Water soluble

CBD101

A team of CBD journalists atthe UK’s only CBD lifestyle publication, The CANNAVIST, present the basic knowledge you need to kickstart your CBD journey

IS CBD NEW? The Endocannabinoid System has been well-researched, particularly in the US, Canada and Israel, for several decades. In fact, research into the pharmacology of individual cannabinoids goes back to the 1940s, many years after the presence of a cannabinoid was first detected in cannabis itself. CBD is not something new, although many people hadn’t heard of it until the last couple of years.

WHAT IS CBD SHORT FOR? CBD is the abbreviation for Cannabidiol.

IS CBD A DRUG? Legally speaking, CBD is not a controlled substance, so it is legal. It’s also non-intoxicating or mind altering so it doesn’t give any ‘high’ sensation. It doesn’t alter the mind in a way that controlled substances do, such as THC.

WILL I GET HIGH FROM CBD? No, you won’t. But if you are still not convinced, make sure you reach for a zero-THC product.

WHAT’S ALL THIS ABOUT BROAD AND FULL SPECTRUM? Full spectrum refers to the presence of CBD and its friends, some other cannabinoids, like CBC and CBG. There may be trace amounts of THC in this form of extract. Broad spectrum refers to an extract containing CBD, some of its buddy cannabinoids, but this version contains no THC.

WHAT IS THE ENTOURAGE EFFECT? This term was coined in 1998, when two Israeli professors found that the endocannabinoid system demonstrated an ‘entourage effect’ leading to the general consensus that CBD is more effective and better absorbed by the body when combined with other cannabinoids (such as a full spectrum extract). Researchers refer to the entourage effect as the concept of botanical synergy.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MARIJUANA & CBD? CBD is one of the hundreds of compounds that you can get from cannabis. In its most basic form, it’s a fat-soluble extract. You can have CBD from hemp, or CBD from marijuana. But in general, you’ll find that only hemp-derived CBD is legal in most places. Hemp and marijuana both fall under the cannabis family. The difference is, hemp contains far less THC, so that’s why CBD derived from hemp is widely accepted.

IS CBD THE SAME AS MEDICAL CANNABIS OR CANNABIS OIL? This is an easy one to get stuck on. In very potent concentrations, CBD is used in pharma-grade cannabis oil treatments, such as Sativex and Epidiolex. However, the CBD you see in your nearest health store is not medical cannabis. Its more akin to a supplement or holistic remedy.

WHAT IS THE FASTEST WAY TO ABSORB CBD? Vaping delivers CBD into the bloodstream almost immediately upon inhaling. The second fastest absorption method is using tinctures (CBD oil drops). CBD Both of these methods involve the mucosal membrane, which lines the walls of the mouth all the way into the lungs.

WHAT IS A TERPENE? Terpenes are aromatic essential oils found in leafy green plants. Even your Christmas tree has terpenes – pinene! Terpenes found in hemp give off a cannabis aroma, akin to what you may sometimes smell walking down a busy city street. Contrary to what some believe, there is no link between terpenes and getting ‘high’.

WHAT IS A CANNABINOID? This term refers to any of a group of closely related compounds which include cannabinol and the active constituents of cannabis. CBD is a cannabinoid. Researchers estimate there are between 110 and 120 cannabinoids out there.

WHAT IS THE ENDOCANNABINOID SYSTEM? This is a chain of receptors in the body which interacts with cannabinoids like CBD. Dogs, cats, humans, we all have an ECS. This system is comprised of two types of receptors which are responsible for helping the body regulate physiological functions like pain, mood, memory, appetite and fertility, according to researchers. The function of the

ECS is to help the body achieve homeostasis. Think of it as a reset mechanism.

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TAKING OIL DROPS AND APPLYING CREAMS OR GELS? CBD works in different ways for different people, depending on your endocannabinoid system and how you take it. Oil drops are one of the best delivery methods of getting CBD into the bloodstream in terms of bioavailability (how much CBD is absorbed) as they bypass the first pass metabolism. Hold your desired number of drops under the tongue for about 30 seconds and the thin layer of mucosal membrane in the mouth will allow the active contents of the oil to be absorbed rapidly. Skincare on the other hand works differently. The penetrability of CBD is thought to be quite high, meaning it can be effective on localised inflammation on the skin. CBD has been proven to be a great anti-inflammatory, which may be the reason so many people find it effective for muscles and joints.

I’M ON MEDICATION. IS CBD SUITABLE FOR ME TO TAKE? We like to think we know a lot about our favourite cannabinoid. But we’re not doctors. We would always advise that whatever your health circumstances, it’s best to consult your pharmacist or GP on whether CBD may benefit you, or if it is likely to interact with any of your medication.

WILL CBD SHOW UP ON A DRUGS TEST? If you consume a CBD product that contains detectable levels of THC, it may show up on a drugs test, but only if that test has been designed to identify THC.

I’M AN ATHLETE, CAN I TAKE CBD? Yes! As long as it comes from a broad spectrum or isolated extract. In January 2018, the World AntiDoping Agency (WADA) lifted its ban on CBD for professional athletes. However, you must ensure the product you use is guaranteed to be free of THC, as this cannabinoid is still blacklisted.