CBD Oil Guide [Everything You Wanted to Know] CBD is AMAZING

CBD Oil Guide

Seems like the latest thing everyone is talking about concerning health is CBD oil. CBD oil has stolen the show and stepped into the limelight for good reasons. Never has one supplement had so much to offer with such little side effects. By the time you’re done doing your research on CBD you might need some to cure your headache of the information overload.

After recently suffering from anxiety, I decided to research what I could do to remedy this and came across CBD. I had the daunting task to learn all about CBD oil. 

Something I noticed was that the information seems scattered, sometimes contradictive and scientific studies seemed sparse. Nonetheless, questions I had have been answered and I am going to compile all these answers into what I call the “HOLY GRAIL of CBD articles” or the definitive guide to CBD oil.

So let’s begin:

What is the Endocannabinoid Sytem? Do I Have One?

Let’s get down to the nitty gritty! In order for this to make sense we must discuss the endocannabinoid system. Get comfortable as we journey through the science behind it all!

If you are a living, breathing human being, I have news for you – you have an endocannabinoid system! Now to answer what is the endocannabinoid system I have to take you back to the 60’s – 1964 to be exact.

Israeli scientist Raphael Mechoulam for the first time was able to isolate THC from the marijuana plant (If you are feeling a little scientific all of his studies are here).

Being able to isolate these cannabinoids for the first time was the first stepping stone in discovering the endocannabinoid system – a biological system that can be found in just about any living thing with vertebrae.  –marijuanatimes 

Now if you were not a fan of the 60’s you are in luck because we are going to jump forward to the 90’s and learn about a study conducted by Lisa matsuda at the National Institue of Mental Health. Her and her team were able to locate a receptor in a rats brain that is stimulated by THC.

Two more important things happened in the 90’s besides boy bands and AOL. The same scientist – Raphael Mechoulam – discovered two endocannabinoids (Anandamide and 2-arachidonolyglycerol) in 1992 and 1995 (somebody should label him father of the endocannabinoid system).

When studying these cannabinoids and finding the pathways they take in the body, this lead scientists to discover a system they didn’t know was there before. It only seemed logical to name the system after cannabis thus creating the name, the endocannabinoid sytem.

How Does the Endocannabinoid System Work?

The endocannabinoid system is responsible for maintaining homeostasis ( a balance) in the body. This homeostasis is vital because the system regulates things such as mood, appetite, pain and memory just to name a few. When this balance is disturbed it could affect a whole variety of areas. Endocannabinoids and receptors are found throughout he body.

According to leafly.com there are three major components to the system. There are cannabinoid receptors, endocannabinoids and metabolic enzymes.

Cannabinoid receptors sit on the surface of cells and “listen” to conditions outside the cell. They transmit information about changing conditions to the inside of the cell, kick-starting the appropriate cellular response. -leafly

The two main receptors you will hear about are the CB1 and CB2 receptors. The CB1 receptors are mostly found in the brain while CB2 is mainly associated with the nervous system.

Endocannabinoids are produced naturally by the body, which stimulate the afformentioned cannabinoid receptors.

Metabolic Enzymes carry out the dirty work ,quite literally. After the endocannabinoids are used in the system the metabolic enzymes dispose of them

As noted earlier basically all this is responsible to maintain that homeostasis. When the homeostasis is out of whack, cannabis use can help return the balance needed to the system in order to function normally.

Your body is at peace again and all is well.

What is CBD Oil?

In a nutshell CBD (cannabidiol) is the non-psychoactive cannabinoid in the hemp and marijuana plant. CBD will NOT get you high, neither is that a reason to take it. If you are wondering, THC is the psychoactive component in marijuana. CBD oils either contain no THC or very minute traces (typically below .3% THC), so I’m sorry but you won’t be listening to psychedelic music or getting high. CBD is perfectly safe to use (although you should consult your health practitioner if you take any medication because it may inhibit the effects of those meds), it is legal almost everywhere in the states and is starting to be used for many ailments. Sounds good, right?

Cannabidiol (CBD) represents the second most abundant phytocannabinoid in Cannabis plant after the psychoactive tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) and, in recent years, an increasing body of evidences emphasised its promising role as a treatment in several medical conditions (Fasinu et al.2016). –cambridge.org

What Does CBD Treat?

Have you ever wanted super human strength, or any superpowers? Me too! You probably thought I was going to say that CBD can accomplish this, but… unfortunately CBD can’t give you those things. Too bad. But! What it can offer is just short of super. It has such an array of benefits that it should be labeled as the “superhero of natural supplements”.

