What is CBD?
In recent times, the global interest in CBD oil is at an all-time high. Since the recent shift in the popular opinions about cannabis, its legality, and its use, there has been more research ongoing into how to make the most use of CBD oil.
So you will find that in different aspects of health and general wellbeing, especially feminine health, and mental health, CBD is gaining massive momentum, and for good reasons too.
First, what exactly is CBD?
CBD (cannabidiol) is a naturally-occurring constituent of the cannabis plant also known as hemp plant, which is related to marijuana plant.
CBD was first discovered in 1940 as one of the constituents of the cannabis or hemp plant. Before its discovery, the ancient Roman and Chinese physicians have used the whole cannabis plant extract as a remedy for healing battle wounds, tapeworm infections, and menstrual irregularities. For example, Queen Victoria is believed to have used CBD to alleviate menstrual cramps, during her reign that ended in 1901. Also, it was used in relieving various forms of chronic pain and chronic diseases such as multiple sclerosis. Cannabis is one of the 50 fundamental plants in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TMC).
It was used for:
- hair loss
- combating tapeworm infection
- menstrual disorders
- wound healing.
How does CBD work
Generally, the CBD is a cannabinoid. Cannabinoids are responsible for regulating how cells and nerves communicate in the body, especially during the process of homeostasis. Homeostasis is the means by which the body maintains its equilibrium. These cannabinoids work with the receptors (CB1 and CB2) of the endocannabinoid system.
The endocannabinoid system is a beautifully complex body system that is involved in fundamental processes in the body, such as pain, memory, mood appetite, stress, sleep, metabolism, and even our reproductive function. It is a network of receptors and transmitters located in the brain, the central nervous system, the peripheral nervous system, and the immune system.
The wide range of functions that this system carries out make it very important that there is a balance in this system at all times. When the endocannabinoid system is balanced, you will be happy and in sound health.
However, there are times when there may be a deficiency in the supply of cannabinoids by the body (Clinical endocannabinoid deficiency). These may lead to imbalances in some or all of these body processes. At those times, you may need to take in cannabinoids so they can stimulate the system and maintain the balance in your body.
Clinical trials and research has now shown that when these cannabinoids are introduced into the body, they react uniquely with the endocannabinoid system. It is also important to note that CBD works differently in individual systems. Different factors determine how CBD affects you. Some of the reasons why CBD will affect an individual uniquely include:
- Gender: The hormones in the female body frequently change and require constant balancing, and so there will most likely be a higher need for cannabinoids in the female body than the male.
- Overall health: More severe symptoms will usually need more supply of cannabinoids, so a little amount of CBD may most likely not have effects on an individual with severe symptoms.
- Tolerance: Your history with other drugs, especially those that have psychoactive tendencies, will determine how you will react to the CBD oil you will take in.
- Metabolism: This factor is solely dependent on your natural body chemistry. Individuals with higher metabolism rate may need more doses of CBD and vice versa.
What are the benefits of CBD oil?
The exact mechanism of action of the CBD is unclear, and contrary to the popular misconception of thc and cbd, it does not get you high or offer any form of intoxication. In fact, CBD actually reduces how “high” you can get when you take weed. This activity is known as the entourage effect.
Since CBD is not psychoactive, this quality makes it an excellent option for those looking for relief from pain without the mind-altering effects of marijuana or even other pharmaceutical drugs.
Aside from the growing popularity of CBD oil and increased research on its uses for both young and old, there are quite a handful of benefits that researchers believe it can offer to users. Although these claims are supported by research and scientific, not all of them are endorsed by regulatory bodies like the FDA. Some certain benefits of CBD include that:
- It can serve as an anxiety reliever. Anxiety and depression are the two most common mental health disorders leading to preventable deaths. According to the World Health Organization, depression is the single most significant contributor to disability worldwide. The ability to reduce stress, improve symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorders, and induce sleep in insomnia, making it a great anxiety reliever.
- It may be useful in managing acute and chronic pain. Researchers have investigated the pain-relieving effects of CBD pain, such as migraine, and menstrual pains, among other forms of pain commonly known. These studies show the potential effectiveness of CBD on inflammation and also serving as a great pain-relief.
- Evidence from human studies show it can offer relief from sleeping disorders: In 2019, researchers looked at whether CBD could improve sleep and or reduce anxiety, and it showed over 65 percent of the patients reporting to sleep better in their first month of use.
- Researchers suggest that the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of CBD can contribute to the treatment of epilepsy. There is a growing body of evidence showing how CBD can be used in treating some major brain diseases such as Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, or stroke. There are even research reports pointing to the role of CBD and prevention of lung inflammation from COVID-19.
- It can be part of your skincare routine as it demonstrates excellent anti-aging, anti-itch, anti-inflammatory properties and most importantly, reduces the formation of sebum in the sebaceous glands which causes the formation of acne.
Does CBD oil have side effects?
According to the World Heath Organization (WHO), “CBD is generally well tolerated with a good safety profile. Reported adverse effects may be as a result of negative drug-drug interactions between CBD and patients existing medications.”
That explains why, over the years, we have not noted adverse side effects of these CBD oils on users, but on rare cases, some users have complained of fatigue, diarrhea, or changes in weight and appetite.
So you should take note and seek professional advice if you will have to combine this CBD oil with other medications.
How should I take CBD oil?
