Are you a CBD user whose family members and friends are still leery of it although actually know little about how it works? If you are enthusiastic about the results you are getting with CBD and want others to benefit from its pain-relieving and stress-reducing effects; share what you’ve learned. However, explaining what CBD is and specifically how CBD from hemp works can be a bit complicated. That’s why you should prepare your “presentation” to avoid offering too many facts and scientific terms.
Explain the CBD basics
Any conversation about CBD needs to start with a basic explanation of the endocannabinoid system (ECS). Keep it brief but make sure to cover the basics, namely that the ECS is a vital molecular system that plays a very important role in supporting the body’s efforts to maintain stable functionality and operate optimally regardless of any changes in its environment. Explain the ECS is made up of endocannabinoids, cannabinoid receptors and enzymes. Here’s a simple overview about the three parts of the ECS:
An endocannabinoid is a neurotransmitter that sends chemical messages between neurons, the cells that transmit nerve impulses. Endocannabinoids are produced naturally by cells within the body to help regulate sleep, appetite, mood, immune function, and pain, as well as many more functions. Endocannabinoid or cannabinoid receptors reside on cell surfaces and “listen” to conditions outside the cell. They transmit information about changing conditions to the inside of the cell. The third component of the ECS is enzymes that help to break down endocannabinoids once they have carried out their function.
When the body’s endocannabinoid system is depleted, phytocannabinoids (they are plant substances) such as CBD, activate the body’s ECS by interacts with the CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors. CBD interacts to the CB1 receptors in the brain and the CB2 receptors in the immune system to alleviate anxiety, as well as physical ailments including muscle spasms, pain and swelling.
Clear up confusion over what is THC
Many have heard about THC and its effect on creating a high and even becoming addictive. Any explanation of CBD needs to address what is THC and why it can be harmful. This should help:
THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana that gives you a high. Among the vast array of CBD products, there are both hemp CBD and marijuana CBD offerings. Hemp-derived CBD comes from industrial hemp plants and marijuana-derived CBD is sourced from marijuana plants. The molecular structure of the plants is the same. However, federal legal issues apply. The federal government classifies hemp-derived CBD as legal if it contains 0.3 percent THC or less while marijuana-derived CBD is illegal and classified as a controlled substance regardless of the amount of THC.
Emphasize that if someone is applying for a new job and required to take a drug test or if a current employer routinely tests for drugs, be sure that the CBD product doesn’t have any trace amounts of THC. Workers have failed company drug testing because of THC, which can exist in low amounts in some CBD products and remain in the body for weeks.[1]
Shop wisely for CBD
Now that loved ones and friends know the basics, give them some final tips on smart shopping for CBD, in addition to checking to see if the product has THC, they should:
- Read the label for ingredients
- Know their desired dosage
- Make sure the hemp the CBD was derived from was grown in the U.S.
- Ask if the product has a Certificate of Analysis (COA)
Read the label: Read the label to understand what other ingredients are in the product to be sure to avoid any chemicals that will be harmful or of no value in addressing a specific health need. Also, check the label to see how much CBD the product contains. The amount of CBD will be stated in milligrams, and it means the amount of CBD in the entire container of the product. Also consider the size of the bottle – 10ml, 30 ml and so forth. For example, 500mg of CBD in a 30ml bottle is a lot stronger than 500mg in a 60ml bottle.
Know your desired dosage: How much CBD you need depends on one’s condition and the CBD delivery method. Whether in capsules, food or liquid, CBD that is swallowed is absorbed through the digestive tract. With capsules, the effective dose already has been established. CBD can also be absorbed directly into the bloodstream bypassing the digestive system by holding liquid from a spray or tincture (a liquid dosed by a dropper) under the tongue (sublingual) for 60 to 120 seconds. The effects may be felt within 15 to 45 minutes.[2] Topical products, including creams, lotion, balms, and gels are applied to the skin over the area where there is pain. Since topical CBD use is localized, there is no need to dose too much. Assume a little cream goes a long way and start with a small amount on the problem area.
Make sure the hemp was grown in the U.S.: CBD products are highly regulated under the U.S. Farm Bill. It’s important to buy CBD products that use hemp that is sourced in the United States.
Ask if the product Certificate of Analysis (COA): A COA is a document issued by an accredited laboratory that includes a full composition of a product. A CBD COA should include a total list of cannabinoids, microbiological levels, terpenes (aromatic plant compounds found in high concentrations in the cannabis plant), and possible contaminants such as pesticides, solvent residue or heavy metals.[3]
Now that friends and loved ones understand more about CBD and how it works, have them
take a look at the Lab+Blends product line. It includes a range of U.S. grown, THC-free, hemp-derived CBD topical products for relief from pain and skin conditions and drops for complete wellness and quality sleep.