Everything you need to know before consuming CBD products

By now, many of us have heard of CBD and how it can be beneficial to our health. But when faced with the task of buying and using the compound, we may still have many questions. How will it make us feel? What dosage is recommended? Which products are best to use? This article will attempt to clear up some of these concerns so you can make a smart decision and buy with confidence.

Which Product Should I Buy?

If you are interested in purchasing CBD for the health benefits it offers, you should start by finding a reputable vendor. Once you have found a company you feel you can trust, you will find there is a wide selection of products to choose from. These include the following:

CBD Oils: Oils are a common way for CBD users to reap the compound’s benefits. They come in a variety of flavors and are usually administered in a dropper under the tongue. It takes few minutes for the CBD to take full effect in this form.

The oil can come in isolate and broad spectrum varieties.

Broad spectrum oils contain a variety of nutrients and amino acids and many say that they work best with the endocannabinoid system to increase overall health. However, broad spectrum oils may contain trace amounts of THC. Although these are not significant enough to produce mind altering effects, they may show up on a drug test.

Broad spectrum oils also tend to be higher in price than their isolate counterparts.

When isolates are manufactured, measures are taken to ensure CBD is in its purest form with no THC, artificial flavors or odors. Although broad spectrum seems to be an obvious choice for most users, isolates may be preferred by those who do not enjoy the flavor of a full spectrum. Those options would also be the obvious choice for those subject to drug testing or who would rather have the piece of mind in knowing the products they are using are pure.

CBD Capsules: CBD can also be taken in capsule form. These capsules contain CBD oil and may also contain additional vitamins and nutrients like vitamins A,C and E, calcium, magnesium, protein, terpenes and flavonoids.

Capsules are a preferred form of taking CBD for many. They can be easily fit into your regimen and are already in single serve doses. They are also a good solution for those who dislike the taste of CBD oil.

Vaping Oils: Many prefer to take their CBD in vape form. This is because vaping is one of the fastest ways to get the effects of CBD into your body. Other reasons some may prefer vaping CBD is because it’s said to offer a higher bioavailability as compared to other products. Some may appreciate its purity as most use 100% pure CBD, vegetable glycerin and propylene glycol.

Vaping also allows custom dosing and is a great way to relax for many.

Vaping CBD is non addictive and there is no nicotine involved.

CBD Topical Creams: CBD topicals can be used for pain relief or to improve skin health. CBD infused creams that are usually mixed with a number of other ingredients like therapeutic herbs and/or essential oils.

When it comes to pain relieving topicals, it is said the CBD works with the body’s endocannabinoids to elevate pain blocking stimuli. It also can increase immune cells to counter damage that may have occurred during workouts.

Note: Although many claim that topical CBD is effective as a pain reliever, there is no scientific evidence that it is any stronger than any other pain reliever you may find in a drug store.

When it comes to skin, CBD works as an anti-inflammatory making it effective in reducing symptoms of acne and other skin conditions like eczema. It also contains omegas that can improve skin health overall and boosts immunity to protect it from free radicals to decrease signs of aging.

When applied topically, it can take some time before the effects of CBD are evident, but, because the lotions absorb into the skin, effects can be long term.

CBD Edibles: There are a number of CBD edibles available on the market. Lollipops, gummies and teas are just some examples of the types of foods that allow us to take advantage of the benefits of CBD while enjoying a delicious treat.

It can take up to a half hour to feel the effects of CBD ingested in edible form, but it is a discreet way to enjoy the benefits the compound provides. When digested CBD stays in the system for longer amounts of time making it a preferred way to dose for many.

You can make edibles at home or buy them online through a number of retailers. Retailers generally incorporate CBD into products made with all natural ingredients.

You are best off taking edibles on an empty stomach.

How Much Should I Take?

There are no hard and fast rules to how much CBD you should take. Everyone is different and it’s best to start off with low doses to see how the compound affects you. Then you can adjust as necessary. However, there are some general rules that may help to guide you.

The CBD Oil Review (COR) has created an official serving standard using extensive research. According to their studies, you should start by taking 25 mg of CBD twice daily. Then you can adjust accordingly until you start to experience relief from your symptoms.

Mayo Clinic also provides this chart which recommends dosages based on the specific symptoms someone is experiencing:

• Loss of Appetite in Cancer Patients: 2.5mg of THC (orally), with or without 1mg of CBD for six weeks.
• Chronic Pain: 2.5-20mg of CBD [with or without THC] (orally).
• Epilepsy: 200-300mg of CBD (orally) daily.
• Movement Problems Due to Huntington’s Disease: 10mg of CBD per kg of body weight daily for six weeks (orally).
• Sleep Disorders: 40mg-160mg of CBD (orally).
• Multiple Sclerosis (MS) symptoms: Cannabis plant extracts containing 2.5-120 milligrams of a THC/CBD combination daily for 2-15 weeks. Patients typically use eight sprays within any three hours, with a maximum of 48 sprays in any 24-hour period.
• Schizophrenia: 40-1,280mg oral CBD daily.
• Glaucoma: A single sublingual CBD dosage of 20-40mg (>40 mg may increase eye pressure).

