The Definitive Guide to CBD & Hemp Oil

If you’re new to CBD, it’s easy to get overwhelmed with information. That’s why we’ve put together a definitive guide to CBD & Hemp Oil to answer all your questions.

Even if you haven’t tried CBD yet, you probably know someone who has. But what exactly is CBD, what’s it supposed to do, and what’s the difference between CBD and Hemp Oil? Lots of us would just ask friends or family members for a review, but the responses can vary wildly. 

Some claim it’s helped them sleep better, while others say it gives them more energy. You might know someone who uses CBD for pain management, but someone else might be using it to manage anxiety. With such varied claims, how are you supposed to know how it will affect you?

By trying it yourself!

However, before you go out and buy the first CBD product you can find, you should educate yourself. That’s why we’ve put together a Definitive Guide to CBD & Hemp Oil to answer all your basic questions and even some you might not have thought to ask. 

In case you have a specific question and want to skip ahead, here are the topics we’ll be covering today:

• The History of Hemp & CBD
• The 1937 Marijuana Tax Act
• THC vs. CBD: Which one gets you high?
• What is the Endocannabinoid System?
• Will You Fail a Drug Test After Using CBD?
• What’s the Difference Between CBD Oil and Hemp Oil?
• Does CBD Change Your Brain Chemistry?
• What Does it Feel Like to Take CBD?
• How to Vape CBD Oil
• Is There Such a Thing as Too Much Vaping?
• What’s the Difference Between CBD Tinctures and CBD Oils?
• What is CBD Tea and How Do You Use It?
• How to Calculate Your CBD Oil Dosage
• How Long Does It Take for CBD Oil to Work?
• How Long Does CBD Last?
• How Long Does CBD Stay in Your System?
• How to Read a COA
• The "Other" Cannabinoids
• What Are Terpenes and What do They Have to do With CBD?
• 5 Must-Read CBD Books
• CBD Oil for Depression
• Can CBD Balance Your Fight-or-Flight Response?
• Can CBD Help You Overcome Stress and Anxiety?
• Can CBD Help People Taper Off Benzos?
• Can CBD Boost Mental Clarity?
• Can CBD Help with Mood Disorders?
• Can CBD Help Those With Schizophrenia?
• Can CBD Provide Relief From PTSD?
• Can CBD Help Multiple Sclerosis Patients?
• How Does CBD Affect Cancer?
• Can CBD Help Those Recovering From Strokes?
• How Does CBD Help Those With Epilepsy?
• CBD For Your Immune System
• Can CBD Help People Manage Chronic Pain?
• Can CBD Reduce Inflammation?
• Can CBD Help Fight Opioid Addiction?
• Is CBD Oil Safe During Pregnancy?
• Can CBD Help You Get Pregnant?
• Is CBD Safe For My Pet?
• How Much CBD Oil Should I Give My Dog?

 

CBD & Hemp Background

If one of your concerns about CBD and Hemp is whether or not they’re illegal, we get it. In the United States, the topic of hemp has been widely debated over the last several decades. Plus, industrial hemp was only legalized in the U.S. at the end of 2018.

 

You might find yourself thinking, “Wait, what’s industrial hemp? And what about marijuana? Is that different?” 

 

Ok, let’s make sure we’re on the same page. Hemp and Marijuana are both technically part of the plant genus known as Cannabis. In fact, there are several different types of cannabis. Some will get you high and are only legalized in certain states (which is often referred to as marijuana), while other types won’t get you high and are legal in most states (industrial hemp). 

 

You know what, we’re getting ahead of ourselves. Let’s just start at the beginning...

 

The History of Hemp & CBD

The history of hemp and CBD is vast and...complicated. It’s been around since 8000 BCE. In China and Taiwan it was used for pottery, food, and medicine. In India, an ancient Hindu text says the plant is sacred and often depicts the god Shiva carrying a bundle of hemp.

