Tag: cbd oil

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Cooking Up Something in the Kitchen with CBD

CBD Cooking

As CBD becomes more widely used, it’s not surprising that people are getting creative with their hemp hobby.  To our delight, we’re finding that a lot of our customers are buying CBD oil in order to create culinary masterpieces that are infused with the fascinating compounds native to hemp.  This allows people to enjoy two hobbies at once – CBD, and the culinary arts. 

If you’re feeling particularly adventurous in the kitchen, we suggest that you consider experimenting with CBD.  Cooking with CBD can be a highly rewarding experience as it allows you to enjoy the powers of hemp while also trying out a new type of cuisine.

What to Know About Cooking with CBD

Before you get started, there are some things that you need to know.  For better or worse, there’s a pretty strict science when it comes to cooking with CBD.  But, luckily for you, we’re going to try to explain everything that you need to know in this simple guide below.

It Can’t Be Applied to Any Type of Food

First, you have to know that CBD oil can’t just be poured into any old recipe.  CBD oil is considered a fat, because it’s oil-based.  So, it can only be used in foods that require a certain amount of fat.  For example, CBD oil does not blend well with water, so trying to make a batch of lemon ice pops with CBD oil is not going to work.  However, foods that require an amount of fat can work well, such as cookies, salad dressings and meat marinades.  Basically, you’re replacing a certain amount of fat with CBD oil when cooking with CBD.

Pure CBD Oil or CBD Oil Mixed with a Safe-to-Ingest Carrier Oil is Crucial

You also can’t just add any type of CBD product to a recipe.  It’s important that it’s pure and safe to ingest.  Pure CBD oil is the best as it contains nothing but hemp extract, although it’s okay to use CBD products that consist of hemp oil and a carrier oil that’s safe to consume, such as coconut oil, olive oil or hempseed oil.

Be Wary of the Temperature

CBD contains delicate chemical compounds that must be exposed to the right temperature in order to remain stable.  Too much heat causes those compounds to break down and become basically useless due to a loss of potency.  And, what’s the point of consuming CBD if its compounds are no longer capable of working? 

As a rule of thumb, CBD oil should never be heated beyond 356 degrees Fahrenheit.  Once it surpasses this temperature, it begins to lose potency at a rapid pace, making it basically useless.  So, adjust your recipe if need be so that it stays below this temperature.

Go with Decarboxylated CBD

Decarboxylated CBD is CBD that has already had its compounds activated by way of heat exposure.  This allows the CBD compounds to be quickly and thoroughly bioavailable.  Cooking with CBD that hasn’t been decarboxylated is a lot like cooking with raw cannabis plant material.  If it’s not heated to the right temperature, its compounds won’t really do anything.  So, decarboxylated, in most cases, is the easier way to go as you don’t have to worry about reaching the right temperature in order for its compounds to become activated.

Find Recipes Online

If you’re just getting started, we suggest first looking for recipes online.  This way, you’ll be able to follow someone else’s recipe that’s been proven to be successful, rather than having to play a guessing game.  And, with CBD being as popular as it is, you’ll have no trouble finding a wide variety of exciting recipes to choose from.

Don’t Overcomplicate Things

In the beginning, keep things simple by making recipes that don’t require too much time, effort or ingredients.  This way, you’ll be less likely to end up with a disaster.  If you’re not an experienced cook or baker, try to go with something very basic like a CBD salad dressing, as this only requires a couple of ingredients.

Know How to Dose Your Food Properly

Next, know how to dose each portion properly by using basic math.  Think about how many milligrams of CBD you wish to consume per portion, and then multiply that by the number of portions you plan to make.  The number you end up with is how much CBD you should add to your recipe.

Only Make as Much as You’ll Realistically Consume Within a Few Days

Remember that food products break down fairly quickly, so don’t make more CBD-infused goodies than you can realistically eat in a matter of a couple of days.

Stick with Quality CBD, Always!

Lastly, always go for quality when it comes to CBD oil.  The higher the quality, the better your experience will be, and the better the quality of the finished product will be.  Cheap CBD is cheap for a reason, so always opt for the good stuff.

Cooking with CBD Can Be an Extremely Fulfilling Hobby…

And, may even turn into something lucrative down the road.  Turning your CBD hobby into a culinary passion is a great way to express your creativity while doing your body good.  But, before getting started, read this guide thoroughly in order to go about things in the right manner and end up with a product that satisfies those hemp-related needs.

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Full vs. Broad Spectrum CBD Tinctures – What are Their Effects?

Full or Broad spectrum?

When choosing a CBD tincture at Hemp CBD Oil Store, one must consider a wide variety of factors.  For one thing, they have to decide the proper strength so that they get the right amount of hemp compounds per dose.  They also have to decide on a flavor so that they can satisfy their taste buds while taking their daily dose of CBD.  But, there’s one factor that’s rarely considered, although it’s arguably just as important as the rest.

