CBD is a compound that has surged in popularity in the past decade. You can find CBD sodas, lotions, vapes, supplements, and more these days. But without an understanding of CBD, it's hard to know which products to buy — if any.
Learn about CBD, its benefits and side effects, and what to look for when purchasing a high-quality and trusted CBD product.
What is CBD?
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-intoxicating cannabinoid, or chemical compound, found in cannabis. Cannabidiol is the second-most abundant cannabinoid in the plant after tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). It has many potential therapeutic benefits, including anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-anxiety, and seizure-suppressant properties.
You can find three main types of CBD products online and in dispensaries:
- Full-spectrum: CBD that contains all the naturally occurring compounds found in the cannabis or hemp plant it's sourced from. The final product of full-spectrum CBD also includes trace amounts of THC, other cannabinoids like CBG and CBN, and terpenes. By containing the full suite of chemicals in the plant, full-spectrum CBD products are more likely to produce the "entourage effect," in which the compounds work together to enhance potential therapeutic benefits. They may also produce mildly psychoactive effects due to the trace amounts of THC, usually less than 0.3%.
- Broad-spectrum: Manufacturers of broad-spectrum CBD products reduce the THC content to non-detectable levels, typically less than 0.01%. However, it still contains a wide range of cannabinoids, terpenes, and other potentially beneficial compounds in the source cannabis plant.
- Isolate: CBD isolate is the purest form of CBD. These products only contain CBD and no other cannabis compounds. Several rounds of processing result in a crystalline, white powder that is 99%+ pure CBD.
The history of CBD
Like many cannabinoids, the origin story of CBD's popularity began in a lab. In 1940, the Harvard-trained organic chemist Roger Adams successfully extracted CBD from cannabis for the first time. By 1963, Dr. Raphael Mechoulam, known as the “godfather of cannabis research,” took the baton from Adams and described the chemical structure of CBD. This advancement helped create a foundation for understanding not only CBD, but THC as well. Mechoulam's discovery of CBD's chemical structure contributed to demystifying THC's chemical structure in 1964. His research linked psychoactive and euphoric effects to THC and dissociated CBD as an intoxicating compound.
As a result, CBD remained overshadowed by its intoxicating counterpart throughout the mid-20th century as researchers predominantly focused on THC's psychoactive effects. It wasn't until the late 20th and early 21st centuries that scientists began actively exploring the potential therapeutic benefits of CBD, leading to a resurgence of interest in this non-intoxicating cannabinoid. Today, CBD is at the forefront of many studies, clinical trials, and discussions surrounding its applications for various health conditions and wellness purposes.
How is CBD made?
CBD is extracted from either cultivated hemp or low-THC cannabis strains.
- Cannabis-derived: Cannabis-derived CBD is extracted from cannabis plants that are generally grown and consumed for their intoxicating properties. US law defines intoxicating cannabis plants as containing more than 0.3% THC. While THC is the predominant cannabinoid in most weed plants, several strains are richer in CBD than THC, such as AC/DC and Cannatonic.
- Hemp-derived: Hemp-derived oil and CBD products are sourced from industrial hemp plants grown primarily for their fiber and seeds. These plants tend to differ from cannabis plants in appearance; they are often skinny and have sparse foliage. Hemp is also differentiated from cannabis by its low levels of THC. The 2018 Farm Bill outlines that a hemp plant must contain no more than 0.3% THC.
After harvesting the plant's flowers and leaves, extractors separate the CBD from the plant using methods like CO2 extraction, solventless extraction, or oil infusion. CBD undergoes refinement processes following extraction to isolate it from other compounds and remove impurities. Extractors then add the purified CBD back to products from oils and capsules to creams and edibles.
CBD vs. THC: What's the difference?
CBD and THC are two of the most well-known and studied cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant, but have several key differences:
- Effects: THC is intoxicating, meaning it's responsible for the high or euphoric sensation weed produces. It binds to cannabinoid receptors in the brain, altering perception, mood, and consciousness. CBD is non-intoxicating, meaning it does not produce a high. It does not bind strongly to the same receptors as THC, so it doesn't produce the same psychoactive effects.
- Legality: THC is classified as a controlled substance in the US. It's legal for medical and/or recreational use only in the regions where cannabis use is legal. CBD derived from hemp plants with less than 0.3% THC is legal in all 50 states, while CBD derived from cannabis remains subject to local legal restrictions.
