Not familiar with CBD? Well, in this article we have included all the notions you need to know about this substance extracted from the cannabis plant. Write a comment at the bottom to get more information about it.
Without a doubt, CBD is the most talked about natural remedy of the moment regarding the treatment of pathologies and body care. It can be found in candies, biscuits, herbal teas and even face creams.
CBD, whose extended name is cannabidiol , is a chemical substance extracted from the Cannabis Sativa plant which today finds many applications in different types of products ranging from essential oils to food.
Living in a state where CBD has finally been declared legal, you will have noticed the emergence of hundreds of physical and online shops selling products based on this very interesting and beneficial active ingredient. Its market value in 2020 even reached over 2.8 billion dollars .
A question therefore arises spontaneously: what made this chemical compound so famous, not only in Italy, but all over the world?
The answer is simple. It is due to its beneficial properties .
The hemp plant produces around a hundred known cannabinoids, but only CBD has enjoyed such widespread success , along with its brother THC, which we will discuss in detail throughout this guide.
CBD has properties potentially capable of treating pain, relieving inflammation, relieving stress, anxiety and depression, keeping neurodegenerative diseases under control, fighting nausea, promoting appetite and even reducing the speed of cancer development.
Despite its diffusion in shops all over the world, many are still confused by the misleading communication around this topic . It is legitimate, the laws of many countries have allowed the cultivation of light cannabis and the trade of CBD only in very recent times. There are still many who wonder what CBD is and what miraculous it does.
No miracle.
Science has spoken out several times internationally to explain what benefits CBD can have for the body without being harmful, being, among other things, also a completely natural product .
In the course of this guide we will talk about what CBD is , we will deepen its characteristics, its effects, the way it interacts with the body, safety in use, legality, the types of products on the market, where it can be buy and if there are any side effects. Simply put, here you’ll find everything you need to know about CBD to find out if it might be right for your needs.
Cannabidiol, more often known as CBD, is a natural chemical compound found within the inflorescences of hemp , a plant belonging to the Cannabaceae family, which was already used in ancient medicine thousands of years ago.
CBD is therefore not a recent discovery, despite the fact that we have only been hearing about it massively for a few years. Its therapeutic properties have been known since 2,000 BC when the Chinese emperor Sheng Neng drank it in an herbal tea to cure various ailments and diseases that afflicted him, including malaria.
Between the end of the 1800s and 1900s there were many scientists who became interested in the subject and in 1942 Roger Adams , an American chemist, was the first to isolate CBD from cannabis.
It is one of the hundred cannabinoids contained in the Cannabis Sativa plant, today mainly used for industrial purposes , which has demonstrated – in ancient times through empirical use and later thanks to scientific experiments – to have relaxing and soothing effects.
Its notoriety derives from its healing properties which at the same time do not create physical or psychological dependence , unlike the drugs widely used to treat the same pathologies. It is an all-natural compound, widely available in nature.
However, CBD is closely related to another cannabinoid always contained in the hemp plant, namely THC . The latter, with the extended name of ” tetrahydrocannabinol “, is the compound that has caused the whole world to discuss the legality of hemp.
Although they are two similar substances from a chemical point of view, they are completely different in their effects , which it is good to know in order to fully understand the potential of CBD.
The difference between CBD and THC
What is THC? It is a cannabinoid which, unlike CBD, despite having therapeutic attributes, causes the famous feeling of high that made marijuana illegal in the world.
Both are therefore healing, but THC is psychoactive while CBD is not.
This happens because the two substances interact differently on the body through the receptors of the nervous system. THC binds with CB1 receptors found in the brain, producing a sense of euphoria. Conversely, CBD binds much weaker with CB1 and more strongly with CB2, which is present in different parts of the body.
The products that can be purchased today based on light cannabis have a high concentration of CBD and a THC component so low as to not be dangerous for health.
It is also possible to find high concentrations of THC in medical cannabis and in products that can only be prescribed by a doctor in the face of serious pathologies.
In fact, many people are attracted by the beneficial properties of CBD but also do not want to bear the psychoactive effects of THC which could damage the body in the long run. Additionally, several studies have proven that THC can produce side effects not found in CBD.
It is very important to know the difference between CBD and THC because it makes you understand why many products have become legal today while referring to that world that is improperly associated in its entirety with marijuana.
Which of the two is better
While some people don’t mind the feeling of high THC brings, many more are those who want to remedy a physical problem without having to give up the clarity of their mental faculties and in complete legality .
The only side effects that have emerged so far have been due to interactions with other drugs. Indeed, in subjects particularly prone to contraindications, researchers recommend higher concentrations of CBD and lower concentrations of THC.