There are three types of hemp extracts: broad spectrum, full spectrum and CBD isolate.  A CBD tincture can contain any one of these three types of extracts, and which one you go with can largely determine your experience, and whether or not you’re able to accomplish what you want with your new hemp regimen.

Today, we’ll be talking about the two most popular of these three extracts: broad spectrum and full spectrum.  While they’re very similar to each other, the differences are just important enough to be worth diving into.

What Does it Mean?

When we talk about full spectrum and broad spectrum, we’re talking about the ways in which the hemp compounds were extracted from the plant material.  All CBD products start with the hemp plant.  The hemp plant is carefully cultivated before going through an extraction process that usually involves some type of heat and pressure in order to end up with compounds that have been fully separated from the plant material.

Once these compounds have been successfully isolated and extracted from the hemp plant material, they can be chemically composed in a number of ways to produce different kinds of concentrates.  Full spectrum extract and broad spectrum extract are two different types of concentrates, with chemical compositions that differ from each other.

Full Spectrum

Full spectrum extract is hemp extract that contains every chemical compound that naturally occurs in the hemp plant.  The hemp plant naturally contains a very wide variety of compounds.  These compounds include cannabinoids such as CBD, CBN and CBG, as well as terpenes.  Terpenes are plant compounds that exist in essential oils, and they determine the flavor and aroma of a particular plant.  Furthermore, terpenes seem to naturally contain unique properties such as antibiotic and anti-inflammatory properties.  Terpenes that commonly exist in hemp include myrcene, limonene and linalool. 

Because full spectrum hemp extract contains every compound in hemp, it contains THC.  Now, we know that THC is the psychoactive chemical compound found in marijuana that gives it psychoactive effects, thus making it federally illegal.  However, in the hemp plant, THC is only present in about 0.3 percent of the plant material, and this amount is not nearly high enough to be psychoactive.  Therefore, full spectrum hemp extract cannot get you high.

In fact, THC is a cannabinoid that may be useful in a number of ways when consumed in low doses.  Many studies have shown that THC, like CBD, may have unique properties that can be considered beneficial.

Broad Spectrum

Broad spectrum hemp extract, meanwhile, is a hemp extract that contains every plant compoundfound in hemp except for THC.  So, it allows you to experience a wide range of cannabinoids and terpenes, only without THC. 

The Entourage Effect

The entourage effect refers to the effect on the body when every hemp compound is consumed at once, as nature intended.  This is what occurs when you consume full spectrum hemp extract.  Basically, it’s believed that the entourage effect allows for each plant’s potential benefits to be multiplied, because each compound increases the efficacy of the rest.  The entourage effect is considered ideal as it allows you to potentially get the most benefits out of taking a hemp product.  This is why most people believe that full spectrum CBD is objectively superior.

Using a Broad Spectrum CBD Tincture

If you want to avoid THC altogether, a broad spectrum CBD tincture is the way to go.  Basically, for this type of extract, the THC has been isolated in the remaining concentrate and thoroughly removed.  This means that you won’t have any traces of THC in your body after consuming a broad spectrum CBD tincture.  You’ll still receive all of the other compounds found in hemp.

Using a Full Spectrum CBD Tincture

A full spectrum CBD tincture allows you to experience the entourage effect, and it means that you’ll be consuming THC as well as all of the other plant compounds.  If you feel comfortable consuming trace amounts of THC, this is the way to go.  Bear in mind that consuming THC that comes from the hemp plant cannot possibly deliver psychoactive effects, but in rare cases, it can cause the THC to show up on a drug test.  However, this is very unusual.

Which is Better?

So, which option is right for you: a broad spectrum CBD tincture or a full spectrum CBD tincture?  Well, it all depends on your preferences.  Again, most experts feel that a full spectrum extract is superior because of the entourage effect.  However, it’s understandable that some people want to completely avoid THC, so if that’s the case, go with broad spectrum.

Also, bear in mind that aside from the chemical composition of each concentrate, they don’t really differ from each other in any way.  Broad spectrum and full spectrum tinctures are about the same in terms of price, so you won’t save any money by going with one over the other.  Additionally, they taste and smell the same, so you won’t experience any differences between the two.  And, finally, the potency level doesn’t differ due to the presence of THC or lack thereof.

Comes Down to Preference

At the end of the day, whether you choose a full spectrum CBD tincture or a broad spectrum CBD tincture is totally up to you.  However, as you can see, one provides you with the full entourage effect, while one does not.  Use this guide to decide which type of extract is right for you as you begin a new CBD tincture routine.

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

cbd oil

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!