Category: CBD Oil

Information relating to CBD oil. Education, benefits, ers guide, and more.

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CBD Terminology 101: Words All Users Should Know

CBD terms

New to the world of CBD? Eager to get started making this cannabinoid part of your daily regimen?  Well, if there’s one thing that we can tell you, it’s that the CBD market of today is highly diverse and extensive.  Now, this is a good thing, because it means that there’s tons of variety, ensuring that you can find the perfect product for your highly specific needs.  But it also means that newbies can feel overwhelmed due to the large amount of terminology that must be learned in order to know what you’re buying.

The Major Words on the CBD Streets

We’ve made a list of all of the important CBD-related terms that you must learn in order to pick out the perfect products for your needs.  By learning these terms, you’ll have no trouble finetuning your hemp experience for the best possible results.

  • Hemp: A member of the cannabis family, and it is cousins with marijuana – yes, the federally illegal, psychoactive plant that makes people feel high.  Hemp is unique in that it’s low in THC, so it doesn’t get a person high.  Hemp is also a highly useful plant that can be turned into rope, paper, clothing and so much more.  But, today, we’re talking about hemp because it’s the plant from which CBD is derived.  Hemp is naturally high in CBD, and so it’s used to produce commercial CBD products.
  • Cannabinoid: Hemp contains many cannabinoids, which are plant compounds native to cannabis.  Cannabinoids are unique in that they work directly with our body’s endocannabinoid system which is in charge of homeostasis.  Therefore, consuming cannabinoids gives the endocannabinoid system what it needs to ensure that every bodily system is functioning properly.
  • CBD: One of the cannabinoids native to hemp, and it’s the one that’s most abundant in hemp.  CBD has been widely studied for its many potential benefits and therapeutic properties, and it’s become an entire industry. 
  • THC: Another cannabinoid that’s found in both hemp and marijuana.  In marijuana, THC is very abundant.  However, hemp only contains about 0.3 percent THC.  This is not nearly a high enough amount to deliver psychoactive effects.  This is why hemp will never get a user high.
  • Terpene: Terpenes are another class of compounds found in the hemp plant, as well as every other plant in existence.  Terpenes determine the color, flavor and aroma of a plant.  They also have unique properties within themselves, such as anti-inflammatory properties and anti-anxiety properties.
  • Strain: Different hemp plants belong to different strains, and a strain refers to the unique chemical composition of a particular plant.  Some strains, for instance, have higher levels of limonene, a terpene known to potentially relieve pain, and higher levels of CBN, a cannabinoid known to potentially promote sleep.  Meanwhile, other strains may have higher levels of other compounds. 
  • Indica: Strains are categorized into three classes, with Indica being one of them.  Indica strains are associated with sleepiness and calmness and may relieve pain.
  • Sativa: These strains are known to be more energizing and cerebral.
  • Hybrid: Halfway between Indica and sativa strains and may provide benefits associated with both.
  • Full Spectrum: There are three types of hemp extracts, which refer to the way in which the hemp compounds were extracted from the plant material.  Full spectrum extract contains every compound, including THC, CBD and terpenes.  Bear in mind that in full spectrum extract, there is only about 0.3 percent, below the legal limit, and not enough to make a person feel high. It’s believed that full spectrum extract provides the entourage effect, an effect in which the plant compounds multiply each other’s effectiveness when taken “as nature intended.
  • Broad Spectrum: contains every plant compound except for THC.
  • CBD Isolate: Contains only CBD and no other compounds.
  • Strength: Refers to the number of milligrams of CBD in a particular product.  It determines how much CBD the user will be consuming per dose. 
  • Dosage Level: Quantity of the CBD product that can be taken orally.
  • Tincture: An oral product that is poured beneath the tongue and absorbed through the sublingual tissue in order to act fairly quickly.
  • Vape Oil: Another term for a CBD-infused e-liquid.  It can be flavored or unflavored and is placed into a cartridge and vaped using a compatible device.
  • Edibles: Any CBD-infused edible product, such as a gummy, that is consumed via the digestive tract.
  • Topicals: Creams, lotions, balms, etc. that can be applied to the skin

Learning is CBD Power

As you can see, the CBD market doesn’t need to be that intimidating after all.  By simply knowing the right terms, you can find the right products and have a very positive CBD experience.  Study this guide so that you can know exactly what to buy when you’re ready to go shopping for CBD products at Hemp CBD Oil Store.

