CBD For Beginners

If you missed it, CBD is the new wellness trend everyone is talking about. And while there’s a lot of talk about its benefits, there are just as many questions. What is it? Where does it come from? Can it help me? This guide to CBD for beginners will answer all those questions and more.

Where Does CBD Come From?

CBD can come from the hemp or cannabis plant. Both belong to the Cannabaceae plant family, the Cannabis genus, and the Sativa species. The scientific name for both cannabis and hemp plants stems from Cannabis Sativa. So, while they come from the same plant, the critical difference between hemp and cannabis comes down to Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

What is Hemp?

Hemp is not a scientific term. Instead, it is a legal term used in The 2018 Farm Bill to classify what cannabis plants are federally legal to cultivate and what plants are still banned. According to the bill, hemp is defined as cannabis with less than 0.3% THC. The intent was to permit hemp plant cultivation for industrial, nutritional, and therapeutic applications while continuing the federal ban on cannabis plants that get you high.

What is Cannabis?

Cannabis is any plant from the Cannabaceae family with over 0.3% THC, and therefore illegal at the federal level. After generations of selective cross-breeding, thousands of cannabis cultivars fit this classification, many testing as high as 30% THC.

The Difference Between Cannabis CBD and Hemp CBD

Hemp-derived CBD products fall in the supplement category and avoid FDA regulation. Many brands do not test for purity, pesticides, or other contaminants. On the other hand, the law mandates that cannabis-derived CBD available at a licensed dispensary must be lab-tested. If your state has legalized medical or recreational cannabis, always buy cannabis-derived CBD so you know that it’s safe.

Hemp seed oil and CBD oil are two different products. Hemp seed oil is cold-pressed from the Cannabis Sativa plant’s seeds and contains various nutrients like omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, chlorophyll, protein, and fiber. You can find hemp oil in health food stores, where it is often used in cooking or online. CBD oils are made from the leaves, flowers, and stalks of the Cannabis Sativa plant and contain high levels of cannabidiol (CBD) and low levels of THC. You can only find CBD oil at a dispensary if your state has legalized cannabis for recreational or medicinal use.

How CBD Works

CBD, or cannabidiol, is one of over 100 cannabinoids in the cannabis plant that influences the human “endocannabinoid system.”

The Endocannabinoid System

Our bodies contain endocannabinoid receptors, and our natural Endocannabinoids affect these receptors. This interaction can create a feeling of pain or pleasure, memory recall, changes to mood or appetite, increased stress or relaxation, and even impact how we sleep and some functions of our immune system.

The endocannabinoid system’s purpose is to maintain homeostasis, but it can become deficient. This is where cannabis comes in. The cannabinoids in cannabis are so similar to the naturally produced endocannabinoids that they can be an effective supplement to help maintain balance within the body.

CBD works by blocking the breakdown of our body’s natural endocannabinoids. By doing this, we can use more of what our body already produces.

The Entourage Effect

Cannabis is a complex plant with over 100 cannabinoids and 400 terpenes. There is some evidence to suggest that these compounds may be more effective when they work together in what’s known as the entourage effect. This is important in understanding CBD because research suggests it works better with THC. As we’re about to learn, this may impact what CBD product is right for you.

Not All CBD is the Same

How CBD is extracted from the plant makes a big difference. There is full spectrum CBD, broad-spectrum CBD, CBD distillate, and CBD Isolate.

Full Spectrum CBD

Full Spectrum CBD includes everything in the plant: cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids. This type of preparation is preferred by many. Due to the entourage effect, all the cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids work together to increase efficacy. Full Spectrum CBD oil does contain THC in varying concentrations. Always check your label.

Broad Spectrum CBD Oil

Broad Spectrum CBD may be the best option if you don’t want THC in your system. Broad Spectrum CBD oil contains the full cannabinoid and terpene profile but remains THC free.

CBD Distillate

CBD Distillate is highly refined and potent, but most terpenes and cannabinoids are absent from the oil. Usually, this product contains more than 80% CBD with minimal traces of THC.

CBD Isolate

CBD Isolate is cannabidiol with no other cannabinoids, terpenes, or flavonoids. Therefore, many consider CBD Isolate the least effective due to the absence of other cannabinoids and terpenes.

What are the Beneficial Effects of CBD?

CBD advocates and manufacturers all tout CBD as a sort of miracle cure. As much as we love miracles, there’s still not a lot of clinical research to back up the health claims. At a minimum, CBD does look very promising. Some of the health benefits of CBD oil that have solid research supporting them include:

CBD advocates and manufacturers all tout CBD as a sort of miracle cure. As much as we love miracles, there’s still not a lot of clinical research to back up the health claims. At a minimum, CBD does look very promising. Some of the health benefits of CBD oil that have solid research supporting them include:

Pain and Inflammation

Numerous studies have found that CBD may help treat pain and inflammation. Notably, in one of the only studies that support the entourage effect, CBD may be more effective at relieving chronic pain when combined with THC.

High Blood Pressure

A 2017 Study found that CBD oil may decrease blood pressure and protect against heart disease. In the study, nine healthy men took either 600 mg of CBD or a placebo. The men who took CBD had lower blood pressure before and after exposure to stressors like exercise or cold temperatures.