One study attested to just this, namely how CBD was able to block some of the psychotropic side effects induced by THC.
In another study on the combined effects of CBD and THC it was proven that a higher dose of CBD was able to counteract the psychoactive effects of THC, while a lower concentration enhanced this side effect.
The conclusion is that between the two, even if used simultaneously, CBD would always be preferable because it does not alter the mental faculties and even inhibits the psychotropic effect induced by THC.
And yet… is there a difference between CBD and Cannabis Light?
On sales sites you will often read the words CBD and cannabis light alternately. We have clarified what CBD is, now it’s time to understand what legal cannabis is .
This term generically refers to the set of all the products which contain the two active ingredients we have just talked about in a precise concentration. The adjective ” light ” is in fact used to indicate legal cannabis, ie one in which by law the THC level is between 0.2% and 0.5% .
Marijuana is different from light cannabis , a variety of plants where the concentration of THC is much higher and which induces the classic high sensation. The confusion between the two products has led many, erroneously, to also associate cannabis with high.
Today we talk about both CBD and cannabis light referring to the inflorescences and all the other products that are sold in the appropriate shops including CBD oil, CBD herbal teas, CBD creams and much more.
Technically, CBD is cannabidiol, i.e. the phytocannabinoid present in cannabis plants , while the latter term defines the hemp plant whose variety has a low THC content.
How CBD is produced?
Cannabidiol is naturally present within hemp flowers . In order for the products you see on the online shop to be created, the CBD must be extracted from the flowers through different, more or less invasive, ways.
There are four extraction methods :
- Without solvents : to extract the CBD by hand, therefore without altering it with chemicals, it is necessary to apply a certain pressure combined with heat and rubbing the flowers and leaves (no special equipment is needed and it is the cheapest extraction method);
- With solvents : the addition of a chemical substance is risky but allows the CBD to be separated from the other components through evaporation (in this case a minimum of equipment is needed);
- With oil : a very common homemade method is the one in which olive oil is used after having decarboxylated the flowers, the mixture must be heated and then left to cool to eliminate any plant residues from the plant;
- With supercritical CO 2 : it is the safest and most widely used industrial method through which CO 2 is brought to the supercritical state – in which it is both liquid and gaseous – to then pass through the plant matter and extract the CBD without compromising it.
After extraction, the product must be refined to obtain the highest possible quality. In the crystals the refining process is so high that the CBD reaches a purity of 99%, the highest ever.
How CBD interacts with our body?
We already talked about the CB1 and CB2 receptors when we discussed the different way CBD and THC interact with the human body. In fact, it is not enough to know what CBD is, but it is also very important to know how the latter interacts with the body .
The crucial question is: why does CBD have so many potentially beneficial properties for the human body? Because the latter already produces a substance similar to cannabinoids .
In vertebrates there is the so-called endocannabinoid system , i.e. a biological system composed of endocannabinoids which bind to the receptors and proteins present in the central and peripheral nervous systems.
The discovery of the endocannabinoid system in 1993 was a real revelation because it is the system responsible for regulating various physiological processes such as mood, pain, memory, sleep, appetite, immune system and fertility. Its presence explained to scientists why CBD and THC were two such versatile and beneficial compounds for the animal and human body.
When the endocannabinoid system no longer works regularly , our body is affected and discomfort or real diseases begin to appear.
The cannabinoids present in the hemp plant, being similar to the substances already produced by the body, intervene by rebalancing the system where the body is unable to produce enough on its own.
This phenomenon also explains the difference between CBD and drugs . The latter cure the consequences without eliminating the causes, while the CBD solves the root problem allowing the body to function normally.
The properties of CBD
CBD is having so much success in the world because it is a substance in which so many properties are concentrated . Keep one thing in mind: “You would need dozens and dozens of other plants to get the same effects as CBD.”
Here are the main properties of CBD:
- Anti-inflammatory : this is certainly one of its most famous properties. CBD is a powerful general and topical anti-inflammatory; hence, when applied to an area affected by a particular ailment;
- Painkiller : in addition to inflammation, CBD effectively treats pains of different nature such as headaches, back pain, arthritis. Thus, not only occasional pain but also chronic and severe pain;
- Anticonvulsant : Scientists have found that CBD is very effective in treating seizures as it reduces their duration and intensity;
- Antidepressant : it is able to treat anxiety, stress and depression as it affects the production of serotonin and other brain mechanisms that help restore good mood;
- Antiemetic : has the ability to relieve nausea and vomiting. In some cases, doctors use it to relieve symptoms of chemotherapy;
- Antiseptic : it is very powerful against bacteria, especially when applied to the skin locally;
- Antipsychotic : effective in treating diseases such as Alzheimer’s because it reduces psychosis and other mental disorders;
A look at cannabinoids
So are naturally occurring cannabinoids the same as those found inside the human body?