Taking CBD oils can be determined by the type of products. In most cases CBD oils are administered via the following ways:
Oral - swallowed
Taking CBD oil as capsules, pills, gummies and other edibles is a convenient way since the CBD dose is carefully measured and you won’t feel the grassy taste. These capsules and edibles can produce effects lasting from 4 to 6 hours since they are activated by enzymatic activity. The mode of administration is via the digestive tract, where it’s absorbed into the bloodstream and could take from 1 to 3 hours to activate. One good thing about using CBD oils in swallowed form is that the CBD is released slowly based on enzymatic activities, thus giving it a long-lasting effect and comes in handy for chronic conditions requiring a steady dose of CBD throughout the day.
Oral - sublingual
CBD oils can be placed directly under the tongue known as sublingual administration. In most cases, these CBD products are delivered via a dropper and are placed under the tongue for 30 seconds to one minute to allow for the easy diffusion of the CBD into the bloodstream. It is one of the easiest and most effective ways of dosing CBD products after the use of CBD capsules and injectables. Since the CBD in oils diffuses directly into the bloodstream, they tend to have better bioavailability and can produce effects lasting from 3 to 6 hours after administration. If you intend to use your CBD oil via this method of administration, it is important to pay special attention to dosing, and the period of administration should not be less than 30 days for optimal results.
Topical aplication
CBD oils can be applied topically on the affected areas of the skin. The CBD possesses a good antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activity, which comes in handy in promoting skin & joints health. Its effect can last from 3 to 5 hours depending on the level of disease experienced, and the availability of receptors.
How to dose CBD oil?
Determining the right CBD dose plays a significant role in how your body responds to the presence of CBD. Even with the level of success already recorded in the use of CBD for several health conditions in scientific research, there is still limited information concerning the Recommended Daily Intake of CBD. CBD dosage follows a trial by error process and can be determined by paying attention to the following steps;
Know your body weight
Your weight plays a significant role in determining the best CBD concentration for your body type. It is that you take 2mg of CBD for every 5 kilos (10 pounds) of body weight.
Identify your level of pain
The level of CBD activity depends on the severity of the condition experienced in the body & mind. . Most manufacturers recommend that you take 1-6mg of CBD per 5 kg. (10 pounds) of body weight and level of pain. For instance, a woman weighing 50 kilos (100lb will a starter dose of 10-13mg depending on the level of pain. There are online-based calculators that can assist you with the best CBD dosage for your body type and disease condition.
Start small and increase the dosage gradually
After identifying your CBD starter dosage, it is important that you increase the dosage until you experience the best effects in the body. The increase should be uniform to give you a chance to pay attention to the effects.
Some CBD oil users have found that taking a small serving of CBD oil 2-3 times a day is even more ideal.
Are there different types of CBD oil?
When you try to order CBD online, you would most likely come across three options. Usually, it would be either full-spectrum CBD oil, broad-spectrum oil, or CBD isolate, so let’s understand what is the main difference.
All plants are known to be rich in phytochemicals such as alkaloids, terpenes, and phenols. The cannabis plant is not an exception to this rule as it contains cannabinoids (phytocannabinoids), terpenes, and essential oils.
The phytocannabinoids are a large group of plant-based chemicals found in the cannabis and hemp plant. At the time of writing this article, over 100 different cannabinoids have been isolated from the cannabis plant, including the non-psychoactive cannabidiol (CBD), psychoactive tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and precursor chemicals like Cannabigerol (CBG) and Cannabinol (CBN). The terpenoid profile of the cannabis plant is quite large with terpenes like humulene, caryophyllene, and myrcene. It is the combination of these chemicals that make up the CBD oil.
CBD oils are often classified based on the type of CBD used in the manufacturing process or the presence of other chemicals like terpenes and THC. Based on these criteria, CBD oils can be sub-divided into three main types namely:
Full-spectrum CBD
A full-spectrum CBD oil contains all the naturally occurring chemicals found in the hemp plant, including a varying concentration of THC. The medically recommended full-spectrum CBD oils possess less than 0.2% THC. This product comes in handy in providing a wide range of activities backed by the presence of terpenes and other cannabinoids like CBG and CBN.
Broad-spectrum CBD
In broad-spectrum CBD oils, all the naturally occurring chemicals found in the cannabis or hemp plant are present except THC. This is to get rid of the highly psychoactive effects of THC and to boost the level of acceptance of the product. These products provide users with all the benefits of the cannabis or hemp plant without having to worry about the side effects of THC.
CBD Isolate
CBD Isolate products contain about 99% pure CBD without the presence of any other active cannabinoids or terpenes. In the past, there was a belief that it was the best kind of CBD because if its purity. But now, studies are showing that full-spectrum or broad-spectrum oils are equally as effective if not more than the CBD isolate. That is mostly due to the “entourage effect.”
Why Kana Wonders?
At Kana Wonders, we are sensitive to your need for safe products! We provide you socially conscious CBD products with no side effects. These products offer the best CBD activity that you can enjoy anywhere.
We focus on the provision of exceptional quality broad-spectrum CBD oils. Our CBD oil has non-detectable tetrahydrocannabinol THC content (< 0.003%)! We have taken care to carefully deal with the psychoactive element so that you enjoy the fantastic therapeutic quality of this oil with no fear of side effects.