 

As an industrial material it was used to make ropes and sails, so it quickly traveled to many different parts of the world including Russia, Berlin, the Middle East, and England. It was so useful that in 1533 King Henry VIII even fined English farmers if they didn’t grow hemp. 

 

It’s believed that hemp was introduced to the Americas during the Spanish conquest (around 1500). To avoid relying on hemp from overseas shipping, they immediately began growing hemp in South America. Eventually, its use spread to North America and in 1616 it was grown in Jamestown (the first permanent English settlement). 

 

As the United States slowly began to take shape, it seemed like hemp was going to be an integral part of its agriculture because of its usefulness. The regulation of the plant was left up to local lawmakers, and by 1860 it was considered useful for medicinal and industrial purposes. Other textiles began to replace hemp, but medical professionals would often recommend more potent forms of hemp (Cannabis Sativa) to their patients because of its medicinal uses.

 

The 1937 Marijuana Tax Act

As time went on, hemp had a resurgence as a textile and began to threaten the cotton, timber, and nylon industries. Thus began the many different attacks on the hemp industry. 

Technically, the 1937 Marijuana Tax Act legalized and regulated the sale of the plant. What this malicious act actually did, however, was essentially kill the hemp industry. It placed such heavy taxes on the plant that no one could afford it, and not paying taxes meant HUGE fines. 

Plus, the anti-cannabis movement was spurred on largely by false medical claims and racist fear-mongering. In the end, it effectively killed an industry that would have provided medicinal benefits and jobs to millions of people.

Over the next several decades, cannabis continued to be a tool for underhanded political figures to spread fear and further their political goals. You’re probably familiar with the largely unsuccessful “War on Drugs” campaign started by Nixon, which is still technically alive today. It wasn’t until the 2018 Farm Bill that industrial hemp was differentiated from its psychoactive plant cousins, thus finally making it legal. 

This is important because, without industrial hemp, we wouldn’t have CBD.

 

What is CBD?

Industrial hemp has very high levels of a cannabinoid called CBD (cannabidiol). While it’s historically been used for industrial purposes, today a large portion of industrial hemp is grown purely for CBD products in the wellness industry. So, what exactly is CBD?

 

THC vs. CBD: Which One Gets You High?

A lot of the fear-mongering from the 30s and 40s claimed that cannabis would cause psychosis and promote criminal behaviors (among several other false claims). The truth is that none of the many different cannabis plants do that. Some of them, however, do have psychoactive effects. That just means that some of them can make you feel stoned, high, baked, lit, or whatever term you prefer. 

 

THC (or tetrahydrocannabinol) is the cannabinoid compound found in some cannabis plants that has this psychoactive effect. So THC can get you high. CBD, on the other hand, doesn’t have the same psychoactive properties that THC does, so CBD will not get you high. 

 

The reason that one gets you high while the other doesn’t is because of the different ways they interact with your Endocannabinoid System.

 

What is the Endocannabinoid System?

The ECS (endocannabinoid system) was first identified in the early 90s and it's the whole reason why our bodies respond to cannabinoid compounds at all. Research into this system and its many mechanisms are still ongoing, but the information we DO have is astounding. 

It’s a highly complex system that helps promote homeostasis, i.e. balance, throughout the body. The ECS supports other systems and organs so they can function as efficiently as possible. Whatever task it’s trying to accomplish, however, is done through the use of naturally occurring endocannabinoids. 

The really cool thing is that the chemical structure of both THC and CBD is very similar to those natural endocannabinoids. So similar, in fact, that the ECS can use them in place of its own. The difference is that THC is able to perfectly bind with ECS receptors while CBD only partially binds. That’s why THC is psychoactive while CBD isn’t.

 

Will You Fail a Drug Test After Using CBD?

It depends on whether you’re using Full-Spectrum, Broad-Spectrum, or Isolate products. If you’re using a CBD isolate (meaning it doesn’t have any other cannabinoids) then no. Broad-Spectrum products can have CBD, terpenes, and other cannabinoids with the exception of THC. So broad-spectrum products shouldn’t cause you to fail a drug test either.

