CBD For Dummies E-Book

Blair Lauren Brown

• Herausgeber: John Wiley & Sons
• Kategorie: Fachliteratur
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 463

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2021

Beschreibung

An informative, easy-to-understand resource that unveils the mysteries of CBD CBD has emerged as a popular health product, but what's all the fuss about? CBD For Dummies reveals the reasons for the surge in interest about cannabidiol (CBD) and explains how to buy and use this remarkable product safely and responsibly. In an accessible, no-nonsense manner, author Blair Lauren Brown lays out the facts about CBD and outlines the many health conditions that may be helped by using CBD oil. This book covers topics that people new to CBD have questions about. Highlights include: * What CBD oil is and how it works in the body * How to buy CBD from a reputable source and understanding a product's potency * Knowing what conditions can be eased with CBD, including muscle pain, inflammation, autoimmune conditions, eating disorders, mental health disorders, and neurological conditions * Preparing your own CBD edibles Perfect for anyone interested in understanding the therapeutic potential of CBD, CBD For Dummies introduces you to everything you need to know about this cool compound.

Leseprobe

CBD For Dummies®

Published by: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030-5774, www.wiley.com

Copyright © 2021 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey

Published simultaneously in Canada

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Library of Congress Control Number: 2021939760

ISBN 978-1-119-67472-6 (pbk); ISBN 978-1-119-67458-0 (ebk); ISBN 978-1-119-67480-1 (ebk)

CBD For Dummies®

To view this book's Cheat Sheet, simply go to www.dummies.com and search for “CBD For Dummies Cheat Sheet” in the Search box.

Table of Contents

Cover

Title Page

Copyright

Introduction

About This Book

Foolish Assumptions

Icons Used in This Book

Beyond the Book

Where to Go from Here

Part 1: Looking into CBD

Chapter 1: Updating Attitudes toward Cannabis and CBD

Debunking Myths about CBD

Applying and Ingesting CBD

CBD: The New Treatment of Choice?

Looking at the Legality Surrounding CBD

Chapter 2: Examining CBD Itself

Meeting the Mother of All CBD Sources

Explaining the Parts to the Whole

Investigating the Hemp Strains and Varieties

Finding CBD and Similar Chemicals in Other Plants

Choosing between Synthetic and Natural CBD

Chapter 3: Looking into What CBD Does

Discovering What Makes CBD Work

Recognizing CBD’s Physical and Mental Effects

Chapter 4: Extracting, Infusing, and Producing CBD

Familiarizing Yourself with Extraction Methods

Discerning the Qualities of Kinds of Extractions

Identifying the Forms Resulting from Extraction

Infusing CBD

Using CBD Extracts to Make a Product

Chapter 5: Doing the Math: The Pluses and Minuses of CBD

Realizing the Potential Benefits: The Four Pillars of CBD (and an Added Bonus)

Looking at the Pros and Cons of Supplementing with CBD

Weighing the Risks and Challenges of General CBD Use

Part 2: Finding and Using CBD

Chapter 6: Buying CBD

Discovering What You Can Legally Buy in the United States

Promoting Medical Use

Tapping into Online Distributors

Being an Informed Consumer

Chapter 7: Delving into Forms and Delivery Systems

Becoming Familiar with the Forms of CBD

Uncovering the Delivery Systems

Choosing Your Smoking or Inhalation Method

Touching on Topical and Transdermal Applications

Taking CBD Orally

Chapter 8: Using CBD Safely and Responsibly

Figuring Out How Much to Take

Keeping Others in Mind as You Dose in Public or at Work

Adjusting Your Usage to How Your Body Reacts

Storing Your CBD Products

Part 3: Benefitting from CBD

Chapter 9: Easing Neurological Conditions

Acknowledging the Dangers of Inflammation and How CBD Can Help

Helping with Huntington’s Disease

Soothing Alzheimer’s Disease

Tackling Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)

Addressing the Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

Chapter 10: Alleviating Autoimmune Conditions

Understanding CBD and Immune Function

Relieving Lupus Symptoms

Treating the Effects of Lyme Disease

Finding Help for Celiac Disease

Chapter 11: Dealing with Eating Disorders and Digestive Troubles

Relieving Anorexia

Limiting the Psychological Effects of Bulimia

Calming Nausea

Chapter 12: Coping with Muscular and Physical Ailments

Connecting CBD and Muscle Recovery

Relaxing the Symptoms of Fibromyalgia

Activating Asthma Relief

Mitigating Migraines and Other Headaches

Dealing with Diabetes and Insulin Resistance

Chapter 13: Helping with Emotional, Mood, and Mental Disorders

Identifying the Differences between Stress and Anxiety

Easing Depression

Calming the Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Addressing the Physical and Emotional Components of Addiction

Assisting with Bipolar Disorder

Chapter 14: Alleviating Issues Specific to Age and Sex

Addressing Skin Concerns That Coincide with Aging

Clearing up Acne and Other Conditions

Relieving Menstrual Cramps

Considering CBD during Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Making Menopause Bearable

