The ABCs of CBD
By: Sarah Green
Tags: Cannabis, Hemp, Cbd

Photo by R+R Medicinals on Unsplash

CBD oil is the latest health and wellness trend, but what is it that makes the properties and effects such a benefit for potentially so many people?

Cannabidiol (or CBD for short) is one of the many chemical compounds found in the cannabis sativa hemp plant. There are other cannabinoids in the plant, such as CBN, CBG and THC; and all of these different cannabinoids have different uses and effects in the body. While THC gives the high associated with cannabis, the other cannabinoids do not produce the same outcome which means you can experience the medical benefits of the cannabis plant without any unwanted psychoactive effects. To clarify, for those that are curious but apprehensive about trying CBD oil, it does not get you high.

So what does it do?

CBD binds mostly to the CB2 receptors in the body’s own endocannabinoid system. These receptors are responsible for a wide range of different functions throughout the body, serving as core components in the immune system, cardiovascular system, central nervous system and musculoskeletal system.

CBD is known to produce a range of different effects in the body, including relieving stress and anxiety, reducing pain, reducing inflammation and aiding sleep. CBD oil can relieve the symptoms of many different conditions, including epilepsy, autism spectrum disorder, anxiety and insomnia among others; and moreover it promotes overall wellness in the body by stimulating the endocannabinoid system. Both studies into the benefits of CBD oil, and anecdotal evidence from those that use it show that this natural plant compound has promising potential to help with a wide variety of conditions. Additionally, CBD oil has a very high safety profile, with no known toxic effects.

What to look for in a CBD oil

Photo by Enecta Cannabis extracts on Unsplash

CBD oil tends to be a catch-all term for CBD products, which can include tinctures, extracts and topicals. Due to the complex legal status of cannabis, there is a lack of regulation around products containing CBD which means the onus is on the individual to do their own research and choose the product that’s right for them. While guidance around dosing is available from various books and online resources, there is a certain amount of trial and error to find out the right kind and dose of CBD oil for you. Without proper regulation, it is likely to be a frustrating period for consumers wanting to experience the benefits of CBD oil, while we wait for policy to catch up with demand. In the absence of definitive guidance and clarity from regulators, the advice is always to choose oils produced by reputable brands, made from organic ingredients and have been lab tested, ideally by a third-party.

A number of chemists and health food shops now stock CBD oil, and you may have noticed different terms being used to describe them. But what do they all mean?

Spectrum oil or isolate

Broadly speaking, there are three main types of CBD oil — full spectrum, broad spectrum and isolate. Broad spectrum oils contain other cannabinoids as well as CBD, but it has had the psychoactive component THC removed. Isolate contains CBD only with all of the other cannabinoids removed. Full spectrum oil contains all the cannabinoids, including traces of THC.

While it comes down to personal preference, there are known benefits to consuming full spectrum oil as this contains more cannabinoids, and these different compounds work together in the body in what’s known as the entourage effect. While full spectrum CBD oil won’t get you high, it does contain trace amounts of THC which means that it can be detected in the body, although this very much depends on the dosage, method of consumption and individual biology.

Extraction method

You may have noticed different types of extraction method listed on CBD oil websites or packaging. This term refers to the method in which the cannabinoid compounds have been taken from the plant. The most common extraction methods for commercial CBD products are CO2 and solvent based. CO2 is the safest and highest quality, but it is expensive to produce. Solvent-based extraction use substances like butane or ethanol to extract the desired compounds, but they can also contain other by-products of the plant, such as chlorophyll. This kind of extraction method also runs the risk of leaving residual solvents in the oil, so the safest and most reliable extraction method seems to be CO2.

Carrier oil

Once the cannabinoids have been extracted, they need to be transported into the body, and one of the most effective ways to do this is by adding it to a carrier oil. These plant-derived oils are used to carry essential oils and plant supplements, whilst also helping supplements like CBD to absorb better into the body. These oils are usually fairly mild in terms of flavour, and they can have a whole host of therapeutic benefits. The main carrier oil you’ll find in store-bought CBD is MCT oil, or occasionally hemp oil; but there are lots of other carrier oils that could be used. Organic sunflower oil, avocado oil and pomegranate seed oil are known to compliment CBD well; or even arnica oil, which would make a great base oil for a soothing CBD balm.

Potency

Average potency of good quality CBD oils usually range somewhere between 5–15 mg. Depending on this number, the quantity of oil needed could range between a 4 drops and 40, so it’s important to understand the strength of oil you use as it varies brand-to-brand.

You may have noticed different percentages like 5% or 15% on the bottles of CBD in your local pharmacy or health food store. When combined with the volume of the product (usually a 10ml bottle) working out how much CBD is actually in your bottle can be a bit confusing. The strength of CBD oil is very much down to individual needs and preferences, but it’s always advisable to start with a lower percentage oil, say 5%, and work your way up as required.

Reputable brands usually state the total amount of CBD in the product, as well as per serving which is helping to make it easier for consumers to understand. Unfortunately, while the legislation still lags behind it is down to brands to help educate customers about dosing.