What is CBD?
Cannabidiol—CBD—is a cannabis compound that has significant medical benefits, but does not make people feel “stoned” and can actually counteract the psychoactivity of THC.
The fact that CBD-rich cannabis is non-psychoactive or less psychoactive than THC-dominant strains makes it an appealing option for patients looking for relief from inflammation, pain, anxiety, psychosis, seizures, spasms, and other conditions without disconcerting feelings of lethargy or dysphoria.
Scientific and clinical research—much of it sponsored by the US government—underscores CBD’s potential as a treatment for a wide range of conditions, including arthritis, diabetes, alcoholism, MS, chronic pain, schizophrenia, PTSD, depression, antibiotic-resistant infections, epilepsy, and other neurological disorders. CBD has demonstrable neuroprotective and neurogenic effects, and its anti-cancer properties are currently being investigated at several academic research centers in the United States and elsewhere. Further evidence suggests that CBD is safe even at high doses. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannabidiol
What is the Endocannabinoid System?
The endocannabinoid system is a network of endocannabinoids and cannabinoid receptors that exist throughout our bodies. It is thought to exist in pretty much all animals on earth, and it is absolutely crucial to our survival. The cannabinoid receptors exist on the surface of cells and monitor what’s going on in the body. They communicate this information about our bodies’ status and changing circumstances to the inside of the cell, allowing for the appropriate measures to be taken. In other words, they allow for us to maintain homeostasis by monitoring what is going on in our bodies. Scientists have identified two primary cannabinoid receptors, called the CB1 and CB2 receptors. Although both types of receptors can be found all throughout the body, CB1 receptors are more highly concentrated in the brain and central nervous system, whereas CB2 receptors can be found more abundantly in the immune system, organs, and tissues. You may have heard of the cannabinoids found in plants, called phytocannabinoids, but the body also produces its own, which are referred to as endocannabinoids. These molecules are created whenever we need them, usually in response to some change in the body. They can bind directly with the cannabinoid receptors – you can think of them as slotting into one another like a jigsaw puzzle or a lock and key. To date, scientists have identified two major endocannabinoids; anandamide, and 2-AG. Endocannabinoids are made from fat-like molecules within cell membranes. Once the endocannabinoids have fulfilled their usage, metabolic enzymes are able to break them down again. FAAH breaks down anandamide, while MAGL breaks down 2-AG. This ensures that the endocannabinoids are not used for longer than necessary. This process is what separates endocannabinoids from other molecular signals like hormones or neurotransmitters, which can be stored in the body. For more information click on the Wikipedia link below.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endocannabinoid_system
How does CBD work with (X) medication?
CBD has been shown in large quantities to interact with your CYP450, essentially “deactivating” it. This obviously being not good as it can cause adverse reactions with medications, especially anxiolytics. (Heighten/weaken strength, or activation of side effects like nausea, etc). As always, be sure to ask your doctor just to be safe.
What’s Full-Spectrum, Broad-Spectrum, and Isolate?
Full-Spectrum means the product contains THC and other cannabinoids, not just CBD. Isolate means it’s solely CBD. Broad-Spectrum is relatively new, and has had the THC extracted. Broad-Spectrum has all of the benefits of Full-Spectrum, but none of the THC.
Will CBD make me test positive on a drug test?
No, but maybe. CBD will not show up on a drug test unless it tests for CBD. That said, Full-Spectrum contains a very small amount of THC and it’s possible for it to show up on a drug test.
How does Omega-3 work with CBD?
Essentially it’s said that Omega-3 deficiencies do have a correlation with low CB1 response, especially being that omega-3 deficiencies are a fairly common occurrence with the American diet. Low Omega-3 can lead to seasonal affect disorder- “Using mice, the study found that a deficiency in Omega-3 caused presynaptic CB1 receptors to uncouple from their effector G proteins, essentially disabling them. This dietary-induced impairment of CB1 function adversely affected emotional behavior.”, So essentially when Omega 3 is inplace its holding the CB receptors, preventing de-coupling. So with Omega-3 usage with CBD you are ensuring the CB receptors are not degraded, or decoupled, thus ensuring maximum potential benefit. There’s a good study about this and MDD here: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC533861/
How do I know if the CBD is working?
Typically CBD is shown as ‘working’ per symptomatic relief. It will not cure your ailments, merely treat symptoms- nausea, pain, anxiety, depression, etc. Compare yourself prior to taking it, and after. You should have relief from what you’re looking to address- if not, try a higher dosage. Due to CB1/CB2 cluster sizes, everyone experiences CBD slightly differently. If you’re expecting something like a THC high, or even alcohol inebriation- you’re not thinking about it right. Ideally, you will feel almost perfectly normal, just without the given symptom you’re looking to address. E.g. Pain > No Pain.
Will CBD help with my pain?
There is a LOT of anecdotal evidence that CBD helps with pain and inflammation. Literally millions of people worldwide use it for pain relief, and science is starting to catch on to that. Here is a study that shows how it helps animals with Osteoarthritis: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6065210/
This study looks at different CBD delivery systems for pain and inflammation:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6222489/
This is less a study and more of a meta-analysis, but it’s published and peer reviewed:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6277878/
This study shows how CBD works in your Endocannabinoid system:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3820295/
Will CBD help my anxiety?
As with pain, there is a ton of anecdotal evidence to support that it helps and many people use it for that purpose. Some doctors are even starting to recommend it as a non-prescription alternative. And, again, scientists are starting to see this, too.
This study looks at CBD as a potential treatment for anxiety disorders: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4604171/
This study looks at using CBD to help treat PTSD:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6066583/
This study looks to see if CBD helps anxiety and sleep:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6326553/
What’s a good starting dose?
A starting dose would be 10-20mg daily. It is thought that CBD somewhat builds up in your body over the first week or so you are taking it, so the first few days you may not notice much of an effect. Once established, as much as you feel you need is good. Some with extreme pain or other ailments may up the dose to 50mg or more. There have been studies that have given people upwards of 1500mg a day with no ill effects observed.
Can I vape the tincture?
No. A tincture is way too thin to be vaped safely. We recommend using vape oil if you want to vape CBD.