Helping with Sexual Dysfunction Issues

Chapter 15: Letting Pets Benefit from CBD

Determining How CBD May Help Your Pet

Aiding an Anxious Pet

Trying CBD as a Cancer Treatment

Saying Goodbye to Seizures

Getting Good with Dosing

Part 4: Concocting Your Own CBD Products

Chapter 16: Bringing CBD into the Kitchen

Discovering Ways to Add CBD to Your Regular Meals

Satisfying Your Sweet Tooth

Selecting a Quality Base Oil

Getting Familiar with Special Techniques

Chapter 17: Testing Out Recipes at Home

Mixing up CBD Beverages

Bottoms Up! Indulging in CBD Cocktails

Cooking with CBD

Creating CBD Ingredients

Chapter 18: Branching out to Other CBD and Hemp Products

Treating Your Sweet Tooth: Recipes for CBD Sweets and Snacks

Treating Your Body: Recipes for CBD Body Care and Skincare

Treating Your Pooch: Recipes for CBD Dog Food and Treats

Part 5: The Part of Tens

Chapter 19: Ten Reasons to Try CBD

You Can Use CBD Every Day

CBD Is a Plant-Based Product (Usually)

CBD Is Safe to Use

CBD Is Easy to Ingest

CBD Doesn’t Get You High

CBD Is Legal in Most States

CBD Is Available from Many Sources

You Can Take CBD Discreetly

Name Brands Provide Reliability

CBD Relieves Innumerable Conditions

Chapter 20: Ten Ways CBD Can Help

CBD Enhances Health

CBD Relieves Stress

CBD Controls Nausea

CBD Relieves Pain

CBD Helps You Sleep

CBD Relieves Digestive Problems

CBD Supports Autoimmune Treatments

CBD Is Effective for Neurological Conditions

CBD Eases Cancer Symptoms

CBD Can Help Pets, Too

Chapter 21: Ten Ways to Get CBD into Your System

Eat a Product Containing It

Smoke It

Vape It

Dab It

Smooth It on Your Skin

Put It in Your Food

Take a Mint

Swallow a Pill

Drop It under Your Tongue

Drink a Beverage That Contains It

Chapter 22: Ten Tips for Having a Great CBD Experience

Recognizing That CBD Can Help

Researching before Buying

Buying the Best Product

Choosing the Form That Suits You

Finding the Proper Dose

Determining the Best Way to Buy

Being in a Good Physical Space

Getting Your Head Right

Adding a Complementary Product

Trying Something New When You Feel Comfortable

Appendix A: Helpful CBD Resources

Resources for Using CBD

Informative CBD Websites

Industry-Focused Hemp Information

Informative Cannabis Resources

Trade Organizations

Conferences

Informative CBD Science Articles

Updated CBD Guidelines

Index

About the Author

Advertisement Page

Connect with Dummies

End User License Agreement

List of Tables

Chapter 1

TABLE 1-1 Separating Common CBD Fact from Fiction

Chapter 7

TABLE 7-1 Onset Times for Different Forms of CBD Delivery

Chapter 8

TABLE 8-1 Bioavailability of CBD by Form Factor

Chapter 14

TABLE 14-1 Treating Menopause Symptoms with CBD

List of Illustrations

Chapter 2

FIGURE 2-1: The hemp plant.

Chapter 6

FIGURE 6-1: Map of U.S. CBD regulations.

Chapter 8

FIGURE 8-1: An example of a typical CBD label.

Guide

Cover

Title Page

Copyright

Table of Contents

Begin Reading

Appendix A: Helpful CBD Resources

Index

About the Author

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Introduction

Getting high isn’t the only reason to dip your toe into hemp or cannabis-derived products. Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive compound found in the cannabis plant, has proven to be a powerful medicine for dozens of different ailments. From rheumatoid arthritis to menopause, CBD is proving to be a missing link in formerly dire and nearly untreatable medical circumstances. And less bleak circumstances, like a lack of sexual excitement or lowered libido, are also being investigated as conditions that CBD can remedy. No matter the source of your curiosity, CBD For Dummies can help you leap from uninformed consumer to confident and competent CBD advocate.

About This Book

Many people think of themselves as cannabis experts, but their knowledge base may come from faulty sources. Movies like Pineapple Express and How High create narratives that the plant is dangerous or magical. And your old college roommate who has a friend of a friend who bakes pot cookies probably isn’t a top-tier source, either.

This book focuses on the ins and outs of CBD, with its psychedelic cousin THC playing more of a minor role. My goal is to give you a foundation to make informed decisions as a consumer on how to treat ailments (specifically found in Part 3 of this book) and improve your life with the help of CBD. If you’re more advanced than a complete newbie, that’s great! You’ll find some sections to be intuitive or obvious. I also dive into a series of recipes (found in Part 4) so that you can start using CBD in your home, in formats that are familiar, with recipes for facial products, and others for edible treats for you and even your pets. I hope to also give you new insights into the cannabis industry, relevant legislation, medicinal history and applications, and even recreational mediums.

Note: As you build your repertoire of cannabis knowledge, remember that none of the advice in this book can replace a consultation with a medical professional. Additionally, although I explore many different delivery methods, the CBD vehicle that will give you the best experience is completely up to you. You’re not a carbon copy, and CBD isn’t one-size-fits-all.

Foolish Assumptions

I’ve made a few assumptions about you as I’ve written this book:

You want to try CBD and are curious about alternative medicines. You know that you prefer a more naturopathic approach to wellness and are hoping to transition from traditional pills and potions to a more holistic solution.

You recognize that CBD is a huge industry with many different opinions and options on how to get started. You’re willing to take the time to tailor your CBD treatment method to your lifestyle and other unique points of consideration.

You’re willing to form your own opinions, using diligent research and soliciting credible consultations. You know that the only expert on your body is you and accept that no rules apply everywhere without exception.

You realize that all that glitters isn’t gold. You recognize that, as in any industry, some CBD companies are more reputable or trustworthy than others.

