What is CBD and how is it used?
- What is CBD?
- Effects of CBD
- Therapeutic potential: what is CBD used for?
- Ways of using CBD
- How long do the effects of CBD last?
- How to dose CBD correctly?
- How long does CBD stay in the body?
- How to choose a suitable CBD product?
- Conclusion
What is CBD?
CBD stands for cannabidiol, the second most abundant component of the cannabis plant after tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). CBD is found in higher concentrations in the upper third of the plant, mainly in the canes and upper leaves. It is extracted from the cannabis plant by one of the extraction methods, either by carbon dioxide (CO2), using solvents, or by extraction from vegetable oils. CBD extracted using CO2 is considered to be of the highest quality.
The cannabinoids found in cannabis such as CBD, THC, CBN and CBG are called phytocannabinoids. CBD and THC are chemically related, having the same molecular formula: C21H30O2. However, they have differently arranged atoms, so each of these substances acts differently on the body.
CBD is non-psychoactive and does not cause 'highs', whereas THC produces psychoactive effects.
The amount of THC in cannabis determines whether the plant is viewed as an addictive substance, i.e. marijuana, or as cannabis. In the Czech Republic, the maximum permitted limit is 1% THC, while in the EU the limit is set at 0.3% THC on a dry basis.
Effects of CBD
Scientists have found that most of the effects of cannabinoids depend on how they interact with the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in the body. This complex, intricate network regulates various activities in the body, such as sleep, mood, appetite, movement coordination, immunity and pain perception. The main role of the ECS is to maintain balance - homeostasis. The ECS is made up of endocannabinoid receptors, the best known being CB1 and CB2, endocannabinoids and enzymes.
The body makes its own endocannabinoids, which bind to the 2 main endocannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2, and act on the body through them. Once the endocannabinoids have done their job, enzymes come into play to break them down, getting rid of the excess ones.
Endocannabinoid receptors are found mainly in the brain, but also in the skin and other organs.
CBD, unlike THC, does not bind to receptors directly and rather acts as a modulator of CB1 and CB2 receptors. CBD also affects the ECS by inhibiting the enzyme FAAH, which is responsible for the breakdown of the endocannabinoid anandamide, leading to an increase in brain levels of anandamide. Anandamide, or the bliss molecule, is considered a mood-enhancing substance and may also be involved in the function of various body processes such as pain, appetite and memory.
CBD also triggers other receptor systems, such as vanilloid receptors and the serotonin system. Specifically, it targets the serotonin 1A (or 5-HT1A) receptor, whose function is, among other things, to control anxiety and stress. Therefore, CBD appears to be useful in the treatment of psychiatric disorders (depression, anxiety disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder).
Another receptor that CBD activates is called the vanilloid receptor type 1 (TRPV1), and this is involved in pain and inflammation perception. It appears that the inhibitory effect of cannabidiol on TRPV1 could alleviate pain.
- pain and inflammation relief
- alleviation of skin problems (e.g. psoriasis)
- promoting overall mental health
- improving muscle recovery
- improving sleep
Therapeutic potential: what is CBD used for?
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Therapeutic potential |
Link to the study |
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Mental health (anxiety, stress and depression) |
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Chronic neuropathic and inflammatory pain |
Cannabinoids suppress inflammatory and neuropathic pain by acting on α3-glycine receptors |
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Arthritis |
Cannabidiol as a treatment for arthritis and joint pain: an exploratory cross-sectional study |
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Diabetes |
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Skin diseases (acne, psoriasis, eczema) |
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Intestinal diseases such as Crohn's disease |
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Neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis) |
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Schizophrenia |
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Antibiotic-resistant infections |
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Tumour diseases |
Ways of using CBD
With a range of CBD products on the market, you can choose a method of consumption that suits your needs and lifestyle. Below you will find 5 different ways in which CBD can be consumed.
- Oral administration - sublingual (dripping under the tongue) or oral administration (e.g. swallowing a capsule)
- Vaporisation or smoking of CBD flowers
- Application of CBD on the skin
- Adding CBD to food or drink
- Chewing
How long do the effects of CBD last?
The intensity and duration of the effects will depend on several factors such as age, body proportions, sensitivity, metabolism, experience, as well as the specific product and CBD concentration.
When consumed as sublingual oils or tinctures, the effects of CBD can last 2-4 hours. CBD can also be taken orally in the form of capsules, edibles or added to food and drink, and when taken orally, the effects of CBD can last 4-6 hours. When CBD is vaporised, the effects generally last 2-3 hours.
CBD can also be applied externally in the form of patches, creams, oils and ointments. Usually, the effects can be felt for 2-4 hours.
How to dose CBD correctly?
The appropriate dose of cannabidiol is always an individual matter.
