Understanding CBD and Medical Marijuana

CBD vs. THC

CBD stands for cannabidiol (can-nah-ba-die-all). THC stands for tetrahydrocannabinol (tet-tra-hi-dro-can-nah-ba-die-all). Both CBD and THC react with the Endocannabinoid System (ECS) in our bodies, affecting receptors in the brain, central nervous system, organs, and skin. The ECS is part of the brain of every mammal and is one of the greatest neurotransmitter systems in the body. The primary jobs of the ECS includes neuroprotection, stress recovery, immune balance, and homeostasis. CBD will not get you high, regardless of how much of it you consume. THC will get you high, and exactly how high you get depends on the level of THC in the cannabis and how much you ingest.

Hemp vs. Marijuana

Hemp and marijuana are the same plant. Years of breeding and manipulation resulted in the emergence of two varieties: one for medicinal and spiritual purposes, the other for agricultural and industrial uses.

The flowering tops and leaves contain THC; this is what you would be getting if you were buying pot to smoke. Hemp uses seeds and fibers, mostly from the stalk, and contains low levels of THC, but high levels of CBD. According to federal law, hemp cannot contain more than 0.3% THC. If it contains more than 0.3% THC, it isn’t hemp, it’s marijuana. This is why you can buy fabrics and paper made of hemp; it simply doesn’t contain enough THC to get you high, so there is no reason why hemp can’t be used to produce durable goods.

Places that produce marijuana and hemp have their plants tested to see what levels of THC and CBD they contain to determine what they are used for. Companies that produce hemp have to make sure that they are growing cannabis with a THC level lower than 0.3%, while companies that are growing cannabis for medicinal purposes will want to grow a range of plants with varying levels of THC and CBD.

Understanding Levels

Both CBD and THC have medicinal properties. Unfortunately, not enough study has been done to determine what the best dosage of each is for various ailments. For example, if you are taking medical marijuana for pain, but you have to go to work, you would want to take something with a high CBD level (because it relieves pain and doesn’t get you high) and a low THC level (because it gets you high and you can’t be high at work). If you have insomnia, you would want something with a higher THC level to help you fall asleep and stay asleep. However, the exact amount you would need is really undetermined and it would be up to you to play around with the dosage until you find what works. We don’t know what the necessary dosages are for ailments like cancer, epilepsy, or trigeminal neuralgia, and people with the same ailment might find that they need different dosages to control their pain and other symptoms.

If you’re purchasing CBD oil, we suggest getting a product with a low to midlevel of CBD and starting with a small dose. From there you can increase as necessary. It’s also important to remember that internal CBD oil is meant to be taken like a supplement: several times a day for a long period of time, not just occasionally or as needed, while topical analgesics are used as needed. Be patient and with a little time you should notice improvements.

Fun Facts about CBD

• Cannabinoids react on the Endocannabinoid System, a system in our body that is responsible for homeostasis.
• CBD dosage is not a one-size-fits-all. It’s best to start at a low-to-mid level and work your way up.
• There are references of cannabis being used in Chinese Medicine that date back to 400BCE.
• Initial studies have found that CBD offers a multitude of benefits, including: antiemetic (reduces nausea and vomiting), antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antipsychotic, anticonvulsant (suppresses seizure activity), anti-tumoral/anti-cancer, antidepressant, anxiolytic (relieves anxiety), analgesic (relieves pain).
• CBD may improve heart health. CBD’s antioxidant properties help to reduce vascular tension and reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol levels. CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties may reduce strain on the heart, as well as dilating arteries and reducing blood pressure.
• CBD won’t make you high. It’s the THC that gives marijuana users their high.
• Organic is best. Hemp plants absorb whatever nutrients and chemicals are present in the soil, good or bad. It is used at nuclear waste sites to extract radiation.
• Insomnia can be treated with CBD. It can help to reduce heart rate and blood pressure, allowing the body to fall asleep faster. CBD also promotes an elevated mood and a more relaxed state, which helps with falling asleep as well.
• There are more than 113 cannabinoids found in the cannabis/hemp plants. THC and CBD are only two of them.
• Cannabinoids are also found in rosemary, echinacea, chocolate, and black pepper.