Icons Used in This Book

Throughout the book, I use a handful of icons to point out various types of information. Here’s what they are and what they mean:

Think of this icon as the little star you may draw next to important items on your grocery list. It marks areas that are great reference points to commit to memory.

This icon points out tidbits of information that are interesting but not essential. If you’re in a hurry or into speed-reading, you can skip paragraphs marked with this icon and still be just fine.

The Tip icon is for actionable blurbs of advice and sometimes brand or product recommendations.

This one is essentially a “Slippery When Wet” road sign. Use this icon to avoid unnecessary pitfalls.

Beyond the Book

The Cheat Sheet is an awesome way to explore bite-sized information on some of the most important points about getting acquainted with CBD. This little freebie is definitely worth a gander.

To access this Cheat Sheet, simply go to www.dummies.com and search for “CBD For Dummies Cheat Sheet.”

Where to Go from Here

The great thing about this book is that you can start anywhere. Just mosey on over to the table of contents or index to identify your topic of interest and begin reading.

If you’re not quite sure what CBD is and why it may positively impact your body in a supplementary form, Chapters 2 and 3 give you a complete overview of CBD and what its functions are.

On the other hand, if you feel like you want to get a sense of how to find the right delivery method for you, go straight to Chapter 7.

On the other hand (you’ve got three hands, right?), if you want to get started whipping up some customized recipes, your best bet is to visit Part 4.

Whatever the case, please approach the book with a sense of open-mindedness and enjoyment. Remember, you’re here to have fun and to get great information. It’s go time!

Part 1

Looking into CBD

IN THIS PART …

Beef up your CBD knowledge, vocabulary, and technique.

Define CBD and become familiar with the different parts of the hemp plant.

Dig into the four pillars of CBD relief and the pros and cons of CBD supplementation.

Investigate the different layers of CBD extraction and the different products it can yield.

Chapter 1

Updating Attitudes toward Cannabis and CBD

IN THIS CHAPTER

Separating CBD fact from fiction

Trying out a couple of treatment methods

Recognizing some of CBD’s medical benefits

Understanding the history and future of CBD laws and acceptance

CBD is one of hundreds of naturally occurring chemical compounds in the cannabis plant. Because that plant has long had a sordid history in the Western world, CBD carries a perception of danger and illicit behavior. The reality is that CBD offers many potential therapeutic benefits in and of itself without the inebriating, or “high,” effects that give cannabis its reputation.

The everyday consumer and even some of the canna-curious find themselves butting up against myths that are a function of the times. In this chapter, I unpack the differences between the different types of cannabis and how CBD got its (not entirely fair) reputation. I also delve into its practical uses and medical benefits, as well as legality issues surrounding CBD. After reading this chapter, you’ll become a pro at separating CBD rumors from realities. (For a deeper dive into what CBD actually is, flip to Chapter 2.)

Debunking Myths about CBD

The list of rumors and myths about CBD is long because the cannabis plant is new in Western applications and the research is young. You may have heard that CBD is illegal because it comes from the cannabis plant. Or perhaps you’ve heard that it comes from hemp, but you’re only familiar with hemp as a source of fabric. You may have heard that CBD is a snake oil, made popular only by the placebo effect. On the other hand, maybe you’ve been told that CBD really can cure it all.

Table 1-1 provides a quick overview of some common myths surrounding CBD as well as the actual facts. In the following sections, I talk about some of these myths in more detail.

TABLE 1-1 Separating Common CBD Fact from Fiction

Fiction

Fact

CBD is a Schedule 1 narcotic drug, so there is no research.

Formal, government-sanctioned research, as well as a host of anecdotal evidence, does exist. It is also “descheduled.”

CBD is snake oil and a scam.

CBD has plenty of legitimate applications.

CBD as an industry is chock-full of discrepancies and is thus unsafe.

CBD hasn’t been shown to physically harm anyone.

CBD can cure anything.

CBD has been shown to help some conditions; like anything, results vary.

CURE: A LOADED WORD

The myth of all myths is that CBD can cure anything. Cure is a word you don’t often hear in any kind of medicine because it implies that whatever caused the symptoms is no longer there. That’s a hard threshold to reach. Results inevitably vary from body to body, so claiming a cure is difficult. Anecdotal evidence and the FDA’s new approved CBD anti-seizure medicine, Epidiolex, indicate that CBD has provided a lot of relief to a diverse group of people. And as a recognized figure in the space, I have heard of plenty of successful applications of CBD across individuals and with companies developing products.

Understanding where some of the uncertainty about CBD comes from

The CBD molecule is found largely in the cannabis plant. However, new evidence suggests that it also appears in an invasive species of pine tree. Early research suggests that many plants contain a host of other molecules that mimic the functions and properties of CBD.

From a federal standpoint, cannabis containing THC is illegal. Hemp cannabis, which contains 0.3 percent or less THC content by dry weight, has been allowed for use with various FDA disclaimers on use practices. CBD is derived from hemp cannabis. (Head to the later section “Looking at the Legality Surrounding CBD” for more on legal specifics.)

CBD used to be lumped in with THC-dominant cannabis as a Schedule 1 narcotic drug. Because of that classification, research was limited to federal institutions (or abroad) — no private studies. So much of the existing research available is limited to the interests of the federal government; relevant information isn’t very accessible, leading to the widespread fear that CBD is unsafe.

CBD was actually isolated and discovered as far back as 1940.