CBD is now being used by people to treat a whole array of issues. There is very convincing evidence to suggest – and some of my own experience – that CBD is a great treatment for a number of things. Here is a little list:

• epilepsy
• pain and inflammation
• anxiety
• aids in fighting cancer
• psychological disorders
• nausea
• arthritis
• multiple sclerosis
• withdrawal symptoms from tobacco/cannabis
• headaches

While these treatments are being discovered fairly recently, I am positive that as time goes on this list will grow significantly.

There are independent studies out there where people are finding new uses for CBD everyday. For instance, my own mother has been suffering from canker sores her entire life and has tried everything to cure them. She discovered on her own that after applying CBD oil directly to her sore, the pain subsided and it healed within three days.

I can’t wait to see what else science has to say on the matter!

What Has CBD Done for me, You Ask?

Anxiety

Well, the biggest benefit I have received from CBD as I had mentioned earlier was a reduction in a severe case of anxiety I was getting. I’m not exaggerating when I say that the anxiety was so bad that I could not think clearly. After just one dose I saw a huge improvement. I continued to take it daily and saw improvements in my anxiety and other improvements. If you have anxiety please try some. Serotonin production is vital for managing anxiety. Evidence suggests that anxiety sufferers are not producing enough serotonin. CBD can signal the brain to produce serotonin, plus it can also mimic the results of serotonin.

The next time anxiety looks you in the eyes, stare at it back with confidence knowing that you have a little fighter in your system (CBD of course).  

Social Anxiety

Have you ever had that one friend who is the life of the party? Who doesn’t seem to be affected in any way by social situations, they can coolly and calmly maintain their composure and naturally be themselves. Do you ask yourself, how do they do that? I have a friend who matches that description exactly (Mike, I’m talking about you).

While CBD doesn’t exactly turn me into that person nor does it give me magic words to say, it relieves the stress of social situations and helps bring me the confidence needed to act myself and learn to be comfortable in those situations. 

Recovering From Sports

I come from a big, loud, crazy family where competition is the name of the game. No matter what sport is out there we have probably played it and tried to out-compete each other. This takes a huge toll on your body and has left me sore many times. I recently tried CBD in the midst of this since it is anti-inflammatory. While it didn’t give me any edge while playing sports (I wouldn’t assume so since it helps keep you calm) it significantly decreased the time I was sore afterward.

Sleep

What is something so important yet most of us don’t get enough of it? You guessed it – SLEEP! If sleep were a sport, I would be horrible at it, I would be the kid who is always picked last. No matter how bad my sleep is, strangely enough when I first tried CBD I slept like a baby. Although I haven’t slept as good as that first day again (the body might build a tolerance to it), I have had better nights of sleep than I used to have, and have woken up less frequently throughout the night.

Nausea

I am approximately 5’6″ weighing in at only 125 lbs. I attribute most of this to being nauseous a lot and not wanting to eat. Well CBD did it again and decreased feelings of nausea significantly.

Last Up: Chronic Headaches

This one took a little time to cure. I can’t tell you how many aleeves I have taken in my life – way too many to count. I get chronic headaches so frequently, after taking CBD for some time I accidentally realized that I had stopped taking aleeves. There was no need to because I stopped getting headaches.

Side effects of CBD

Time to spoil the fun and talk about side effects. Ever watch those adds on TV for some drug, where the side effects just seem to go on and on as if the list is longer than what the drug treats. Don’t worry we won’t talk too long about CBD’s side effects, because there aren’t that many and aren’t that serious.

CBD has few side effects and is considered a safe substance to take. These are the known side effects of CBD:

1. Inhibition of hepatic drug metabolism/decreased activities of p-glycoprotein and other drug transporters
2. Dry mouth
3. Increased tremor in some Parkinson’s patients
4. Low blood pressure
5. Lightheadedness
6. Drowsiness -elixinol 

I personally have only experienced one of these. It was the dry mouth. It only happened the first day I took CBD and I lived to talk about it afterward.

CBD Studies

Cambridge had compiled a bunch of studies related to CBD. The studies seem to suggest that CBD may be effective in treating schizophrenia, social anxiety disorder and withdrawal symptoms from cannabis and tobacco use. However they stated “However, further studies should include larger randomized controlled samples and investigate the impact of CBD on biological measures in order to correlate CBD’s clinical effects to potential modifications of neurotransmitters signalling and structural and functional cerebral changes.” -cambridge 

Five out of eight studies conducted suggested that CBD has a positive effect on treating psychosis.

Two studies where there was a CBD group and a placebo group seem to show that after just one dose of CBD it can be very effective against social anxiety. The evidence seems to point to CBD stimulating the 5HT1A receptors.

Studies conducted on CBD and substance abuse show that CBD can be effective on treating withdrawal symptoms, such as anxiety and dependency. The studies seem to suggest that CBD needs to be given for a long duration for this to be effective.

