Everything You Need To Know About CBD

An Introduction to CBD

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a natural compound called a cannabinoid.  It is found in the leaves, stems, and sticky flower of cannabis which includes both hemp and marijuana.  However, it is most prevalent in hemp.  This plant has a rich history going back thousands of years. Today the therapeutic attributes of CBD have created a 20-billion-dollar hemp industry in the U.S. and provided natural benefits from this multiuse cannabinoid to millions of people around the world.  CBD comes in many forms with several types of CBD products like CBD Oil Tinctures, CBD Gummies, and CBD Topicals.

CBD is a safe, non-addictive cannabinoid.  It is the most prevalent cannabinoid in hemp which also has over 100 other cannabinoids.  Some of which are like CBD while others are very similar to THC.  THC, more specifically called Delta 9 THC, is the main cannabinoid in marijuana which causes weed’s psychoactive high.

Both CBD and THC have notable therapeutic attributes. But unlike THC, CBD does not make you feel “stoned” or intoxicated. That’s because CBD and THC behave in different ways on different receptors in the brain and body.  CBD can even decrease or neutralize the psychoactive effects of THC, depending on how much of each compound you use. Many people want the health advantages of these cannabinoids without the high.

CBD, a molecule with many advantages

Many people explore alternatives to pharmaceuticals. By tapping into how we operate biologically, CBD is being studied and it has numerous potential applications including chronic pain, anxiety, inflammation, depression, and many others, all of which are currently being studied.  Because CBD’s application to these ailments have not been federally approved, all CBD products must be labelled “THIS PRODUCT IS NOT INTENDED TO DIAGNOSE, TREAT, OR CURE ANY DISEASE.”  However, if you go online, you’ll read thousands of customer testimonials that definitely say otherwise.  This doesn’t mean CBD will cure cancer or anything like that.  But, there may be some truth to it playing a role in helping some of the symptoms or discomforts.  It’s important to note, no matter what you read online, do not stop taking any prescription medication without first consulting your doctor.

Types of CBD Products

In recent years, the cannabidiol (CBD) industry has exploded. With a wide variety of products available, it can be difficult to decide which type is best for you. Let’s explore the benefits and uses of three popular types of CBD products: CBD oil tinctures, CBD gummies, and CBD topicals.  This way, you can make an informed decision about which CBD product will help you reach your desired outcome.

CBD Oil Tinctures

One of the most popular forms of CBD is a tincture, also known as CBD Oil. These are usually taken sublingually or orally and come in liquid form inside a glass bottle with a dropper top. One major benefit of using a tincture is that it is easy to measure out precise amounts each time you use it, so you know exactly how much CBD you are consuming.  CBD Oil Tinctures are also versatile.  They can be added to food or drinks, taken on their own, or even used as a topical treatment if desired.

In addition to these benefits, CBD oil tinctures typically have higher concentrations than other types of CBD products.  They are also very inexpensive to make, which makes them an ideal choice for someone on a fixed income or just wanted to try a hemp or CBD product for the first time.

CBD Gummies

CBD gummies are one of the most popular forms of CBD because they are convenient and easy to take. They come in a variety of flavors and dosages, so there is something for everyone!  They also offer long-lasting effects since they must pass through your digestive system before being absorbed into your bloodstream.  This allows them to provide more sustained relief than other methods such as. Gummies are discreet.  Not to mention they taste good.  So, if you want a good tasting cannabis products and discretion and price are important to you, then hemp oil CBD tinctures or might be the perfect option for you!

CBD Topicals

If you’re looking for localized relief from muscle soreness and discomfort or general skin care, then CBD topicals might be just what you need!  Topical creams and lotions allow you to apply the product directly onto your skin.  This allows the active ingredients to penetrate deep into your skin without having to enter your bloodstream like with oral consumption methods.  This makes topicals ideal for targeting specific areas of your body on the outside.  The downside is those valuable cannabinoids don’t get into your bloodstream to interact with your inner body’s endocannabinoid system.   We always recommend, if you want to take a CBD Skin Care product, always combine topicals with a daily regimen of a Hemp Lively Whole Plant Hemp Oil or Whole Plant Hemp Gummies to provide maximum results.

Pharmaceutical CBD

There’s a lot of enthusiasm about the healing potential of CBD.

Not until June 25, 2018, that the FDA recognized cannabidiol as medicine by approving Epidiolex. A pure pharmaceutical CBD formulation treatment for two severe pediatric seizure disorders, Lennox-Gastaut Dravet syndrome.

For the first time, the federal government had given an official go-ahead for a cannabis-derived product.

In acknowledging the FDA’s historic decision, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) declared in September 2018 that it had withdrawn Epidiolex from Schedule I classification. A classification reserved for unsafe drugs with no medical benefit. Henceforth, Epidiolex became a Schedule V drug, the least threatening classification under the Controlled Substances Act. The DEA later discharged Epidiolex from the federal government’s account of controlled substances.

Given CBD’s status as a successful, artisanal treatment, one would think that Epidiolex would hold a lot of “off-label” attention. After all, physicians frequently prescribe pharmaceuticals off-label to manage conditions that were not the clinical trials’ initial focus. But the expensive price tag for Epidiolex (higher than $10,000 annually) hinders off-label prescribing as well as reasonable access for tens of millions of Americans without health insurance.

The rise of the CBD Industry

Not everyone has the seizure condition needed to get a prescription for CBD and most cannot afford the pharmaceutical CBD.  This combined with the 2018 Farm Bill which legalized CBD products with less than 0.3% delta 9 THC gave way for a huge rise in the CBD industry.  In response to massive consumer demand, a vast, uncontrolled exchange in CBD oil goods reached a critical size in 2018. A wave of consumer attention in all things CBD was suddenly newsworthy.  CBD garnered tons of approval from soccer moms, athletes, film stars, parents, and even pet owners.