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Using CBD Hemp Oil As A Natural Skin Care Product

cbd oil store skin care

Skin care is a daily concern and, for many people, an ongoing battle. Around 50 million Americans suffer from acne, while 7.5 million suffer from psoriasis. An abundance of prescription and non-prescription solutions are available, but they don’t always work, and many people prefer to apply a more natural remedy to their delicate skin.

CBD is proving to be an incredibly useful natural skin care product. CBD works on the endocannabinoid system in the body, and this interaction results in anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties. The majority of cannabinoid receptors are located in the skin, making CBD very effective when applied as a topical. CBD oil permeates the top layers of skin to work at the cellular level. It is easily and readily absorbed, and treasured for its immediate relief and beneficial properties.

CBD Topicals For Skin Treatment

There are two main properties that make CBD hemp oil such a useful ingredient in skin care products. CBD is an anti-inflammatory properties. Most skin problems, from acne to eczema, are caused by inflammation. By reducing inflammation, CBD becomes a significant remedy for many skin problems.

CBD also has pain-killing (analgesic) properties, and can be used to reduce swelling. This makes it an ideal topical application for achy joints and muscles, whether for age, injury or for a muscle tonic after sports. CBD makes a great massage oil!

The scientific evidence for CBD in skin care is strong.  A 2014 study found that CBD helps to reduce acne. Acne is though to be caused by secretion of the fatty acid sebum. CBD inhibited the output of oils produced by the sebaceous gland, and demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects, suppressing acne breakouts.

CBD has also been shown to down-regulate the hypersensitivity of the skin’s receptors to allergies. This can reduce rashes and CBD balms can even help to treat eczema. CBD regulates the immune system, and can play a therapeutic role in the treatment of psoriasis.

Nutrition For Healthy Skin

With such significant uses for major skin conditions, it’s little wonder CBD oil is gaining traction as a valid natural health remedy. Yet CBD oil also contains a number of essential nutrients that can help the skin to stay healthy and looking young. CBD topicals are not only useful for those suffering from skin conditions. It is also great for general well-being and everyday skin care. CBD oil contains:

  • Vitamin C + E – The oxidation of cells is the main cause of many skin problems. Vitamin C and E act as antioxidants. They help to neutralise free radicals, and reduce damage to collagen and elastin, resulting in youthful looking skin.
  • Vitamin B – Vitamin B is used in the skin construction process. A lack of this vitamin can lead to dermatitis. Vitamin B can improve the condition of the upper layer of skin called the epidermis, leading to less dry and flaky skin.
  • Vitamin A + D – Vitamin A and D are involved with skin repair and skin cell growth, as well as oil production in the skin. They can help to reduce dry and flaky skin.
  • Omega 3 and Omega 6 – These natural fatty acids help to moisturise the skin, as well as protecting from sun damage and environmental wear on the skin. A lack of omega 3 and 6 has been associated with acne and dry skin.

Isolate Vs Full Spectrum

You may have noticed that there are many different CBD skin care products available on the market. Some CBD topicals that you can are full -spectrum, and others are CDB isolate.

The cannabis plant contains close to 100 cannabinoids which interact with the body. THC is the one that is known to get you high, and hemp oil contains none of it. CBD isolate contains only the CBD cannabinoid. Full spectrum CBD hemp oil contains CBD (with no THC), but it also contains dozens of other cannabinoids, some of which are known to have their own health benefits.

Many researchers believe in the “entourage” effect, where multiple cannabinoids work together in harmony to create desired effects in the body. If this is true, full spectrum CBD oil offers the most powerful natural health and skin care remedy, as it contains a larger profile of cannabinoids. Be sure to only cannabis topicals from companies who use a soft extraction process that will preserve the vital phytonutrients contained in the plant.