The declassification of hemp cannabis cleared the way for the allowance of CBD in products. Retailers clamored to get their hands on the new “it-girl” ingredient. This frenzy incited a rush to the marketplace with everything from tinctures and balms to CBD-infused pillows. Little regulation on the natural and supplement market in the United States meant few barriers to entry.

As knowledge of CBD’s uses as a supplement grew, companies began churning out long lists of claims about its supposed benefits: pain relief, better sleep, reduction of wrinkles, cell turnover — the list goes on. Some of these claims were merely that — claims. Some were and are based on private studies and years of experience. Ultimately, some CBD products may be scams; as with any new industry, companies with little integrity try to make a quick buck.

But it’s not all smoke and mirrors. CBD has lots of legitimate uses as natural medicine. Interestingly enough, the United States even holds patents (almost 40, in fact) on cannabis. One of the most acknowledged and talked about is on cannabis as a neuroprotective as well as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidative agent.

HOLDING CBD PRODUCTS TO A HIGHER (DOUBLE) STANDARD

Consumers today are more knowledgeable and empowered in their ingredient knowledge than ever, but they don’t necessarily hold all plant-derived ingredients to the same standard. Take tea tree oil. It first came to the Western product market as an antibacterial; soon, it was in everything from soaps to toothpaste to honey. People took it at face value and consumed it in abundance. Now compare that approach to the hoops consumers want CBD products to jump through. They want to look at certificates of analysis (COAs) and know the location of the farm. I don’t know about you, but I don’t know exactly where the tea tree in my toothpaste comes from, and I’m an over-the-top kind of principled buyer of products. Most consumers didn’t even know what a COA was before the cannabis market opened up. The difference? Tea tree oil doesn’t come with the stigma of having been classified as an illicit substance.

CBD is not a cure-all, but neutralizes many difficult symptoms

The early phases of CBD in the consumer marketplace have led to a host of one-size-fits-all forms of CBD. The most common offering is full-spectrum tinctures. Other varieties include capsules, powders, balms, and salves. Some companies are creating very targeted ingredients with CBD, and still others are creating products with CBD and other ingredients designed to address specific conditions.

Research and anecdotal evidence for the many uses of CBD continues to expand. Broad applications showed success in inflammatory relief, and evidence indicates CBD can address topical conditions like eczema, scarring, and acne. Now researchers are testing extra functions such as antimicrobial and antifungal qualities.

More than 50 percent of Americans suffer from chronic pain, sleep, and anxiety conditions, and CBD can help there as well. The reported internal benefits of CBD range from help with chronic and acute pain to stress reduction and relief from depression and sleeplessness. Other applications include gut health, mental fog, arthritis, exercise fatigue, and more. The formal medical uses are limited because of CBD’s novelty, but they’re showing incredible promise.

The most significant medical applications to date are related to epilepsy and seizures. A pharmaceutical company created the drug Epidiolex, which is designed to treat a severe seizure condition and has been proven to limit the severity, duration, and frequency of condition-related seizures. Researchers are exploring other pharmaceutical uses in more depth, including a host of neurological conditions that have stumped the drug industry and healthcare professionals for generations.

If you don’t know what you’re treating, quantifying results is hard. In Chapter 7, I cover how to know the difference in form, ingredient, and condition to ensure CBD products you choose can serve your particular needs. Part 3 also covers all sorts of ailments and conditions and how CBD may be able to help.

Applying and Ingesting CBD

CBD is not just a one-trick pony, or a one-form pony, for lack of better analogies. That’s a common misconception that needs to be corrected. Many people think that the whole-plant form reigns superior for consumption. CBD cannabis flower, the true whole-plant form, is beautiful. The host of plant chemicals contained inside can address a broad spectrum of conditions and side effects. However, it is not the best form of CBD if it is not a form that works for you.

When CBD is processed into an extract, there are varying degrees of so-called purity. The purest form that you could get is CBD-isolate, which contains nothing but pure CBD. When you subscribe to the whole-plant method, isolate is off the table for you. Instead, you will only look at products such as full-spectrum extracts that contain the whole plant. Subscribing to a clinical and impersonal definition of rightness is limiting. The narrow perception of CBD as solely a full-spectrum extract prohibits the perception of its diversity of application and opportunities. Let's not pigeonhole CBD!

Uncovering the right form for you is a bit of an art. And while I go into some of the details of the form factors later in this section, it's helpful to go into a more specific approach to conditions and side-effects and evaluate the “right” form factor from there. As a start, read through this chapter, and if you find you want to jump straight to the deeper information on form factors, hop to Chapter 7. Topicals are discussed in more depth in Chapter 14, more specifically as they relate to skincare. Chapter 21 offers a broader overview of the “why” coupled with what form.

As an all-natural remedy, CBD has been declared effective as both a topical and ingestible treatment. The condition you’re treating ultimately determines the best form to use. A topical application of CBD is best for localized or acute pain, which can be caused by a bonk or a bruise. Examples of topical products include body oils and lotions. Ingestible forms of CBD are best for chronic pain conditions. The following sections break down the basics of topical and ingestible treatments.

New findings have led not only to more sophisticated combinations of CBD but also to adaptations of CBD from its more raw extracts into complex formulations. These cutting-edge creations are versatile and can be topical or ingestible.

Applying CBD to the skin

Topical applications of CBD can treat both external and internal issues. The external treatments don’t absorb beyond the top three layers of the skin. These options — ranging from lotions, salves, creams, and balms to oils — are prevalent in both the skincare and the pain markets. The list of benefits here is particularly long. The primary targets are inflammatory skin conditions, including dry skin, itchy irritations, dehydration, and rough patches and cracks. CBD is also an antioxidant and thus is touted for protecting skin from the signs of aging as well as addressing more difficult skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, and acne.