3 simple guidelines on how to properly dose CBD include:
- Start with a small dose: When starting with CBD, start with the lowest dose possible and observe how your body responds.
- Consider your weight.
- Consult a professional: If you have any medical conditions, always consult a doctor or cannabis retailer before using CBD.
Read more about dosage in the article: How to properly dose CBD.
How long does CBD stay in the body?
CBD, like THC, is fat-soluble, so it is stored in the body's fat cells for some time after consumption. How long CBD stays in the body depends on the amount, but also on your age, weight and metabolism, and how often you take CBD.
If you consume CBD regularly, it will take longer for your body to eliminate it. For newcomers, CBD can be expected to remain in the body for 3-5 days. If taken regularly, CBD can stay in the body for about 14 days. As for drug tests, these are primarily to look for THC and its metabolites, so CBD will not show up in the tests.
How to choose a suitable CBD product?
If you're wondering how to choose the right CBD product, it's a good idea to start with whether you want full-spectrum, broad-spectrum or CBD isolate. This designation is determined by the content of other cannabinoids and phytonutrients:
- Full spectrum: contains CBD and other cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids and other ingredients, including minimal amounts of THC.
- Broad spectrum: does not contain THC but contains other cannabinoids (CBC, CBN, CBG and CBDA); phytocompounds vary by manufacturer.
- Isolate: contains only CBD.
CBD isolates have the longest shelf life and are considered the purest form. The higher the purity of CBD, the longer the shelf life of the product. Full-spectrum and broad-spectrum CBD products contain more plant material and biologically active substances and therefore have a shorter shelf life.
In the case of full spectrum and broad spectrum products, there can be an 'entourage effect'. The entourage effect is a theory that says that individual cannabinoids and other active substances complement each other and this can increase the overall effect.
CBD oil
CBD oils and drops are hemp extract products, a combination of a cannabinoid extract from the cannabis plant and a carrier (carrier oil). Carriers are used to dilute the CBD and improve bioavailability. The most commonly used oils are vegetable glycerin or vegetable oils such as MCT (coconut, palm oil), olive, avocado, sunflower or hemp seed oil.
CBD oils and drops are sold in different concentrations, from 2.5-40%. For example, a CBD oil with 5% means that 5% of the content is CBD and the remaining 95% is made up of the carrier. So a 15 ml bottle contains 0,75 ml of CBD, which is equivalent to 750 mg of CBD. This concentration of CBD, or a maximum of 10%, is ideal if you are a beginner.
CBD capsules
If you don't like the taste of CBD oils, CBD capsules can be an excellent alternative. Not only are the gel or gelatin capsules convenient and very easy to use, but they also make dosing easy as you know exactly how much CBD each capsule contains.
However, compared to sublingual administration, it has to pass through the digestive tract, so it takes longer for the active ingredient to enter the bloodstream, and the effects of CBD take longer than CBD oils and drops. As with CBD oils, there are different concentrations to choose from.
CBD foods (edibles) and beverages, especially CBD gummies, candies, sweets, and other CBD-infused snacks, are also a convenient and tasty way to take the cannabinoid.
CBD vapes
CBD vaporisation heats the substances to a temperature that releases the active ingredients but does not burn the material. The active ingredients are released through the vapour that the user inhales. Usually, the effects occur within 5-10 minutes.
CBD vapes contain a pre-filled cartridge (cartridge) with liquid. The liquid usually consists of CBD distillate, possibly other cannabinoids and natural terpenes. You can choose from popular cannabis varieties (Zkittles, OG Kush, Super Lemon Haze and Durban Gelato) and different concentrations.
Application of CBD on the skin
Cannabidiol can also be applied externally in the form of patches, creams, oils and ointments. CBD cosmetics are growing in popularity as cannabidiol has the ability to heal irritated skin and help with skin conditions such as diaper rash, eczema, psoriasis and various forms of acne.
CBD patches are transdermal patches that slowly release the cannabinoid into the blood through the skin.
Conclusion
The renowned effects of CBD include relieving pain and inflammation, promoting mental well-being, alleviating skin problems and improving sleep. CBD is non-psychoactive and you can choose a method that suits you. There are several ways to take it, namely sublingual or oral administration, vaping or application directly to the skin.
Choosing the right CBD product depends on the user's preferences or health condition. There are 3 basic types of products based on the content of other cannabinoids and phytonutrients: full-spectrum, broad-spectrum and CBD isolate. They are available on the market CBD oils and drops, tinctures, CBD capsules, edibles and beverages, CBD vapes, flowers, concentrates and ext racts, CBD patches, cosmetics and Nano CBD, which has better absorption, i.e. higher bioavailability than oils and tinctures, namely 80-90%.
Dosage is an individual matter, always start with the smallest dose possible and observe how your body reacts.
Author: HotHouse Cucumber
Photo: Shutterstock
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