To understand similarities and differences we must open a parenthesis on the topic of cannabinoids , i.e. compounds capable of interacting with receptors.
There are three different types of cannabinoids :
- Endocannabinoids or endogenous cannabinoids : they are the compounds that are produced by the human body, which make up the endocannabinoid system and which interact with cannabinoid receptors by regulating body processes through the central and peripheral nervous system;
- Phytocannabinoids : these are the compounds present within the hemp plant that science has so far counted in a hundred, including the two most famous CBD and THC;
- Synthetic cannabinoids : these are cannabinoids created in the laboratory, therefore not natural unlike phytocannabinoids, and which are used in the production of drugs for therapeutic purposes by reproducing the composition of the endocannabinoids so as to be able to interact with the receptors present in the system and rebalance the organism .
In summary, cannabinoids already exist in the human body, they are present in nature and have even been synthesized in the laboratory to try to cure body imbalances and diseases through drugs.
The percentages of cannabinoids in cannabis sativa and indica
In Europe, CBD products are created with Cannabis Sativa , because it is the type that generally has the lowest THC level . Conversely, Indica usually has a higher concentration.
Companies that grow cannabis in Europe must comply with the EU regulation which requires the use of certified seeds with a THC percentage of less than 0.2% . In Italy, law 242 established a limit of 0.6%.
The percentage of cannabinoids can also be slightly controlled during the cultivation phase. For this reason you should always choose CBD Shops that have a strong agricultural tradition behind them and can produce products that are safe both for health and from a legal point of view.
The CBD molecule and its properties
Although science tries to replicate what happens inside the human body in the laboratory, taking a drug will never be like choosing a natural remedy. Many drugs cause unpleasant and often serious side effects .
This has led more and more people to move towards the ” old natural remedies “, more in tune with the physiological processes of the body.
What Does CBD Do ? Scientific research in this area is only at the beginning of a long journey. However, several beneficial properties of CBD have already emerged which include it as a treatment remedy for:
- Pain (including chronic from arthritis and multiple sclerosis);
- Anxiety, stress and depression;
- Insomnia;
- Nausea, vomiting and intestinal disorders;
- Acne, dermatitis and psoriasis;
- Epilepsy;
- Neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis);
- Heart-related problems;
- Cardiovascular dysfunctions;
- Diabetes and obesity;
- Schizophrenia and other mental disorders;
- Autoimmune diseases;
- Drug addiction;
- Reproduction of cancer cells and consequences caused by chemotherapy.
In particular, CBD can change the way cancer cells reproduce, reducing their spread and slowing down the cancer. But not only that, because it helps fight the unpleasant effects of chemotherapy. This was stated by the National Cancer Institute , the main US government agency in cancer research.
How CBD can be found on the market
Where can CBD be bought and which products are on the market ? These are the instinctive questions that many people have after reading about the many properties it possesses. On the other hand, for centuries cultures from all over the world have resorted to traditional medicine to satisfy many different life and health needs.
Although pharmaceutical companies produce laboratory solutions for most of the diseases known today, the sale of natural products is clearly growing in the fields of food, cosmetics and health.
With the legalization of the cultivation and trade of light cannabis in Italy by law n. 242 of 2016 , many shops have sprung up, both physical and online.
CBD is used in the production of a variety of products including food and beverages, healing and beauty creams, essential oils also suitable for animals and much more. Here we will focus on the most requested ones that you can find in different variations also on our online shop.
CBD oil
CBD oil is one of the leading cannabis-derived products on the market. The CBD extract is diluted in a carrier oil to create an interesting and very versatile product. You can find two large families of CBD oil on the market:
- Full Spectrum : Full spectrum or full spectrum oil is so called because it contains all the cannabinoids and other components already present in nature in the hemp plant; what it achieves is called the entourage effect, i.e. the beneficial properties of CBD are enhanced by the other components (such as minerals, proteins, vitamins, fibres, cannabinoids, terpenes, essential fats and flavonoids) which work in synergy;
- Broad Spectrum : like the full spectrum it contains all the components of the hemp plant, but is THC free;
- Isolate : an oil in which the CBD has been isolated, which is present in a high concentration; while losing the advantage of the entourage effect, it focuses on a higher percentage of cannabidiol.