- Potential therapeutic benefits: THC has been used for its purported analgesic (pain-relieving), anti-nausea, and appetite-stimulating properties. It's prescribed in some medical treatments, particularly for chronic pain, chemotherapy-induced nausea, and muscle spasms in conditions like multiple sclerosis. CBD has gained attention for having potential therapeutic properties without causing intoxication. It's being explored for its anti-inflammatory, anti-anxiety, antipsychotic, and anticonvulsant properties. It's commonly used in products for conditions like anxiety, epilepsy, and chronic pain.
- Potential side effects: As mentioned, THC has intoxicating properties, which can cause side effects such as impaired coordination, memory and cognitive issues, and increased heart rate. It may also lead to anxiety or paranoia in some individuals, especially at high doses. CBD is generally considered well-tolerated and has a low risk of side effects. Some consumers have reported mild side effects like drowsiness, dry mouth, and changes in appetite.
How to consume CBD
There are several ways to consume CBD. Consider these common methods:
- Oral: CBD oils, edibles, drinks, and tinctures are some of the most popular and versatile ways to consume CBD. For fast, sublingual absorption, you can place a few drops of CBD oil or tincture under your tongue and hold it there for 30 - 60 seconds before swallowing. Capsules, soft gels, edibles, and drinks provide a convenient and precise way to take CBD. They offer consistent dosing but may take longer to go into effect compared to sublingual methods.
- Inhalation: Vaping CBD involves inhaling vaporized CBD liquids using a vape pen or tabletop vaporizer. Vaping provides a quick onset of effects but may not be suitable for everyone due to potential lung health concerns associated with vaping. The same concern applies to smoking high-CBD strains via pipe, bong, or joint.
- Topical: CBD creams, balms, and lotions are designed for potential localized relief of pain, inflammation, and skin issues. They do not enter the bloodstream and are primarily used for surface-level relief.
How to dose CBD
While further research is required to pinpoint the optimal CBD dosage for each individual, existing studies can help narrow down the best dosages for certain ailments and medical conditions. For instance, Mayo Clinic, the US-based nonprofit academic medical center, released a review that can be used as a starting point for THC and CBD dosage measurements.
Based on information in the review, starting with a dose of 2.5 - 10 milligrams of CBD may be helpful to reduce anxiety, or 160 milligrams for inflammation. If you have any underlying medical conditions or are taking other medications, consult a healthcare professional before consumption.
How long do CBD's effects last?
The duration of CBD's effects can vary widely from person to person, depending on several factors. Here's a general overview of how long the effects of CBD may last for different methods of consumption:
- Oral: When you consume CBD orally via edibles, drinks, and tinctures, it usually takes around 30 minutes to two hours for any observable effects to kick in. After that, the effects of orally ingested CBD can last anywhere from 4 - 6 hours. However, depending on the dose, some individuals may experience prolonged effects lasting up to eight hours or more.
- Inhalation: Vaping or smoking CBD provides the quickest onset of effects, usually within a few minutes. However, the effects of inhaled CBD also tend to be shorter-lived, lasting around 1 - 3 hours.
- Topical: When applying CBD topically, your skin absorbs the CBD, which means it may take some time to penetrate and interact with the endocannabinoid receptors in the skin. The effects of topical CBD (like potential pain relief) are generally localized and may last several hours. However, they do not typically enter the bloodstream, so the duration can vary depending on factors like skin type and the specific product.
Is CBD legal?
In the US, hemp-derived CBD products with less than 0.3% THC are legal at the federal level, thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill. This bill removed hemp from the US's list of controlled substances.
That said, individual state laws regarding CBD vary widely. Some states have stricter regulations on where you can buy CBD products and how you can use them, while others are more lax. Cannabis-derived CBD is subject to state-specific medical and recreational cannabis laws. Check your local laws before purchasing CBD products.
What is CBD used for?
Research into CBD has been conducted for the following conditions:
- Pain relief and anti-inflammation: According to research in the National Library of Medicine, when CBD is introduced to our endocannabinoid system, it prevents the body from absorbing a pain-regulating compound known as anandamide, an endogenous cannabinoid. Inhibiting the absorption of this compound shunts excess quantities into the bloodstream, which in turn may reduce pain. CBD may also target specific spinal receptors, helping to suppress pain and inflammation. In both human and animal models, CBD seems to have a variety of anti-inflammatory properties.