 

Full-Spectrum products, however, can legally have up to 0.3% THC in them. It’s a minuscule amount, but it technically means you COULD fail a drug test. To get enough THC into your system to do that, however, you’d have to be taking massive doses of full-spectrum CBD.

 

If you’re worried about failing a drug test, stick to CBD Isolates or Broad-Spectrum products. The same goes for anyone who has a sensitivity to THC because it’s better to be safe than sorry.

 

What’s the Difference Between CBD Oil & Hemp Oil?

Is there a difference between CBD & Hemp  

Hemp Oil and CBD Oil: What’s the Difference?

 

Does CBD Change Your Brain Chemistry?

When you take CBD, it interacts with two ECS receptors. The CB1 receptor is mostly found in the brain, but the CB2 receptor is primarily found in the digestive and immune systems as well as in bones and in the heart. It’s through these receptors that CBD is able to affect change in the human body. Those changes can be vast, but the effects on your brain chemistry are particularly interesting.

 

A healthy ECS functions as the main regulator of adult neuroplasticity. Basically, that means the ECS helps neurons reorganize themselves by forming new connections throughout the human lifespan. This is particularly important as we age. A poorly functioning ECS can mean those synapses become inactive which will decrease brain function.

 

There’s still ongoing research being conducted to determine the full extent of how CBD interacts with the human brain, but thus far it has phenomenal potential to help people overcome addiction, lessen inflammation in the brain, and as a potential therapy for neurological disorders like Alzheimer’s and Multiple Sclerosis. 

 

What Does it Feel Like to Take CBD?

If CBD doesn’t make you high, what exactly does CBD feel like? Well, it’s less about how it makes you feel and more about what you don’t feel.

 

It also depends on why you’re taking CBD. If you’re using CBD oil to treat chronic pain, then you’ll just notice less pain. If you’re vaping CBD to help deal with a panic attack, you’ll just notice that your thoughts stop manically racing and you’re more able to relax.

 

Another variable that can determine how CBD feels for you is how you use CBD.

 

How to Use CBD

One of the best things about CBD is that there are so many different ways you can use it. You can conveniently vape anytime, but if that’s not your thing then CBD gummies are easy to keep on hand. But it doesn’t stop there! There are topicals, capsules, oils, tinctures, teas, and more. To find out which option is best for you, let’s review some of the basics...

 

How to Vape CBD Oil

Vaping is one of the fastest ways to get relief from CBD. That’s why many people who worry about panic attacks keep a vape pen on them when they’re out and about. So, how do you vape CBD Oil?

Whether you’re using a vape pen, e-cigarette, or a more hefty vape mod or tank, it still functions generally the same way; hold down the button and slowly inhale the vapor. Go slow until you’re comfortable with the process. Eventually, strive to get the vape into your lungs where it will more easily get into your bloodstream.

 

Is There Such a Thing as Too Much Vaping?

So, vaping is great and all, but is there such a thing as vaping too much? That depends. Since the effects of vaping kick in so quickly, you’re unlikely to give yourself too much CBD. However, the biggest issues tend to pop up when someone is using poor quality CBD or a poor quality vape pen or mod.

If you have a sensitivity to any of the ingredients, you’ll also have a negative reaction. That’s why it’s best to only purchase CBD products from trusted sources.

 

What’s the Difference Between CBD Tinctures and CBD Oils?

The difference between CBD Tinctures and CBD Oils is how they’re made and what they consist of. 

Tinctures are made by dissolving herbs in high proof alcohol. After a while, the hemp plant matter is strained out and all that’s left is the CBD-infused alcoholic liquid. The amount of alcohol is typically very low, however. They’re more similar to vanilla extract or kombucha than an actual cocktail.

CBD Oil, on the other hand, can be made by dissolving and steeping hemp in water or oil (known as an infusion), using cold liquids to extract CBD from hemp (maceration), or even a hot water process used on tougher plants that extracts CBD (decoction).

 

What is CBD Tea and How Do You Use It?

