Common Questions About CBD

Whether you’re a devout CBD user or just getting started, you probably have questions about CBD you’re looking for answers to, like “Does CBD get you high?’ and “What’s full spectrum anyway?” and maybe even “What the heck is CBD?”

Well, you came to the right post! We are going to answer all of these questions and more with this special CBD questions blog post. You may even stumble across an answer to a question you didn’t even know you had!

Common CBD Questions: Answered

1. I’m interested in CBD and want to know everything. For starters, what is CBD?

If you’re just starting with CBD and aren’t sure what it really is, you may have one of the most common questions about CBD – What is it?

Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of at least 113 chemical compounds, called cannabinoids, found in the cannabis plant. Both hemp and marijuana are cannabis plants. CBD is very closely related to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the popular compound that causes a high. CBD and THC are the two most prevalent compounds found in the cannabis plant, and are the most widely studied. CBD offers a wide variety of benefits, and provides these without causing a high.

[ Related: What is CBD? ]

2. So, CBD does not cause a high?

That’s correct. CBD does not cause a “high” or “stoned” feeling like THC does. In fact, CBD can actually reduce or neutralize the effects of THC. Many people want the therapeutic benefits of cannabis without getting high, and that is where CBD comes in. CBD is also a great option for those who are brand new to cannabis and want to try it out.

CBD can make you feel more relaxed, thanks to the anti-anxiety properties. But, as far as the high that comes from marijuana goes, you’re not going to get that from CBD. This is because CBD and THC act very differently when consumed.

THC binds to the CB1 cannabinoid receptor of your endocannabinoid system. This receptor is attached to active neurons in the brain that trigger the psychoactive effects of marijuana. CBD, on the other hand, does not bind to either the CB1 receptor or the CB2 receptors.
Instead, CBD regulates non-cannabinoid receptors throughout the body, including those that produce serotonin and those responsible for regulating pain and inflammation.

CBD does not cause a high because it doesn’t bind to the receptors responsible for inducing a high.

Hemp-derived CBD products contain less than 0.3% THC, which is not enough to cause a high or stoned feeling.

3. Tell me more. How can I use CBD in my daily life?

Another one of the most frequently asked questions about CBD is about how to use it.

There are numerous ways to use CBD, and there are four primary delivery methods to choose from:

Inhalation
Ingestion
Sublingual
Topical

Inhalation: Perhaps the most common method of consuming CBD is to inhale it. This can be done by vaporizing CBD concentrates or by smoking hemp flower. During inhalation, the CBD enters your lungs and then enters directly into your bloodstream. Because the CBD does not have to be digested, the CBD enters circulation much faster. Also, less of the cannabinoid is lost during inhalation compared to other methods. You can smoke CBD hemp flower out of a bong or pipe, or buy CBD hemp pre-rolls that are all ready to go.

Ingestion: Another common way to take CBD is to ingest it. When you ingest CBD, it passes through your digestive system, and is then metabolized by the liver, which sends the active compounds into your bloodstream. Popular CBD ingestion methods include capsules, edibles, and beverages. CBD tincture can be added to a variety of beverages, including coffee.

Sublingual: When CBD tincture is taken sublingually, it is held under the tongue for 60 seconds to allow the mucus membranes within the mouth to absorb the active ingredients. This delivery method bypasses the digestive system and liver, allowing the compounds to reach your bloodstream and endocannabinoid system a lot faster. For those who want fast effects, but don’t want to smoke, taking a CBD tincture sublingually is ideal.

Topical: CBD topicals are designed to be applied directly onto the skin. The active ingredients are absorbed through the skin, where they interact with the cells that are close to the surface of the skin, without entering the bloodstream. Topical CBD products are best for localized pain or to address certain skin conditions.

4. I keep hearing about full spectrum CBD. What is full spectrum?

Full spectrum CBD products are the most effective type.

Full spectrum CBD products contain all of the phytochemicals naturally found in the cannabis plant, including the terpenes, essential oils, and other cannabinoids. There is also a negligible amount of THC – 0.3% or less.

The full cannabinoid spectrum comes together synergistically with full spectrum CBD products, thereby boosting the health benefits of each individual cannabinoid. This is called the Entourage Effect.

The terpenes present in full spectrum CBD products are also beneficial. Terpenes, the aromatic compounds produced by all plants, have different effects. Myrcene, for example, is a powerful analgesic, antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, and antimutagenic. By leaving all of the terpenes in the full spectrum CBD products, users benefit from these compounds in addition to the phytocannabinoids.

5. If CBD doesn’t cause a high, what does it feel like?

One of the most common questions about CBD is what it feels like. While CBD does not get you high or make you stoned, it does promote relaxation and calm. It also reduces pain and inflammation, leaving you with a lack of discomfort. Users report it as there being a “lack of something”, such as a lack of pain, a lack of insomnia, or a lack of anxiety.

[ Related: What Does CBD Feel Like? ]

6. Is hemp oil the same as CBD oil?

Hemp oil and CBD oil are two entirely different things. CBD oil is produced from the leaves, flowers, and stalks of the hemp plant, as these are the only parts of the plant where the cannabinoid is present. Hemp oil, also called hemp seed oil, is produced from hemp seeds and contains little to no CBD. Hemp oil has its own benefits, but they are not the same benefits as CBD.

Using CBD

If you had any questions about CBD, we hope this post clarified a few things for you.

We’re here to educate and help people to make the most informed decisions they possibly can when it comes to purchasing CBD products.
Have more questions? Comment your question below!

Photo by Emma Simpson on Unsplash