Treating internal conditions topically is a little more complicated. The skin is the largest external organ; it serves as a protective barrier that either allows or prevents substances from reaching the bloodstream. Topicals designed to treat external (surface-level) skin conditions don’t need to penetrate below the outermost layer of the skin, but to take care of internal complaints, CBD must reach the bloodstream. That’s where transdermal agents come in.

Topical applications for internal benefits are known as transdermal agents (or transdermals). Transdermals require a penetrating agent — something that damages the skin in a microirritation. This microirritation allows the active agents to pass through the skin and into the bloodstream. Think of those pain relief patches that seem to change temperature. The “heat” is the penetrating agent (the cooling is there to mediate the heat sensation). The CBD market has only briefly approached transdermals, but a host of companies offer patches specifically for localized pain.

Eating or ingesting CBD

When choosing an edible/ingestible form of CBD, you have two important considerations:

Bioavailability (the amount of a substance that reaches the bloodstream)

Onset time (how quickly the CBD takes effect)

Sublingual applications (applied under the tongue) are the fastest-acting and most calibrated of CBD offerings next to smoking. Chewable tablets like mints; gums; and dissolvable strips, tinctures, teas, and oral sprays all fall under the sublingual category because they’re in your mouth for a while. And the sublingual oil market is one of the most dominant categories in ingestible CBD.

Sublingual action is made possible through the medicine meeting the mucous membrane under the tongue. The membrane and connective tissue under the tongue contain capillaries (the smallest and largest concentration of blood vessels). On sublingual administration, the medicine dissolves and is absorbed into the bloodstream through the tiny network of blood vessels. The faster the medicine hits the bloodstream, the faster the onset. The least obstacles in the way of the medicine reaching the bloodstream means the largest amount of bioavailability.

Other forms of edibles (like chocolates, candies, or gummies) have the disadvantage of having to travel through the gut for absorption. The problem is that they encounter quite a few warriors (such as stomach acid) along the way, which challenges their bioavailability and onset time. Supplements like capsules and powders, and anything else you may swallow, struggle with the same obstacles. On the flip side, they have the comfort of a more traditional supplement market.

CBD: The New Treatment of Choice?

“Illegal, illicit narcotic banned by the government for over 40 years is now making its way into the hands of the severely ill and having incredible benefits!” I just made that headline up, but it sounds like something you could’ve read in all the frenzy over CBD since it was declassified in 2018. (See the later section “Looking at the Legality Surrounding CBD” for that move.) CBD has the appeal of an affordable, accessible miracle, but the frenzy is just a fad. For CBD to really have long-term staying power, we need to see maximum benefits and efficacy in the CBD medicine space. That may require a few more years to apply research. We need patient-backed outcome studies to attest to successes in a uniform and repeatable way.

So yes, for now, this is just a fad that requires a lot of work on behalf of the customer for positive outcomes. That or a really good friend, or book, which might be able to provide some guidance to start the process of sorting through the weeds. (No pun intended.)

Providing a natural alternative to Western healthcare

The timing of the legalization of CBD couldn’t have been better. In this day and age, people are more and more disillusioned with traditional Western healthcare and are therefore looking for alternative remedies to legitimately heal what ails them. The Western focus tends to treat the symptoms; natural and alternative medicines tend to focus on the whole and the underlying causes or roots of an ailment.

CBD falls into that natural category right now. Its compatibility with the human body is truly remarkable. The introduction of CBD and other cannabinoids addresses a general balance that can potentially systematically ease symptoms caused by a core root condition. It may even address the condition in some cases.

And it’s proving to be quite successful for some in the experiential phases of exploring CBD as a personal remedy. As the science and uses evolve, more targeted remedies and more customer education will become available.

The combination of the minimal applicable science and widespread fear about CBD has made way for the general population to take charge of their education about the plant, the chemicals, and what they could be using. This self-empowerment model is unlike anything else the natural health space has seen regarding a single ingredient.

Move over, opiates: Considering CBD for treating pain

One of the more promising areas of study and usage for CBD is pain. The chemical is a nonaddictive alternative to opiates because of its anti-inflammatory action. CBD expedites the body’s inflammatory response system and alleviates pain sensations while simultaneously speeding up recovery.

Opiates tend to be a pharmacological tool applied to both acute and chronic pain, but they present more of a problem with the latter. Pain that persists for long periods can be harder to treat because it has perpetual effects on the neurological state. The result: more opiate use over longer durations. This prolonged use comes with a host of side effects, including dependency.

The focus of opiates is pain relief specifically; think of them as a single blade. CBD is more like a multi-tool for pain.

If the end result is relief either way, and one opportunity presents fewer side effects and less risk of dependency, the winner seems clear. All the hows and whys of this are explored in more depth on a condition-by-condition basis in Part 3.

Looking at the Legality Surrounding CBD

CBD is now a legal extract from a hemp plant, so long as no THC is present in the product. (In some cases, 0.3 percent or less THC is acceptable.) The task now is unpacking the unnecessary criminalization of the plant. Coming back from the implications of being a Schedule 1 drug is challenging, but the future of cannabis is bright.

Breaking down the criminalization of CBD

In the 1930s, cannabis became a regulated substance and then a prohibited substance — not the kind of upgrade you want. The law made absolutely no separation between cannabis with THC and hemp cannabis.

