CBD is short for CannaBiDiol, and is a compound derived from the Hemp plant. It is a different, but equally useful compound from THC, the compound which contains Phytochemical, the one that produces a euphoric high.

While CBD is non-psychoactive (non-psychotropic), its relationship to the human endocannabinoid system makes it a fantastic medicinal treatment. CBD does change cognition though. It affects mood, which is why people take it to reduce anxiety and to increase feelings of alertness.

The CBD plant may look like Marijuana, but Hemp is a distant cousin and is a non-psychoactive member of the cannabis family.

CBD has been known to assist in the relief of pain, inflammation, anxiety, and seizures without causing associated inertia or depression. Many people who have been diagnosed with illnesses such as arthritis, PTSD, depression, epilepsy and chronic pain have reported that they take CBD as a side treatment and to provide temporary relief from conditions.

CBD has been known to encourage the body to use its own cannabinoids. The component in CBD extract attaches to receptors in the brain and immune system, to produce these beneficial effects.

CBD offers the effects of a natural pain killer, especially for chronic pain conditions. It also has many additional benefits within the cardiovascular system, having effects on vasodilation, blood pressure, and the interaction of the Central Nervous System and heart rate.

CBD acts best when consumed with high Fatty Acid foods, for example, salmon, nuts and seeds, and plant oils.
CBD assists with weight loss by helping the body convert white fat into weight-reducing brown fat, and by promoting insulin production, and sugar metabolism

A Study of human subject’s published in the scientific journal Current Drug Safety last year, and other studies similarly concluded that the compound was safe, non-toxic, and well tolerated. The addition of permissible amounts of THC to CBD creating a full spectrum product, has been researched extensively, and science shows us that combining THC with much larger amounts of CBD, as produced by the hemp plant, aids the body in maintaining its endocannabinoid system’s health.

Methods of Administration:

Inhalation: Generally immediate onset, and lasts from 2-4 hours

Smoking – this method allows for the intake of a full profile of terpenes, flavonoids and numerous other compounds. Inhaling CBD has up to 5 times higher bioavailability than other methods of administration. The effects of utilizing this route of administration are typically felt within 2-3 mins and can last 2-3 hours. Smoking CBD is often effective for reducing or subsiding acute symptoms that need to be addressed quickly such as painful muscle spasms, nausea, and vomiting.

Vaping – This is the process of heating CBD flower, oil, or concentrate to or near its boiling point. Similar to what you see coming out of a kettle when its boiling. Vaporizers control the heat at which the cannabis is administered. CBD enters your lungs and diffuses directly into your bloodstream rather than passing through your stomach and liver. Vaping is a very efficient delivery method of CBD.

Topical: Generally, topicals take 15-20 minutes to take effect, and last from 2-4 hours
Topicals are cannabis-infused lotions, balms, and oils that are absorbed directly through the skin. Best for localized relief of pain, soreness, or inflammation. They are higher in bioavailability than orally ingested compounds because they’re able to skip liver metabolization. Topicals have been shown to reduce inflammation and pain in the area to which it is applied. This technique helps with arthritis ans with athletes suffering from post-exercise soreness. It may also help with the treatment of skin conditions like psoriasis.

Oils: Tinctures generally take 15-60 minutes to become effective, and last from 4-6 hours.
Sublingual – Applied under the tongue because this vessel-rich area allows for better absorption, Bioavailability is anywhere from 20%-30%.

Tincture – CBD oil is made from High-CBD, low-THC industrial hemp. The CBD is extracted using Carbon Dioxide, under extremely high pressure, to extract the oil and, as of now, is the cleanest and purest method for obtaining CBD oil.

Edibles: Generally, edibles take 30-120 minutes to take effect, and last from 6-8 hours. Known to have the longest lasting effects (up to 8 hours) but can take up to 2 hours to become activated in the body. Edibles come in pre-dosed servings, making is simple to calculate how much CBD you’ve consumed and how much is needed to ingest for achieving the desired outcome.  For individuals with eating and digestive disorders, such as gastrointestinal difficulties, edibles testing high in CBD are not only a great source of nausea-reducing medicine but are also a source of essential nutrients and calories. People with autoimmune disorders such as Crohn’s disease, find this method of medicating extremely beneficial because Crohn’s occurs in the GI tract.