Three studies on CBD and cognitive impairment in psychiatric patients seemed to be somewhat inconclusive, as CBD was administered over a six week period and cognitive functioning was not significantly improved. There is speculation that if it is administered longer, there might be more improvement.

Further scientific studies need to come out. The control groups are pretty small and testing dosages and duration are inconsistent. (You could read more about the cambridge study here).

Is CBD Legal in the U.S.?

Hemp derived CBD is legal in the U.S. as it contains below the legal limit of THC (.3%), it is covered under the farm bill. You can purchase CBD oils online and have them delivered to you in the states. While I am no lawyer and I am not going to try to be, medium.com explains it pretty well in this article.

Full Spectrum CBD Vs. CBD Isolate

There are two kinds of CBD. There is full spectrum CBD and CBD Isolate. The difference is much simpler thatn you think. 

Full Spectrum CBD contains cannabinoids from the whole plant – not just CBD, which means it even contains THC, but not to worry it is within legal limits (less than .3%) and will not get you high or alter your mind.

CBD Isolate is very simple, it is just strictly CBD and comes directly from the seed instead of the plant.

It is said that full spectrum CBD works the best as per a study in 2015 done in the Lautenburg Center for General and Tumor Immunology. In the study CBD isolate was given to mice in contrast with full spectrum. It was shown that the full spectrum was more effective in alleviating the mice’s pain.

The other cannabinoids in full spectrum work synergistically together for the most benefit. Knowing the difference between the two brings us nicely to our next topic.

If you want to know more I did an article here).

Will CBD Oil Show Up On a Drug Test?

First of all it should be noted that drug tests do not test for CBD, they test for THC (the psychoactive component). The claim is that unless you are taking extremelly high doses of CBD oil, you should not have enough THC in your system to test positive, although there is still a chance.

I tested this out and I myself have never tried anything psychoactive in my life and had no reason to show up positive. I guess I gave it away, I indeed tested positive for THC. I had not been taking extremely high amounts of CBD oil but I speculate that it is because I was taking full spectrum CBD oil and had been taking it consistently for a month. I assume the THC levels built up in my system.

I went from never using any psychoactives to now false positiving (I think I just made that word up) for THC – my parents should be proud.

I am not the only one though, if you scour the internet, other users on forums have reported getting false positives. But there is a bright side. Although CBD isolate doesn’t work as well, it contains NO THC and will not show up on a drug test.

If you are subject to drug testing and are worried about having THC in your system theses are all things to consider as it is a possibility that you can false positive with full spectrum CBD.

There may be another option though. I recently came across a company which claims to be a hybrid full spectrum CBD. It has all the benefits of full spectrum CBD oil but does not contain any THC. It is the only one on the market currently that I know of making this claim. The company is called CBD MD. I will test this out and update the article on my findings.

This leads me with a note of caution – CBD companies are allowed to make the claim zero THC as long as there is less than .3% THC. So there might be trace amounts which can lead to a false positive, it is always a good idea to call the company of a brand you are interested in and ask if there are any trace amounts.

CBD Extraction Methods

There are two main kinds of extraction methods companies use to extract your favorite CBD oils. There is the CO2 extraction method and the solvent extraction method. The CO2 extraction method is preferred as it is more safe for food use. The drawback is that this method is much more costly to implement, thus companies may price their CBD oils higher when using this method. The solvent method may be cheaper and easier to use but it leaves behind dangerous byproducts in the CBD oil.

I wrote more in-depth about this in my article: What to look for in a CBD oil.  

What Form Does CBD Come In?

If you love variety then you are in luck. There is such a variety of things being infused with CBD now, it is like walking into a candy store when you were a kid, except way more healthier and CBD won’t rot your teeth.

The main form of CBD is the one we have been primarily talking about – CBD oil tincture. Other common ones include oral pills, topical creams and edibles. Everything else is just short of creative. There are teas, CBD infused toothpicks, honey, vape e-liquids and the list goes on.

CBD Dosing, Bottle Size, & Milligram Strength

CBD comes in a variety of strengths and bottle sizes. The most common size bottle I see is a 30 ml bottle. The strengths vary, typically it is as low as 300 mg and I have seen some as high as 5000 mg. 

The suggestion is that if it is your first time taking CBD oil, you should start with the lowest dose to see how you react to it, then work your way up as needed. The dosing is the tricky part as there is not a lot of science behind it yet. Typically each company gives a recommended amount of drops. That is a good starting point, but you can increase or decrease the amount depending on what you are trying to treat and until you find that sweet-spot which is most effective. You need to find an amount that is tailored specifically to your needs.

What to Look For in a CBD Oil

Choosing a CBD oil can be as daunting of a task as, which car should I buy? (but not as expensive). They all have their pros and cons. This topic warrants a whole other post, which I conveniently titled: CBD: What to Look For in a CBD Oil.