Why this change happened is an interesting question. Theories range from a paper commission to a conglomerate of businesses out to serve only themselves. (At the time, hemp was used and grown for industrial purposes only, from paper to fabric production to protein as a food source.) Others say the federal government specifically intended to villainize a population of people who were using cannabis. And still another theory supports the two theories combined, suggesting that the politics and corporate interests were intertwined. Plenty of evidence seems to support the theory of villanization. In fact, contemporary dissection of the War on Drugs reveals the U.S. administration’s fabrication and popularization of stories of black and brown populations using marijuana and becoming super villains. Regardless, the implications of the history of cannabis continue to affect people — maybe you, maybe your neighbors and friends — today.

Changing attitudes and changing laws

The U.S. federal government declassified hemp and hemp-derived CBD in 2018, leading to a steady flow of hemp CBD products into the marketplace. Scientists and researchers are now allowed access previously given only to government organizations. Government cannabis and hemp flowers for research came from an extremely limited pool of resources. Only minimal viable information was accessible, which limited expansion efforts for both public acceptance and product development.

The longer nongovernment scientists have access, the more information the public will see and the more familiar and more comfortable people will be as consumers. So the more consumers vote with their dollars by adopting CBD products, the better the evolution of quality and then the application will become.

Moving toward new understanding

CBD as a chemical has only just been extracted (excuse the pun) from the common assumption that it’s going to get you high like its cannabinoid cousin THC. For such myths to be put to bed for good, a few things need to happen:

The facts about hemp cannabis and CBD need to trickle down from the science community to the lay population.

The whole plant needs to be removed from any state of regulation.

People everywhere need to think long and hard about their existing beliefs in light of these new changes.

Chapter 2

Examining CBD Itself

IN THIS CHAPTER

Digging into hemp

Understanding what’s in hemp and how those components work together

Feeling out hemp strains

Discovering other plants that contain CBD and CBD-like substances

Comparing natural and synthetic CBD

Without understanding the whole plant, it’s hard to get a proper picture of CBD. I love the idea of getting the entire story of the plant by, you guessed it, using the whole plant as medicine. It requires a special level of attunement and sensitivity to engage with cannabis in this way. When I say that the relationship to the plant spirit is part of the medicine, the general plant medicine community is in agreement. To better honor this relationship, the plant must be as close to its natural state as possible. And to clarify, my statement is not just limited to form but also applies to cultivation and use.

In this chapter, I explore the plant and plants (yes, I said plants, plural) containing CBD. I also walk you through the components and complements of the whole plant and their relationship to CBD. And finally, I introduce you to synthetic CBD.

Meeting the Mother of All CBD Sources

Because of hemp’s relation to the cannabis plant as a whole, differentiating them is important. Cannabis and hemp both come from the same plant species, Cannabis sativa, but their chemical makeups and respective uses vary. Hemp is associated with industrial use, with cultivation focusing on the stalks. Cannabis is the one often referred to as marijuana. It has been cultivated and revered (as well as criminalized and stigmatized) for the psychoactive properties found in its flowers, also called the buds.

The hemp plant has a vast history and myriad standalone virtues that I explore in the following sections.

Delving into the long history of hemp

Plants in the cannabis family are widely referred to as “weed” because of the way they grow abundantly with little attention. They can break up soil, survive in varied climates, and adapt quickly. Historically, then, hemp has been easy to cultivate and therefore lent itself to proliferation. (Of course, intentional cultivation in very controlled environments to support and bring out specific characteristics also happens.)

The history of the hemp plant spans cultures and generations. You can find well over 22,000 recorded uses for hemp seeds, stalks, and flowers (but I don’t recommend looking for all of them). The applications throughout time may surpass that of any other plant. Here are just a few across time and continents:

Allegedly, Buddhist texts dating back to the second and third centuries CE were printed on hemp-dominant paper.

Hemp cloth from 8000 BCE was discovered in what was once ancient Mesopotamia.

Chinese educational texts from 500 CE teach hemp cultivation techniques for making cloth.

King Henry VIII required landowners in 1535 to grow at least a quarter acre of hemp so that the supply would be sufficient for canvas production for ship sails. This record is just one account of Europe’s heavy reliance on hemp-derived canvas fiber and rope.

In 1938,

Popular Mechanics

hailed hemp as the new billion-dollar crop, and Americans were incentivized by the government to grow the plant abundantly. (Shortly thereafter, they were then penalized by the same governing body for growing it abundantly. I touch on this topic briefly in

Chapter 1

.)

Identifying the parts of the hemp plant

Here are the essential features of the hemp plant; you can see them in Figure 2-1:

Courtesy of Poplar

FIGURE 2-1: The hemp plant.

Seeds:

Hemp seeds are generally considered a superfood, chock full of protein and fiber. They also contain a host of other medically appreciated benefits. You can find minerals, healthy fats such as omega-3s, and vitamins including magnesium and vitamins B6 and E in hemp seeds; all of these are essential to a healthy system. Fuel, food, and oil are also derivatives of the seeds when they can be processed in large quantities.

Stalks: The stalks are the most vital part of the plant for fiber production; they’re where the ropes, canvas, and paper I mention in the preceding section ultimately hail from. The fiber is an ingredient in compost and can be used for animal bedding and for insulation purposes. The more hemp is cultivated in modern times, the more uses are starting to pop up across industries.

