CBD School: Seek To Learn More

Glossary

What Is CBD?

How Does CBD Work

What Are Cannabinoids?

What Is The Endocannabinoid System (ECS) & How Does It Work?

What Is The Entourage Effect & Why Is It A Good Thing?

CBD Product Types

How Can I Get The Most Out Of CBD

Common CBD Misconceptions

CBD For Drug-Tested Athletes & Employees

For Further Research

 


What Is CBD?

CBD is short for “Cannabidiol”, pronounced “canna-bid-dial". Cannabidiol (CBD) is a naturally occurring compound found in the resinous flower of cannabis. It is one of the 113+ compounds found in industrial hemp plants (yes, hemp plants- not to be confused with marijuana). CBD is a non-intoxicating phytocannabinoid that has been used medicinally for thousands of years. In general CBD products contain little to no THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol- the psychoactive compound found in marijuana that gets you “high”) however Full-Spectrum CBD products can contain trace amounts of THC (0.3%, compared to THC products which often contain 50% THC). Broad Spectrum and Isolate CBD products are THC-free and the trace amount of THC found in Full-Spectrum products is not enough to get a person high regardless of how much CBD is consumed.

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How Does CBD Work?

CBD has the ability to act on cannabinoid receptors that are part of the endocannabinoid system. Plant cannabinoids, also known as phytocannabinoids, bind with the endocannabinoid system which helps regulate certain vital functions of the body including:

Sleep, Immune System, Pain, Inflammation, Anxiety, Stress

When your endocannabinoid system is in sync, your body is able to achieve what is called homeostasis, and your body operates at optimal human performance. Bringing your body back to homeostasis is exactly what makes CBD unique and powerful. 

CBD however should be thought of in the same manner one would think of vitamins and dietary supplements; consistent use over time will yield the best results. For example, one day of a multi-vitamin likely will not make a noticeable difference, but 30 days straight of consistently taking a multivitamin will demonstrate a noticeable difference within one's body.

CBD acts in this same manner and is best used consistently over time so it can build up in your system in the same manner as dietary supplements thus giving you the best results and bringing your body back up to homeostasis levels.

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What Are Cannabinoids?

Pronounced “can-nAb-in-oids”, cannabinoids are a group of fatty compounds found in hemp but are also produced naturally within the human body and other plants. They are the main compounds produced by cannabis plants.Hemp plants naturally produce more than 100 different phytocannabinoids. Of these 100+ non-intoxicating phytocannabinoids, CBD is certainly the most widely known. Other notable phytocannabinoids include Cannabinol (CBN), Cannabigerol (CBG), and Cannabichromene (CBC).Cannabinoids interact directly or indirectly with the Endocannabinoid System, which is present in all living beings (well, except insects, but who’s counting?).

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What Is The Endocannabinoid System (ECS)

& How Does It Work?

The ECS involves three core components: endocannabinoids, receptors, and enzymes.

Endocannabinoids

Endocannabinoids, short for "endogenous cannabinoids", are molecules made by the body. They are similar to cannabinoids, but the distinction is their production in the body.

Experts have identified two key endocannabinoids so far:

1.) Anandamide or AEA
2.) 2-arachidonoylglyerol or 2-AG

Both endocannabinoids help keep internal functions running smoothly. Your body produces them on an as needed basis, thus making it difficult to identify what standard levels are for either type.

Endocannabinoid Receptors

Endocannabinoid receptors are found throughout the body. Endocannabinoids bind to endocannabinoid receptors in order to signal the ECS to take action.

Two main endocannabinoid receptors are of note:

1.) CB1 receptors. These receptors are mostly found in the central nervous system.
2.) CB2 receptors. These receptors are mostly found in the peripheral nervous system – especially in immune cells.

Endocannabinoids can bind to either receptor. The resulting effects depend on the receptor’s location and the endocannabinoid to which it binds. For example, some endocannabinoids might target CB1 receptors in a spinal nerve to relieve pain. Other endocannabinoids might bind to a CB2 receptor in the immune cells to signal the body that it is experiencing inflammation, a common sign of autoimmune disorders.

Enzymes

Enzymes are responsible for breaking down endocannabinoids once they have completed their function.

Two main enzymes are responsible for this process:

1.) Fatty acid amide hydrolase which breaks down AEA.
2.) Monoacylglycerol acid lipase which typically breaks down 2-AG.

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What Is The Entourage Effect?

And Why Is It A Good Thing?

The Entourage Effect is a notion that having a range of compounds from the cannabis plant all working together in synergy increases the health benefits and potency of the CBD product compared to a single compound alone.

