A Beginners Guide to Buying the Best CBD Oil
Cannabidiol or CBD is a compound within the Cannabis plant. Since it packs an array of health benefits, you can find many forms of its extracts for use. It is important to understand some of the differences and nuances to ensure you are gaining the benefits you are trying to achieve.
We’ve outlined some information for you to help you gain knowledge for an informed decision.
Is CBD Oil Safe to Use?
The World Health Organization offered findings on their conclusions through studies and research, in the November 2017 publication, titled “WHO Report Finds No Public Health Risks Or Abuse Potential For CBD.”
“CBD is safe and well tolerated in humans and animals. It is not associated with any negative health effects…it does not induce physical dependence or associated with abuse potential.”
They go on to say:
"To date, there is no evidence of recreational use of CBD or any public health related problems associated with the use of pure CBD”
-World Health Organization, 11.2017
CBD extract is not a psychoactive compound, it does not have the “high” or euphoric effects that THC is known for.
The cannabis plant constitutes two species, cannabis Sativa and cannabis Indica. The cannabis Sativa has two kinds, a hemp plant and a marijuana plant. The legal distinction that separates each plant from the other depends on the percentage of THC content.
THC or tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta 9 THC) is a compound responsible for giving psychoactive properties to the plant. Authorities have classified a cannabis plant with more than 0.3 percent THC to be marijuana. And the cannabis Sativa species with less than 0.3 percent THC amount as hemp.
CBD extracts come from the hemp plant, which is why understanding this distinction is important for you if you want to begin trying premium CBD tinctures to see if it can be beneficial to you.
Cannabinoids and the Endocannabinoid System
The cannabinoids present in the cannabis plant interact with the Endocannabinoid system native to our bodies. This system governs various aspects of our brain and nervous system, immune system, pain receptors, mood regulation, gastrointestinal system and more.
Unlike THC, CBD does not interact with the brain and nervous system receptors, CB1 in a significant way. This is why CBD oil does not give an experience of euphoric or psychoactive effect. It interacts with the Endocannabinoid system in other ways, more specifically CB2 or 2-arachidonoylglyerol (2-AG), effecting immune system, skeletal muscle system, tissues, skin health, cardiovascular system, digestive system and organs to name several.
Is CBD approved by the FDA?
In 2018, the FDA approved pure CBD isolate for the treatment for seizures called Epidiolex. Experts found that this form of pure tincture CBD helps to reduce the frequency of seizures in patients. After rigorous trials and studies, the approval of CBD as a medicine piqued the interest of the public and gave the confidence in the benefits of CBD. (US Food and Drug Administration, 2018)
Is CBD Legal?
In 1970, the control substance act banned marijuana and hemp and deemed them illegal. It was not until 2014 when an agricultural act legalized hemp for research purposes.
Then in 2018, the 2018 Farm Bill made hemp fully Federally legal. This made hemp and all its derivatives legal to grow, produce, transport and use.
It made the legal definition of hemp as:
“Cannabis (Cannabis Sativa L.) and derivatives of cannabis with extremely low concentrations of the psychoactive compound delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) (no more than 0.3 percent THC on a dry weight basis).”
What are the Types of CBD Oil available?
Before you pick out a premium CBD tincture product, you may benefit from educating yourself about the different types of CBD oil variations that exist. You can find three different kinds of CBD Extract on the market; full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and purified CBD extract or Isolate.
However, you should still check your State’s guidelines since States and Indian Tribe Territories have governance over their jurisdiction, each has its regulatory laws involving CBD and THC products.
1. Full Spectrum CBD Extract | Distillate
To attain full-spectrum CBD, premium hemp extracts, the distillate is taken from the complete plant. This includes the flowers, leaves, and stem. Extracted material from the plant containing all its compounds, includes CBD, other Cannabinoids, Terpenes, flavonoids and more. The terpenes are the compounds of the cannabis plant responsible for the scent and other responsibilities. More current research is discovering that Terpenes have a significant role. Manufacturers leave all the components to create the entourage effect.