Because of the interest in creating fiber, hemp plants are grown tightly packed in fields so they stretch to the sun, creating long stalks much like bamboo.

Roots:

The roots are incredible

bioremediators,

meaning they can help extract toxins from the ground around them. They can also break up troublesome hard soil, making it more manageable. They contain an incredible concentration of the healing compounds in hemp.

Leaves:

Hemp leaves contain vital cannabinoids, although not as plentifully as the flowers do. Additionally, when the leaves are raw and fresh, rather than dried, they contain potentially vital cannabinoids, terpenes, and other properties of nutritional value. The fibrous hemp leaves are better served up as edible nutrient fiber. Contemporary uses including juicing to extract these vital nutrients.

Flower:

Hemp, like its other cannabis counterpart, produces a flower (the bud) when grown to full term. Dispensaries sell it as a CBD flower. Hemp flowers are rich in all the plant chemicals, including terpenes, flavonoids, and cannabinoids, and are smokable. They’re also the principal source for extracts because of their high concentration of potent plant chemicals. (Fun fact: The hemp flower is more sought-after and has a higher price point than a lot of the THC flowers on the consumer market.)

Explaining the Parts to the Whole

Plant chemicals, or phytochemicals, have a lot of jobs. They contribute to the flavors, tastes, smells, and colors of the plant. Ultimately, they exist to help the survival of the plant itself.

The functions of plant chemicals — microbial resistance, reduction of inflammatory response, fungal protection, and more — are transferrable. That’s why you’re supposed to eat so many vegetables: Phytochemicals can dually protect plants and humans from unhealthy risks. (So, spoiler alert, your mother was right — eat your leafy greens!) Major plant chemicals in hemp include terpenes, flavonoids (color and flavor contributors), more than 120 cannabinoids, and the enzymes that make the chemical reactions possible.

Debating the benefits of using the whole plant versus the sum of its parts

The entourage effect is the predominant philosophy in the world of hemp and marijuana. Many believe that you need to have the whole plant (or all the pieces of the plant in their respective ratios, as they originate in a single plant) to get the most beneficial therapeutic effects.

That said, generations and cultures around the world have harnessed different pieces of all plants for different purposes. For example, kava plants are prized for their roots, which have intensely calming effects. Folk remedies tout the benefits of certain plants for their ability to heal certain parts of the human body. They often equate a plant’s physical resemblance to a specific body part to the plant’s use as a specialized remedy for that body part. And because science has evolved to be able to study the realities of those applications, more knowledge about the uses of the pieces is available than ever before.

Because prohibition has limited studies on the hemp plant as a whole and its parts, whether using the whole plant is “better” is unclear.

Appreciating all the cannabinoids in the hemp plant

Cannabinoids are the chemicals most specific to the hemp and cannabis plants because they’re almost unduplicated in any other plant. More than 120 cannabinoids occur naturally in the hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) plant; this book focuses on CBD, but others are certainly worth a visit.

Here are the essential chemicals you need to know:

Cannabidiol (CBD): CBD is the most abundant cannabinoid in the hemp plant; it’s recognized for its anti-inflammatory, pain relief, antimicrobial, and antifungal properties, among others.

CBD is also non-inebriating. Just a reminder.

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC):

THC is the cannabinoid known for its illicit history, all thanks to its psychoactive nature. Medically, it’s gaining acclaim for its pain relief properties, making it an exciting candidate for treating pain conditions.

Cannabichromene (CBC):

CBC has been wildly less studied, but it may lend itself chronic pain relief because of its ability to block the perception of pain.

Cannabinol (CBN):

CBN is what you get when THC degenerates from long-term exposure to oxygen. Studies show that it may help treat insomnia and other sleep disorders because of its effects on certain brain receptors.

Cannabigerol (CBG):

The medical implications of CBG are actually quite exciting. Cultivation for CBG is on the rise thanks to hopes of treating conditions from digestive disorders to eye disease.

Exploring terpenes and flavonoids

Terpenes are present in many life forms — around 20,000 plants and animals. They’re a major player in the cannabis plant because hundreds appear in such high concentrations.

GETTING MORE FAMILIAR WITH TERPENES

With all this talk about terpenes, how about a look at some of the more common terpenes? The following chart represents some of the better-known terpenes that can be found in cannabis, hemp, and a host of other botanicals. Beyond naming the terpenes, I also outline the effects each terpene has on the body and the associated medical benefits. The aroma is one of the most identifying characteristics of a terpene, and sometimes, just by smelling a plant, you can tell the terpene profile, so just for fun, I have included the scent and a few other plants where you can find the terpene. Take a look at the chart, then test your nose on the mentioned plants.

Courtesy of Poplar

Terpenes are also referred to as terpenoids, but they aren’t the same thing. Terpenoids are an aged and oxidized version of a terpene.

Terpenes have a lot of functions in plants. They can protect a plant from disease and act as an antimicrobial, antifungal, or antibacterial agent, and they do the same in their extract form. Thyme, for instance, has high concentrations of thymol, known for its antibacterial properties. It’s quite efficient as a cleaning agent — it’s actually the active ingredient in a popular brand of natural cleaning products.

Terpenes are recognizable because of their highly aromatic profiles. Essential oils actually contain high concentrations of terpenes! Aromatherapy recognizes the properties of these terpenes and takes advantage of certain aromas to address specific conditions and ailments. In the same vein, cannabis is becoming widely recognized for its ability to address many conditions and ailments. So smoking a spliff isn’t so far removed from the practice of aromatherapy.