CBD tea is like any other tea with therapeutic plants and herbs, it just also happens to include CBD. There are a variety of different CBD teas available, and you can even find both caffeinated and non-caffeinated varieties.

 

Most CBD teas come in the form of tea bags and can be steeped in hot water. As the tea leaves and herbs infuse the water, the CBD releases. This creates a soothing beverage that provides you with all of the benefits from both the tea and the cannabidiol.

 

How To Calculate Your CBD Oil Dosage

Are you excited about trying CBD but have no idea how much to take? We don’t blame you! 

 

If you don’t understand how to calculate your dosage, it can be pretty confusing. First off, always start low and go slow. Even if your “recommended dose” seems small, try half of that amount first just to make sure your body responds well to CBD. On the off chance that you have a sensitivity to CBD or any other cannabinoid, this will help you avoid negative effects.

 

First, you need to determine how much CBD is in each milliliter of oil. If you have CBD oil with 200 milligrams of CBD and your bottle contains 20 milliliters of liquid, you would have 10 milligrams of CBD per milliliter of oil. From there you can take more or less, depending on need. Most droppers hold up to one milliliter of liquid, but not all. So, make sure you know how much fluid your dropper can hold.

 

It’s best to always start with CBD Oil, as opposed to pre-dosed edibles or vapes. Once you know what an appropriate dose feels like for you, you’ll be able to buy other products with confidence.

 

How Long Does it Take for CBD Oil to Work?

How long it takes for your CBD to actually start working depends on several factors. 

 

First, how did you use your CBD? If you ate a CBD gummy, it could be anywhere from 30 min to over an hour. That’s because edibles have to pass through your digestive system before the CBD is actually absorbed.

 

The fastest method is vaping, with results kicking in as quickly as a minute or two. CBD Oils are right in the middle with effects kicking in anywhere from 15-20 minutes if taken sublingually, or 30 minutes to an hour if ingested regularly.

 

The other factor to consider is you. How fast your body absorbs CBD can depend on your metabolism, weight, age, diet, fitness, etc.

 

How Long Does CBD Last?

Just how the time can vary for when your CBD effects kick in, how long CBD effects last can also depend on several factors. How long CBD lasts depends on the method you used, age, weight, and metabolism.

 

As a general rule, the faster the effects kick in the shorter they’ll last. So if you’ve vaping CBD you can expect the effects to last for up to an hour, perhaps longer. When you ingest CBD (edibles, oils, etc.) the effects can last for several hours, and when you take CBD sublingually, the effects usually last around four to six hours.

 

Other factors like the quality of your CBD, how fast your body metabolizes CBD, and why you’re taking CBD can determine how often you’ll need to re-dose. That’s why it’s so important to understand your doses. 

 

How Long Does CBD Stay in Your System?

For several reasons, it’s important to know how long CBD stays in your system. For example, maybe your doctor wants to put you on a prescription drug that may interact with CBD. Or perhaps you’re worried about CBD showing up on a pre-employment drug screening.

 

The simplest answer? It depends.

 

Some say that if you only use CBD occasionally, a week should be long enough. But that also depends on the dose you were taking. There have, however, been studies that showed how even when someone was taking a high dose of CBD, their levels were almost nonexistent. Other factors to consider are the method of ingestion, age, weight, metabolism, etc.

 

How to Read a COA

If you’re really doing your research and trying to find high-quality CBD products, you’ll need to know how to read a COA. Short for Certificate of Analysis, this should be the official lab results that were compiled by a third-party lab.

 

If you can’t easily access the COA for your CBD products, then it’s best to steer clear. Plus, reading the COA is the best way to ensure your products actually have as much CBD as they claim.

 

This document allows you to see who performed the analysis (it should always be performed by a third-party), the cannabinoid profile, a heavy metals analysis, pesticide analysis, and sometimes a terpene analysis. If you have specific allergens, you should always check the COA to make sure the product is safe for you.

