What Is CBD & How Does it Work?

CBD has been taking the health and wellness industries by storm. From oils and tinctures to gummies and lotions, the numerous varieties of CBD products available today are remarkable. The incremental growth of the CBD oil market alone is estimated to be $3.52 billion between 2019 and 2024. But what actually is CBD and how does it work? Read on for a beginner’s breakdown to what CBD is, why it works in the human body and who can use CBD for what.

What is CBD?

Cannabidiol, often abbreviated to CBD, is a naturally occurring compound found in the Cannabis sativa plants, hemp and cannabis. Manufacturers extract and process the CBD to isolate it for various uses; besides the oils, there are edibles and topicals.

How is CBD different from THC?

THC, or tetrahydro-cannabidiol, is the main psychoactive component in the cannabis plant that creates a “high” sensation. THC is primarily consumed through inhalation of smoke or through edibles, oils or capsules. Both THC and CBD interact with bodily systems, but according to research, THC interacts primarily with CB1 receptors which are linked to the high or euphoric feeling. Hemp plants contain a higher percentage of CBD while maintaining very low levels of THC.

How Does CBD Work in the Body?

CBD works directly with the human body’s endocannabinoid system, or ECS. CBD intercepts both the CB1 and CB2 receptors in the ESC, which are primarily responsible for transmitting messages to the brain. The ECS regulates a broad spectrum of biological and physiological processes including pain management, inflammation, sleep, mood, digestion and more.

What Are the Health Benefits?

The health benefits of CBD are being recognized. In June 2018, the FDA approved the first prescription medication containing CBD, Epidiolex. It is used to treat rare and difficult-to-control forms of epilepsy. Because CBD regulates receptors, researchers hope that early research showing promise for certain autoimmune diseases will show the same results in humans. Proprietary research indicates CBD could help:

-inflammation

-chronic pain

-anxiety

-depression

Though CBD is rapidly gaining in popularity, there are more clinical trials and studies needed to confirm its full impact and effectiveness. There has been some evidence of side effects accompanying CBD, but if you are a first time user consulting your doctor, or a medical professional is always a good place to start.

Is CBD Legal?

December 2018 – The Farm Bill Legalized Hemp

Cannabis- and hemp-related laws in the United States are evolving and changing rapidly. Hemp, when produced at levels below 0.3% delta-9 THC, is not considered a controlled substance at the federal level. Hemp-derived CBD is accessible in most of the 50 states. A Drug Enforcement Administration registration is not required to grow or research it.

Industrial hemp, given in its legal definition in the 2018 Farm Bill, is legitimate if companies are transparent in their manufacturing process and label claims. But each state has its own laws and regulations, so check with your state’s protocols before purchasing CBD.

CBD Takeaways

The hype surrounding CBD is real and does seem relevant. Though there is still more research needed surrounding the impact and potential side effects of CBD, anecdotal evidence and early-stage studies have shed some positive light. If you are curious about using CBD and aren’t sure where to start, begin with a reliable source. Always turn to third-party lab test results to ensure the quality, potency and purity of your CBD product. Choose independent companies with labs like Real Tested CBD to explore which CBD products have tested accurately to label claims and serve best for you.

CBD seems to be popping up everywhere claiming to cure every illness under the sun, but does it really work and if so how? Sometimes it can feel like a modern version of the snake oil salesman and I must admit I was skeptical. After many recommendations from friends and a big interest from my community, I decided to give it a try and I am excited to share my experience after 8 weeks of consistent use

CBD (short for Cannabidiol) is one of more than a hundred phytocannabinoids, which is unique to cannabis and provides benefits to the body through the endocannabinoid system. Cannabinoids are chemical compounds that interact with your biological processes to produce a desired effect.

So how does CBD work in your body? Your Endocannabinoid System (ECS) works to balance all your body’s functions and the phytocannabinoid CBD can help to replenish deficiencies due to stress and inflammation. Learn more about CBD Basics

A common misconception is that taking CBD can lead to being “high”. Hemp derived CBD products only contain trace amount of THC, which help amplify the therapeutic benefits.

Want to learn more about CBD? Check out this article from the WHO showing that CBD is non-habit forming and safe for consumption.

