There's a lot of information out there about CBD oil

Do you take CBD oil or know someone who does?  I recently did a continuing education on the subject and found it to be fascinating.  I thought I'd pass on the information.  I've been asked about it before, many times actually, but didn't feel like I knew enough about the product or the industry to make any real recommendations, until now.

CBD stands for cannabidiol.  Both hemp and marijuana come from the same cannabis plant and can both be referred to as cannabis.  The important thing is to understand the difference in the active cannabinoids.  There are over 100 different cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant, but CBD and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) are the most prevalent.  THC is the psychoactive component found in marijuana and CBD is the non-psychoactive component that can be derived from both hemp or marijuana.  These cannabinoids can be used together and amplify each other's medicinal properties.  The CBD component reduces the psychoactive side effects of THC.

Hemp has been around for over 10,000 years and is an important source of food, fiber, clothing, and medicinal applications.  Between 1850 and 1915 hemp was regularly used throughout the United States as a medicinal drug and was readily available.  Unfortunately, cannabis became part of prohibition and was outlawed in 1913.  Despite numerous studies, research, documentation, and attempts, the government failed to decriminalize cannabis until recent years.

Now that cannabis is legal in a lot of states, the industry has exploded with farms and products.  So how do you know what a good product is?  Hopefully, I'll be able to answer some questions for you.

First of all, how does CBD work?  What does it do exactly?  Well, we need to take a moment to talk about the Endocannabinoid System.  This system is a biological system composed of endocannabinoids, cannabinoid receptors, and modulating enzymes.  The ECS is a master regulator of all systems of the body, with a job of maintaining homeostasis or balance, within the working systems of the body.  This system effects the whole body, from the CNS to the periphery.  It regulates a variety of physiological processes including appetite, hunger, satiety, pain sensation and transmission, mood, memory, apoptosis, metabolism, inflammation, digestion, immunity, neuroprotection, and reproductive health.

The three main components to the ECS are:

1. Endocannabinoids

2. Cannabinoid Receptors (CB1 and CB2)

3. Enzymes

CB1 receptors are found predominantly in the brain and spinal cord while the CB2 receptors are located in the gut, immune system, and periphery where is controls the immune response and reduces production of inflammatory markers in the body.

CB1 receptors are linked to pain, memory, neuroplasticity, neuroprotection, appetite, and motivation.  CB2 receptors control pain transmission, inflammation, gut function, energy balance through glucose and lipid metabolism, and reproductive health.

Cells in the body use cannabinoids in a precise way.  A strained ECS may lead to migraines, depression, anxiety, fibromyalgia, chronic pain, inflammation, auto-immune diseases, irritable bowl syndrome, skin issues, multiple sclerosis, and more.

CBD does not bind directly to either CB1 or CB2, but rather triggers production of the endocannabinoids that do bind to the receptors stimulating them.

Beta-caryophyllene is a terpene found in essential oils like black pepper, melissa, cloves, oregano, cinnamon, and most predominantly in copaiba.  This is structurally similar to the endocannabinoids and will bind selectively to just the CB2 receptors promoting a healthy inflammatory response throughout the body. 

To learn more about Copaiba click here.

How does CBD work?  It has been shown to bind to multiple receptors (Serotonin, dopamine, opioid, and more) promoting anti-anxiety effects as well as, decreased inflammation, pain transmission, seizures, anti-tumor effects, bone healing, and improved metabolism.

Things to consider.  As with ALL nutritional supplements, the biggest concern is absorption.  CBD in it's natural form is only 13-19% absorbed.  That means if you measure out a 50 mg dose you'll only absorb 6.5-9.5 mg. If taken with lipids (fats) your absorption will increase.  When taken orally, the CBD oils is heavily metabolized in the liver and broken down even more before hitting your blood stream.  So, you will receive even less.  To maximize absorption consider trying these other dosage forms:

1. 35% Oromucosal (absorbed through the mouth)
2. 34-46% Intranasal (through the nose)
3. 40% Vaporized (through the lungs)
4. 622% VeriSorb® Patented lipid-based delivery system

Sourcing and processing should be seriously considered.  It must be CLEAN (no plant growth regulators or pesticides), must not contain heavy metals, 0.3% or less of THC, correct concentration of CBD on the label, and no contaminates.  The product should be tested by a third- party laboratory to ensure that the advertised level of cannabinoids is accurate, as well as aid in confirming the batch size, date of creation, lack of contaminants, and lack of THC.

A good CBD product should be solvent free and use a CO2 extraction technique during production.  THC content should be 0.3% or lower and should match the claims on the label.  The product should use non-GMO seeds and be broad-spectrum.  And, it should be bioavailable.

Unfortunately, the industry has not been standardized, so it is difficult to find a product that meets all of the above criteria.  But now you have an arsenal of questions to ask when shopping for a product.  

I hope this has answered some of your questions!  For more information, here is the article I referred to and it has many references included.

 Click here to download a copy.

Nicole