Effects of CBD:

Although the exact way CBD works to produce the health benefits it provides is still being investigated, we know it works with the body’s endocannabinoid system which receives and translates signals from cannabinoids. It also produces some cannabinoids of its own, called endocannabinoids. The system regulates functions like sleep, immune system responses and pain.

When CBD comes into contact with the endocannabinoid system, it activates or inhibits other compounds in the system. One example of this is, it stops the body from absorbing anandamide, a compound associated with regulating pain. The increased levels of anandamide in the bloodstream can decrease the amount of pain the body feels.

CBD may also work as an anti-inflammatory in the brain and nervous system to reduce pain, insomnia and certain immune system responses.

Here are some benefits CBD can provide:

Reduced arthritis pain and inflammation: CBD is effective in reducing arthritis pain and symptoms. It does this by interacting with the CB1 and CB2 receptors in the brain to reduce pain and the effects of inflammation.

CBD can help both RA (Rheumatoid Arthritis) sufferers and OA (Osteoarthritis) sufferers. Because it works as an anti-inflammatory, it can slow down or stop the progression of arthritis resulting in less permanent damage to the joints.
When it comes to RA, CBD can be effective on other levels as well.

CB2 also plays a role in the immune system making it effective in the treatment of those suffering with RA. RA involves the immune system attacking the tissue in your joints. Because CBD works with the immune system, it makes sense that it can relieve RA symptoms.

CBD has also been known to reduce fatigue and fever associated with RA.

When taking CBD for arthritis symptoms, you can take it orally or apply it directly to affected areas as a topical cream. If taken orally, it is best to start with a low dose to see how your body reacts. If you don’t notice side effects, you can increase your dosage.

Improvement of Symptoms in those suffering with MS: Research has shown that CBD can slow the neurodegenerative process of multiple sclerosis. Because cannabinoids are involved in the regulation of the immune system, they act on the cannabinoid receptors of the endocannabinoid system to modulate inflammatory reaction and assist in neuroregeneration. Studies have shown that the compound can reduce neurological disability, improve motor coordination and limit the progression of MS.

In addition to these findings, MS sufferers were given cannabis to study its beneficial effects. Subjects reported an improvement in sleep and a reduction in pain, muscle stiffness and spasms.

MS patients who use CBD for the relief of symptoms may need to take it for an average of 5 weeks before seeing results although some patients have seen relief in as little as 2 weeks while others have waited 15 weeks before seeing results. It is recommended to start with a dose of 2.5 and go as high as 1500 milligrams. CBD can also be taking in a spray which should not exceed 48 sprays in a 24 hour period.

Reduced seizures in those suffering with epilepsy: CBD has been known as an effective treatment for epilepsy. It works on different targets of the brain like calcium ion channels, glutamate receptor antagonists, sodium ion channels and the GATA system and receptor agonists. Once it enters the body, anticonvulsants may work to affect neurotransmitters responsible for sending the messages or they may attach themselves to the neurons. This works to alter that activity of the cell resulting in a reduction of seizures.

When it comes to dosage amounts, studies say low doses of CBD may be just as effective in reducing seizures as higher doses. Studies show that those taking a 10 mg daily dose experienced just as great of a reduction in seizures as patients who took a 20 mg dose.

Although the Mayo Clinic lists a recommended dose of 200-300 mg a day, patients are advised to start at lower doses to determine the effects.

Relief from chronic pain: CBD interacts with the brain and immune system attaching to receptors that respond to stimuli. These create anti-inflammatory and pain killing effects in those suffering with chronic pain.

CBD can be used for pain orally or can be applied topically to affected areas. The Mayo Clinic advises a 2.5 to 20 mg dose that should be taken orally. Patients are advised to start out with a lesser dose to determine effects before making any increases in the amount they take.

Improvement of mood: When CBD enters your body, it interacts with the endogenous cannabinoid system which regulates your central nervous system developments. This affects that way your body responds to internal and external factors and stressors. It helps stabilize mood so you are better able to handle stress. This also works to minimize anxiety and depression making you happier overall.

CBD can be taken by those who are chronically depressed or suffer from symptoms of pain and anxiety. CBD has shown potential to be a great replacement for anti-depressants and can result in fewer unwanted side effects.

Those taking CBD to fight depression should start with lower doses that can be increased as needed.

Though CBD is basically harmless, there can also be certain side effects associated with its use. These include:

• Tiredness
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Fluctuation in weight

We hope this article has provided valuable information for those who think CBD may be beneficial in improving their quality of life. It’s important to start with a trustworthy retailer and then experiment, starting with low doses, to find the products that are best for you. We wish you the best of luck on your journey to wellness.