We love celebrating silly holidays here at E10 Labs, and today’s a particularly great one. It’s national “Ask A Stupid Question Day,” and to celebrate, we’re going to answer some common questions about CBD. Even though CBD has gotten more popular over the last few years, it’s still relatively new in the wellness community, so don’t feel bad if you’re still confused about some of the compound’s basics. Without any further ado, let’s get to answering.
QUESTION: What Is CBD?
ANSWER: Cannabidiol, often abbreviated to CBD, belongs to a class of compounds known as cannabinoids. In order for a compound to be considered a cannabinoid, it must be present in the cannabis plant itself and must interact with the endocannabinoid system in the human body. There are over 100 unique cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant, but the two most abundant and well-known are THC and CBD.
While the FDA has yet to approve CBD for medicinal use except for the treatment of certain seizure disorders, preliminary studies and anecdotal evidence suggest that CBD may have myriad health benefits. Some of these therapeutic applications include pain management, anxiety relief, promoting healthy sleep patterns, and acne prevention.
QUESTION: Does CBD Get You High?
ANSWER: This is probably one of the most common questions posed by first-time CBD users. Even though CBD comes from marijuana, it doesn’t get you high. THC is the cannabinoid responsible for inducing the high associated with recreational marijuana use.
However, it’s not quite accurate to describe CBD as non-psychoactive since the compound does affect the brain and central nervous system and can alter the user’s mood. It’s more precise to describe CBD as non-intoxicating.
According to researchers, the drastic difference in the effects of CBD and THC likely has to do with the way each compound interacts with the cannabinoid receptors in the endocannabinoid system. CBD makes direct connections with these receptors, mimicking the neurotransmitters the body naturally produces to activate these same receptors. On the other hand, CBD makes indirect connections that influence how these receptors will interact with other chemical messengers.
QUESTION: How Much CBD Should I Take?
ANSWER: There isn’t a cut-and-dried answer to the question of dosing since the proper dose will heavily depend on the individual and the intake method. However, there are some basic guidelines that can help you determine the amount of CBD that’s right for you.
As a general rule of thumb, always start with a low dose of around 10 mg. If after a few days you aren’t noticing any negative side-effects, titrate up as needed. The average CBD dose is somewhere around 20-50 mg, but some users will take up to 600 mg when treating severe pain or wasting from a terminal illness.
When using an inhalation method like a vaporizer or the elon® CBD delivery device, bear in mind that the effects will be stronger and come on much more quickly. This is because CBD has low bioavailability when consumed orally. With these kinds of inhalation methods, start with a few puffs and see how you feel in 30 minutes. Inhale more as needed.
QUESTION: What Is Full-Spectrum CBD?
ANSWER: Today, bottles of CBD oil are often labeled full-spectrum or broad-spectrum. For the layman just starting out with CBD, these distinctions can be confusing.
There are three types of CBD products—CBD isolate, broad-spectrum CBD, and full-spectrum CBD. The first, CBD isolate, is the purest form of CBD. It contains no other cannabinoids or terpenes. On the opposite side, you’ve got full-spectrum CBD, which is chock-full of the minor cannabinoids and terpenes naturally found in hemp.
Full-spectrum CBD also contains small amounts of THC, though not enough to produce any intoxicating effects. Broad-spectrum is the in-between, containing terpenes and minor cannabinoids but no THC.
Many people choose full-spectrum CBD since all of the compounds together have a beneficial synergy known as the entourage effect. Broad-spectrum CBD can be a great choice for those who want some of the entourage effect but are particularly sensitive to THC or who are worried about failing a drug test for THC.
