Everything you need to know about CBD

CBD Dosage Guide

What is CBD and what does it do?

CBD has long been touted to help with anxiety, stress, depression, insomnia, arthritis, chronic pain, inflammatory disorders, headaches, and many other conditions and symptoms, and now these claims are becoming overwhelmingly supported by a growing volume of medical research. CBD is a holistic natural compound that works by supporting the body’s endocannabinoid system. This system helps maintain whole-body homeostasis — a healthy state of balance. This means that consuming CBD allows you to support your overall health as much as to address specific issues. Specifically, CBD is used to aid ailments like:

Muscular and joint pain, both chronic and temporary
Inflammation
Sleep problems & insomnia
Nausea and appetite loss

Like with any holistic supplement, we always recommend that you consult with your primary care physician before adding CBD to your wellness routine.

What’s the best way for me to use CBD?

There are four popular methods of taking CBD: sublingually (under the tongue), orally, topically, and through inhalation. Each method has a varied and specific purpose, giving us an amazing variety of options when choosing CBD products to ensure that we’re maximizing the benefits we feel. Here’s how they work:

Sublingual

Under-the-tongue administration has been a popular way to administer holistic remedies like essential oils for hundreds of years, which explains why it is still the most popular way to take CBD. In this administration method, drops of CBD-rich hemp oil are placed under the tongue and held for about 30-60 seconds, allowing the cannabidiol to absorb directly into the bloodstream through tiny capillaries. Sublingual administration is ideal for newer CBD users and people with whole body pain, as this method of absorptions has long-lasting effects of between 2 and 6 hours while maintaining effective and relatively quick absorption.

Oral

CBD edibles are quickly rising in popularity due to how easy and enjoyable this method is: after all, who wouldn’t want their supplements to come in chocolate bar or gummy bear form? Oral CBD is subject to what clinicians call first pass metabolism: the breakdown of therapeutic compounds in the digestive tract and the liver before they reach the bloodstream. Because of this, much of the CBD you take in oral form gets lost before it can take effect, explaining why oral preparations aren’t as popular as sublingual ones. Oral CBD can take a long time to kick in. While you may feel its effects within 30 minutes on an empty stomach, it can easily take an hour or even two if you recently ate. The oral route also has one key advantage: long duration of effects. CBD taken in this way can typically be felt for about four hours or longer, making CBD edibles great for people that need to feel long term benefits.

Topical

Topical CBD products range from balms, to creams, to salves, to soaps, and are fantastic for people that need relief for localized problem areas caused by injury or conditions like arthritis. CBD creams and balms are quickly becoming popular in sports and athletic communities, in part due to the fact that topical products don’t permeate the bloodstream.

Inhalation

Inhaling CBD is done through the use of CBD vaporizers. Rather than smoking CBD, vape devices turn CBD-containing e-liquid (also known as vape oil or juice) into a vapor that can be inhaled. The standout property of this administration method is rapid onset, meaning that the effects of vaping CBD can be felt almost instantaneously. Inhalation is a great way to take CBD for people who need immediate relief, such as those suffering from sudden anxiety attacks. Furthermore, inhaling CBD tends to have absorption rates that are similar to or even greater than the sublingual route.

CBD Need-to-Knows

Before deciding to introduce CBD into your holistic wellness routine, keep in mind the following info:

If you’re new to CBD, it’s always best to start with low doses (between 1-10 mg). Then, increase until you feel your desired effects.
CBD is absorbed by the body in ways that vary depending on your method of absorption: inhalation produces the quickest effects, topical application produces localized effects, and sublingual and oral administration produces long lasting but less potent benefits.
Unless taking CBD via topical administration, CBD is absorbed into the bloodstream, where it typically does appear on 10 panel drug tests.
Full spectrum CBD products are typically more potent than CBD isolate products thanks to the entourage effect: full spectrum CBD is prepared using whole plant cannabis preparations.
The only known side effect of a CBD overdose is drowsiness. It has not been clearly pinpointed how much CBD is required to feel negative effects, but studies have indicated that doses over 1,500mg have been tolerated by people.

FAQ

How often can I take CBD?

While it is nearly impossible to overdose on CBD, if you’re planning on incorporating it into your regular holistic wellness routine, you’ll want to ensure that you don’t build up too much of a tolerance to CBD to the point where it becomes ineffective. We would recommend taking CBD between 2-3 times a day orally, 2-4 times a day sublingually, and inhalation via vaping and topical application can be administered as necessary. Try to aim for the same dose each time.

Do I need to take CBD for a specific purpose?

No! Thanks to its myriad of health benefits, CBD can be taken as a holistic supplement simply to improve quality of life. If you decide to add CBD to your routine, try to stick to a low daily dose, just in case you need to use CBD for a specific purpose in the future.

Will CBD make me “high?”

Not at all. While CBD is derived from the cannabis plant, it feels more like an Advil than a joint, but with added holistic benefits.

Is CBD safe around pets?

Yes. Most mammals (including humans!) have endocannabinoid systems, systems of receptors throughout the body that interact with cannabinoids, and dogs are no exception. CBD behaves the same way in humans and dogs, so if Fido gets into your CBD cookies, the worst case scenario is that his joints don’t hurt.

HEMP:

The Underrated Hero of Holistic Wellness

You’ve heard of hemp, but now it’s time to learn about what hemp can do for you.

LET'S FIND OUT

CBD:

A Crash Course

You’ve heard about it from your holistically inclined friends, you’ve seen it in fashion magazines and the news, and now your mom won’t stop talking about it. But what is CBD, exactly?