*** Taking your CBD with and Omega-3 oil increases the bioavailability of CBD in the bloodstream ***

Possible CBD side effects:

A National Center for Biotechnology information (NCBI) suggests that controlled CBD administration is safe and non-toxic in humans and animals. According to the paper, “high doses up to 1,500 mg/day of CBD are reportedly well tolerated in humans.” Most importantly, unlike pharmaceutical medications, CBD has no lethal effects at any dosage.

1. Inhibition of hepatic drug metabolism- CBD can potentially inhibit the activity of the liver enzyme called cytochrome P450. This family of enzymes metabolizes nearly 60% of the pharmaceutical drugs used to treat humans. If one takes extremely high doses of CBD, this can temporarily neutralize the activity of P450 enzymes and thus alter the way drugs are metabolized inside the body. CBD can regulate blood pressure effectively enough to warrant a reduction in hypertension medications. You should discuss any potential complications regarding reduced P450 enzyme activity with your doctor and/or pharmacist.
2. Dry Mouth- Cannabinoid receptors (type 1 and 2) are present in the submandibular glands which are responsible for producing saliva. The activation of these receptors may alter the salivary production, which may lead to mouth dryness
3. Increased tremor in Parkinson’s disease at high dose CBD can occur. High doses of CBD have shown in studies to increase tremors and muscle movement and has also shown to decrease them as well. If client is feeling a worsening of symptoms, decrease the suggested dose and the patient should feel better.
4. Low blood pressure – Higher doses of CBD oil may cause a small drop in blood pressure, usually within a few minutes of the CBD entering your system.
5. Lightheadedness – This can be caused by a drop in blood pressure that can affect those using higher doses. This side effect of CBD is temporary and can often be resolved by drinking a cup of coffee or tea.
6. Drowsiness – In higher doses, CBD may cause drowsiness. In most cases, however, CBD is a wake-inducing agent. Alternatively, high doses of CBD can be used as a very effective sleep aid, activating serotonin and melatonin receptors, and raising dopamine levels during sleep.

* The body’s sensitivity to CBD (as seen at CB1, CB2, and other receptor sites)
* The patient’s body weight; lighter patients usually require less CBD
* The patient’s general health and mitochondrial function
* The patient’s body chemistry and possible pharmaceutical interactions. CBD helps modulate blood pressure, so patients taking high blood pressure medications should start at lower doses and be sure to take their CBD at least an hour before or after pharmaceuticals

This effect creates an increased benefit which is provided by ingesting a number of different cannabinoids and terpenoids which are found throughout the cannabis plant, combined into one product. Much more beneficial than ingesting a single compound alone.

Cannabis contains over 400 natural components and through research and development, scientists have identified over 66 as cannabinoids. During Dr. Raphael Mechoulam’s research in the 1960s, he discovered that for THC to be totally utilized it must be grouped with the other components. Research proved that all cannabinoids work simultaneously with one another in a therapeutic way, THC had different effects when combined with other terpenes and cannabinoids.

Among the primary chemicals that are considered for the entourage effect the terpenes. The unique smell and aroma found in hemp and cannabis stems from the more than 120 discovered terpene profiles associated with the plant. Examples of terpenes include limonene (present in citrus fruits), and pinene (present in pine trees).

The terpene myrcene, for example, can reduce resistance in the blood-brain barrier, enabling easier passage of other beneficial chemicals. Pinene helps counteract compromised cognition and memory caused by THC. A combination of the terpenes pinene, myrcene, and carophyllene help unravel anxiety. Mixing terpenes linalool and limonene with the cannabinoid CBG shows promise in the treatment of Methicillin-resistant MRSA. THC plus CBN yields enhanced sedating effects.

CBD and THC, in topicals, bind to different cannabinoid receptors and in turn generate higher endocannabinoid activities.

While we can never guarantee a negative result, we can say that the amount you typically take is so low that most likely you will not test positive. But we can never guarantee this result. We can offer those clients who are concerned, Isolate and Broad-Spectrum products.

A form of CBD that is water soluble is made by using glycerin, nanoemulsion of liposomes. This type of CBD is more bioavailable than oil-based products. This product contains hemp derived crystalline cannabidiol, isolated through CO2 extraction and crystal precipitation.

The bioavailability generally refers to the effectiveness of a specific ingestion method. Specially this is a measurement of how quickly and what percentage of a product is absorbed into the bloodstream for use by the body. Example, IV is assumed to be 100% bioavailable.

An extract is the oily substance derived from the hemp plant, which includes plant materials, waxes, fatty acids, cannabinoids and terpenes. This extract may be consumed directly or used as a base ingredient to create other product types.