CBD topicals come in many forms. We offer a 550mg full-spectrum CBD pain relieving balm that is ideal for skin conditions like eczema, as well as a 220mg full-spectrum CBD Manna body butter that is idea for your everyday skin care and moisturising needs. For sensitive areas of skin like the face, we have our CBD facial serum.

CBD oil is a powerful product for skin care. It has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, as well as containing high amounts of the most important vitamins and nutrients for the skin.

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Is CBD Oil Safe and Beneficial For Pets?

cbd oil for pets, dogs, cats

Is CBD Oil Safe and Beneficial For Pets?

With the benefits of CBD oil now looking clearer by the day, humans across the globe are embracing hemp-based products for health. It wasn’t going to take long before pet owners starting wondering whether it was safe to give it to their dog or cat. Can pets take CBD oil, and will they feel the benefit?

Unfortunately, clinical research into CBD oil for pets is currently lacking, mostly due to the regulatory minefield which makes it difficult for scientists to gain permission to research medical cannabis. Despite this, research is now developing to establish a link between CBD and the treatment of epilepsy and anxiety in dogs.

The American Veterinary Medical Association will not approve the use of CBD oil for pets until enough research has been put forward. Hopefully, as the body of research grows, so will the number of endorsements by vets and other medical professionals. Until then, pet owners will have to use their own judgement when it comes to using CBD to treat pet’s ailments.

Why Does CBD Effect Pets?

CBD works on the endocannabinoid system. This system is responsible for regulating a number of physiological and neurological responses in the body, and aims to establish homoeostasis within the mammalian central nervous system.Did you see the key word there? Mammalian nervous systems. Dogs, cats and all other mammals have an endocannabinoid system. This system can be affected by both cannabinoids produced within the body, as well as cannabinoids that come from ingesting CBD.

CBD is much safer to give to your pet than THC. THC is a psychoactive compound, and has actually been shown in a recent study to increase toxicants in canines over long periods of time. CBD is not psychoactive. It does not get your pet ‘high’. Yet CBD  offers all of the same potential health benefits.

CBD Health Benefits For Pets

Though vets are not quick to endorse CBD as a treatment for your pet given the current situation with research and stigma, some medical professionals have come out to say that CBD is a valid medicine for dogs.  The interaction of CBD with the endocannabinoid system in dogs provides relief from physiological and neurological conditions such as nausea, stress, anxiety, pain and even gastrointestinal conditions.

Indeed, given that dogs and cats have a similar endocannabinoid system to humans, it can be expected that mammals will experience similar health benefits to humans when it comes to taking CBD.

Suggested uses of CBD oil for pets include:

  • Separation anxiety – CBD is known to reduce panic attacks and anxiety
  • Cancer – CBD has been shown to have anti-tumour properties, and can inhibit the growth of cancer cells.
  • Seizures – Around 5% of dogs suffer from seizures or epilepsy which can seriously affect their life. CBD oil is known to drastically reduce seizures in some cases.
  • Vomiting – CBD has been shown in animal studies to reduce vomiting and nausea. One particular use for pets would be during travel, when they are likely to get sick.
  • Aggression – CBD is increasingly being used for aggressive dogs, or skittish and scared dogs, and pets who cannot settle down.
  • Lack of appetite – CBD can help to restore your pet’s appetite.
  • Pain relief – If your animal is suffering from pain, CBD may be able to help as it has been shown to reduce pain and inflammation.

How To Give Your Pet CBD Oil

There are many ways in which you can give CBD oil to your pet. CBD liquids should be administered straight in the mouth, preferably under your pet’s tongue. This may be difficult at first, but eventually it will become routine for your animal. You can make the process easier by rewarding your dog with a treat after administering CBD.

There are also other ways in which to dose your pet. CBD capsules can be mixed in with your pet’s food. Open the capsule and mix the powder in directly, or wrap the whole capsule in a dog treat. You can also find CBD treats for dogs and cats, which come in many flavours which your pet will find delicious.

The correct dosage of CBD to give to your pet is a matter of debate, and depends on a number of factors, including the animal’s size, ailment, and the strength of the extract. Generally speaking, around one drop of CBD oil per 10lb of weight is considered reasonable. Directions can be found on the packaging of products.

