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Ever since the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill, hemp-derived CBD has exploded onto store shelves across the country. Yet, despite CBD’s massive popularity, many new users still don’t really know or understand how this incredible compound works.
At EndoCoast, we believe that taking control of your health starts with education. We’ve made a guide to CBD for beginners to learn more about what goes into pure CBD products, what the heck all those terms mean, and more. Read on as we dispel CBD facts and myths and give you the CBD information you need to make a healthy change.
Even in major news publications, people mix up the definitions of “marijuana,” “hemp,” and “cannabis.” So, first off, before we get into the truth about CBD, let’s get the basic vocabulary down.
Cannabis
The family, or genus, of plants that contain marijuana and hemp.
Marijuana
A variety of cannabis typically high in THC -- the infamous compound that can get you high.
Marijuana can also contain CBD, but it is highly regulated or completely illegal to derive CBD from marijuana in most states.
Hemp
A variety of cannabis with an enormous amount of industrial purposes and a storied history as a valuable crop.
This plant is high in CBD content and is where most CBD products today are derived from.
Hemp must contain less than 0.3% THC to be considered legal.
Cannabinoids
The compounds found in cannabis plants.
The main active cannabinoids are “phytocannabinoids,” which include both THC and CBD. These cannabinoids can be isolated from one another to produce THC-free and THC + CBD products.
THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol)
A psychoactive compound that gets you high when smoked or consumed.
CBD (Cannabidiol)
A powerful compound that has been shown to have promising pharmacological effects for epilepsy, inflammation, pain, anxiety, and more.
Another important CBD fact to sort out from the myths: Not all forms of CBD work the same. Just like any other health supplement, you should customize the form of CBD you use to your individual needs.
Topical Application (Pure CBD Creams, Lotions, Topical Tinctures)
If your pain or discomfort is isolated to a specific place (i.e. a sore muscle or aching joints), using a topical hemp CBD lotion or cream is the best way to ensure you deliver relief directly to where you need it. CBD tinctures or oils can be used in the same way and applied topically to provide concentrated relief to the area in need. This type of CBD can be especially useful for athletes or those with chronic inflammation in one area of the body.
Oral Ingestion (High-Quality CBD Oils, CBD-Infused Edibles, and CBD Softgel Capsules)
Sometimes considered the best for CBD for beginners because it’s easiest to consume, this is the slowest way for CBD to affect your body, as it has to travel through the digestive system and then into the bloodstream in order to take effect. This can take anywhere from 1-6 hours depending on the dose and your body type. However, oral ingestion often has the longest active period of effect and, generally, provides total body relief.
Sublingual/Buccal Oral Ingestion
This involves placing a CBD oil or tincture on your gums and cheeks (buccal) or below your tongue (sublingual) for a certain period of time. This is a way for orally-ingested CBD to reach your bloodstream faster than swallowing.
Inhalation (Dabbing, Vaping)
Some CBD users advocate for inhalation because of its near-immediate relief. There are, however, inherent risks involved with smoke inhalation, so we recommend consulting with a medical professional before choosing this option. Avoid cheap vape pens and any inhalable products that contain “propylene glycol.”
When shopping around for CBD products, you’ll see a product is usually labeled as one of these three types of CBD:
This is simple: these products contain nothing but the CBD compound. Scientists used to believe CBD isolate was most effective on its own. In 2005, this theory was debunked, and broad or full-spectrum CBD was shown to be the most effective.
This contains all compounds naturally found in the plant, including THC, terpenes, essential oils, and cannabinoids. Each work together to complement the benefits of each other in what is known as the “entourage effect.” At EndoCoast, all of our pure CBD products are crafted from full-spectrum CBD.
Similar to full-spectrum CBD, broad-spectrum CBD contains all cannabinoid compounds from cannabis with the exception of THC.
Totally untrue. But like many CBD myths, this one has a basis in fact. Here’s the issue: some profiteers are capitalizing on the CBD hype by putting diluted, untested derivatives in cosmetics and foods that won’t have any benefit. Some products have even been caught advertising CBD products for pets that have no CBD at all. Obviously, that’ll have no effect.
CBD has many proven, tested benefits. CBD has been shown to be particularly effective in treating epilepsy: a CBD product known as Epidiolex is a prescription drug for treating seizures caused by certain syndromes. CBD is also used for anxiety, pain, quitting smoking, Parkinson’s disease, and much more. Make sure you do your research on CBD information to make sure you’re getting a lab-tested, holistic product.
Nope. For CBD to have its full effects, you need to take regular doses in relatively high quantities.
How much you need depends on many factors, including age, weight, height, and symptoms you’re trying to alleviate. Check out our CBD dosage guide for a look into how much CBD an individual should use.
Because the FDA has loose restrictions surrounding hemp-derived CBD, you should make sure your products have been tested in an accredited, 3rd-party lab.
Additionally, make sure your CBD has been derived from sustainable, organically hemp that uses no herbicides or pesticides, as trace amounts can make their way into your product. You should also ensure the CBD has been derived without the use of harsh chemical solvents.
At EndoCoast, we want to make sure our customers can differentiate between CBD facts and myths. If you need more information on CBD, read our FAQ page or contact us at support@endocoast.com.