 

The “Other” Cannabinoids

You’re probably familiar with CBD and maybe even THC, but have you heard of CBG or THCV? What about CBN? Don’t worry, most people aren’t aware that there are actually hundreds of different cannabinoids. If you’re using Full-Spectrum or Broad-Spectrum products, your body is actually already receiving these other cannabinoids. 

 

If you examine the cannabinoid profile of a COA, you’ll be able to determine which cannabinoids are present in your products. Many of these other cannabinoids have similar anti-inflammatory properties to CBD. A few of them, however, have potential therapeutic properties for seizures, obesity, glucose intolerance, and more. Click here to read more about the other cannabinoids and their properties.

 

What Are Terpenes and What do They Have to do With CBD?

Another COA category you might be unfamiliar with is the Terpene profile. If you’re wondering what terpenes are, we don’t blame you. Terpenes are organic hydrocarbons that essentially make up the flavor and aroma of most plants, including hemp! The coolest part, however, is that terpenes can actually dictate a lot of the “effects” that cannabis has.

 

If a strain of hemp is particularly relaxing, it might have higher levels of the terpenes myrcene and linalool. Both of those terpenes have mild sedative properties, and myrcene actually increases the permeability of the blood-brain barrier. That means that not only is myrcene relaxing all on its own, it also boosts how effective other terpenes and cannabinoids can be. How cool is that?!

 

5 Must-Read Books About CBD

You won’t find a group more obsessed with CBD than us here at 1937 Hemp, but even we know that sometimes you’ve got to do your research. If you’re not sure where to look, all that information can be pretty overwhelming. That’s why we’ve put together our list of must-read books about CBD. 

Our list includes books for patients, easy-breezy pieces for light readers, more dense science-heavy pieces, and even a CBD cookbook. Make sure to click the link above for our booklist, and as a bonus, you’ll get to see our editors take on each one.

 

CBD Oil for Depression

Even if you’ve never tried CBD, you probably know someone who’s used CBD to help with depression. While it’s by no means a cure for depression, it does offer those suffering from depression a tool to better their mental health. Medical experts don’t know exactly what causes depression, but there are a few risk factors. Some of those include traumatic events, genetics, unbalanced neurotransmitters, hormones, and chronic medical problems and/or pain.

 

Luckily, CBD may help people with several of those factors. The ECS works to improve neuroplasticity which will improve neurotransmitter communication, it can help balance hormones, and ease chronic pain. In another piece, we wrote, “When you look into the possible causes of depression, particularly on brain chemistry, you can see how CBD’s effect on strengthening and supporting the brain can help alleviate depression symptoms.” To access that full article, click here.

 

Can CBD Balance Your Fight-or-Flight Response?

The fight-or-flight response, or panic response, is an evolutionary trait that helped early humans survive a harsher world. Their nervous system would prime them to either fight or flee in the face of danger. Today we don’t have to run from predators or fight for territory, but our fight-or-flight response is still very active. You’ll notice this if your breathing speeds up after suddenly having to hit the breaks in your car. 

 

But when this response doesn’t shut off, you can become chronically stressed. This is NOT good for your body and you can quickly develop other health issues because of this. Luckily, CBD can help balance your fight-or-flight response by boosting the balancing power of your endocannabinoid system.

 

Can CBD Help You Overcome Stress and Anxiety?

From what we just covered above, it should be pretty clear that CBD can help you deal with stress. This is important because even the most easy-breezy of us deal with stress from time to time. Maybe you think you’re handling it pretty well, but your body could still be internalizing stress in the form of stomach ulcers or other gastrointestinal issues. Regardless of where your stress comes from or how it manifests itself, it’s safe to say that being less stressed is good for you. 

 

Luckily, CBD can help you overcome stress and anxiety in several ways. For the everyday stress we all deal with, supplementing with CBD can help you slow racing thoughts, sleep better, relax tense muscles and more. For those who use CBD to lower anxiety you can expect those same results, but you can also keep a CBD vape pen on hand for sudden panic attacks.

 

Can CBD Help People Taper Off Benzos?