Isolate – This contains no THC and no other cannabinoids, only CBD. Its main benefits in combating anxiety, and to help one to calm down. Fine for kids
Broad Spectrum – Includes a range of cannabinoids but does not include THC. It has a good number of benefits and is good for those who are concerned about testing positive on a drug test.
Full Spectrum – Wide range of cannabinoids, including THC in permitted amounts. This is the best product to recommend because of the “entourage” effect. This effect is the increased benefits provided by ingesting the various cannabinoids and terpenoids found in the whole cannabis plant together. .

Hemp oil has no CBD and no THC. It’s nutritious but has no therapeutic value.

Distillation is defined as: The action of purifying a liquid by a process of heating or cooling. The extraction of the essential meaning or most important aspect of something. In regards to cannabis, distillation is a process that creates concentrates that are “cleaner” than other concentrates in that they’re pure on a molecular level. Distillates are also one of the most potent types of concentrates that exist. Distillation of cannabis allows for the extraction of cannabinoids that offer a pure, versatile, and potent product that has infinite potential as far as application is concerned.

Terpenes are a large and diverse class of organic compounds found in the essential oils of plants. These compounds are often associated with specific odor, such as lavender, peppermint, etc. They are known to produce a wide variety of potential benefits alongside cannabinoids, via the entourage (traveling together) effect.

CBD is just one of over 100 identified cannabinoids. Cannabinoids are 21-carbon molecules that individually block or stimulate your endocannabinoid receptors. It’s known that other cannabinoids, such as THC, THCV, CBN and CBD, bind to CB1 and/or CB2 receptors, just as the brain’s own naturally occurring cannabinoids – AEA (anandamide) and 2 AG (2-arachidonoyl glycerol) do.

CB1 receptors are found mostly in the central nervous system. CB2 receptors, on the other hand, are found throughout the body, in the vital organ, peripheral muscles, and reproductive organs.

CBD and THC both interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system and its specialized cannabinoid receptors, CB1 and CB2. It is through these interactions that these two cannabinoids augment the endocannabinoid system and encourage balance.

THC directly binds with both CB1 and CB2 receptors, while having a higher affinity for CB1 receptors. CBD on the other hand, has little affinity for these two cannabinoid receptors. Instead, CBD acts as an indirect antagonist of cannabinoid-like THC. Because they work so well together and help solve a multitude of health-related issues, we supply our clients with Full Spectrum Elevated CBD Products. These coupling of benefits are called the Entourage Effect.

CB1 Receptor– Covers Memory and emotion and found in nerve endings to reduce pain in the spinal cord and brain.

CB2 Receptor – Covers the peripheral nervous system and inflammation outside the brain and spinal cord.

These receptors are proteins embedded in the cells that respond to stimuli as part of a chemical reaction.
Receptors are located at the ends of yours nerves and transmit electrical impulses to your brain. When you put your hand on a hot stove the receptors will tell your brain that you are in pain causing you to pull away. CBD products block the CB1 and CB2 receptor for “pain” so you can feel relief. The problem may still be there, but the pain shouldn’t be and hopefully the client can cut back on, or stop, taking pharmaceutical pain medications.

The Endocannabinoid system is a part of the central regulatory system that affects a wide range of biological processes such as our immune and nervous systems, and all our body’s organs. The beneficial effects of enhancing this system can be placed into 2 categories: the first is to help the body heal itself in the face of injury and disease, and the second is to modulate pleasure, energy and well-being.

The 3 components of the Endocannabinoid system are:

1. Internally produced endocannabinoids called anandamide and 2-AG
2. Receptors that receive their signals called CB1 and CB2
3. Enzymes that that build and recycle these endocannabinoids.

The internal communication that happens within the Endocannabinoid system’s CB1 and CB2 receptors, hemp oil and its CBD component assist the ECS in maintaining important elements of homeostasis, energy, stress reduction, and immunity.

Clinical endocannabinoid deficiency could underlie the pathophysiology of migraine, fibromyalgia, IBS, and other functional conditions which could be alleviated by medical cannabis.

Other aspects of the Endocannabinoid System could be related to:

• Modulation of pain
• Seizure threshold
• Appetite
• Digestion
• Immune system
• Tumor surveillance
• Fertility
• Bone physiology
• Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis
• Intraocular pressure

CBD for the Elderly, consider the following:

Avoid THC products if the individual is at risk for falls. They would likely need lower doses due to slower metabolism of primary compounds. Watch for increased fatigue.