The good news is that CBD is non-psychoactive, and has so far been found to be well tolerated, even in high doses, with no known toxic or overdose level. Giving your CBD oil to pets is much safer than THC, and has all of the same potential health benefits. Though the area is under-researched, expect that in coming years science will provide direct links between CBD and pet health.

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The Endocannabinoid System – What Is It and Why Is It Important?

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The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is an amazing biological system that exists within our body, as well as in all invertebrate species. It is believed to have evolved around 600 million years ago, and is comprised of cell receptors, endocannabinoid molecules to activate the receptors, and enzymes to break down the molecules once they have been used.

This amazing internal system interacts with the active compounds in the cannabis plant, such as THC, CBD and lesser known cannabinoids like CBN. Without the endocannabinoid system, cannabis wouldn’t get you high, nor would it have so many profound therapeutic benefits.

The Discovery Of The Endocannabinoid System

The discovery of the endocannabinoid system came as a development after the discovery of plant cannabinoids. Raphael Mechoulam first scientifically found THC in the 1960s. His findings caused a rush to find out how the molecule worked, and whether the body naturally produced anything similar.

It wasn’t until the 1990s that the same researcher found evidence of internal cannabinoids. Mechoulam found that the body had a system that THC interacted with, and that similar cannabinoids produced within the body interacted with the same system.

Cannabinoids Produced In The Body

There’s more to the ECS than its interaction with the cannabis plant. The body produces its own endocannabinoids (‘endo’ means within), and these too interact with the cannabinoid receptors in the body and brain. Endocannabinoids act as messengers to signal to the body to keep vital processes in balance.

The Endocannabinoid system is concerned with the overall homoeostasis of many physiological functions. It helps to regulate sleep, appetite, immune responses, mood, pain, pleasure, memory, motor control, cellular health and more, and aims to keep the whole biological system working coherently and holistically. That is why the endocannabinoid system is now an emerging focus of pharmacotherapy.

It’s quite amazing to think that the body has a system for regulating itself. The fact that this system also interacts with the cannabinoids found within the cannabis and hemp plant, explains why there are so many medical applications and health benefits associated with CBD oi l and other supplements.

Receptors, Enzymes and Molecules

Cell receptors receive signals and communicate to the inside of cells to elicit a certain response. They are activated by the right molecules.

The two primary cannabinoid receptors in the ECS are named CB1 and CB2. CB1 is abundant in the nervous system and brain, and has been linked to the moderation of pain and inflammation, regulation of the activity of neurons, modulation of seizures, and motor control and more. THC, one of the main cannabinoids in the cannabis plant, binds directly with the CB1 molecule, causing psychoactive as well as healing effects.

CB2 is not found so much in the brain and spinal cord, but is found in abundance in immune cells, the peripheral nervous system and peripheral organs like the spleen. It is keyed to CBD, and has anti-inflammatory and immune boosting effects on the body.

The main endocannabinoids (cannabinoids that are made naturally within the body) that have been identified and studied so far are anandamide and 2-AG.

Anandamide is also known as the ‘bliss molecule’. It regulates mood, pain, memory and more, and activates the CB1 receptor, the same receptor that is affected by THC.

2-AG is an agonist for both the CB1 and CB2 receptors, and binds fully with the CB2 receptor. It is thought to be the most abundant endocannabinoid in the body, and is responsible for the regulation of the immune system, pain and appetite.

Both of these endocannabinoids are produced on demand when needed by the body, and are then broken down by enzymes that function within the ECS, specifically FAAH for anandamide and MAGL for 2-AG. Incidentally, this is the reason why natural endocannabinoids do not ‘get you high’ in the same way as THC – the enzymes do not break down the THC instantly after use, and so it lingers for longer.

 

How Does CBD Interact With The Endocannabinoid System?

When the body does not produce enough natural cannabinoids or cannot regulate them properly, whether due to external factors like stress or bad diet, or chronic conditions and pathologies, the body and mind can become more susceptible to illness and imbalances. Homoeostasis is more difficult to achieve.