Benzodiazepines (or benzos for short) are a group of medications often prescribed to provide short-term relief of insomnia, anxiety, and even seizures. While some people are able to use these medications as prescribed, they’re shockingly easy to become dependent on. This leads to millions of people all over the world with an addiction that’s incredibly painful and dangerous to recover from.

 

However, CBD is providing relief to some by helping them taper off of benzos. CBD can do this in several ways. First, the endocannabinoid system actually has a back-up system in place to boost GABA levels when they get too low.

 

GABA is necessary for feeling calm and relaxed, so taking CBD just helps your endocannabinoid system accomplish that task more effectively. It can also regulate sleep patterns, help treat anxiety that led to benzo use, help with muscle relaxation, and it may also be an allosteric modulator. For those of you who don’t have a degree in biology, it means it may make GABA more effective.

 

Can CBD Boost Mental Clarity?

You might experience brain fog for any number of reasons. Maybe you didn’t get enough sleep, you’re dealing with a lot of stress, hormones are unbalanced, etc. Luckily, research indicates that CBD may help improve focus and help people avoid the dreaded brain fog.

 

CBD doesn’t have some magic “focus” molecule, but it does help your brain function more efficiently because of the combination of its diverse effects. CBD can boost mental clarity by reducing distracting aches and pains, relieving anxiety, improving sleep, regulating glutamate levels, and even by fighting free radicals.

 

Can CBD Help with Mood Disorders?

A mood disorder is a mental health issue that can affect your emotional state, and they’re more common than you might think. Some people find relief through prescription medications, but for some those either aren’t the right option or they’re just not enough. Luckily, many people are finding that CBD provides some relief to mood disorders.

 

Research has found that the ECS is present in the limbic regions of the brain. That makes it an ideal system to help regulate emotions, mood, and stress responses. If, however, the ECS isn’t functioning efficiently it may result in depression or anxiety. By supplementing with CBD, your ECS has the necessary cannabinoids to act as a potential therapy for mood disorders.

 

Can CBD Help Those With Schizophrenia?

If CBD has shown to provide relief for those suffering from depression, anxiety, and mood disorders, can CBD help those with schizophrenia? Well, yes and no. Schizophrenia is a chronic psychotic disorder where someone both hallucinates (senses something to be real when it’s not) and has delusions (believes something to be true when it’s not). 

 

More research is necessary, but early findings show that the chemical makeup of CBD is similar to atypical antipsychotic drugs and was found in several cases to lower psychotic symptoms. However, it’s important to note that researchers were unsure exactly how CBD worked as an antipsychotic.

 

It’s also very important for those with schizophrenia to avoid products that also contain THC, as it’s been known to exacerbate psychotic symptoms. 

 

Can CBD Provide Relief From PTSD?

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can occur when someone has experienced or witnessed a traumatic event. To help manage symptoms (which may include intrusive thoughts, avoidance behavior, anxiety, rage, depression, etc.) some resort to prescription medications. Some of these medications, however, come with their own list of negative side-effects. To avoid this, many are now relying on CBD to provide relief from PTSD.

 

Because the CB1 receptors of the ECS directly relate to the body's anxiety responses, taking CBD can target some of the main symptoms of PTSD including fear, anxiety, and stress. Other research shows that CBD also reduces insomnia which is another symptom of PTSD. A regular regimen of CBD Oil or Gummies is recommended for maximum relief, however, having a CBD vape on hand is useful for unexpected anxiety.

 

Can CBD Help Multiple Sclerosis Patients?

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a neurodegenerative disease that mainly affects the neurons in the central nervous system. Since those neurons aren’t able to heal or replace themselves, the damage from MS is irreversible and, as of right now, there is no cure. However, could CBD provide relief for multiple sclerosis patients?

 

While CBD can’t heal any of the damage that’s already occurred, it’s neuroprotective properties mean that CBD may help protect against further damage. It’s also able to ease sleep disturbances associated with muscle spasms, along with easing the muscle spasms themselves. The anti-inflammatory properties of CBD will also help a variety of different symptoms. So, while CBD won’t cure or heal MS damage, it can offer symptom relief and help slow down future damage.

 

How Does CBD Affect Cancer?

While it would be irresponsible to say that CBD can cure cancer (it can’t), there is research indicating the CBD has potential as an antitumor therapy. It’s important to note, however, that more research needs to be done before anyone can definitively claim that CBD can treat or prevent cancer.

 

CBD, however, may ease some of the negative symptoms experienced from cancer and from cancer treatments. On top of that, evidence shows that CBD may complement cancer treatments too. While much of this information requires additional studies, we do know that CBD can help cancer patients find pain relief, nausea relief, appetite stimulation, and anxiety relief.

 

Can CBD Help Those Recovering From Strokes?

According to the CDC, in the United States someone experiences a stroke every forty seconds and fifteen million people are affected worldwide each year. Some are able to recover completely, but more than two thirds of survivors will require some form of rehabilitation. So, can CBD help those recovering from strokes?

 

Multiple studies show that the administration of CBD following a stroke improves recovery by improving cognitive and functional impairment. The endocannabinoid system already works to balance physiological and biological processes that can become damaged by a stroke, so taking CBD simply boosts the efficiency of that system.

 

More than that though, CBD has been proven effective in pain management for stroke survivors. More research is necessary, but CBD has a lot of potential as a therapeutic treatment for stroke survivors. 

 

How Does CBD Help Those With Epilepsy?

In the United States there are roughly 3.4 million people diagnosed with epilepsy (a brain disorder causing mild to severe seizure episodes). In 2019 the FDA approved the first CBD prescription for epilepsy called Epidiolex. While it effectively works as an anticonvulsant, doctors are still unsure how CBD produces those effects. 

Much of these effects are likely due to the neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory properties of CBD, however more research is needed to definitively make that statement. Because so many of the people suffering from epilepsy are children, there has been wide criticism of CBD use from anti-cannabis groups. However, with more and more research we’re seeing just how much CBD may help those with epilepsy.

 

CBD for Your Immune System

The immune system is one of the least understood structures in the human body, in part because of its mind and body connection. In the midst of the Coronavirus, however, more and more people are looking for ways to maintain a healthy immune system. In fact, you can actually boost your immune system with CBD.

 

Some of the easiest ways to maintain a healthy immune system are to get quality sleep, minimize stress, exercise, eat healthy, and drink plenty of water. Many people in quarantine, however, have a hard time staying on top of those basic things.

 

Luckily, CBD can lower stress and anxiety, improve sleep, improve mobility by decreasing pain and inflammation, and it even acts as an immunomodulator for the immune system. 

 

Can CBD Help People Manage Chronic Pain?

Chronic pain takes a physical and mental toll on people, so much so that it’s often debilitating and isolating. However, CBD can help people manage chronic pain and improve the quality of life for millions. 

 

CBD can help by balancing neurotransmitters that influence pain perception and also by improving sleep quality. Pain can make it hard for people to sleep, and when that happens the brain actually becomes more sensitive to pain.

 

By reducing stress, it also helps people avoid the added anxiety and depression often associated with chronic pain. One of the most beneficial properties of CBD, which helps it accomplish so many of these tasks, is that it’s a powerful anti-inflammatory.

 

Can CBD Reduce Inflammation?

Everyone experiences acute inflammation from time to time in the form of scrapes, sore throats, or even sore muscles. Chronic inflammation, however, can cause some serious health problems. Chronic inflammation can cause several health issues, but it can also be a result of underlying issues like arthritis, asthma, neurodegenerative diseases, autoimmune diseases, and more. To combat inflammation, many are turning to CBD.

 

One of the systems that the Endocannabinoid System tries to keep balanced is the immune system. Oddly enough, the immune system is what’s in charge of inflammation. By taking CBD, you’re boosting the balancing power of your endocannabinoid system. 

 

Can CBD Help Fight Opioid Addiction?