Full spectrum CBD oil is sold on the market with different percentages of the active ingredient diluted in medium chain triglycerides (MCT), fats derived from coconut oil:
- 5%: 500mg of CBD in 10ml of MCT oil;
- 10%: 1000mg of CBD in 10ml of MCT oil;
- 20%: 2000mg of CBD in 10ml of MCT oil;
- 30%: 3000mg of CBD in 10ml of MCT oil.
Many wonder how much CBD oil costs . The answer is: it depends on the concentration of the active ingredient. The higher the percentage present, the more effective and therefore expensive the product is.
CBD extract
The highest purity of CBD obtainable today is found within the CBD crystals .
The product comes in the form of small white spheres, like snow, and with a purity that reaches 99.8% . The crystals are the purest CBD product that can be obtained today from the Cannabis Sativa plant by processing the female inflorescences.
The purer the CBD, the more effective the product is in its properties .
The extraction method used to obtain them is the one with supercritical CO 2 which allows to obtain the active principle without the risk of compromising its purity, as would happen instead with the use of chemical products.
Unlike the oil, which can be full spectrum (therefore containing other substances in addition to CBD) or isolated, the crystals contain only pure CBD . This makes them particularly effective.
Being so refined they have no smell or taste and usually contain no traces of THC . They therefore prove to be an excellent product for those interested in the properties of CBD but do not want to run the risk of running into the side effects that distinguish THC and that the most sensitive subjects could perceive even if present in a low percentage.
CBD cosmetics
Cosmetics containing CBD have become very famous in recent years, a trend that is bound to be confirmed in the near future as well.
Our cosmetics contain natural ingredients that alone can help treat particular skin disorders: acne, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, etc. To these are added the properties of CBD , which blends perfectly with the other raw materials making the product highly effective. Indeed, we will tell you more, it is precisely this teamwork that enhances the effect of cannabidiol.
All our cosmetics are clinically and dermatologically tested and do not contain silicones, parabens, petrolatum and other chemicals that are potentially harmful to health. They are also cruelty free, which means they are not tested on animals.
Among our natural cosmetics with CBD you can find everything you need for your daily beauty ritual. You will find cleansing milk, different types of creams, acne face mask, acne cleansing gel, psoriasis ointment, oil and even lip balm to always carry with you.
CBD herbal teas
Now that you know what CBD is, it won’t be hard for you to imagine how many interesting and creative products are being produced on the market today. One of these is CBD herbal tea .
Thanks to the combination of excellent raw materials from all over the world with the active ingredient of the hemp plant, herbal teas are perfect for any moment of the day.
You can drink one before studying or going to work to increase concentration , in the evening to relax . You can enjoy them cold in summer or hot in winter to boost immune defenses , especially in a historical period where our body really needs to defend itself against diseases.
CBD teas come in a variety of flavors to suit every palate. Each herbal tea bag that you can find on our online shop contains 5 mg of CBD dissolved in MCT oil.
To further enhance the benefit, CBD is combined with medicinal plants such as lavender, rose, citrus fruits, chamomile, elderberry, aniseed, licorice, fennel, dandelion and burdock. From this union are born antioxidant, relaxing or slimming herbal teas.
It is a simple product to use and particularly suitable for the management of sleep , anxiety , fatigue and to help the body stay healthy by preventing the onset of diseases .As we always say, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
How to take CBD
As far as recruitment is concerned, the situation in Italy is unclear . Some products, such as inflorescences, can only be sold for technical use or as room fragrances, while others, such as creams, can be used.
In reality, the more correct question is not “how” to assume it, but ” when “.
To explain when to take CBD , we will rely on a study conducted in this area by numerous researchers, who wanted to prove the effectiveness of CBD in the treatment of both somatic and psychiatric disorders.
Included in the study were 25 tests conducted mostly in the UK on patients who were administered pure CBD in the form of oral capsules , vape or oil . To assess the consequences, other patients were given a placebo.
In patients with social anxiety disorder , CBD reduced anxiety, cognitive impairment, discomfort. In addition, symptoms improved in patients with chronic schizophrenia or psychotic disorders . It was concluded that cannabidiol confers a positive response in the control of both anxiety and psychotic disorders.
Within the group in which patients were already using cannabis to a greater or lesser extent , the researchers found that CBD improved the recognition of emotional visual effects on the face.
Furthermore, in tobacco smokers CBD reduced the number of cigarettes smoked and the pleasantness of cigarette signals.
When tested in healthy volunteers , CBD reduced anxiety, but had little effect on reactions to negative emotional stimuli.