This article from Project CBD also provides a great science background on CBD.

How to Choose a High-Quality CBD

Just like the food you eat, CBD quality is key! I highly suggest you do your research and talk to your doctor before taking any supplement.

When looking for high-quality CBD you want to ensure the product is third-party lab tested, to ensure it is free from heavy metals and harmful pesticides and you want a full spectrum CBD with a tiny amount of THC, which makes it more effective.

What Did I Hope to Gain with CBD?

I started taking the CBD in mid-May and like many of you my anxiety had been at an all-time high. While I am on low-dose anxiety medication and have been for many years, I was excited to see if the CBD could help regulate my moods. I knew very well that CBD could not eliminate my anxiety, but I was curious to see if it could help with the peaks and valleys of tension and stress that at the time were consuming me daily!

My CBD Dosing

Keep in mind that your dosage will be customized to your body, and your needs and can take up to 3 months to see the full effects. It took me about 2 weeks to find a good routine/dose that worked best for me.

8:30am: 1 – 25mg full spectrum soft gel with my coffee. The gel is a slow release and meant to slowly balance you throughout the day. * I started on the 10mg and worked up to the 25mg

Side Note: They did suggest taking the capsules with a fatty food for better absorption, which I was doing until I recently switch back to intermittent fasting.

5:00pm – 1/2 dropper (5mg/0.5ml) Daily Drops, pre witching hour, or as needed to manage peaks and valleys of stress. I find the time when I transition from my day job to #momlife + blog life can be most stressful

Bedtime: 3/4 dropper (7mg/0.75ml) daily Drops before bed split into two doses to more easily absorb under my tongue. Letting it absorb vs. swallowing right away helps it absorb into your bloodstream quicker AND it tastes a little less gross. Cannabis has a distinct taste that reminds me of a medicinal herb, but it’s nothing awful.

Episodic Dose: You can also use your drops episodically as needed. So, if I find myself feeling particularly overwhelmed or anxious, or I know I’m headed into a stressful situation, I will do a 1/2 dropper (5mg/0.5ml) of the Daily Drops.

Science Tip: The drops under the tongue are absorbed and take effect faster but are quicker to leave your body so that is why they work for episodic stress. The capsules on the other hand have a slower onset but have a lasting effect throughout the day.

Did CBD Work for Me?

YES! Despite my skepticism, the consistent addition of CBD to my routine has made a big difference in both my anxiety levels and how quickly I am able to wind down for bed at night.

In order to share more than just my anecdotal experience, I decided to track my stress factors for the first 7 days of my CBD experience.

Stress manifests for me as:

So many to-do lists/post-its
Uncontrolled screen-time
Throwing myself into work (particularly the blog)
Excessive multi-tasking
Racing heart rate

Here are my results for the first 7 days of CBD use

Day 1: 5/5 predictors present
Day 2: 5/5 predictors present
Day 3: 4/5 predictors present
Day 4: 1/5 predictors present
Day 5: 0/5 predictors present
Day 6: 0/5 predictors present
Day 7: 0/5 predictors present

Do I still have rough days? Absolutely! But the way I know the CBD is working is that if I miss a day, I immediately notice I am more irritable, more controlled by my anxiety and quicker to snap at family and friends. It’s such a gradual balancing that leaves me feeling like the best version of myself!

Each person’s experience will be unique. Like any supplement you should consult with your doctor before use and keep in mind that results may take up to 3 months to be evident.

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We are often faced with our own personal conflicts which directly influence our interactions with our peers and family.

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Everyone is trying to get better sleep today, and there is no shortage of products that promise to help ease you into deeper slumber, from weighted blankets to fancy sound machines. But more and more people are adding CBD to their sleep checklist as well.

“I used to have trouble with sleep,” Barker tells Rolling Stone, “And I would take a ton of melatonin, valerian tea, Tylenol PM, or Nyquil,” he admits, “but CBD was like the best kind of result that I got.”

The immediate benefits that Barker found with CBD led him to create Barker Wellness, a new line of cannabinoid-infused products that includes a unique CBD tincture for sleep. While CBD is not a medically approved solution for sleep, experts say a little CBD could go a long towards promoting more soothing, stress-free slumber.