When this happens, medical cannabis and hemp extracts like CBD can be used as a supplement. They interact with and boost the functioning of the endocannabinoid system.

THC binds with the CB1 receptor directly. CBD works a little differently. It interacts with a number of receptors in the brain, but not directly with the CB1 – therefore it doesn’t get you high! It actually moderates the effect of THC by knocking it away from the CB1 receptor, and therefore has anti-psychotic functions.

CBD also prevents the enzyme FAAH from breaking down anandamine too quickly, and makes more available for cells to use. With more natural endocannabinoids available, CBD acts as a natural mood enhancer with many therapeutic benefits, such as in anxiety disorders.

This explains why cannabis and hemp-based medicines like CBD can have a positive impact on such a wide range of ailments. By bringing the endocannabinoid system back into optimal functioning, the body becomes more capable of achieving its state of natural homoeostasis.

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CBD – The Medical Cannabis That Doesn’t Get You High

cbd vs thc

Cannabidiol, commonly known as CBD, is an extract from hemp that does not get you high. This means that CBD can be used as a safe and effective food supplement, and is gaining ground as a valid medication with multiple purposes, from preventing seizures to reducing psychotic symptoms. Hemp CBD oil is completely legal, and available as an oral extract, tablet or isolate powder.

Is CBD Different To THC?

The two main cannabinoids (there are over 100 in total) in the cannabis plant are THC and CBD. Decades ago research showed that THC, one of the active compounds in the cannabis plant, may help to treat pain, nausea, insomnia and a range of other problems. CBD was considered to play a less important role, and was largely ignored.

The only problem was THC gets you high. Recreational cannabis users may want to get high, but many medical users want to experience the benefits without any psychoactive effects. The fact that THC has an impact on the mind also created a difficult scenario for scientists. It was difficult to study the effects of THC without legal problems.

In recent years the focus has shifted towards CBD, the non-psychoactive cannabinoid. CBD is found in high quantities in the hemp plant, and has no effect on the mind. Hemp has a very low amount of THC (less than 0.3%), and so CBD oil products made from hemp have absolutely no effect on the mind.

Why Is CBD Non-Psychoactive?

Both CBD and THC interact with the body through the endocannabinoid system. This system is responsible for regulating the body in all different kinds of ways, including pain, immune responses, appetite, mood and sleep.

CBD and THC have the same chemical composition, but with different atomic arrangements. It is this difference in atomic structure which changes the way in which the two compounds interact with the cannabinoid receptors in the body.

THC activates the cannabinoid 1 receptors (CB1) in the brain, as well as CB2. It is the activation of this receptor that creates psychoactive outcomes, aka ‘feeling high’.

CBD, on the other hand, doesn’t bind with CB1 or CB2 receptors, and therefore has no psychoactive properties. CBD even acts to suppress the activity of these receptors, and is therefore actively anti-psychotic.

If all of this scientific talk is too much for you, just remember this – CBD made from hemp oil does not get you high. You can enjoy the medical benefits without any psychoactive effects.

The Legality Of CBD Vs THC

THC derived from cannabis is a controlled substance under federal law. State legislation has been created for the medical use of THC in 29 states and Washington DC. The legality of THC therefore remains something of a grey area, though each state has its own regulation policies.

As CBD made from hemp has been shown to have no psychoactive properties, it is legal in all 50 states. This means that anyone in America can legally CBD hemp products for medical or supplementary use. 

The legality of CBD, and the fact that it doesn’t get you high, also had political and scientific benefits, leading to an explosion of research into the medical benefits, as well as helping to turn the tides of public opinion on medical cannabis.

The Medical Benefits Of CBD

Though it is early days when it comes to our knowledge of CBD and its true potential, a mountain of research suggests numerous health benefits and medical applications for hemp CBD oil products.

CBD has been linked to a reduction in the intensity and frequency of seizures in epilepsy sufferers, reduced psychotic symptoms in schizophrenia patients, and has even been shown to block cancer cells from metastasising.

As well as having specific medical benefits, CBD also has anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant qualities, and plays a role in the growth and regulation of neurons and neurotransmitters. All without any psychoactive effect!