An Introduction to CBD
An Introduction to CBD
So, you’ve heard about CBD and want to know what it is, what it does, and how to use it. If so, you’re in the right place. Here in this article, you’ll find the answers to the most commonly asked questions about CBD.
Overview: What Is CBD?
Cannabidiol, more commonly known as CBD for short, is a chemical compound naturally occurring in the cannabis plant. It is one of over 100+ cannabinoids with therapeutic properties that have been proven to be beneficial for humans and animals. Unlike the cannabidiol THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), CBD is not psychoactive. This cannabinoid will not cause you to feel “high” or induce mind-altering effects. This makes it ideal for people who want to avoid feeling intoxicated after consuming CBD, whether for medical reasons or personal preference.
How is CBD Oil Made?
Primarily, CBD extracts come from the leaves, stalks, and flowers of either hemp or marijuana plants. Marijuana and hemp differ primarily in the amount of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) they contain. Marijuana has high levels of THC, while hemp has very little or none. The cultivation of hemp plants is legal in many countries, whereas cannabis can only be grown under strict conditions in its natural form. As a result of its chemical composition and legality in the United States, manufacturers use hemp to make CBD products. The first step is to dry and grind the parts of the plant material. This step helps remove moisture from the plant so it can undergo heat without combusting. Next, it’s essential to decarboxylate your cannabis for optimal results. Decarboxylation removes a carboxyl group which is necessary for many processes that follow. After decarboxylation, you’re ready for extraction.
Extraction
CBD extraction methods include
butane extraction
CO2 extraction
solventless methods that use ethanol or other solvents
The resulting oil has terpenes, cannabinoids, and other beneficial compounds. Some may purify and concentrate the CBD extract by distillation or other methods to remove unwanted compounds and achieve pure CDB /isolate.
As part of the process of making CBD oil, some may add necessary ingredients such as MCT oil or other oil polyphenols to improve bioavailability and absorption in the body. They might also add flavoring agents like peppermint or cinnamon oil to mask any unpleasant taste from the hemp material (which can be bitter).
Some manufacturers use other methods when it comes to making CBD oil. For example, they use a proprietary method of extraction that includes cold-pressing and distillation to get the highest quality oil possible.
Testing
High-quality CBD starts with a hemp plant grown without the use of pesticides or herbicides and ideally without the use of chemical fertilizers or synthetic nutrients. When a company wants to sell a product with CBD, they have to submit it for testing and certification. These tests will determine whether there is any trace of THC and check to see if it complies with the regulations set by a state.
The product also goes through a safety review to ensure it doesn’t have heavy metals or other contaminants unsuitable for consumption. Finally, an independent lab tests the product for potency and purity.
How Do You Take CBD?
You can consume CBD in different ways. Some of the most popular options are:
Oil
Topicals (lotion or creams)
Tincture
Vape juice
Patches
Capsules/pills/tablets
Infused beverages and food like gummies
What is CBD Used For?
Various cannabinoids have been studied for their different health effects, with some studies showing positive results on health and wellness. In particular, the therapeutic benefits occur due to its interaction with the endocannabinoid system (ECS). The system specifically regulates
mental function
pain
emotion
hormone regulation
appetite
sleep
immune function
As with other cannabinoids, CBD interacts with the receptors in ECS to create homeostasis, or balance, across many different systems of the body. The following are some of the therapeutic benefits of CBD documented in the scientific literature:
Relieve anxiety and depression
Pain relief
Reduce inflammation
Improve sleep quality
Increase energy levels
Provide antioxidant protection
Prevent seizures
Help with diabetes management and relieve negative effects of cancer treatment
Read more about the potential health benefits of CBD: The Major Benefits of CBD Oil to Your Health
Is CBD Legal?
The answer is yes. CBD became legal in all 50 states when the Farm Bill of 2018 was put into legislation. With the passage of the bill, hemp was removed from the Controlled Substances Act, making it a legal agricultural product.
Nevertheless, the legality surrounding CBD has always been a gray area. The bill legalized hemp cultivation and the use of hemp products in the United States on a federal level while allowing states to regulate it further. Under federal regulations, CBD derived from hemp that contains less than 0.3 percent THC is legal.
In some states, however, CBD products are subject to additional restrictions. Certain states don’t allow CBD products to contain any trace of THC; in others, CBD is not permitted in food products. Do your due diligence. Be sure to research local laws regarding cultivating, manufacturing and purchasing CBD products.
Can a Drug Test Detect CBD?
Yes and no. CBD does not qualify as a drug, so it won’t cause a positive result on any standard drug test. This is because CBD has no psychoactive effect, which means it does not alter your mental state or produce any high or euphoria.
There is only one exception: If you take CBD oil with THC, it will make it detectable on drug tests. You may want to avoid using full spectrum CBD or CBD products with no transparent lab results if you need to pass a drug test for your job.
How to Get High-Quality CBD Products
Many CBD products are now available on the market, but not all are created equal. The quality of CBD products can vary greatly depending on the brand, and many companies are not transparent about their production processes.
It is important to buy high-quality CBD for many reasons:
It can be more effective at treating your symptoms than low-quality CBD.
Low-quality CBD might contain toxins that can harm your health.
Bad-quality CBD may have less of the benefits that you want from CBD.
If you are choosing CBD oil or other products, keep these things in mind:
Browse their website for details about their product’s ingredients and manufacturing processes
Look at customer reviews
Check the concentration levels on the label
Verify if they’re certified by any third-party organizations
Look for companies that show their lab results
Choose Halcyon Essentials!
Halcyon Essentials is the pioneering hemp-extract product manufacturing company in the Southeastern United States. We provide a wide selection of CBD products, including oils, capsules, gummies and topicals. With over 20 years of experience producing medical cannabis and hemp products, we provide high-quality CBD products, carefully formulated in a sterile environment and laboratory-tested! Visit our main page to get to know more about us!