If the name doesn’t say it all, flavonoids contribute to the flavor and the smell of plants. They also help with cell signaling and the antioxidant effects in the body.

Looking at enzymes and the value of the other plant molecules

Enzymes, simply put, are instigators. They’re protein molecules that catalyze or start chemical reactions. They’re responsible for functionality in an organism — in this case, cannabis. Enzymes do the heavy lifting not just in the plant kingdom but with humans as well. They’re a vital piece for interaction with your endocannabinoid system.

Investigating the Hemp Strains and Varieties

If you aren’t a botanist, plant varieties and strains may be new concepts for you. (If you are a botanist, this topic shouldn’t strain you.) The difference is in the propagation (breeding) process:

Variety:

Plant

varieties

are created through

sexual propagation,

which means the plant specimen was bred naturally from its parent’s stock. Hemp specifically is created through the sexual propagation of hemp seeds.

Strain:

Strains

are an

asexual propagation

of the plant through cloning. The cloning process takes cuttings of what’s commonly known as a

mother plant

and develops the same genetic profile in a repeatable fashion.

I focus on strains over varieties for CBD consumption and medicinal use. The possibility of controlling genetic outcomes is crucial for creating consistent medicinal benefits, and that genetic control comes from the cloning process.

Almost universally, hemp strains contain calming or relaxing properties. CBD lends itself to a feeling of physical relaxation. The combination of other plant chemicals, namely terpenes, in a particular strain is what causes the psychological effects you experience when you consume it. (Flip to the earlier section “Exploring terpenes and flavonoids” for more on terpenes.) Terpene profiles across strains can vary dramatically from calming to energizing.

I explore these categories more in the following sections. The key here is choosing a strain that’s high in CBD and low in THC, which is the defining characteristic of a CBD strain.

I mention a few classic strain names in the following sections, but homing in on the percentage of cannabinoids and terpenes is really more important. These two traits are much like a fingerprint. They’re going to be the best identifier of strain characteristics. Because of the diversity of breeding and cultivation that occurs from grower to grower and retailer to retailer, focusing on strain names isn’t always the best approach.

Checking out calming strains

Calming strains have higher concentrations of the following calming terpenes:

Linalool

Myrcene

Limonene

Look for these options in the terpene profiles of your CBD hemp flower or distillates.

If you’re looking at CBD as a remedy for stress and anxiety, make sure the strains you consume contain almost no THC. The “high” feeling of THC can be associated with paranoia and anxiety.

Remedy, ACDC, Lifter, and Charlotte’s Web are a few of the more popular, widely available options.

Recognizing refreshing and revitalizing strains

Refreshing strains have uplifting and clarifying terpene profiles. In a sense, these profiles are similar to the calming terpenes in the preceding section but also include other terpenes like pinene and beta-caryophyllene. You can actually smell a more vibrant terpene profile in these types of strains.

Bubba Kush and Elektra are great for harnessing your energy and feeling energized but not sedated.

Lifting and elevating some energizing strains

Many people used to look for a sativa strain (over an indica strain) for uplifting effects. But those cheerful, energetic feelings actually come from the terpene levels, and thus, the terms indica and sativa, while they are quite new sounding to those new to cannabis, are actually seeing their way out of the conversation. The most energizing strains have valencene, pinene, and beta-caryophyllene.

Harlequin, Harle-Tsu, Sour Space Candy, Lifter, and Frosted Kush are a few of the more recognized strains for a pick-me-up.

Finding CBD and Similar Chemicals in Other Plants

The cannabis plant isn’t the only source of CBD or its effects. An invasive pine tree also has CBD in its bark, and various plants contain a host of cannabimimetics, chemicals that interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system and whose results mimic those of CBD. I explore the best known in this section.

Coming full circle with tree bark

Users report the same benefits from bark-derived CBD, though not much evidence or research exists as to its effectiveness. Its only reported usage I have uncovered was in the form of edibles from Grön, a confectionary out of Portland, Oregon. Grön was the first (and only, as of this writing) company documented to use a noncannabis-derived CBD at its inception. Currently they are using hemp.

Note: This form of CBD actually touches a bit of gray area as to whether it qualifies as naturally derived or synthesized. As it was historically indicated by the company, it’s naturally derived and synthesized. They were quoted as saying “Our CBD is created through a natural product assembly which involves combining the evergreen with citrus under heat and pressure.”

Focusing on the flowers

The phytocannabinoid chemicals found in cannabis are also produced by other plants and flowers; some plants produce cannabimimetics. You may already familiar with many of these plants as superfoods.

Sunflowers:

Cannabinoid-like compounds that mimic cannabigerol (CBG) are present in a unique genus of sunflower called

Helichrysum.

This sunflower also contains amorfrutins, which reduce blood sugar and have anti-inflammatory effects much like CBD.

Echinacea:

Echinacea, also known as coneflower, is full of cannabimimetics. Echinacea interacts with the brain receptor that regulates the immune function of inflammation, among other things. This plant is used in the treatment of conditions from arthritis to colds and migraines.

Electric daisy:

The electric daisy is also known as the “toothache plant.” It contains a cannabimimetic (N-isobutylamides) that can block pain receptors at nerve endings and thus is powerful for treating toothaches.

Chinese rhododendron:

Folic acids in this flower act like cannabinoids by helping with inflammatory and pain response. Cannabinoid-like derivatives help reduce muscle contractions.

Exploring other similar compounds

Beyond flowers, a host of other plant-based goodies have cannabimimetic compounds:

Cacao: