A growing number of Americans are looking for a more holistic approach to life and with good reason. Overall well-being is hard to come by these days. Most people find it hard to eat a proper, nutritious diet. Others have a hard time finding reliable medicine without side effects. Why not use the power of nature to heal ourselves? Well, mother nature has provided us with something truly amazing called Cannabidiol (CBD).
Thousands of people are turning to this natural, medicinal compound every day. Hempfulness knows how hard it can be to find the helpful information you are looking for. This guide is here to answer all of your questions about CBD.
What is CBD?
Cannabidiol is a naturally occurring compound found in the Cannabis plant. Wait, stop! Are we talking about the same thing those hippies were smoking at Woodstock?
Not exactly. When we talk about CBD at Hempfulness we are talking about hemp-derived CBD, not marijuana. These two species are from the same family of flowering plants, Cannabis sativa L, but are fundamentally different. The Cannabis plant actually encompasses a wide variety of species and contain many different cannabinoids. CBD is only one of hundreds of cannabinoids that scientists have discovered. In fact, it is the second most abundant after delta-nine tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). You may be familiar with THC as it is the main compound found in medicinal and recreational marijuana. It’s no wonder there is so much confusion around CBD.
What’s the difference between CBD and THC?
CBD and THC are made of similar chemical structures but have very different physiological effects. The main difference is that CBD is non-intoxicating, meaning it does not get you “high”. This makes hemp-derived Cannabidiol perfect for anyone that is looking for relief from symptoms such as anxiety, arthritis, inflammation, PTSD and many others without the psychoactive effect. Understanding this difference is important so if you would like to learn more checkout our CBD vs THC guide.
The Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018 provided us clarity on how the federal government classifies hemp and distinguishes it from marijuana. This newly enacted law, better known as the 2018 Farm Bill, legalizes hemp and any of its derivatives (seeds, extracts, and cannabinoids) with a THC concentration of not more than 0.3% on a dry weight basis. To put it another way, it legalized the cultivation and sale of hemp at the federal level as well as removed hemp from the Controlled Substances Act. That’s a big win for CBD and Americans!
Research & History
More and more research is taking place everyday leading to an ever-growing list of potential benefits of CBD. There is still a lot of work to do though. CDB was first discovered in 1940 by Dr. Roger Adams and his team at the University of Illinois which was 20 years before THC. Most of the past Cannabis research has revolved around THC but today, many Americans recognize CBD because of a 2013 CNN documentary about Charlotte Figi. She was diagnosed with Dravet syndrome which is a form of intractable epilepsy that begins in infancy. When mainstream medicine was unable to help Charlotte, her parents had nowhere to turn until they learned about Cannabidiol. Although it was controversial at the time, CBD greatly reduced the amount of seizures she experienced and allowed her to live a better life. This incredible story has sparked many studies and the results are very promising. Hempfulness is following these studies closely because we know how powerful CBD truly is.
Why does CBD Work?
Humans have a very special but little known and complex biological system called the endocannabinoid system (ECS). Research shows that the endocannabinoid system is vital in regulating functions within the body such as pain, appetite, sleep and our immune system responses. In fact, our bodies produce endocannabinoids naturally. These endocannabinoids are neurotransmitters that bind to receptors in the ECS and may help to reduce inflammation that leads to pain or even chronic pain. CBD is a phytocannabinoid meaning it is from a plant.
What are the Benefits?
Cannabidiol’s popularity as a natural remedy has been steadily growing because of its effective, non-psychoactive properties. CBD is proving to be a great alternative to pharmaceutical drugs whose side effects can be just as debilitating as the reason for taking them. Studies suggest that CBD can have a potential role in helping with many common health issues such as:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Trouble Sleeping
- Stress
- Chronic Pain
- Arthritis
- PTSD
- Acne
- Nicotine and Drug withdrawals
What’s most exciting about the potential of CBD is that there is still so much to learn. The passing of the 2018 Farm Bill opens up the possibilities for even more extensive research of this amazing compound.
What is the best way to take CBD?
There are a variety of ways to consume CBD but the most common are sublingually with oils, swallowed with capsules, or applied directly to the skin with topicals. The choice between oils and capsules basically comes down to preference. Topicals can provide more targeted relief.
Tinctures
The quickest way for your body to absorb cannabinoids is sublingually. The process is very simple. Take your tincture, measure the dose and apply under your tongue. Hold the CBD Oil there for 60-90 seconds then swallow. This is where some people prefer to have a flavor added but many find that the natural flavor works well for them.
Capsules or Softgels
Another way to get your daily dose of CBD is through capsules or soft gels. Some people prefer the ease of swallowing a capsule with the exact amount of CBD their body needs. While this isn’t as quick as a sublingual dose, it is still very effective and perhaps the benefits last longer as the oil must travel through the digestive system.
Applied Topically
If you are looking for a more targeted approach, topical is the way to go. Whether you are looking to relieve symptoms of arthritis or are looking for pain relief after a workout, a salve or balm is right for you. Simply rub the topical on the targeted area of the body. For some, relief comes almost immediately, but most typically find relief after 20-40 minutes.
CBD for Pets
Many of us treat our pets like family and for good reason. Their company and companionship is comforting and we want to do everything in our power to ensure their health and happiness. Here is some good news. CBD is not only good for us, its also beneficial for our furry friends. Our pets, just like most mammals, have an Endocannabinoid System. This means that things like stress, anxiety and pain can be regulated with CBD. We all know a dog or cat that shutters at the sound of thunder or fireworks. Help ease their anxiety by adding a daily treat with CBD.
CBD Dosing for Pets
When starting your pet out, go slow. It is best to start with 1mg of CBD for every 10lbs of weight and gradually work up to a dose that gives your pet desirable results. Below you will find a guide to what others have found to work for their pets and are paw approved.
| Weight | Serving Size |
| Up to 25 lb | 6mg per day or as needed |
| 25-50 lbs | 12mg per day or as needed |
| 51-75 lbs | 18mg per day or as needed |
| Over 75 lbs | +22mg per day or as needed |
There are many options for our pets out there but you want the best. The products that we recommend at Hempfulness have been tested by some of our furry friends. Check out our curated selection of CBD for Pets.
Side Effects
According to the World Health Organization, the potential toxic effects of Cannabidiol have been extensively reviewed. Numerous controlled and open label trials found that CBD is well tolerated with a good safety protocol. Furthermore, the World Health Organization says it does not induce a physical dependence and is not associated with abuse potential. While extremely rare, some users may experience dizziness, drowsiness and dry mouth.
Too Many Options, Not Enough Time
At Hempfulness, we know your time is valuable. That’s why we took the time to research the endless options of CBD products so that you don’t have to. We have curated a well-researched collection so what are you waiting for? Find your perfect CBD Products today! Still not sure what you are looking for? Read our Cannabidiol (CBD) Buying Guide to learn which products will be best for you.
