What is CBD?
July 2, 2020
CBD, known in the medical world as Cannabidiol, is one of the prominent compounds of the over 483 compounds (113 being cannabinoids) that have been identified in the cannabis plant. In the Genus Cannabis, there are two cannabinoids (or compounds) that are the most recognized: THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD. THC is the principal psychoactive constituent of the cannabis plant and will determine how the plant is classified. It is classified as Hemp if the THC content is less than 0.3%. If it is over that percentage, it is classified as Marijuana. CBD can come from either source but the delineation of where it is extracted from is important not only clinically, but also because it classifies the difference between what is legal and what is not. Under the Farm Bill Act of 2018 the Hemp-Derived CBD oil plant is USDA legal whereas the other is not.
What is CBD oil and Why do people use it?
CBD oil is made by extracting CBD from the cannabis plant. Although CBD oil is not FDA-Approved yet (except one synthetic one), it has been shown in many studies to have several health benefits such as helping with conditions like Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Anxiety, Fibromyalgia, Joint Pain, Muscle Spasms, Insomnia, and Irritable Bowel Syndrome. CBD has a very good safety profile. It has been shown that daily doses up to 1500 mg a day are well tolerated at one month. In fact, CBD was shown to be so safe that study was stopped after one month since there was no toxicity at that dose. Considering the average dose is 25-50 mg a day potential users should take comfort in the safety of this natural product. There can, however, be interactions with the some medications so if you are on other medicines, please consult your doctor.
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How does CBD exert its effect in our body?
All animals have an endocannabinoid system or ECS. This newly discovered system is part of what makes up the brain and immune system in humans and is the area where cannabinoids exert their effect. Within this system we have CB1 receptors found in the brain and CB2 receptors found in the gastrointestinal and immune system. The interplay of these two systems is what regulates our homeostasis, which is our body’s balance and ability to heal itself. CBD can make what already naturally occurs in our body function better.
How to pick the right CBD for you
There are some important things to be aware of when looking into what the best CBD for you may be. Different strains of CBD oil can produce different effects, different terpenes (the smell and flavor) enhance different effects, and different methods of extracting the oil can produce different effects. When choosing CBD one really valuable ingredient to look into will be the terpenes and the percentage of them within the formula. These have a well known effect in of themselves but also potentiate the effect of the CBD. This is an area of intense research. For more on terpenes please see our terpene article.
What is FECO and Entourage Effect?
FECO, or full extract cannabis oil, is produced through a process in which the whole plant and all of its beneficial components are captured within the oil. It is this process that gives the user maximum health benefits, which is referred to as the Entourage Effect. Just think of a salad if it was only lettuce. The entourage effect would be all of the toppings you like and dressing. If the cannabis plant strain is not grown, cultivated, harvested, and cured, and the oil is not extracted optimally, the health benefits will be diminished or lost (a boring salad).
Hemp Seed Oil versus Hemp-Derived CBD oil
The magic of online trickery. Much of what you see on Amazon is Hemp Seed only. This is because CBD oil is currently not allowed to be marketed on Amazon. It’s important to differentiate that Hemp Seed Oil is not CBD oil. As in the name Hemp Seed oil is made from the plant seeds. That is good for you as it contains beneficial omega-3’s, but it will not have the other benefits you may be seeking as it contains no CBD.
Some Advice if you are thinking of trying CBD
If you are thinking of trying CBD oil, do your research and ask lots of questions. Try to find the most natural product you can and from a trusted source and avoid synthetics. The cannabis plant was made this way for a reason, not everything has to be synthetic. Humans have used the cannabis plant in a variety of forms for centuries. Even in America it was in the very first Merck Manual in 1899. Nature has a way of providing compounds we need for our health and the properties of this one are just coming to light. You will continue to hear more about CBD over the next few years. It just may be the answer to your health concerns.
Dr. Phillips Formulations does not claim that its products are intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any specific disease. Please note when evaluating this information about CBD, the inference is not to be that any brand of CBD, including Dr. Phillips Formulations, who has not done claim validation studies on their product will produce the aforementioned effects.* This article is for information purposes only and relates controlled studies not yet performed or completed yet by Dr. Phillips Formulations.
* Excluding our Cream which meets the FDA monograph for topical analgesia.
Dr. Lane Phillips is the Founder and CEO of Dr. Phillips Formulations.
