out a word of warning for the users at the end. He mentions that any strength under 1200 mg does not work and, in case, somebody struggling with addiction or pain must try this.

A 65-year-old woman was about to replace her hips when she took CBD

A 65-year-old woman was quoted as saying that she was suffering from a pain that came from a cranky hip and her ortho had suggested a hip replacement within 12 months. She started taking Aleve daily to reduce chronic pain. This was when her doctor mentioned CBD. She started taking the oil, and after a week or two, she increased the dose. Even though she could feel the pain due to an incorrect movement, her constant pain had vanished. She has stopped taking Aleve and goes for the daily dose of exercise. She is immensely happy to have got this effect.

Dorothy’s psoriasis takes a back seat

Dorothy shares her experience with hemp oil. She says she is a 53-year-old woman who had psoriasis all her life. Dorothy started applying this oil for 4days, and her psoriasis is almost 150% gone since. This oil is the only one that she has used with positive results, and she is more than elated to recommend it to people all over the world.

CBD is the top food supplement of 2019 and his compound can be found everywhere from lattes to moisturizers, cookies, vitamins, teas, gummies, ice cream, massage oils, beer, and so on. But it hasn’t always been like that …

President Trump signs Farm Bill to legalize hemp in 2018

In the year 2018, Donald Trump signed the farm bill which gave Cannabidiol a new boost. This bill had a provision legalizing the use of hemp which is a form of cannabis, but it lacks every psychoactive reaction.

However, it isn’t all good news. Though CBD containing products are now sold everywhere (U.S 2019 CBD Law) and are highly popular among the masses the possession of Cannabidiol in any form can lead to arrests. In Duncanville, authorities barged into a store that is run by Ms. Amy Wazwaz and confiscated every CBD product. They also took away cash amounting to thousands of dollars along with the personal cell phones of employees.

It goes without saying that the dispute related to hemp isn’t something new. It has been prevalent for ages but the intensity of it increased after the federal ban was lifted from the Farm Bill in 2018. Hemp was previously classified as a controlled substance and shared its place with heroin. There is a massive difference between marijuana and hemp. Both of them are different varieties of cannabis. It is also the first plant ever to be cultivated. The chemical produced by this plant family is known as cannabinoids – which is again divided into two parts. A part that produces a high or is responsible for the psychoactive reaction when ingested or smoked whereas the other half doesn’t cause any such reaction. Cannabidiol is still subjected to regulation when sold for therapeutic benefit.

Last year we saw some real accomplishments and progress in terms of CBD but as 2019 continues the question still remains unanswered – Is CBD legal now? You’ll be surprised to know that though cannabidiol is legal, there are some very specific conditions. CBD’s legal status is way more defined with the recent reforms but there are still a few laws which remain unclear and there are quite a few new ones we are in need of. The lack of information along with continuous reforms leads to a vast misconception of the public about the law and the legality of these hemp-based products.

The legality varies from one state to another and federally the determining factors are all about how CBD is extracted and from which source marijuana or hemp. Both the plants are extremely close relatives, but they have been classified under the law very, very differently. It is crucial to understand the difference between them and follow their legal status in each state. Texas is one such state where possessing marijuana is subjected to felony.