The Entourage Effect can be found within Absolute Aid’s Full-Spectrum CBD Bites due to Full-Spectrum products containing more elements of the cannabis plant (including multiple cannabis plant extracts, terpenes, essential oils, and other compounds) compared to CBD-Isolate or Broad Spectrum products.

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CBD Product Types

There are three different forms of CBD products: Full-Spectrum, Broad-Spectrum, and CBD-Isolate. These products often come in many different variations and modalities such as tinctures, capsules, gummies, creams, balms, and more.

1.) Full-Spectrum CBD: Contains several components of the cannabis plant including additional compounds, terpenes, extracts, essential oils, and more. These products often enjoy the “Entourage Effect” thanks to the additional components of the cannabis plant all working together, but with these additional components comes a trace amount of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol- the psychoactive compound typically found in marijuana that gets a person “high”). Federally legal full-spectrum products have less than 0.3 percent THC, compared to THC products which often have anywhere from 30% - 90% THC.

2.) Broad-Spectrum CBD: This type of CBD does not contain THC. It does contain other components of the cannabis plant, though, similar to Full-Spectrum CBD, but with the trace amount of THC removed. It is a perfect “in-between” of the three CBD forms.

3.) CBD-Isolate: As the name suggests, Isolate is a pure CBD product that contains no other compounds found in cannabis except for the CBD itself.

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How Can I Get The Most Out Of CBD?

As mentioned in the "What Is CBD” section, CBD should be taken in the same manner one would take multivitamins, joint supplements, etc to experience the best results. Consistency is key and, like with vitamins, taking CBD at the same time every single day will yield the best results versus taking it "here and there". With this in mind, every person is different and everyone’s body will have different needs; some people will need higher doses than others and it’s best to experiment over time and start with a low dosage and see how your body responds. Start low and go slow. A popular starting point is 10-20mg CBD per day.
While there is no such thing as a “magic pill” CBD can do wonders for your overall health and wellness when you commit and remain consistent taking CBD daily. Like with all supplements, daily use of CBD will allow it to build up in your system thus delivering the results you seek. Whether you experience trouble sleeping, a lack of focus and mental clarity, anxiety, or pain and inflammation your body desires to fix itself and get back to its prime operating level, known as homeostasis, and CBD aids in that process.

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Common Misconceptions

“CBD comes from marijuana and will get you high, right?”

Wrong. CBD is made from hemp plants, not marijuana, though both are cannabis. CBD-Isolate and Broad Spectrum products are THC-free (tetrahydrocannabinol- the psychoactive compound found in marijuana responsible for getting a person “high”). Full-Spectrum CBD is the only form of CBD containing federally legal trace amounts of THC (0.3% compared to THC products which typically have 50% THC). There is not enough THC to get a person high regardless of how much CBD they consume.

“CBD is a magic pill, right?”

Unlike Jack’s beanstalk beans, CBD is not a magic pill with magical powers. It can however be an extremely effective and natural choice without side effects for improving health and wellness when taken consistently similarly to vitamins and other dietary supplements.

“I Should Only Take CBD When I Need It, Right?”

Well, CBD is most effective when taken consistently over time to build up in your system to experience the best results rather than just occasionally. This allows your system to achieve homeostasis so your body can operate at an optimal level. Think of CBD like diet and exercise; one day of training and one clean meal will not typically improve your health, but 30-days of consistent clean eating and exercising sure will. CBD works in a similar fashion.

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CBD For Drug-Tested Athletes & Employees

While it is common for cannabidiol (CBD) to be accepted for drug tested athletes and employees, THC is not. THC is short for tetrahydrocannabinol, which is the psychoactive compound commonly found in marijuana responsible for getting a person "high". Given the trace (yet federally legal) amounts of THC found in Full-Spectrum CBD products (0.3%) out of caution we recommend any drug tested individuals stay away from taking Full-Spectrum CBD products just in case (including Absolute Aid's CBD Bites). In the same way a poppy seed bagel can cause an athlete to test positive for opioids, trace levels of THC found in Full-Spectrum CBD can, in theory, cause an athlete to test positive for THC, commonly a banned substance. Stick to CBD-Isolate and Broad Spectrum CBD products (such as Absolute Aid's flagship topical Pain Cream).

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For Further Research

At Absolute Aid we take our personal health and what we put into our own bodies very seriously and we're sure you do the same. We stand by our products and we all personally use them on a daily basis. With that said we highly-recommend you continue to conduct your own research on all things CBD to become as informed as possible.

Some great sources of information and research include:
www.ProjectCBD.org
www.PubMed.gov
info@absoluteaid.com

Absolute Aid can not make any claims or treatment statements regarding our products per current FDA regulations.