Health
Call Me Cannabinoids:
An Intro to CBD
ESSENTIAL Naples
By Stacy Bull
“CBD’s antiinflammatory properties are involved in regulating various functions in a number of areas that can be associated with sleep, appetitive, pain, and immune system response.” —Stacy Bull
SUMMER 2021
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Stacy Bull has been the General Manager for Your CBD Store Naples and Marco Island locations for the past 2 years. She has her Bachelor’s Degree in Health Care Administration from UW-Milwaukee. She has worked in various healthcare departments including Ophthalmology, Oncology, and Cardiology before getting involved in Cannabinoid Therapy. She can be reached at 239.259.8654 or by email at naplesfl @cbdrx4u.com. See ad on page 9 >
C
annabidiol, commonly known as CBD, is a naturally occurring, non-psychoactive compound found in hemp plants. Unlike its cousin, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC Delta-9), CBD has no intoxicating effects as we typically see with THC-based products. CBD interacts with the receptors in our endocannabinoid system (ECS), our largest receptor system in the body, which is now being studied at a rapid rate due to its relatively recent discovery and identification in the early 1990s. We find that CBD and minor cannabinoids like CBG, CBN, and CBC are outperforming other compounds without the side effects that are caused by THC. Since ECS receptors are found throughout the body, dosing and interaction within the system changes as the form of the product changes. For example, using a topical lotion works best in a targeted area, while an oil-based tincture works best across our entire ECS. Learning about the ECS, determining what form of CBD to take, and understanding what amount of CBD works best are the most important steps to finding the right CBD product in today’s market.
in perfect synergy. Similar to full spectrum, broad spectrum products contain all compounds of the hemp plant but contain non-detectable amounts of THC. To achieve this, products are put through additional processing to remove as much THC as possible while preserving the other cannabinoids and other plant components. Broad spectrum products remain a great choice for customers who can’t have any traces of THC in their system, but still desire the same full-plant synergy. While CBD isolate does offer certain health benefits, studies are showing consumers may gain more consistent and intense effects from higher dosages of full spectrum. This is important for customers to understand when deciding if a CBD isolate or full spectrum is a better option for them.
What to Look for When Shopping CBD Products
Look for products in which the hemp is sourced from a United States Organic Hemp Farm and certified by the State’s Department of Agriculture. CO2 extraction is the most regularly used extraction process, providing you with the What Can CBD Help With? CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties are involved purest end product. During CO2 extraction, we in regulating various functions in a number of can extract other compounds found within the areas that can be associated with sleep, appetiplant, including terpenes, flavonoids, and other tive, pain, and immune system response. This is cannabinoids. Lastly, it is important to review the not necessarily a cure or treatment; rather, it is third-party lab report for your product. These reintended to help keep you feeling more like your- ports should be easily accessible on the company’s self. As always, we recommend starting a conver- website. Leafreport.com recently put about 3,000 sation with your physician before taking any CBD CBD products under the microscope to see how products, especially if you’re on any medication. many were being tested for purity or potency. “Of the 136 CBD companies, 42% tested all of their What’s the Difference between CBD Isolate, products for potency. Additionally, the vast majority of products tested were outside the limits Full Spectrum, and Broad Spectrum? of acceptable variance. The concentration of CBD CBD isolate is a crystalline solid or powder that stated on a product label must match the concencontains upwards of 99% pure CBD. Whole plant tration measured by the testing laboratory within extract, or full spectrum, contains all compounds a 10% variance.” This recent study shows that of the hemp plant, including the flavonoids, natural fatty acids found in hemp; terpenes; and other not all CBD brands are created equal and because CBD is not yet regulated by the Food and Drug Adcannabinoids (such as CBG, CBN, and the legal ministration (FDA), it is important to know what limit of THC). By keeping all compounds of the exactly is in—or not in—your CBD product. • plant, cannabinoids and terpenes work together
