CBD might just be the buzziest beauty term right now. From tinctures to lotions and everything in between, the chances something 4/20-related have popped up on your radar are...high. If you're confused where to start or aren't sure how many gummies you should be taking for insomnia, don't fret. We're here to guide you with the help of our panel of experts:
Dr. Richard Firshein
Leading expert in integrative and precision-based medicine and founder of Firshein Center.
Emily Heitman
COO/CMO of LEEF Organics, which sells 100 percent organic and non-GMO CBD skincare and body products.
Cindy Capobianco
Co-founder and president of Lord Jones, which sells CBD tinctures, gummies, capsules, and skincare.
Ahead, we ask them all the questions you've probably asked yourself, like "What is CBD?", "How much do I take?", and "What if it's not working?" Find all the information you need to know before you dip your toes into the cannabis hype. Consider this your unnoficial CBD for Dummies guide.
Cannabidoil/CBD is one out of over 100 phytocannabinoids found in the cannabis plants and in agricultural hemp, Firshein explains. It is the second most prevalent cannabinoid within the plant, making up about 40 percent of its extract.
CBD is one of more than 120 compounds that has been isolated in the cannabinoid family. Basically, cannabinoid receptors are distributed throughout the entire body, CBD’s effects however, are concentrated in the peripheral and immune systems, which give it unique analgesic benefits without the risk of addiction or side effects of other drugs.
Firshein told us that both Cannibis and hemp are derived from the same species, cannabis sativa. There are differences in the characteristics of the plant strains that produce industrial hemp and cannabis. In short, hemp is a strain of cannabis sativa that is grown primarily for industrial use. Hemp has potential uses in building materials, industrial uses, and biofuels. The cannabis sativa strain that produces the cannabis plant contains more Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) than strains that produce hemp.
CBD cannot get you high as it is a separate cannabinoid and does not contain THC, Firshein confirms. It is, again, only one out of over 100 cannabinoids found in cannabis and hemp plants.
You can't overdose on CBD, according to Firshein.
Broad spectrum CBD generally means it is made up of everything the plant contains. Broad spectrum CBD is full of terpenes, cannabinoids, flavonoids, and the fatty acids found in hemp. All of these have therapeutic value and create what is known as the “Entourage Effect” where you get more benefit if they’re all present.
According to recent studies, CBD may have a number of anti-inflammatory, anticonvulsants, anti-emetics benefits, as well as anti-insomnia effects. According to Firshein, its primary mechanism of action is as an anti-inflammatory.
CBD oil taken orally also has the benefit of reducing anxiety and in promoting restful sleep. According to studies performed on individuals with social anxiety disorder; about an hour and a half before periods of increased stress, CBD was able to reduce anxiety levels and improve speech performance without significantly decreasing alertness.
"Cannabis Sativa" is generally the classification of all plants in cannabis family whether it is marijuana or hemp—but hemp is what has been legalized as a source of CBD in most states. Cannabis sativa oil contains over 100 different cannabinoids—CBD is one of them, and one of the most studied. In essence, Cannabis Sativa products are beneficial but have effects that are potentially less predictable because they contain so many different ingredients.
The brand: Lord Jones
The products: Lotions, tinctures, and gummies
Lord Jones Old Fashioned CBD Gumdrops
Why we trust them: Lord Jones's knowledge of the cannabis plant and all of its many compounds stems from their co-founder and president Cindy Capobianco's experience of having run a medical marijuana collective for several years. She worked directly with patients prior to launching hemp derived CBD products. "Everything we know about the cannabis plant, we learned though working with those patients who suffered from very serious serious conditions including cancer, AIDS, autoimmune disease, migraines and chronic pain," explains Capobianco. "As a result, education is the single most important pillar of our brand as we are fortunate enough to understand the inner workings of this complex plant and the positive impact it has on people's lives.”
Additionally, Lord Jones very clearly labels products with the word 'CBD' to ensure that customers know the exact the amount of CBD each product contains and the precise CBD dosage per use.
How much should you take? “For first time users, it is best to take the recommended ingestible dosage (i.e. one gum drop, one gel capsule or one dropper of Tincture) without having any alcohol in your system to have a baseline of how your body reacts," explains Capobianco.
How do you know it's working? “Most people feel a subtle shift in their mood and overall disposition when taking ingesting CBD for the first time and many people equate the experience to how they feel after a yoga class," Capobianco says. "Others report that distracting thoughts begin to diminish when taking CBD."
The brand: Potli
The products: Chili oil, olive oil, and honey
Hemp Infused Cold-Pressed EVOO.
Why we trust them: Potli began as a cannabis company in California developing products for dispensaries. The company took the same quality standards and regulations over to the hemp-derived CBD side of the business.
Potli decided to create cannabis-infused food ingredients instead of traditional edibles like candies and chocolates so that users could have healthier and more versatile options. All the ingredients in the products themselves are the highest quality and the company's flagship honey even comes from their own beehives in Northern California!
How much should you take? CBD honey and olive oil come in 10mg and 15mg infusions per tablespoon, respectively. Chili oils are available in 15 ml vials to add a bit of spice to your meal.
How do you know it's working? "Everyone's sensitivity and response to CBD is different, but it's generally agreed upon that you feel relaxed and centered," explains Yi. " I always recommend that if you don't feel the CBD- whether it's a mental of physical impact you're expecting, you should wait 2 hours but then feel welcome to treat yourself to more."
The brand: LEEF Organics
The products: Lotions, tinctures, and soap
Why we trust them: The farm to lifestyle brand go far above and beyond the standard FDA labeling requirements and elevate the standardized lab testing on every batch by testing the soil monthly and evaluating the plant at every growth cycle. LEEF tests for 17 pesticides, microbial, potency and heavy metals.
How much should you take? LEEF recommends 5mg per day for maintenance and preventative care. LEEF also notes that CBD is truly custom and works a little differently for everyone.
How do you know it's working? "My rule of thumb especially with CBD is to mark the calendar when you first start taking CBD," says Heitman. "Remember most imbalances within the body didn’t happen overnight, so we can’t expect a sudden miracle, subtle changes are what we are after for sustainability." If you're not feeling the impact, Heitman advises on taking more.
