Hi! Welcome to CBD: The Drip, your weekly drip of everything CBD related. I am your host, Megan and will be providing you with weekly content about CBD, Cannabis and everything in between. Want more? Follow me on social media, @OrganixSupplyCo to receive daily content and join my platform to ask any questions you may have.
We will be kicking off our weekly drip with this beginners guide to CBD – to start things off, at the bottom of this article is a 15% off coupon code for your first order!
- What is CBD?
- Is all CBD the same?
- How CBD is made
- How CBD works
- Getting started with CBD
Let’s get right into it – also don’t forget, scroll to the bottom to get 15% off your first order!
What is CBD?
Everyone is talking about it, and everywhere I look there is a new CBD product on the shelf, but what exactly is CBD? Cannabidiol, CBD, is a cannabinoid most commonly found in Cannabis but it is not the only cannabinoid. There are 120+ known cannabinoids, with CBD and THC being two of the most commonly talked about. In addition to cannabinoids, there are about 400 other identified components of the Cannabis plant; Terpenes, Flavonoids, Vitamins, and Minerals. Most people know about Marijuana and that it is Cannabis, but what most don’t realize is that Hemp is also Cannabis, but Hemp is NOT Marijuana!
Marijuana and Hemp are both derived from the Cannabis plant family, so although they are similar – they are not the same. The biggest distinction between the two is; Marijuana plants have extremely high levels of THC like 15-30%, while Hemp plants contain less then 0.3% THC. Essentially, Hemp plants contain high concentrations of CBD and low THC, and with the passing of the 2018 farm bill – Hemp derived CBD is federally legal. With the ability to ship across state lines, Hemp derived CBD has created the perfect entry point to educate people on cannabis, shifting the traditional outlook from stoner culture to high end wellness and healing.
But not all CBD is the same
There are different classifications of CBD; Full Spectrum, Broad Spectrum, and Isolate – the difference being dependent on the cannabinoids present.
Here is a breakdown;
- Full Spectrum – contains highs concentrations of CBD + trace amounts of other cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids – while maintaining less than 0.3% THC.
- Broad Spectrum is similar in that it also contains CBD, other cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids – however broad spectrum contains ZERO THC.
- Isolates are exactly what it sounds like, isolated CBD meaning no other cannabinoids or components of the plant. Isolates are 99.9% pure CBD.
Each have their pro’s and cons – with most people basing their personal preferences around their understanding of THC and/or zero tolerant policies they may have to adhere to in the workplace. With that said; Science has proven the most therapeutic benefits are provided when using the whole hemp plant – all cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, and THC. THC is a known catalyst for CBD, meaning its therapeutic benefits are amplified when used together. This synergy is called the Entourage Effect. Rest assured, it only takes tiny, trace amounts of THC to access the entourage effect, with less than 0.3% THC, a user will not feel “high” or “stoned” when using Full Spectrum CBD. They will only experience a relaxed, elevated feeling in their body – but not mind.
How Full Spectrum CBD is made
Not all CBD is the same nor is it created equally. There are a handful of different ways to make Full Spectrum CBD, some use solvents like ethanol or butane, while others use C02 extraction to create a higher quality product. All of our products are Full Spectrum using C02 extraction, so this article will dive into our best practices. For those interested, we have a great 3 minute video on this process, you can watch here.
To produce a quality CBD, you must start with quality ingredients. All of our products are derived from Hemp, grown in the USA, using all natural farming practices and completely NON GMO. Additionally, all of our products are tracked from seed. Once you have a high quality hemp harvested, you should always harvest the whole plant including flower, leaves and stalk, you can then begin your extraction process.
C02 extraction creates the cleanest products while also being the most environmentally friendly – it is however a very technical process involving extremely expensive equipment and not something I’d recommend you do at home. Essentially, you stuff your harvested hemp into the chambers, passing C02 through the chambers and columns, adjusting pressure and temperature to allow extraction of the CBD molecule from the hemp biomass, with C02 extraction having about a 90% efficiency – giving another reason as too why C02 extraction is one of the most desired methods.
Now you have what is commonly referred to as your crude oil – you will need to process this further to have a finished product. Next step is your Winterization and Decarboxylation processes. Winterization involves cooling the oil, using extremely frigid temperatures to allow the natural fats and waxes to separate from the oil. Then you will Decarboxylate which involves heating the oil to convert inactive CBD-A to activated CBD – now you have your Full Spectrum CBD.
Once you have your finished product, it is always wise to have it third party lab tested, Hemp plants are known for their ability to remove toxins from soil by absorbing the toxins themselves, so it is very important you always use a high quality hemp that is grown ethically. In addition to toxins within the hemp, labs will also test for cannabinoid potency, terpene profile, residual solvents, as well as molds and fungi – overall it’s a good idea to always have your product tested.