- Epilepsy and seizures: CBD has been documented as a potential antiepileptic since 1881 and was approved by the Food and Drug Administration for treating severe types of childhood epilepsy in 2018. However, its anticonvulsant mechanisms still need to be fully understood. One possible explanation for CBD's perceived neuroprotective effects is its interaction with NMDA receptors, which play a crucial role in the type of neuronal activity that's a hallmark of epilepsy.
- Addiction treatment: In 2015, researchers from the University of Montreal conducted a comprehensive review of CBD as an intervention for addictive behaviors. They concluded that CBD might have a beneficial impact on opioid, cocaine, and psychostimulant addiction. In addition, studies suggest that CBD may also help treat tobacco addiction. One reason may be CBD's potential ability to ease the anxiety that leads people to crave drugs such as heroin.
Consumers report using CBD for various health and wellness reasons, but more research is needed to determine the conditions it can most successfully treat.
What are the side effects of CBD?
While generally considered safe and well-tolerated for most people, CBD has a few reported side effects that can appear when consumed in high doses:
- Dry mouth: CBD may reduce saliva production, leading to a dry sensation. Drinking water or staying hydrated can help alleviate this side effect.
- Dizziness: Some people experience dizziness or lightheadedness when taking high doses of CBD. Start with the lowest dose possible and gradually increase it to avoid this effect.
- Changes in appetite: You may experience increased or decreased hunger due to taking CBD.
- Diarrhea: Extremely high doses of CBD (hundreds of milligrams) may cause gastrointestinal issues, including diarrhea.
- Drowsiness: You may experience drowsiness or tiredness when taking high doses of CBD, especially if you use CBD with other sedating products like melatonin. This side effect may be beneficial if you want to improve your sleep.
- Medication interactions: CBD may interact with certain medications that are metabolized by the liver. Consult with a healthcare professional before taking CBD with other medications.
- Blood pressure: CBD may cause temporary changes in blood pressure, including a slight drop in blood pressure for some people.
Responses to CBD vary widely depending on the dose, person, and medical history. Pay attention to how your body reacts to CBD and adjust your dosage or consumption method as needed. Seek medical advice from your doctor when starting a CBD regimen for the first time.
The Ultimate Guide To THCA (Tetrahydrocannabinolic Acid).
What is THCA?
THCA, or Tetrahydrocannabinolic Acid, is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid found in raw and live cannabis plants. It is the precursor to THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol), the compound responsible for the psychoactive effects of cannabis. THCA is abundant in freshly harvested cannabis and converts to THC when exposed to heat through a process called decarboxylation.
Benefits of THCA
While research is still ongoing, THCA is believed to offer several potential therapeutic benefits:
- Anti-inflammatory: May help reduce inflammation, beneficial for conditions like arthritis.
- Neuroprotective: Could protect brain cells, potentially aiding in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.
- Anti-emetic: Might help reduce nausea and vomiting, useful for chemotherapy patients.
- Antioxidant: Helps protect cells from damage caused by free radicals.
THCA effects and medical uses
THCA offers a range of useful medicinal applications. The therapeutic value of THCA has been somewhat overlooked in favor of cannabinoids such as THC and CBD. THCA benefits include anti-inflammatory, immunoregulatory, anti-tumor, neuroprotective, and anti-emetic properties.
THCA exhibits anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting cyclooxygenase enzymes (COX-1, COX-2), and modulates immune activity through metabolic pathways other than CB1 and CB2. It can also act as a potent neuroprotectant by activating Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) pathways, and may, along with other non-THC
cannabinoids, inhibit prostate cancer growth
Mechanism of action
Without decarboxylation, THCA has very little affinity for the cannabinoid type 1 (CB1) receptor, and is therefore incapable of producing intoxication. Decarboxylation changes theshape of THCA, and the new shape (THC) fits the binding pocket of the CB1 receptor. These receptors are largely found in the central nervous system, where they regulate a wide variety of brain functions, and facilitate the intoxicating and pain-relieving effects of THC.
