10 facts about CBD that will come in handy
As the market for CBD products grows, so does the public's interest in learning reliable information about cannabidiol (CBD). To help you get your bearings, here's an overview of 10 essential things to know about CBD.
1 - CBD is an essential component of cannabis
Current scientific evidence suggests that cannabis contains between 60 and 113 different cannabinoids. Next to THC, cannabidiol (CBD) is not only one of the most popular but also one of the most abundant cannabinoids in cannabis. Many of them are present in such small quantities in the plant that they are difficult to detect.
2 - CBD has no narcotic and psychotropic effects
Since CBD interacts with cannabinoid receptorsin the brain, it is not entirely accurate to label it as a non-psychoactive substance. However, it does not induce feelings of euphoria or changes in behaviour and perception, nor does it interfere with contact with reality, which are the typical effects for which its close relative tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is so well known. CBD preparations are made from industrial hemp, which by law always contains less than 0,3 % THC. Not to worry, in such small quantities THC has no effect on your perception. What's more, some products contain no THC at all.
3 - Cannabinoids are produced naturally by our bodies
Did you know that our bodies make their own cannabinoids? Really! We naturally produce these substances in our endocannabinoid system, which affects a wide range of bodily processes from mood, to appetite, to pain and various cognitive functions. Endocannabinoids bind to cannabinoid receptors, which are found in the skin, various organs and especially in certain parts of the brain. It is through these receptors that they act on the body.
4 - CBD is legal and safe
Supporting evidence for the harmlessness of cannabidiol is abundant. The Critical Report on CBD published by the WHO (World Health Organization) in 2018 will serve us well. This report confirms, among other things, that CBD is not toxic and does not cause addiction. It also states that it has found no adverse health effects of CBD and that it is overwhelmingly well tolerated by users. It can have side effects such as dry mouth, diarrhea, decreased appetite, drowsiness and fatigue. However, the latter effects may be welcome in certain contexts. In general, therefore, cannabidiol has a good safety profile.
Possible side effects may also result from interactions between CBD and medications taken at the same time. If you would like to try CBD and are taking medication, we recommend that you consult your doctor to avoid possible (however uncommon) side effects.
5 - CBD and its effects
Globally, the attitudes and views of the general public and professionals towards CBD are changing. Ongoing scientific studies are shedding more light on the therapeutic potential of this compound while disproving the negative stigmas of the past. Available studies show that the potential of cannabidiol is almost immeasurable. For example, they repeatedly suggest that CBD can be very useful for managing anxiety, insomnia, chronic pain. It also has anti-inflammatory and antipsychotic effects, harmonizing bodily processes.
However, some CBD manufacturers associate their products with untenable claims - for example, that CBD is a cure-all for cancer or COVID-19, which is definitely not true. More than celebratory odes to CBD's benefits, as promising as the research suggesting its diverse therapeutic potential looks, we need solid scientific research.
Although we already know relatively enough about the effects of CBD, much remains to be discovered and backed up by hard evidence from human studies. Without this, we cannot (both ethically and legally) publicly present any potentially therapeutic effects of CBD. Nor is it possible to accurately determine effective doses for specific indications. The range of CBD products is constantly expanding, which is definitely a good thing for users. However, if you decide to try CBD, we recommend that you make sure you are getting it from a verified, reputable source.
6 - The effects of CBD are enhanced by other cannabinoids
CBD works best in the presence of other cannabinoids and other substances (flavonoids, terpenes, etc.) naturally occurring in cannabis. These have specific effects on their own, but they also work together to develop each other's potential, a property known as the entourage effect.
It is this synergy, the accompaniment effect, that products with full spectrum CBD extract are trying to exploit the most. These contain, as the name implies, the full spectrum of cannabinoids from the hemp plant, in particular other cannabinoids such as cannabinol (CBN), cannabichromene (CBC), cannabigerol (CBG), cannabidivarin (CBDV), cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA), cannabigerol acid (CBGA), as well as the permitted (small) amount of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). This is why you will only find full-spectrum CBD products in the Hemnia brand. Because they have the greatest potential to contribute to your body's health and harmony.
7 - In what ways is CBD used
CBD is currently available in many forms - oils, extracts (pastes), crystals, capsules, patches, vaping liquids, cosmetic products for skin use and more. In plant form, hemp teas and blends from varieties of industrial hemp are increasingly popular, containing 3 to 4 % CBD and virtually no THC. For inflammation or to relieve muscle and joint pain, a CBD cream or lotion may be a good choice. Alternatively, a CBD patch or tincture, or a spray or drops (oil) to be applied under the tongue.
CBD oils are probably the most popular form at the moment. Not only are they easy to take, they also have the advantage of faster and more efficient absorption of cannabidiol into the bloodstream. CBD oils are made by mixing CBD-rich hemp extract (with other cannabinoids) or just purified CBD (without other cannabinoids - so they cannot take advantage of the additive effect described above) and dissolving it in a carrier oil. In addition, they are available with both pure cannabis flavour and different flavours. Both variants (hemp and flavoured oils) are available from Hemnia.
8 - CBD oil and hemp oil are not the same
Although both oils come from hemp, CBD oil and hemp oil are significantly different from each other. Hemp oil is pressed exclusively from the seeds and contains no cannabinoids. CBD, on the other hand, is extracted mainly from the flowers (buds). CBD oils are de facto extracts of CBD, or other substances acting in synergy, mixed in a specified ratio with a carrier oil that binds CBD and other compounds from the extract. On each CBD oil, you will always find the percentage concentration in which the CBD extract of hemp flowers has been diluted with the carrier oil. Hemp oil (i.e. oil from hemp seeds) or olive or coconut oil is often used as a carrier oil.
9 - Pets can also benefit from CBD
The endocannabinoid system through which CBD acts in the human body is common to all mammals, birds, reptiles and fish. Our most common pets, cats and dogs, have many of the same or similar health and emotional problems as humans. It is believed that CBD can help our pets manage anxiety, stress, pain, nausea, and other problems, just as this assumption works with humans.
10 - How much CBD is too much or is it possible to overdose on CBD?
Cannabidiol cannot be overdosed according to available data. A review of clinical research published in 2017 in the journal Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research (available here) suggests that the safe daily dose for humans is about 1 500 mg of CBD. To give you a better idea, with 10% Hemnia CBD oil in a standard 10ml pack, you would need to consume more than 300 drops, more than one and a half packets, to exceed this safe dose. However, the recommended maximum daily dose is an order of magnitude lower. For our Hemnia oils, we list 60mg per day as the maximum. As we highlighted above, it is always a good idea to consult a professional to see how much of the recommended dose is appropriate for your individual needs and whether there may be any adverse interactions with medications or dietary supplements you are taking at the same time.
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