Does CBD have side effects?
Earlier we saw what were the main administrations that patients underwent during tests on the effectiveness of CBD. What many are wondering is whether, in addition to the beneficial effects, contraindications have also emerged .
Nothing serious. A review in the National Library of Medicine reports the outcome of several studies according to which it was declared that CBD is not toxic to cells, does not alter food intake or physical parameters such as heart rate, blood pressure and body temperature . Furthermore, it does not cause catalepsy, does not alter the gastrointestinal flow and does not alter psychomotor or psychological functions.
Among the most common , and fortunately mild, side effects have been reported mood changes, feelings of anxiety, dry mouth, drowsiness, dizziness.
For this reason it is always important to seek advice from your trusted doctor on the safety of CBD combined with other drugs taken for the treatment of a specific pathology.
No particular side effects, not even slight ones, were found with regard to the use of creams on the skin , an assumption also permitted by Italian legislation.
Is there a risk in case of an overdose of CBD?
According to numerous studies, CBD appears to be well tolerated at any dosage.
However, a clarification is necessary on the subject: research has shown that too low or too high a dosage can lead to poor efficacy of the active ingredient. Research therefore discourages taking CBD massively hoping for a faster or more effective effect, because you risk getting just the opposite.
There is apparently a “risk” of side effects when CBD interferes with another drug . To avoid this, scientists always recommend seeking the advice of a doctor when a cure for the treatment of a disease is already in place.
Is CBD legal?
We are happy to tell you that the answer is Yes . It was Law No. 242 of 2016 that legalized the cultivation of light cannabis for industrial use , the main regulatory reference we have in the sector.
The standard refers precisely to the light cannabis we were talking about at the beginning, i.e. the one in which the THC is less than 0.5% , therefore too low to “get high”. This limit must be strictly observed by producers, who must write the percentage of THC on the label so as to offer a safe purchase to final consumers.
This means that the products you find on the market in which the THC is within 0.5% are perfectly legal and can be purchased without problems.
Not only has the legislator ruled on its legality, but the subject has also been discussed for a long time by the Court of Cassation . The latter declared in the end that, if the product derives from a controlled production chain and the sale takes place according to the provisions established by law, the purchase is also fully legal provided that it has no doping effect.
As a consumer you must be careful when buying from authorized stores , especially when you decide to buy online and you don’t physically see the products. Read product reviews and company history, and always remember to check all specifications on the label.
Otherwise, the purchase of cannabis with a high concentration of THC is only legal if made in a pharmacy and on prescription from a doctor.
Will CBD appear in a drug test?
Both CBD and THC, when they are taken, enter the body mass and therefore remain inside the body for days or weeks, depending on the amount taken. This means that a drug test will be able to detect traces of it.
Most tests are sensitive to the presence of THC .
Those who use products with a high concentration of THC can rest assured of a positive result in any drug test. However, even those who use CBD heavily need to be careful.
How come? Because the products on the market, apart from the crystals which represent the purest form, all contain a minimum percentage of THC. Furthermore, the labels do not always show the correct dosage and in practice the THC level can be higher than the declared one.
In the United States, those responsible for a research bought and analyzed 84 products from 31 companies and discovered that even on 70% of the goods the label reported incorrect data, actually presenting a higher percentage of THC than that declared.
The consequence is that, whether in good faith or not, a consumer hardly knows exactly how much THC he has in his body , even when he thinks he is using legal products. Hence the reason why a drug test can detect its presence.
A few tips to keep in mind when shopping for CBD
Buying online is convenient, but it’s not always easy. You cannot physically see the product and you cannot shake hands with the person who sells it to you.
So how can you be sure you are buying a good product ? Following some best practices:
- Check the percentage of CBD and THC : since a high percentage of THC is illegal in Italy, always check the concentration on the label; on the contrary, for CBD there is currently no limit and the concentration depends on your needs;
- Read the certificates of analysis : serious companies should always make available on the site the certificates of analysis carried out by third-party laboratories which certify all the substances contained and their percentages;
- Prefer broad or full spectrum products : the effectiveness of CBD is amplified precisely when it is combined with that of other natural substances, this is the thesis supported by many scientists;
- Trust serious companies : to understand if a company is reliable, read its history on the website, check customer reviews, verify that there are analysis certificates and that there is transparency on both cultivation and extraction methods;
- Be wary of prices that are too low : sometimes you may be attracted by a very low price, especially if it is your first time buying CBD, but this criterion could lead you to choose a poor product; rather look for good value for money.
If after checking all these details you feel confident, you are probably getting a good deal.
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