People use CBD for relief from ailments both serious and everyday.
There are no three hotter letters in cannabis right now than C-B-D.
Cannabidiol, the plant’s second-most abundant cannabinoid, has been studied as therapy for a spectrum of serious conditions, from epileptic seizures and chronic inflammation to the neuropathic pain of multiple sclerosis and diabetes.
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CBD has also been examined as a potential “exit” drug in addiction studies, a rare ray of hope in the opioid crisis.
As cannabis continues to go mainstream, CBD is finding its way into beauty, skincare, and pain relief topicals, touting its potential anti-inflammation properties. More bodybuilders, mixed martial arts fighters, and athletic trainers are openly using and endorsing CBD—no longer banned in most sports as of 2018—as a booster for both workout energy and recovery.
But more likely to earn CBD products a place in our medicine cabinets is their potential as a gentle, natural, non-pharmaceutical option for people seeking relief from sleeplessness, pain, stress and anxiety, and many other everyday modern afflictions. Even our pets may be getting relief from CBD!
There’s so much CBD may do—but one thing it does not.
At least not in the way we’re used to thinking about what “high” means. That’s the role of CBD’s famous cannabinoid cousin, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive yang to CBD’s yin. And as with darkness and light, their relationship can be complex, co-dependent, and stubbornly paradoxical.
CBD is not intoxicating by itself, yet it interacts with our body’s signaling networks both within and outside the endocannabinoid system. Some who use it describe a sense of well-being, an overall calm and relaxed state that’s not quite a buzz but not exactly nothing, either. CBD has been studied as a sleep aid, but for many, daytime use won’t impart drowsiness—just relaxation.
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Could CBD help balance out your THC high?
Pair CBD with THC and things get even more mysterious and contradictory. But the two were clearly meant to be together.
For instance, cannabis strains or products that contain both CBD and THC may impart stronger pain-fighting and other beneficial effects—but our understanding is still developing.
While it was once taken as a fact that CBD mitigated potential side effects of THC, including anxiety and paranoia, recent studies dispute this idea. Still, some insist that CBD mitigates the psychoactive effects of THC, if not necessarily in a way that’s linear or straightforward. Its presence may tone down THC’s high and harsh notes and help clear up confused thinking, but it can also amplify certain signals reaching the cannabinoid receptors throughout our brains and bodies.
Throw in the subtle influence of dozens of other non-intoxicating cannabinoids and terpenes, the oily compounds that give different plants and cannabis strains their unique fragrances, and you have the “entourage effect,” an elaborate symphony of reactions with the human endocannabinoid system that, led by the famed THC, eludes easy classification.
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How do you take it?
Any way you can consume THC, you can also take CBD. CBD-only products come in various forms, including sublingual oils and tinctures, all-in-one vaporizers, gummies, and other edibles. While CBD concentrates exist, they’re relatively rare—pure CBD is clear and has a crystalline structure.
When using CBD, it’s important to note that most pure CBD products on the market are derived from hemp. In 2018, US law legalized the sale of hemp-derived products, including CBD. Hemp naturally contains a good amount of CBD while keeping THC levels at or below the legal limit of 0.3%, making it a reliable source of this beneficial compound. In contrast, CBD extracted from cannabis may contain higher levels of THC, potentially exceeding the federal 0.3% threshold.
You can also get a decent amount of CBD from smoking flower strains that have it in abundance, but high-CBD cannabis strains—mostly indicas—still contain THC, making it impossible to avoid its psychoactive effects completely. The same applies to cannabis-derived CBD vapes, which offer a convenient and intuitive way to consume CBD while still containing some THC, so careful attention to dosing should be taken into consideration when consuming hemp- versus cannabis-derived CBD.
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Beyond the more common methods, there are plenty of other ways to access CBD. The cannabinoid finds its way into various edibles, including mints, tablets, and gummies. CBD tinctures and oils are usually administered with a dropper, either directly into your favorite foods or beverages or right under the tongue and held for about a minute before being swallowed.
Many prefer the sublingual method, which speeds up absorption from roughly 45 – 90 minutes to around 15 – 30 minutes. However, be mindful that many of these products may contain varying levels of THC, depending on where the CBD was derived. Labeling conventions aren’t consistent across brands, so always read carefully to know exactly what you’re getting.
As for dosing, CBD guidelines are similar to THC: 10 mg is a good starting point for edibles, though you may find that higher doses are necessary to achieve the desired effects, particularly with pain and anxiety relief.
The good news? Unlike THC, there doesn’t appear to be an upper limit on how much CBD the body can tolerate. Several small studies have found no adverse reaction or toxicity associated with CBD doses as high as 1,500 milligrams—10 or 100 times more than the average consumer might take in a day.
As with THC, if you’re trying CBD for the first time, it’s a good idea to start with a small dose and work your way up until you’ve achieved the desired effect.
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Shop California’s best CBD
While it may not grab the same spotlight as its cousin THC, CBD is a secondary cannabinoid with a surprising range of potential benefits. CBD is known for its gentle, subtly relaxing effects and is available in various forms—including vapes, tinctures, edibles, pre-rolls, and more.
As CBD continues to gain popularity, our understanding of it will, too. However, no amount of research can predict exactly what CBD will do for you—the best way to find out is through personal experience. Whether you’re exploring CBD for a loved one experiencing seizures, looking for support when quitting smoking, or seeking a natural sleep aid that won’t leave you groggy, experimentation is key.
Ready to try CBD for yourself? Shop our CBD Collection today for flower, vapes, tinctures, edibles, and so much more.