What You Need to Know - The ABC’s of CBD
CBD products are everywhere and it’s easy to get overwhelmed by all the information out there. So we’ve compiled a list of some of the most frequently asked questions about CBD.
What is CBD?
Cannabidiol (CBD) is the predominant cannabinoid found in the hemp plant (Cannabis Sativa). CBD is just one of the many beneficial compounds found in the hemp plant.
In the United States, hemp is defined as Cannabis Sativa plants that are dominant in CBD with less than 0.3% THC.
Is CBD and marijuana the same thing?
CBD and marijuana both come from the Cannabis plant. However, they are different.
Marijuana, more commonly known as weed, has THC as the predominant cannabinoid. While the hemp plant’s predominant cannabinoid is CBD.
Is CBD safe?
Yes, but its quality varies greatly and it is important to know where the CBD is sourced.
The hemp plant is a bioaccumulator, meaning it draws toxins from the soil. It’s so good that the hemp plant was used in 1986 to clean after the Chernobyl nuclear power station disaster, pulling lead, cadmium and nickel from the contaminated land. This process is good for the planet, but the plant material used for this purpose is not suitable for human consumption afterward.
This is why it is important to always review your products lab test results to ensure the CBD is free of contaminants. This is also why we put all our products through rigorous third-party testing and publish our results here for transparency. These are called certificates of analysis and you can learn more about them here.
Does CBD get you high?
CBD is not impairing nor psychoactive, meaning it does not cause a “high.” This is because CBD doesn’t bind directly to specific endocannabinoid receptors in the body the same way THC does. If you want to learn the science of it all, read The Endocannabinoid System blog here.
Many medical marijuana patients who need to use THC daily to help combat medical conditions, also use CBD to counteract that “high” feeling so they can continue their daily routines. More on this below!
What does CBD do?
As CBD was recently made legal in the US, validated and peer-reviewed studies on all the beneficial impact of CBD are still ongoing. However, recent studies are showing CBD does influence the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS) which is responsible for
- Sleep
- Appetite
- Relaxation
- Flight or Fight
- Memory
- Homeostasis (the maintenance of balance).
When we break it down like that, the ECS influences almost everything, so CBD may help with almost everything!
Can you take CBD and THC together?
CBD works best when combined with other cannabinoids, flavonoids, and terpenes from the plant. For example, THC and CBD work well in combination with one another, and both amplify one another's healing potential. The therapeutic attributes of the whole plant in combination with one another is known as the “entourage effect”. , which means that he therapeutic impact of the plant together is greater than the sum of its individual parts.
Does CBD help you sleep better?
CBD may positively enhance your rest and relaxation by decreasing the amount of time it takes to fall asleep and increasing a deep sleep by shifting your REM cycle into a deeper NREM cycle. CBD may also benefit people who suffer from general anxiety or other anxiety disorders by promoting a feeling of calmness, which ultimately leads to relaxation and falling asleep quicker.
Does CBD help with stress and anxiety?
CBD may help with stress and anxiety, because of CBD’s impact on the endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS processes the body’s Fight or Flight Response.
More specifically, the ECS helps manage the endocrine system, which is responsible for the production of cortisol. When your ECS system is out of balance, your production of cortisol may be overactive because of the stressors you’re experiencing every day.
CBD may help directly manage cortisol production, and improve some of the symptoms of anxiety or stress - increased heart rate, dilated pupils, increased sweat, the shakes, etc.
Does CBD help with pain and inflammation?
Thanks again to CBD’s influence on the endocannabinoid system (ECS), CBD may help reduce inflammation and pain associated with it.
When our immune system is out of balance, it can cause stress and inflammation. Since CBD interacts with cannabinoid receptors in your immune cells, it may help relieve inflammation. Here’s what the research says on CBD and inflammation.
Are you ready to give CBD a try? Need help on choosing a CBD product? Have more questions? Drop us an email at info@treadwellfarms.com and we’d be happy to help!
