CBD: What Is It?

Before we jump into this blog post, I would like to give you a list of words I might be using and what they mean. I want this to be as educational as possible. I am not a doctor, I am a student doing my own research and letting others read what I've learned. 

Cannabis - there are two types, Cannabis Sativa and Cannabis Indica. This is the basic plant that hemp or marijuana can come from. 

Cannabinoids - compounds that derive from the cannabis plant. Mainly THC & CBD. 

Marijuana (Cannabis Indica) - The cannabis plant that produces flowers used most commonly as a psychoactive drug. 

Hemp (Cannabis Sativa) - The cannabis plant that produces flowers that are then harvested for its fibers to make rope, clothes, oil, food, as well as being used for health benefits. 

THC - tetrahydrocannabinol, the main psychoactive compound of the cannabis plant. 

CBD - Cannabidiols, a naturally occurring compound in the hemp plant. 

Hemp Oil - oil extracted from the stalks and stems of hemp plants to produce hemp products that contain multiple cannabinoids. 

Isolate - pure extraction of a plant, usually in a powder or wax form. 

Terpsolate - An isolate infused with terpenes, or flavors extracted from the hemp plant. Popular ones are Blue Dream, Bubba Kush, and Jack Herer. 

Tincture - usually 100% hemp oil mixed with coconut oil. Taken sublingually or can be mixed in food. 

The marijuana plant produces mostly THC compounds but still has CBD compounds. The hemp plant produces mostly CBD compounds but still has 0.3% THC in it (not enough to get anyone high). I will mostly be talking about CBD from the hemp plant. On to the real post! 

What most people do not know is that our bodies have a network of neurons called the endocannabinoid system that runs through our entire body. When we put cannabinoids in our body and into our bloodstream, our receptors in this system binds to them. Our bodies are made to consume these plants. "The chemical interactions of these bonds create a wide and largely unknown series of responses in our body" (Drury, 2018). By giving our bodies the chemicals it wants, we can alter our moods, appetites, and even reduce pain. 

Within this past month, I have learned that the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) is starting a proposal to ban the sale of all CBD products, in the state of Texas. They are stating that in other states, CBD products have been tested and the products contained dangerous amounts of chemicals, mainly including dangerous amounts of pesticides. The Medical Cannabis Association of Texas (MCAT) is trying to get legislation passed that requires testing of CBD products by an independent laboratory. 

Personally, I use hemp derived CBD products daily, usually from CBDistillery, a company based in Denver, Colorado. I can easily buy their products online and have them shipped directly to my door. This company has a wide variety of 99% CBD isolates, templates, tinctures, and capsules. This company used a third party to test all their products called ProVerde Laboratories Inc. They are a "Massachusetts based laboratory offering analytical testing and consulting services in the Medical Marijuana (MMJ) segment" (ProVerde Laboratories Inc., 2018).

My main use for CBD is for pain relief. It's not often that I get migraines, but when I do, having CBD is helpful. It not only lessens the pain but also calms my nerves when I try to sleep it off. I also use it for my cramps during my cycle to help reduce inflammation (or bloating). I also use it for my anxiety from time to time. The list can go on and on, just know that it can help people.

When I buy from CBDistillery, I usually buy the isolate powder. You can cook this into your food, or you can mix it with an oil you like, like grapeseed oil or coconut oil. The isolate slabs and terpsolates are for smoking use. This is the fastest way to feel the effects of the CBD. They also have vape cartridges that work the same way as the slabs, but more convenient. The soft-gels and capsules they sell will probably take the longest to show effects since your body is naturally digesting these. If you are curious about more of their products you can head over to their website. All their products are very well explained and they even tell you the best way to use each product. They also show all the lab work for each product they sell so you can see for yourself that it is all less than 0.3% THC.

**I am an affiliate for CBDistillery and no, they are not paying me to write this (although that would be cool). I wrote this to inform and educate my family and friends. If you would like to browse their website or buy anything for yourself (or even your pet (yes it's safe)), here's my link! **

Sources:

Newswire. (2018, April 13). Texas Moving to Ban the Sale of All CBD Products. https://www.newswire.com/news/texas-moving-to-ban-the-sale-of-all-cbd-products-20432200

Drury, Adam. (2018, January 14). What is CBD (Cannabidiol) And What Does It D0? https://hightimes.com/health/cannabidiol-cbd/

ProVerde Labs (2018). http://www.proverdelabs.com/

CBDistillery (2018). https://www.thecbdistillery.com?rfsn=1325865.5135d&utm_source=refersion&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=1325865.5135d