The entourage effect is the phenomenon that CBD oil works best when consumed alongside all the elements within the plant together, that the sum of its parts is greater than the compounds on their own. The whole plant effect works in a synergistic manner.
Therefore, if you want to benefit from all of the compounds within this plant, you should be looking for full-spectrum CBD products, these may have a stronger taste of natural hemp and the tincture maybe darker.
2. Broad Spectrum CBD Extract | Distillate
Broad-spectrum includes the entire plant, however, THC is removed from it completely, or only leaving trace elements behind. This makes broad spectrum CBD ideal if you are searching for a THC free CBD oil product, keeping in mind that depending on the product you purchase, this type of CBD oil product (offered by Eli Ruby!) will have certain cannabinoids or other compounds removed. The taste will generally be better and the extract will be much lighter or the extract will be crystal clear with no visible impurities.
3. Fully Purified CBD Oil | Isolate
The third category is completely purified CBD. For this, the extraction process takes all other compounds and THC out of the material. By doing so, you will experience pure tincture CBD without the complete entourage effect. It is pure CBD that can take the form of a liquid or powder for example, as well as other forms and mixed into various products.
Many advocates of CBD advise toward the more cannabinoid rich form with all or most of the native compounds within the plant kept in place. It is a common belief that using all the components of the cannabis plant may have a stronger impact. That said, there are cases and conditions that the isolate is the best fit.
About Hemp Extraction and Processing
When it comes to the extraction process there are several, the most common methods are considered to be supercritical CO-2, ethanol and chromatography extraction and processing methods.
CO2 extraction process prevents the threats of microbial invasions in the oil and does not add solvents for this process. Similarly, Chromatography also uses no solvents and produces an extract without putting the material under extreme temperatures. Chromatography is considered some of the highest level of quality, it is less common to find a CBD company who utilizes this methods, as it is more expensive to produce, requires specialized equipment and expertise, at Eli Ruby we are proud to offer chromatography CBD Hemp products!
Ultimately experience and expertise is of paramount importance in conjunction with extraction and processing methods, there are companies that produce very high quality premium hemp extracts using any one of these methods. Finding a CBD company that is founded on the ethos of safety, quality, transparency and evidence based methodology is recommended and one that aligns with your own values. A company that has your wellness at the center of their mission.
How is CBD Oil Tested?
The best CBD tincture products that are tested goes through lab analysis that confirms the exact components. To ensure that, look for a link to the Certificate of Analysis (COA) from the product page or sometimes there is a QR code that links to the COA.
This will show you that your premium CBD product has no pesticides, contaminants, heavy metals, or unsafe elements and that it does not exceed the legal limit of THC (less than 0.3%). As well as the potency of the product you are purchasing. Selecting the best CBD tincture is paramount!
How Do You Use CBD Oil?
If you are just starting off, you should consider starting CBD in small amounts and increase gradually over time, as needed. The serving size can depend on the severity of your condition, individual biology, age, weight, other medications you may be taking, as well as other factors. You may consider starting with 5-15 mg a day and increase as needed, a low adult serving is 15-20 mg, medium would be 20-35 mg per day, but it is not uncommon for people to take 35+ mg per day or more depending on the individual.
You can divide this amount throughout your day by taking a certain amount in the morning, afternoon or at night. Or taking all at one time, as well as taking a little throughout the day in a micro-dose fashion.
The serving size is an individualized process in which you have to listen to your body and decide how much CBD oil you need. Each individual requires different amounts, it affects everyone differently according to their distinct biology.
What are the Benefits of using CBD Oil?
Many people have experienced positive benefits from using CBD. Some common reasons people turn to premium hemp extracts, CBD, are to address and assist in pain management, anxiety, nausea, sleep, GI issues and improved mood, to name a few. As well as, for it’s powerful anti-inflammatory properties.
