What is CBD? – Beginner’s guide to taking CBD oil (Part 1)
Estimated reading time: 9 minutes
Introduction
What is CBD? Deciding to try CBD products is unfamiliar territory for most people and throws up lots of questions with often long and complicated answers. In this beginner's guide to taking CBD oil, we will answer some of the most commonly asked questions, such as:
- Is it safe to take CBD?
- What could CBD help treat?
- And how much CBD should you take?
More and more people are turning to CBD oil for relief from an array of ailments, including inflammation, anxiety, chronic pain, and irritable bowel syndrome. If you are curious about the benefits you might enjoy by taking CBD oil but are brand new to using it, don't worry – just read on. In this article we talk about How to take CBD, we find out if it is safe to take CBD and ask: can you give CBD to your pet? Read on, and you will soon become an expert to taking CBD.
What is CBD?
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a naturally occurring compound found in the resinous flower of cannabis/hemp, a plant with a rich history as 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 gives the plant its robust therapeutic profile.
CBD is closely related to another important medicinally active phytocannabinoid: tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is the compound that causes the high, that cannabis is famous for.
Many people are seeking alternatives to pharmaceuticals with harsh side effects – “medicine” more in sync with natural processes. By tapping into how we function biologically on a deep level, CBD could provide relief for a long list of ailments.
How to choose the right CBD Brand!
Because CBD products are not yet regulated by the Governments, not all brands or products can be trusted for their safety or effectiveness. This leaves it up to you to do enough homework to differentiate one from the other.
But how do you tell which CBD products will do what they say from those that you're probably best avoiding because, not only do they not work, but they could potentially do you harm?
- Checklist:
- Where is the Hemp from?
- Is it grown organically?
- How is it extracted? (Should be CO2 extracted)
- Is it full spectrum?
- Is it 3rd party lab tested?
- Does the website seem trustworthy?
- Can you find any reviews of the product?
- Test the customer service by writing to them asking questions
If all of the above seem to be in order, and you feel comfortable buying the product, then it probably is OK.
More from our CBD Experts
What could CBD help treat?
CBD is relatively new and only a few scientific studies have been made. Such studies take a long time and are very expensive to make. Most of the information is anecdotal, and we can of course not promise anything.
Cannabidiol (CBD) brings homeostasis (balance) back into the body so that it is capable to heal itself. Therefore, it is not the CBD that does the healing – it is our amazing body that gets the tools (cannabinoids) to do the healing. Some people need a lot of CBD and others a little, to experience the same healing powers. CBD has shown to help with:
- Inflammation (arthritis, sports injuries, Fibromyalgia etc.)
- High Blood pressure
- Pain
- IBS, Crohn's Disease
- Migraines
- Anxiety and Depression
- Better Sleep
- Increase Bone density
- Asthma
- Psoriasis, Eczema and Acne
- Better life quality to cancer patients
- Fighting fungus
Remember that all is VERY individual, how and how fast you react to CBD. You need the patience to feel the effects of CBD, as it doesn't work as conventional medication. You need to fill up your own endocannabinoid system – and that is as individual as, ex. your pain threshold.
How to take CBD!
Once you have chosen the right brand, you can now venture into finding out which product you want to choose. You then have a few options, and we are going to explore them here:
Orally in forms of oil
The most popular form of CBD oil delivery is sublingual, this is due to the high bioavailability of the mucous membranes found in the mouth and under the tongue. Some people, who try CBD oil, don't find the taste particularly pleasing. In other words, if putting CBD oil or paste under your tongue doesn't work for you, maybe try another delivery method. Taking CBD in capsule form works very well too.
Inhalation or Vaping
If you are taking CBD to help any condition related to your lungs or airways, you may want to try vaporizing CBD. This form of administration is inhaled and absorbed directly into the bloodstream through the lungs. For instance, done via an e-cigarette or a vaporizer.
Topical Application
Topical CBD can come in a number of forms, like an oil, salve, lotion, or even a patch. When you have an area of the body that's in pain, you can use topical CBD the way you would a lotion to help combat the discomfort. You need to apply it liberally. In addition, choosing a product with a high concentration of CBD and making sure that you apply enough to get into your skin's pores, will give you the best results.
Eat your CBD
Though it might take longer for CBD edibles to kick in – anywhere between 30 minutes to two hours – the result is that the effects last longer than with inhalation. Generally, with edibles, the compound is combined with other food products. As a result, the CBD is released more slowly and over an extended period as food is digested
Through the Bellybutton
Many people don't know about this Ayurvedic method of applying oils in and around the belly button. This technique is called the Pechoti intake method. According to Ayurvedic text, it's said that the Pechoti gland is located behind the belly button. It is believed that every human has a Pechoti gland, and it is connected to more than 70 million nerves, tissues, and organs throughout the body. Yes, 70 MILLION!
Video – How to use CBD through the belly bottom
Is it safe to take CBD?
Generally speaking – it is safe for most people to take daily CBD, but there are a few precautions you should be aware of before adding it to your daily routine.
If you're considering using CBD oil, you should speak to your GP or another healthcare professional to ensure that it is safe and appropriate for you to do so.
This is particularly important if you are experiencing any concerning symptoms, therefore if you have any pre-existing conditions or if you are taking any medication including blood thinning medication and calcium channel blockers.
Although the use of CBD is controversial, it seems to be tolerated by most people. However, it has caused hypotension and light-headedness in a few people. As it does not contain large amounts of the THC part of the cannabis plant, the oil will not induce a ‘high'.
To make absolutely sure you are taking CBD the right way, we recommend to “start low and go slow” – this meaning to start with a low dosage (small amount of drops) and slowly increase the daily amount, until you experience the desired effect.
How much CBD should I take? – CBD dosage explained!
This is a very common question – but unfortunately, there is no direct answer. We all are different, with unique DNA and body composition.
There are countless variables such as weight, diet, metabolism, genetics, environment, product consistency, and more that make a universally prescribed CBD dosage impossible.
Having said that, most people who are new to cannabidiol begin their journey by starting with the minimal suggested CBD dosage on any product, then gradually increasing the dose until they achieve the desired results.
CBD dosage explained!
Analysis suggests increasing the amount of CBD you take every 1–2 weeks by 25 mg until you find symptom relief. Counteracting with a decrease by 25 mg if symptoms worsen
Additionally, you might find it useful to record your daily experiences in a notebook, so you can accurately narrow in on what works and feels best for you.
Our motto is:
START LOW AND GO SLOW…. This means to start on a low dosage (amount of drops) and keep increasing the dosage every few days until you find the relief you are looking for. Too much CBD can worsen your symptoms!
To be continued…..
There is so much more to be discussed, and next week we will continue with Part 2 on our beginner's guide to taking CBD oil. We will cover questions such as: Do you get “high” with CBD? – CBD and regular drug testing! – Side effects? – Pets etc. We can't wait to share all the secrets and important information with you. Stay tuned!
I am a certified expert in Medicinal Cannabis. We are all about giving correct and trustworthy information. We know how important it is to learn about CBD and cannabis, which is why we want to be your go-to source for trustworthy information. We help you improve your health by using our knowledge and experience as a starting point.
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