How Does CBD Work for Sleep?

“CBD is a compound that supports a powerful, yet widespread network of receptors in the body called the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which is known to help regulate energy, mood, sleep, and more,” explains Dr. Jason Wersland, Founder and Chief Wellness Officer of Therabody, the newly rebranded company that now includes the popular Theragun percussion devices. “Researchers have found that CBD, found naturally in the hemp plant, interacts with ECS receptors throughout the body much like molecules the body naturally produces.”

Experts say the best CBD products for sleep also help you wind down by addressing some of the root causes of restlessness and stress.

“Most people don’t realize the quality of sleep is closely related to stress and maintaining a strong immune system, and you need both systems properly in check if you want an optimal immune response to anything,” adds Jay Hartenbach, CEO of CBD brand Medterra. “If your cortisol levels are elevated, it can keep you awake. CBD is thought to decrease this and keep your body in a homeostasis state.”

If you’re just easing into CBD, Hartenbach suggests finding CBD products that also contain other ingredients that work together to help you feel more restful and relaxed. “CBD, amino acids, L-theanine and 5-HTP, and relaxing herbs like passion flower, chamomile, and lemon balm have each individually been shown to help with providing a full restful night and have been expertly formulated to work together for desired results to address the most common issues,” Hartenbach says. “Proper sleep and circadian control are absolutely essential to an optimally functioning immune system. If your body lacks restful sleep, so does your immunity.”

Will CBD for Sleep Make You Drowsy or High?

The best CBD for sleep is designed to help you ease into slumber – not knock you out. And unlike THC, which may have some psychoactive effects, Wersland says “CBD is non-intoxicating and will not make you feel high.”

If you’re new to CBD, trying a CBD gummy for sleep is an easy way to test out its effects in an easy-to-take format (basically like a gummy bear or gummy vitamin). Many brands also have flavorless CBD oils (or “CBD tinctures”), which come out of a dropper, letting you control exactly how much you want to take. Wersland’s suggestion: start small and then see how the tincture affects you. “If you’d like to take one full dropper that’s 33mg of full-spectrum CBD you can,” he says, “or you can take a ¼ of a dropper which is about 8mg of CBD.”

Of course, CBD is primarily meant for therapeutic benefits and is not meant to replace any doctor-recommended prescriptions if you suffer from serious insomnia. You should also see a doctor if you have a severe sleep disorder, restlessness or anxiety, as CBD is not meant to treat those issues.

A recent clinical trial has identified potential therapeutic benefits of cannabigerol (CBG), a cannabinoid that has not been as widely studied as THC or CBD.

The study, conducted by researchers at Washington State University (WSU) and the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), indicates that CBG may significantly reduce anxiety and stress, and could also improve memory.

Published in the journal Scientific Reports, the research involved a double-blind, placebo-controlled field trial with 34 healthy adults.

Participants received either 20mg of hemp-derived CBG or a placebo tincture over two sessions. They completed online assessments before and after taking the cannabinoid, including surveys on anxiety and stress, as well as verbal memory tests.

The study found that CBG led to “significant overall reductions in anxiety as well as reductions in stress” compared to the placebo. Additionally, participants who took CBG showed enhanced verbal memory, which the researchers noted was “completely, entirely unexpected.”

“The finding that it significantly enhanced [memory] was kind of shocking to me and completely, entirely unexpected, which was why I triple-checked the direction and the result,” Cuttler added.

Future Research Directions: What’s Next for CBG?

Cuttler stressed that while the results are promising, further research is needed to confirm these findings and explore CBG’s full range of effects. “Replication and further research are crucial,” she said.

The trial’s results were informed by a prior survey in which 51% of CBG users reported using CBG to alleviate anxiety, with nearly 80% finding it more effective than traditional anxiety medications.

Cuttler is seeking approval for a follow-up clinical trial to be conducted in a laboratory setting to verify these findings and assess CBG’s physiological impacts. She is also exploring potential research on CBG’s effects on menopause symptoms.

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I hope this information was helpful and informative. If you have any more questions, please feel free to ask me. 😊

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We are often faced with our own personal conflicts which directly influence our interactions with our peers and family.

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What Is CBD & How Does it Work?