WHAT IS CBD?

CBD, short for cannabidiol, is one of over 100 compounds called cannabinoids derived from the cannabis plant. The two most well-known of these are CBD (which does not get you stoned), and THC (which does).

WHAT IS THE ENDOCANNABINOID SYSTEM?

CBD with its own endocannabinoid profile works with our bodies' naturally built-in endocannabinoid system. This system is responsible for rebalancing, managing pain, anxiety, sleeplessness, mood, inflammation, injury and overall wellness. The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a complex network of receptors (CB-1 & CB-2 chemical messengers), molecules and enzymes that work together to help maintain cellular balance, or homeostasis, within our bodies. This balance allows cells, organs and systems to function optimally. Humans and all vertebrates have an endocannabinoid system that has evolved within us over time.

The discovery of the endocannabinoid system in our bodies came out of an attempt by scientists to understand the effects of cannabis on the human body. Through research, it was discovered that cannabinoids exist outside of our bodies, such as THC and CBD, which are found in cannabis, and that our bodies actually produce cannabinoids of their own.

WHAT ARE PHYTOCANNABINOIDS?

A phytocannabinoid is a molecule synthesized by plants. There are 113 known phytocannabinoids in the cannabis plant, including CBD. Phytocannabinoids are used to treat a number of human and animal ailments. In 2008, the journal of Neuroendocrinology Letters published a proposal that some of the chronic health problems many people face may be due to an underlying endocannabinoid deficiency, including migraines and fibromyalgia. As our understanding of phytocannabinoids and their relationship with the human body grows, millions of people all around the world are gaining access to treating conditions that were previously untreatable.

To understand phytocannabinoids, we first have to understand our bodies’ cannabinoid receptors. When receptors interact with a cannabinoid, they send molecular-messages throughout the cells, tissues, organs, and body. A cannabinoid unlocks the cannabinoid receptor by physically interacting with it - initiating changes in cells and opening the door to enormous medical benefits for the body and mind. A cannabinoid is a molecule that activates these molecular-messengers, regardless of whether the cannabinoid came from our bodies (an endocannabinoid), or if it came from a plant (a phytocannabinoid). Endocannabinoids activate the same receptors as phytocannabinoids found in Cannabis.

Important Phytocannabinoids: 

CBC - Cannabichromene: Anti-inflammatory, analgesic, bone stimulating, anti-microbial, anti-proliferative, anti-fungal.

CBD - Cannabidiol: Anticonvulsant, antioxidant, reduces anxiety, treats psychotic disorders, relieves pain, reduces inflammation, relieves spasms.

CBDa - Cannabidiolic Acid: Anticonvulsant, anti-nausea, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antioxidant and cancer preventing properties.

CBG - Cannabigerol: Antibiotic, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, analgesic.

CBN - Cannabinol: Sleep aid / sedative, regulating immune system, pain relief, anti-inflammatory, anticonvulsant.

THCa - Tetrahydrocannabinolic Acid: Antispasmodic, antiemetic, anti-proliferative, pain relief, mild euphoria, neuroprotective, sleep aid / sedative.

THCv - Tetrahydrocannabivarin: Induces euphoria and relieves anxiety.

These cannabinoids work better and more holistically from a full spectrum extract than from isolated (refined or synthesized products). THC (even trace amounts) act as the catalyst that enables CBD to work more effectively. 

If you ingest CBD in a supplement or edible, it enters the bloodstream, interacting with the many endocannabinoid receptors in the body. At the topical level it’s not possible for the CBD to actually penetrate the bloodstream, but it does absorb into the skin's layers. It’s thought that the stored CBD provides longer-term pain relief and moisture retention.

WHAT ABOUT QUALITY - ISOLATE & BROAD VS. FULL SPECTRUM?

CBD isolate is exactly what it sounds like — CBD with nothing else. (ie. Trash - think gas station CBD). The myriad of compounds found in whole-plant cannabis work better together than alone. Whole Plant or Full Spectrum CBD contains all elements of the cannabis plant such at terpenes and phytocannabinoids, including up to .3 percent THC. Broad Spectrum contains every element of the cannabis plant (all terpenes and cannabinoids) except THC.

Any reputable CBD product should have a COA or Certificate of Analysis done by a third-party lab and made available to consumers to ensure the level of THC is under .3 percent. Heavy metals, pesticides, and microbials should also be included; look for “ND” (“not detected”).

It's also crucial to look for organic certifications in hemp-derived CBD because hemp absorbs everything in its surrounding soil (including heavy metals or pesticides). 

DOES CBD GET YOU HIGH?

No, no, a thousand times, no! CBD is the non-psychoactive extract of the hemp plant. THC is the active ingredient that causes the “high." 

IS IT LEGAL?

Yes, but only if it’s extracted from industrial hemp, labeled and tested correctly. Cannabis is legal in much of the US with medicinal marijuana now being legal in 38 states with 23 states allowing recreational marijuana, plus Washington DC. As long as it is properly tested and under .3% THC content, it’s legal to ship across state lines.

The 2018 Farm Bill loosened regulations on CBD by allowing the cultivation of industrial hemp and dropping hemp-derived products from the list of Schedule 1 drugs. As of now, the FDA has only approved one CBD-powered drug called Epidiolex, used to treat seizures in children with rare types of epilepsy.

Under the FD&C Act, cosmetic products and ingredients don’t need pre-market approval by the FDA, but food and drugs (ingestibles) do.
 

WHAT’S NEXT IN THE WORLD OF CANNA-BEAUTY?

Natural, plant-based ingredients are quickly becoming the preferred choice of many consumers. Most skincare products contain synthetics, low-grade, filler carrier oils, chemicals, sulphates and parabens to name a few. Studies show ingredients like these actually do more harm in the long run, causing irritation and damaging the skin's cells and natural oil production.

Terpenes are the part of cannabis that give it flavor and aroma. They’re basically the essential oils of weed. Terpenes in cannabis may work synergistically with cannabinoids. 

Mushrooms will be the new wave of the beauty industry with countless varieties of fungi offering a plethora of benefits for the skin.