Today, there are copious amounts of coffee shops, health clubs, chiropractic offices, smoke and vape shops, internet storefronts, community markets, and gas stations that retail various hemp-derived CBD and other Cannabinoid infused products, including pure CBD isolate products which weren’t that far off from Epidiolex.  CBD is now regarded by many as an all-purpose palliative for people and pets of all ages.  But along with a growing awareness of cannabidiol as a potential health aide, there is a proliferation of misunderstandings about CBD therapeutics, primarily brought on by deceptive marketing which made overstated (and illegal) health claims about CBD.  These practices are not allowed and completely unethical which is why we’ve written a guide to help CBD companies avoid giving medical advice on their websites.

How Does CBD Work?

CBD and THC communicate with our bodies in a variety of ways. One of the main ways is copying and augmenting compounds in our body called endogenous cannabinoids, or endocannabinoids. Named so because they resemble compounds found in the cannabis plant.  That’s right.  The human body already makes its own cannabinoids.  These “endocannabinoids” are part of what scientists note as the “endocannabinoid system” which also include a series of CB1 and CB2 receptors which interact with both endocannabinoids and phytocannabinoids such as CBD.

The discovery of the endocannabinoid system has significantly improved our understanding of health and disease. It has significant meanings for almost every area of medical science. It helps clarify how and why CBD and THC are such versatile compounds. Also, why cannabis is such a widely used plant, despite its sometimes-illegal status.

The endocannabinoid system performs a crucial role in managing a broad range of physiological processes. These processes influence our everyday experience, mood, energy level, intestinal fortitude, immune activity, blood pressure, bone density, and glucose metabolism. It also affects how we feel stress, pain, hunger, and more.

What occurs if the endocannabinoid system doesn’t function correctly?

What are the issues of a chronically deficient or overactive endocannabinoid system?

Cutting-edge science shows that the ECS malfunctions in almost all unhealthy conditions. Thus, it’s safe to say that modulating endocannabinoid system activity may possess therapeutic potential in nearly a wide variety of issues in humans.

The Entourage Effect

CBD is a molecule, not a miracle. However, it is an amazing molecule.  But it is just one of over 100 cannabinoids found in hemp.  CBD alone may not always do the trick.  There is compelling evidence that CBD works best when left in its natural state in combination with all the available phytocannabinoids and terpenes found in the hemp plant.  This idea that cannabinoids work better together is known as the “Entourage Effect”.  And the cannabinoid profile that does this the best is called “Whole Plant” or “Full Spectrum CBD”.

What About CBD from Hemp?

What began as a grassroots populist rebellion against cannabis prohibition has morphed into a multibillion-dollar market catalyzed by the rediscovery of CBD as a wellness option. CBD oil is red hot these days, and it seems that everyone, including the do-gooders and profiteers, wants a slice of the CBD pie.

CBD has also sparked the rebirth of the U.S. hemp industry. The Hemp industry was dormant for decades because of drug war politics. The 2018 Farm Bill introduces a provision that sanctions the cultivation of hemp (cannabis with no more than 0.3 % THC). This is in part because of the demand and driving economic strength of CBD.

Growing hemp is now a legal agricultural industry in the United States. But obtaining CBD-rich oil from hemp biomass and selling CBD oil extracts and isolates for ingestion steps on Big Pharma’s toes.

Legalities aside, hemp-derived cannabidiol is just a click or call away for anyone prepared to roll the dice and buy CBD oil products that have limited administrative oversight.

The bright side to all of this is easy access to CBD oil.  The downside is variable quality between both CBD products, hemp extracts, and the manufacturers that make them.  Fortunately, high-grade hemp-derived CBD products are readily available to consumers, who recognize that CBD can be part of a healthy lifestyle, from trusted CBD product manufacturers like Hemp Lively.

The Hemp Farming Act of 2018

On December 20, 2018, The Hemp Farming Act of 2018, S. 2667 (2018 Hemp Bill) became law and formally and definitively removed hemp from the list of controlled substances. The 2018 Hemp Bill redefines hemp as all parts of the Cannabis Sativa plant that do not exceed 0.3% delta-9 THC by dry weight, including “derivatives,” “extracts,” and “cannabinoids.” Notably, the 2018 Hemp Bill explicitly removes popular hemp products, including hemp-derived CBD, from the CSA purview.

Before the 2018 Hemp Bill passage, domestically cultivated hemp was only federally lawful when grown under a state-sanctioned pilot program. In 2017, a total of 23,343 acres of hemp grew across 19 states. As of this writing, over 40 states have passed legislation to allow them to take advantage of hemp pilot programs under the 2018 Farm Bill.

Is CBD Legal?

It depends.  CBD is legal if it comes from hemp and has less than 0.3% delta 9 THC.

In Summary

CBD is an amazing cannabinoid and widely used as a palliative for a myriad of issues.  It’s legal and can be purchased almost everywhere.  The most important thing to remember is to stick with Whole Plant hemp products for the best results and always choose a trusted supplier like Hemp Lively.  CBD comes in a wide variety of product types.  No matter which type of CBD product appeals most to you (oil tinctures, gummies, or topical creams), there’s no denying that all three offer unique benefits that may help improve your overall health and wellbeing in some way shape or form. Do some research on each type before deciding which product will work best for you! And lastly remember that everyone reacts differently when it comes to cannabis products so start with small doses until you find what works best for your individual needs!  With all these tips in mind we hope that finding the right product won’t feel too daunting anymore! With enough research and patience anyone can find their perfect fit when it comes to hemp-based products like these! Good luck on your journey towards better health!