CBD BASICS

CBD

The use of medical cannabis, medical marijuana and cannabidiol have exploded in the United States. Its popularity has gained interest from clinicians, patients, regulators, and green entrepreneurs. With new brands, products, health claims and education popping up everywhere.

Cannabis sativa, or marijuana, has a long history of being one of the most commonly used illicit drugs in the word. It can be used for both medicinal and recreational purposes.

Historically, cannabis has been used for at least 5,000 years in what is now Romania and China. Cannabis was widely used as medicine in the 19th and 20th centuries in the United States, and was described as a pain-reliever, a sleep aid, and an anti-convulsant.

LEGAL CBD

Cannabis was prohibited in 1937 with the passage of the Marijuana Tax Act. Legal penalties for possession increased in the 1950’s, and marijuana was prohibited completely in 1970 with the passage of the Controlled Substance Act. These legislative actions not only criminalized marijuana, but also limited research and academic inquiry on the subject.

The passage of the 2018 Agricultural Improvement Act made CBD legal nationwide if the product is derived from hemp and contains less than 0.3% THC.

THE ECS

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) plays a vital regulatory role in a variety of physiologic and cognitive processes. A cannabinoid is a compound that interacts with the ECS via receptor sites.

There are 2 receptors in this system: cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1), and cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2). The difference between these two receptors is important in the understanding of how various cannabinoids affect our bodies.

CB1 & CB2 RECEPTORS

Cannabinoid 1 receptors exist mainly in the brain. They are also expressed in the liver, thyroid, uterus, bones, and testicular tissues.

 The function of the CB1 receptor is to mediate major neurotransmitter systems, including dopamine, glutamate, serotonin, noradrenalin, and acetylcholine.

 CB1 is involved in several body functions, such as cognition, memory, neuroplasticity, and sense of smell, as well as motor movements, stress response, gastrointestinal function, cardiovascular activity, drug addictions, and pain perception.

 Cannabinoid 2 receptors are mostly expressed in immune cells such as T cells, macrophages, B cells, and hematopoietic stem cells. They play a primary role in the immune system but also target smooth muscle cells, cardiac muscle cells, and nerves within the peripheral and central nervous system.

HEMP VS MARIJUANA

Let’s talk about the difference between the hemp and marijuana plant. There are three main types of Cannabis plants. Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica, and Cannabis ruderalis. Cannabis sativa is the most commonly cultivated plant for THC and CBD.

Hemp and marijuana plants come from the same species of plant but are not the exact same plant. They have different characteristics but can cross-pollinate so they belong to the same species.

Their chemical composition is what makes them different. Both plants product high amounts of CBD, however, they produce THC at different levels. Hemp can contain no more than 0.3% THC; marijuana can contain up to 30%.

Hemp plants produce CBD oil, Hemp oil, and cannabis oil and are popularly used for textiles, seeds, and oils. These plants can grow as high as 20 feet with leaves bunched near the top of the stem.

Marijuana plants produce THC oil, marijuana oil, and cannabis oil and primarily used recreationally. The plant itself, is shorter, bush-like with more leaves and buds surrounding the plant’s body. It requires intensive care in an isolated, warm, humid environment.

THC VS. CBD

So, what’s the difference between THC and CBD? Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the more abundant cannabinoid in the cannabis plant, followed by cannabidiol (CBD). They have the exact same chemical formula with slightly different structures. They interact with the receptor sites in the brain differently.

The thought of lock-and-key is often used in explaining how they interact with the receptors.

 The THC key fits into the CB1 receptor lock and turns it on, which triggers a response that stops the release of other neurotransmitters, thereby protecting the brain from too much excitation. This is one of the many reasons why THC is such a remarkable therapeutic substance. When the THC key binds directly to the CB1 receptor is causes a release of dopamine, which creates the effects of getting “high”. This causes feelings of euphoria, decreased inhibitions, alterations in perceptions, and other effects.

 CBD parks at a different docking site on the CB1 receptors. It attaches to what’s known as an “allosteric” binding site. When the CBD key is placed at the allosteric receptor it does not initiate a signaling cascade like THC, but it does impact how the CB1 receptor responds to stimulation by THC.

EXTRACTION TECHNIQUES

The two most common ways that CBD is extracted are CO2 extraction and solvent extraction.

 CO2 extraction involves the use of carbon dioxide, which undergoes extremely low temperatures and increased pressure, causing it to have the properties of a gas and a liquid. Next, it passes through a chamber that has the raw cannabis material and gently dissolves the membrane of the plant to release its active compounds. Then the CO2 and cannabis oil particles funnel into a pressurized separator, where the CO2 evaporates from the mixture.

 Solvent extraction soaks the raw cannabis material in ethanol to pull compounds into the solvent. Following extraction, the plant material is removed, and the alcohol is evaporated out.

 Which extractions method is better? It all depends on who you ask. Because CO2 involves the use of high pressure and temperatures, some people feel that it destroys more of the chemical constituents of the plant. Others prefer the CO2 method because solvent extraction destroys the cannabis waxes, which contain beneficial flavonoids and carotenoids.

HEMP IS A PHYTOREMEDIATOR

There are several types of CBD oil. From full spectrum to enhanced CBD isolate. Which one to choose can be an overwhelming task. Every person reacts differently to CBD and THC and legalities from state to state affect the availability of products. You may not know for sure what is best for you until you try it.

Whatever you choose, start slowly, and gradually increase the dose after you see how it affects you.

Full-Spectrum CBD, also known as whole plant CBD, contains all the compounds that naturally occur in the plant. There are over 100 different cannabinoids in the plant. Full-spectrum products typically contain higher THC levels than other types of extractions. This may pose issues in some states or for those users who don’t want THC to show up on screenings or tests.

Broad-Spectrum CBD goes through processing to remove as much THC as possible while preservice the other natural cannabinoids and terpenes.

CBD isolate is an extraction of the single compound of CBD. Everything else from the plant is removed including traces of THC, terpenes, waxes, oils, etc.

Enhanced CBD isolate utilizes the isolate extraction method for a concentrated CBD oil and then adds in other compounds. For example, the addition of essential oils creates a chemical profile similar to a broad-spectrum without the risk of THC contamination.

The hemp plant is known to be a phytoremediator. This means that it vacuums toxins, including heavy metals, radioactive materials, pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, explosive, and fuels from the soil. This is an important reason to look at the farming practices of the company that you choose to purchase products from.

DOSING

Cannabis can be consumed in multiple ways. The most common are; inhalation by smoking or vaporization, oral products such as oils, tinctures, prescriptions cannabinoids, and edibles, topical creams or ointments, and lozenges.

Choosing a CBD product that is right for you can be challenging. Choose a product that targets the body system that you hope to impact. If you want a product for musculoskeletal system, choose a rub, balm, or other topical product. If you want it to support the gastrointestinal or nervous system oral products may be the best option.

There are very few guidelines when it comes to dosing of CBD. It is always best when starting a new product to begin with a low dosage and increase slowly. Monitor items like concentration, mood, or if you are using the product for a desired result, monitor that. Recommended starting doses of CBD range from 10 mg to 40 mg. If you have never consumed CBD, it is best to start at the lower end of this range.