Managing Pain Relief
The utilization of cannabis for addressing pain relief has historical context. You can trace it back to ancient Chinese scriptures, dating to 2900 BC.
Thanks to the body’s endocannabinoid system and attaching to the cannabinoid receptors in the body, CBD compounds reduce inflammation that may cause pain.
Although some people experience immediate relief, CBD oil may reduce pain gradually over time, not necessarily in a burst, many have experienced. That does not take away from the fact that using CBD oil every day will likely make a positive impact in managing chronic pain, making it viable as an alternative for a painkiller in some cases or using it in conjunction. It is always recommended to discuss this with your physician or medical professional.
Decrease in Anxiety
According to a study (1), CBD has properties that may contribute to addressing imbalances and disorders related to anxiety. The daily use of CBD may help individuals to cope with anxiety. (Esther M. Blessing, 2015). Blessings describes persistent fear and and prolonged anxiety as:
“Fear and anxiety are adaptive responses essential to coping with threats to survival. Yet excessive or persistent fear may be maladaptive, leading to disability. Symptoms arising from excessive fear and anxiety occur in a number of neuropsychiatric disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder (PD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), social anxiety disorder (SAD), and obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD)”
Sleep
People who struggle with going to sleep find CBD oil as a wonderful natural sleep aid.
A study conducted at the University of Colorado-Children’s Hospital in Denver, researchers studied the effects of CBD on sleep with scientists giving some biological explanation regarding how CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system and its receptors. At least one of those receptors is thought to affect the body’s sleep and wake cycle.
CBD oil also has shown researchers that it interacts with receptors in the brain linked to anxiety. By reducing anxiety, subjects experienced a better night's sleep. As well as premium CBD tinctures being a factor in better sleep because they “worried less about their sleep issues.”
Other Benefits of CBD Oil
Apart from the neurological benefits, some doctors have used CBD to treat epilepsy. It also may assist with the symptoms of chemotherapy. It is an ideal natural remedy to help with nausea, which is why it
has multiple uses for people suffering from different conditions. {New studies (2) show CBD decreases breast cancer cells. (Simpson, 2020)}
It can be an amazing acne treatment. If you desire to implement a more natural approach to treat acne, then you may find assistance in the form of topical CBD. CBD may also have a positive impact on gut health. People that suffer from gastrointestinal pain have claimed to benefit emphatically from the use of CBD oil.
The anti-inflammatory properties of the cannabis plant allow it to help people with stomach issues. Often, stomach issues stem from mental disorders. Therefore, CBD consumption for alleviating anxiety may also result in the betterment of your gastrointestinal problems. So, if you are struggling with stomach issues, you may want to consider using CBD oil to see if it can be of benefit.
To Conclude
The above-mentioned benefits do not even scratch the surface when you consider CBD’s wide-ranging usefulness. The explosion of CBD as a treatment for insomnia and mental health has been well documented. The CBD revolution is upon us, so much more of this plants benefits are yet to be discovered and brought to light, making a good decision to use the best CBD tincture is an important one, we hope and encourage you research continue educating yourself what suits you the best.
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References:
(1) Esther M. Blessing, M. M. (2015, September 4). Cannabidiol as a Potential Treatment for Anxiety Disorders . Retrieved from www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4604171/
(2) Simpson, K. W. (2020, December 15). CBD oil and cancer: What the research shows. Retrieved from openaccessgovernment.org: https://www.openaccessgovernment.org/cbd-oil-and-cancer-what-the-research-shows/100147/
US Food and Drug Administration. (2018, June 25). Retrieved from fda.gov: https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-first-drug-comprised-active-ingredient-derived-marijuana-treat-rare-severe-forms
World Health Organization, 11.2017
https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/cannabidiol-(compound-of-cannabis)
2018 Farm Bill
https://www.fda.gov/news-events/congressional-testimony/hemp-production-and-2018-farm-bill-07252019
Can CBD Help You Sleep?