Now, you know what CBD is and how it’s made – but what’s it good for?
How does CBD work?
We have talked about CBD being a cannabinoid and how cannabinoids are commonly found in Cannabis, but did you know that your body also produces cannabinoids? These cannabinoids are called Endocannabinoids, “endo” meaning within.
The largest system within your body is your Endocannabinoid System, ECS. Your ECS is made up of three parts; cannabinoids, CB receptors, and enzymes. Your ECS is intertwined with all major systems within your body, it is responsible for regulating these systems like; your mood, how you experience pain, hunger, and happiness, your quality of sleep, digestion & appetite, fertility, and helps you fight off disease and illness. Keeping your ECS balanced is key to maintaining your health. Your ECS is essentially one of the most important system within your body – yet the least studied and talked about.
Naturally, your body can only produce so much cannabinoids, so just like you replenish your energy with caffeine or help regulate your sleep with melatonin – CBD, cannabinoids will do the same for your ECS.
But – everybody is different – so what works for me, may not always work for you. It is important to understand that your CB receptors are as unique as your fingerprints – meaning the location and density of your CB receptors will always be different from one person to the next. This difference, known as your CB expression, is why Cannabis tends to affect everyone differently – some people feel relaxed, others feel energized and revitalized, while others may be left feeling paranoid, sweaty, and overall uncomfortable. This also makes it very challenging for Scientist and Doctors to study Cannabis, as each study contains slightly different findings based on the participants.
Getting started with CBD
Not to be discouraged from trying – if you are new to Cannabis, I always recommend starting your routine in the evening first, using low doses, record how you feel, and adjust as you feel necessary until you find your sweet spot. It is important to remember, CBD does not get you high!
When using CBD Oil it is always best to drip the oil directly under your tongue – this is known as Sublingually. It is called Sublingually, because that is where your Sublingual gland is located! When dosing sublingually, the CBD Oil will be absorbed in about 20 seconds and will enter directly into your bloodstream providing you with fast acting relief. Sublingual dosing also allows your body to absorb and retain as much of the CBD as possible. This is the most recommended way to consume CBD, because it provides you with almost immediate relief and a high absorption rate.
I understand not everyone enjoys the taste, so to those I recommend dripping a few drops into your morning coffee or hot tea at night – however it is important to understand in doing this the CBD Oil is now passing through your digestion tract before entering your bloodstream. Relief may take a little bit longer to achieve and may not last as long as your liver processes and pushes out some of the cannabinoids.
When starting your CBD routine, 10-20mg is recommended – the size of this dose will be based on the concentration that you buy. For example, our 500mg bottle contains 30ML so 500/30 = 16.7 mg/ml. This means 1ml, which is equal to one full dropper, is a prime starting point, providing you with just about 17mg of CBD per dose. If you were to start with our 2500mg bottle, then your dose would be much smaller, 2500/30 = 83mg of CBD, so if you were looking to only take 20mg then you would only need to consume ¼ of a dropper.
Most people report hitting their sweet spot in the 40-60mg range, but again everybody is different. You will need to adjust your dose how you see fit – which will be a continual process throughout your CBD journey. In times of stress, or illness you may need 80-100mg while other days you may wake up feeling your absolute best, ready to take on the world while only consuming 20mg. It is important to listen to your body, nourishing it as needed.
CBD should be used consistently to achieve best results. The cannabinoids will build up in your system, constantly nourishing your body – so although you may not always take the same dose, the CBD will build upon itself providing your body the nourishment it needs to put out optimal results – regardless of the external stressors you may be experiencing.
With Cannabis consumption it is good to know, that you can’t overdose. The World Health Organization, WHO, did a study with humans consuming upwards of 1500mg per day – the only side effects experienced were drowsiness. The WHO concluded the study with CBD being reported as generally safe, non-toxic, and not addictive.
There have however been studies to come out recently showing CBD to have similar reactions as grapefruit – sounds weird right? Grapefruit and CBD, both bind too and inhibit enzyme P450 – this enzyme is located in your liver and is responsible for breaking down your medication. Blocking this enzyme from doing it’s job will allow the medication to build up in your system, prolonging its effects on you and possibly subjecting you to a potential overdose. If you are currently taking any medications that warn against the consumption of grapefruit or grapefruit juice then you absolutely, must consult with your physician prior to starting your CBD routine. If you are not currently taking these medications, but would like to learn more – then you can consult with your local pharmacist, asking them for a drug/herb interaction list – specifically noting grapefruit.
This is only the beginning! There is still much to be said about CBD, and so much left to be discovered. If you like what you read today, please consider following our Facebook group to learn more and have access to ask questions or provide feedback. For those of you ready to try, use discount code WELCOME15 to receive 15% off your first order!