Opioids are prescribed to help people manage moderate to severe pain, but unfortunately the risk of addiction is insanely high. Even when a patient takes these drugs precisely as directed, they can still become dependent. Opioid addiction is painful for both the patients and their family members, but what’s even worse is that the withdrawals from these drugs can be dangerous if not downright deadly. So, can CBD help fight opioid addiction?

 

Not only can CBD offer relief to people before they even have to resort to opioids, it can also help those who are experiencing painful withdrawal symptoms. First, CBD can help by providing an alternative pain management to opioids. During withdrawals, the original pain can sometimes return even worse than it was before. So having an alternative form of pain management is crucial. CBD can also help by reducing cravings for opioids and by reducing the anxiety that can become crippling during withdrawals.

 

Is CBD Oil Safe During Pregnancy?

Pregnancy is an amazing time in a woman's life, but it can also get pretty uncomfortable too. Luckly, CBD Oil can provide relief for a variety of ailments that pregnant women face. Everything from alleviating morning sickness, increasing appetite, reducing aches and pains, reducing anxiety, and even improving sleep.

 

One of the biggest questions people ask, however, is whether or not CBD is safe to use during pregnancy. As of right now there’s been no clinical testing on pregnant women and CBD. So while there’s plenty of anecdotal evidence supporting the safety of CBD and pregnancy, no one can conclusively state that CBD is safe for pregnant women. 

 

Can CBD Help You Get Pregnant?

Fertility is a delicate process that can be made all the more complicated by the everyday stressors of life. But for those dealing with infertility from medical issues, they may be wondering whether CBD can help increase fertility. It’s important to remember that CBD cannot cure PCOS, abnormal sperm mobility, or any other fertility issue. So, if your infertility is due to an underlying medical issue, CBD may not be much help.

 

However, CBD can balance other parts of your life that may be hindering your fertility. First, CBD can reduce stress that could be affecting your libido, hormones, sleep, etc. If the body is too stressed, fertility can be affected. CBD may also help sperm fertilize eggs due to the cannabinoid receptors on sperm, and it may also promote ovulation.

 

Is CBD Safe for My Pet?

While all vertebrates possess an endocannabinoid system, there hasn’t been as many studies on CBD in pets as there has been on CBD in humans. There are a few pieces of information that may influence the dose you give to your pets.

 

For example, we know that dogs have CB1 and CB2 receptors, but dogs might also have more receptors in their brains than we do. That means a small dose of CBD might have a greater impact on them. We’re also not certain that cats have CB2 receptors at all.

 

Basically, always consult with your veterinarian before supplementing your pets diet with CBD. The general consensus is that CBD is safe for your pets to treat several different ailments including chronic pain, seizures, and anxiety.

 

How Much CBD Oil Should I Give My Dog?

For dog breeds prone to anxiety, older dogs with joint pain, and especially for dogs with chronic pain, CBD can provide relief. But how much CBD Oil should you give your dog? Just like with people, it varies. However, here are a few tips to help you figure out how much your dog needs.

 

For midsize or large dogs, 1-5 mg CBD for every 10 pounds of body weight should do the trick. For particularly small dogs you should consider 0.2mg of CBD per pound. Keep in mind that more active dogs will metabolize CBD faster, meaning the effects will kick in faster but wear off sooner.

 

If you’re still unsure make sure to consult with your veterinarian, only buy organic, high-quality CBD products for your dog, and it’s recommended to start with CBD oil so you can tinker with the dosage to find what works best for your furry friend.

 

Welcome to the Wonderful World of CBD

We hope this guide answered your questions and helped you find resources for your more advanced queries. If you hadn’t guessed it by now, we’re pretty obsessed with all things CBD & Hemp.

 

Our mission is to spread awareness and education of this amazing plant and all the ways it can improve the quality of life for millions of people (and pets)! Be sure to follow us on social media for all the latest updates, and feel free to check out our store where we’re constantly adding high-quality CBD products for every part of your life.