How Long Can I Take CBD For?

This is a tricky One. Nobody really has a conclusive answer on this yet. I personally have been taking CBD for about 4 months in a row. The effects don’t seem to diminish. As a matter of fact for psychological conditions it might be advised to take for a prolonged period of time to let it build in the system. Similar to prescription drugs. Or if you simply just feel like taking it for a little while to treat a specific issue, that is fine too. Don’t hold me to this one as there isn’t enough info on how long to take it yet, these are simply my findings and what works for me.

CBD Oil VS. Alcohol: The Fight of the Century!

The fights about to begin! CBD as the newcomer in one corner straight from the endocannabinoid system, while alcohol is looking a little confident after winning his last fight against the brain cell. It starts out as a close fight. CBD brings a plethora of benefits to take a jab at alcohol. Alcohol fights back with its instant sedative effect. Looks like alcohol has CBD on the ropes! The fight goes on. Alcohol seems to be wearing out, almost as if he has a hangover. CBD has the stamina advantage, he seems to remain clear headed and well prepared. The fight goes into the final round. The newcomer captivates the audience with his spunk and leaves them dazzled with his all around ability. Alcohol seems to have thrown in the towel. I think the winner is clear, but you be the judge.

CBD has a lot of benefits going for it. Heck it even reacts with the endocannabinoid system in our body, it’s like it was made for us. CBD just like alcohol can help you unwind and reduce stress after a tough day. But, and it is a big but (not B-U-T-T) CBD does not kill brain cells like alcohol, it won’t leave you hungover, it doesn’t alter your state of mind and won’t leave you telling people things you may regret. Although it is definitely healthier and safer than alcohol, its effects aren’t as immediate and not instantly as strong. 

How Should I Store My CBD Oil?

CBD likes to live like a bat. You should store it in a cool, dark place away from light, heat and humidity to preserve the contents of the oil.

Most CBD hemp oil products are packaged in airtight bottles or oral applicators that are designed to prevent air exposure. Like light and heat, air exposure plays a part in the breakdown of natural cannabinoids like CBD. Try to keep your CBD hemp oil in its original container, and if you must transfer it, make sure the new container is adequate for long-term storage. Additionally, be sure to always securely tighten the bottle’s lid or fully snap on its cap after each use to extend its shelf life. -echoconnection.org

Giving CBD To My Dog

Believe it or not, you can give CBD to dogs also, as they too have an endocannabinoid system. Many CBD companies are selling CBD pet products specially formulated for dogs and cats. On the negative side there isn’t as many studies done to show the effectiveness for CBD on dogs. It is known that THC has negative affects on dogs, so marijuana products are deemed unsafe, which is why CBD is a good alternative because it either has trace amounts of THC or no THC. It is speculated that CBD can treat the same things it treats in humans.

Cannabis oil can be used to treat seizures, nausea, stress, anxiety, arthritis, back pain, symptoms of cancer, and gastrointestinal issues, among other health conditions in dogs.

Relief is provided as the cannabinoids in marijuana interact with the endocannabinoid system, Shu explains. “It’s a series of receptors that run throughout the body,” he says. “The cannabinoids interact with the receptors in the body and modulate things like pain, anxiety, and nausea.”

Unlike some traditional prescription pet medications, medical cannabis has no life-threatening side effects with proper dosage, Shu points out. “It doesn’t damage the kidney, liver, or GI tract. The dogs aren’t high or sedated.” -petMD

It is advised to do your due diligence and research when giving your dog CBD and maybe consult your vet.

Graham Quigley, owner and acupuncturist at the Holistic Animal Clinic in San Rafael, California, worries that as the popularity of alternative medicine increases, pet parents may buy into “overly ambitious claims about cannabis oil” from unreliable sources. Quigley stresses that cannabis oil is not a “cure-all.” 

As with any medication, pet parents should consult their veterinarian first before treating their dog with cannabis oil. -petMD

After all a healthy pet is a happy one.

CBD Oil Conclusion

If I sound a little too enthusiastic about CBD, it is because I am! I see CBD in the future at the forefront of every natureopaths’ medicine cabinet and can’t wait to see what other treatments this will be used for.

Most natural supplements I have taken do not boast this many benefits, usually take some time to work in your system and the effects aren’t as strong. I was skeptical when I first tried CBD oil and shortly after I was overwhelmed to feel something working effectively towards my anxiety. I keep some on hand for whenever I need some.

Well, we learned of all the benefits uses and side effects. Now you can walk away with more CBD knowledge and hopefully some laughs. Plus we met some interesting friends on the way.

I hope you had just as much fun reading this article as I’ve had writing it. Til next time my friends!