Anxiety

A 2015 review published in Neurotherapeutics journal established that low doses of CBD reduced anxiety in animals. A more recent study published in the journal Frontiers in Pharmacology found that CBD may be an effective treatment for social anxiety disorder.

Addiction

A 2015 review published in the Journal of Substance Abuse suggests that CBD may help treat patients suffering from opioid, cocaine, or psychostimulant-related use disorders. However, the effects of CBD varied depending on the substance. 

When used to treat opioid withdrawal, CBD did not decrease symptoms unless combined with THC. However, CBD alone reduced drug-seeking behavior in meth and cocaine users.

Sleep

Sleep is so important, and many of us don’t get enough of it. There’s been a lot of noise that CBD helps with sleep, and it’s a bandwagon we’d love to jump on, but the research is inconclusive. 

To the extent that anxiety causes insomnia and CBD may treat anxiety, there seems to be potential. The same can be said for pain and inflammation that impede sleep. CBD’s effectiveness as a sleep aid merits further investigation.

Seizures

Epidiolex was approved by the FDA in June 2018. This medication treats two rare types of epilepsy in children under 2: Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. These conditions are caused by rare genetic disorders and can lead to lifelong seizures in the first year of life.

Ways to Take CBD

One of the most amazing things about CBD is all the different delivery systems. There is something for every taste and preference, but the best way for you to use CBD may take some trial and error. We all have different needs and likes, and many of us process cannabinoids differently.

CBD Gummies

When you eat a gummy, cannabinoids pass through the digestive tract and are metabolized by the liver. The effects can usually take an hour to onset. Something else to keep in mind if there is THC in this gummy is that the liver metabolizes THC into a more potent compound: 11-hydroxy-THC. 11-hydroxy-THC hits hard with a heavy body high that lasts a long time. So be careful!

The cannabinoids in gummies may also interact with receptors in the gut, which can intensify their effects on conditions like inflammatory bowel disease. Gummies have a long-lasting effect, making them ideal for managing chronic conditions.

CBD Drinks

CBD drinks are one of the newest ways to consume CBD. You can find anything from water and soda to coffee, tea, and juices.

CBD Capsules or Tablets

Capsules or tablets work the same as gummies, they’re just not as cute and sweet.

Smoking and Vaping CBD

When you inhale smoke or vapor, cannabinoids are absorbed by the alveoli in the lungs and passed directly to the bloodstream. This delivery system has the fastest onset to effect. The downside is the effect that smoking or vaping may have on your lungs. While no evidence links smoking or vaping cannabis to lung cancer and COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), any smoke inhalation has health risks (e.g., chronic coughs, congestion, asthma).

CBD Sublinguals

Sublinguals are interesting because they can be used in a couple of ways. If you swallow them, they work like an edible. But they’re called sublinguals for a reason. If you place them under your tongue and keep them there, the cannabinoids will pass through the thin membrane of the skin directly to the bloodstream. You won’t feel the effects as quickly as smoking or vaping, but it won’t take as long as an edible. Onset time is typically in the 20-minute range. Sublinguals include tinctures, strips, and sprays. 

You can find Full Spectrum CBD oil, Broad Spectrum CBD oil, and Isolate CBD oil in sublinguals. The effects you feel will differ depending on the oil you choose.

CBD Topicals & Transdermals

CBD lotions, balms, rubs, and even patches can be beneficial for treating skin, joint, or muscle issues.

So whether you have an active lifestyle and need a health supplement to soothe your aching muscles or want to reduce your stress levels, CBD products might be the answer.

Tips for Taking CBD

CBD is never one size fits all. This is all about finding the right preparation, delivery system, and dose for your needs. Of course, you could wing it, but a little organization and discipline can make all the difference:

• Track how much CBD you take and when you take it.
• Track how dosage and timing affect how you feel.
• Be patient and start with a low dose and go slow.
• Make adjustments where needed
• If anything feels off, stop and consult your physician.

Best CBD Products for Beginners

We want to eliminate as much guesswork as possible. One of the ways we can do that is by choosing products with measured doses. This takes smoking and vaping off the table as they’re a bit imprecise. But gummies and tablets are perfect choices.  

Gummies

Delicious, discrete, and portable gummies are the number one choice for beginners. While gummies always come in measured doses, read the packaging. Different companies make gummies with different strengths. The Orchard Peach 1:1 Sours by Camino are amazing. Pick them up at our dispensary and see for yourself.

Tablets and Capsules

Consider a tablet or capsule if you want to skip the sugar in those orchard peach sours. They always come in serving-sized doses, they’re discrete, and you can take them anywhere. Level Protabs offers a fantastic 1:1 Tablet, also available at Airfield.

Tinctures

A CBD tincture is a great way to get started with CBD. Tinctures come in small bottles with droppers that make it easy to measure your dose. We recommend starting with a low dose (1-2 drops) and working your way up as needed. You can find tinctures in different ratios like 1:1, 4:1, 10:1, etc. We suggest starting with a lower ratio if you’re new to CBD, as it will be less potent.

Begin Your CBD Journey With Airfield

We hope this beginner’s guide to CBD has been helpful in beginning your CBD journey!

We invite you to begin your CBD journey with us. All CBD products available through Airfield are lab tested to guarantee customer safety and product purity. Visit us in-store anytime, or visit us online to shop from the comfort of your home.