What is CBD Oil?

By Kristy Dusevic CHC

Many of you may have heard the talk about CBD in recent months, maybe you have a friend or loved one who is already using CBD and receiving pretty amazing results from it, but perhaps, you have no idea what on earth it is. Well here is a short explanation of an amazing naturally occurring substance that can truly help you live a life that Thrives.

CBD stands for cannabidiol. It is one of more than 100 different cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. Cannabis plants are chemical powerhouses that produce more than 400 compounds. CBD is NOT marijuana. It is not tetrahydrocannabinol or THC (the part of the cannabis responsible for causing the “high” effect.) It is not psychoactive.

CBD contains only trace amounts of THC, less than 3%.

High-quality CBD oil is made from the flowers of the hemp plant, not the seeds. To get the most CBD and other whole plant cannabinoids out of the plant, the hemp must be harvested while the flowers are still very small requiring a large quantity of plant material. This is why CBD products are typically more expensive than hemp seed oil.  However, this is also why CBD products contain a greater number of beneficial compounds and have more far-reaching positive health benefits.

CBD interacts with the body through the endogenous cannabinoid system (ECS) or endocannabinoid system. The endocannabinoid system regulates the body’s normal homeostasis or general state of balance.

Are hemp and marijuana the same thing?

NO –  Hemp and marijuana are both cannabis and both work with the endocannabinoid system in the body but there are a few key differences; marijuana has a high concentration of THC, this is the part of the cannabinoid that results in the “high” feeling. Hemp has a very low concentration of THC, usually less than 3%–in the state of Tennessee, products must have less than 2% THC concentration. CBD is legal in all 50 states.

Sourcing is also an extremely important component to consider when choosing a CBD product. The CBD market is highly unregulated. While many companies out there take great care to provide a quality product, some may not be as cautious. Common practices of dishonesty include selling hemp seed oil as CBD, embellishing potency, selling leftover oil from Industrial hemp crops used for paper textiles as CBD. (Which can result in dangerously high levels of toxic pesticides.) Reputable companies will always have testing results available for you to review.

So what are some of the benefits you could possibly receive from using CBD? Stay tuned for our next post as we will go into some of the many health benefits and how CBD works with the body to restore balance.