THCA is a highly unstable compound, which makes it difficult to observe and protect from THC contamination. Researchers have been able to observe, however, that THCA interacts with several receptor pathways other than CB1 and CB2, including COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) proteins, and the cytokine interleukin 10 (IL-10).
THCA products
Raw cannabis flower
Raw cannabis has massive potential as a superfood alongside avocados and kale. More consumers are looking for recipes to consume raw cannabis for the non-intoxicating, medicinal benefits of THCA.
Tea and topicals
Other popular non-activated, non-decarboxylated products include tea and topicals. Cannabis tea is typically not heated at high enough temperatures for THCA to decarboxylate into THC, making it a mildly-to-non-intoxicating substance that will appeal to those who drink tea for immunoregulatory and general medicinal purposes.
Topicals are cannabis-infused products applied directly to the skin for medicinal purposes, allowing for cannabinoids to be absorbed into the bloodstream at a slower rate than if cannabis were smoked or eaten. Similarly to cannabis tea, topicals can be a great choice for people who want relief without the full intoxicating effects. Topicals that include THC may prove mildly intoxicating, but only if THC reaches the bloodstream. And even then, this happens so slowly that most people don't detect any intoxication or psychoactivity. Topicals infused with THCA are non-intoxicating.
THCA oil
THCA is also available as an oil that can be consumed in a variety of ways. THCA oil requires the extraction of THCA at room temperature to ensure the molecule doesn't convert into THC. Over time, however, the THCA content becomes THC unless the product is stored at a very cold temperature. THCA oil can be used to ease physical discomfort and inflammation, stimulate appetite, and induce calming effects. THCA tinctures can be applied under the tongue or used as a spray.
How to Use THCA
To retain its non-psychoactive properties, THCA can be consumed in various ways:
- Juicing: Fresh cannabis leaves and flowers can be juiced to create a nutrient-rich drink.
- Tinctures: THCA tinctures can be taken sublingually (under the tongue) for quick absorption.
- Topicals: THCA-infused creams and balms can be applied to the skin for localized relief.
- Edibles: Incorporate THCA into your diet with specially prepared edibles.
THCA vs. THC
Understanding the difference between THCA and THC is crucial:
The cannabis plant produces hundreds of cannabinols, but only a few of them cause the euphoric high that is unique to cannabis. Most people assume that the cannabis plant produces THC during the growth period, when it is actually primarily producing the larger THCA molecule.
The main difference between THC and THCA is that THCA is not intoxicating, while THC is. THCA is the precursor that becomes THC when exposed to dryness or heat over a prolonged period of time. THCA from a raw cannabis plant won't make you feel high. This is why you can eat or drink the raw plant and not feel any intoxicating effects.
THCA converts into THC through decarboxylation, the process of heating a cannabinoid to the point of removing a carboxyl group. Decarboxylation enhances this cannabinoid's ability to interact with the body's cannabinoid receptors.
The THCA molecule doesn't produce intoxicating effects because it doesn't fit into the brain's cannabinoid receptors. THCA's shape is different than THC, due to an extra carboxyl group attached to the molecule. This carboxyl group is what makes THCA an acid. In fact, most cannabinoids (CBDA, CBGA, THCVA) take this acidic form when harvested, and it is only later that they become the cannabinoids we're more familiar with (CBD, CBG, THCV).
Dosage Guidelines for THCA
Finding the right dosage of THCA can vary based on individual needs and the form of consumption. Here are some general guidelines to help you get started:
- Start Low and Go Slow: Begin with a low dose and gradually increase until you find the optimal amount for your needs.
- Juicing: Start with a small amount, such as 1-2 ounces of fresh cannabis juice, and observe how your body responds.
- Tinctures: Begin with a few drops under the tongue and wait at least 30 minutes to assess the effects before taking more.
- Topicals: Apply a small amount to the affected area and monitor for relief. You can reapply as needed.
- Edibles: Start with a low dose, such as 5-10 mg of THCA, and wait at least 2 hours before consuming more.
Always consult with a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement, especially if you have underlying health conditions or are taking other medications.
Research and Future Potential
The scientific community is increasingly interested in THCA, and ongoing research aims to uncover its full range of benefits and applications. As more studies are conducted, we may discover even more uses for this fascinating cannabinoid.