Lucky Elk Guide to CBD

By now, you’ve probably heard someone mention CBD. Since the 2018 Federal Farm Bill legalized the production of hemp nationwide, the market has enjoyed an influx of readily available CBD. Despite all the publicity, though, many people are unsure of what CBD is, how it can help them, and if it’s even legal. If you’re looking to try CBD but aren’t sure where to start – we’ve put together some of the best research and content out there in here to get you started!

What is CBD?

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a naturally occurring compound found in the resinous flower of cannabis, a plant with a rich history as a medicine going back thousands of years. Today the therapeutic properties of CBD are being tested and confirmed by scientists and doctors around the world. A safe, non-addictive substance, CBD is one of more than a hundred “phytocannabinoids,” which are unique to cannabis and endow the plant with its robust therapeutic profile.

CBD is closely related to another important medicinally active phytocannabinoid: tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the compound that causes the high that cannabis is famous for. These are the two components of cannabis that have been most studied by scientists.

Both CBD and THC have significant therapeutic attributes. But unlike THC, CBD does not make a person feel “stoned” or intoxicated. That’s because CBD and THC act in different ways on different receptors in the brain and body.

CBD can actually lessen or neutralize the psychoactive effects of THC, depending on how much of each compound is consumed. Many people want the health benefits of cannabis without the high – or with less of a high. The fact that CBD is therapeutically potent as well as non-intoxicating, and easy to take as a CBD oil, makes it an appealing treatment option for those who are cautious about trying cannabis for the first time. 

How does CBD work?

CBD and THC interact with our bodies in a variety of ways. One of the main ways is by mimicking and augmenting the effects of the compounds in our bodies called “endogenous cannabinoids” - so named because of their similarity to compounds found in the cannabis plant. These “endocannabinoids” are part of what scientists refer to as the “endocannabinoid system.”

The discovery of the endocannabinoid system has significantly advanced our understanding of health and disease. It has major implications for nearly every area of medical science and helps to explain how and why CBD and THC are such versatile compounds – and why cannabis is such a widely consumed plant, despite its illegal status.

The endocannabinoid system plays a crucial role in regulating a broad range of physiological processes that affect our everyday experience – our mood, our energy level, our intestinal fortitude, immune activity, blood pressure, bone density, glucose metabolism, how we experience pain, stress, hunger, and more.

What happens if the endocannabinoid system doesn’t function properly? What are the consequences of a chronically deficient or overactive endocannabinoid system?

In a word, disease.

Cutting-edge science has shown that the endocannabinoid system is dysregulated in nearly all pathological conditions. Thus, it stands to reason that “modulating endocannabinoid system activity may have therapeutic potential in almost all diseases affecting humans,” as Pal Pacher and George Kunos, scientists with the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), suggested in a 2014 publication.

By modulating the endocannabinoid system and enhancing endocannabinoid tone, CBD and THC can slow – or in some cases stop – disease progression. 

CBD Hemp Flower Benefits

How to Consume CBD

CBD is available in several different forms. This allows people to tailor their method of use to their specific needs. Here are the most common forms of CBD:

Vaping

Inhaling vaporized CBD oil, like e-cigs for CBD, is the fastest way to experience effects. Compounds are inhaled and absorbed directly from the lungs into the bloodstream. The jury is still out, though, on whether vaping does damage to delicate lung tissue. Proceed with caution if you choose to vape CBD.

How much CBD should I take?

You should generally start with a low dosage and go slow with increasing your dose. There may also be variations in actual CBD content between products. Use caution when starting a new package or switching dose forms. According to Lindsay Slowiczek, PharmD, “It’s important to start with a low dose until you know how your body will react to CBD. A wide range of CBD dosages has been tested in clinical studies, but more evidence is needed before safe and effective dose recommendations can be made for specific uses.”

“For now, use the product’s recommended dose unless your doctor gives you the go-ahead to take larger doses,” she continued. “People with certain health conditions may need lower doses to avoid serious side effects.”

When considering dosage, here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Talk with your doctor about the best product and dose.

• Many oils come in 1 milligram per drop concentration, so increasing dosage is straightforward. But be sure to read product labels closely to ensure you know what amount each drop provides.

• Gummies can also come in standard doses, often 5 milligrams per gummy. But be sure to clarify this before changing your dose.

• Vape oil dosing can also be tricky. It depends on exactly how much you inhale and the concentration of the vaping liquid.

• Use creams and lotions sparingly at first.