In 2019, one in seven Americans were using CBD on a regular basis. Today, that number is much higher.
Millions find it to be an effective treatment for many issues, from sleep deprivation to anxiety, and even chronic pain like arthritis.
The problem is that most people in the country still don’t really know what CBD is, why it’s safe to use, and how it can benefit them. They still think CBD has THC, and are afraid of how they might feel.
But commercial CBD doesn’t contain THC. So how does CBD work without THC, then?
The answer to that question will help a lot of CBD skeptics become regular CBD users. How does CBD work, and is CBD worth it? All your answers lie below.
What Is CBD?
So what is CBD? Is CBD THC? Or is CBD a different form of weed, that will get you high?
Absolutely not. Many people mistakingly think that CBD is a different method of getting high from marijuana. But it’s very different.
Weed, the stuff you smoke to feel high and relaxed, comes from the cannabis plant. The plants that produce weed have THC, which is also present in the weed itself.
On the other hand, CBD comes from hemp plants. Hemp plants are the same cannabis plants but are varieties that don’t contain any THC. So CBD is extracted from these hemp plants, and also doesn’t contain any THC, the psychoactive component that gets you high.
Per the Farmers Act of 2018, CBD is legal to produce and purchase so long as it comes from hemp plants so that it won’t contain any THC.
CBD stands for cannabidiol. It’s a natural chemical found in the hemp plant. You can extract from the plant to produce a liquid concentrate. This extract can create a variety of different products, such as CBD oil, CBD capsules, or smokable products.
CBD is all-natural, as it comes from a plant. It’s safe to use and you can buy it over the counter. CBD is not regulated by the FDA.
To make matters slightly confusing, you can also extract CBD from the cannabis plants that do contain THC, meaning the CBD will contain THC. But you can only use this type of CBD in states where marijuana has been legalized since it will produce a high due to the THC.
How Does CBD Work Without THC?
So how does CBD work without any THC in it? THC-free CBD can either be broad-spectrum CBD or CBD isolate.
CBD isolate occurs when all other substances are removed, including other cannabinoids and terpenes that are naturally found in the hemp plant. This provides a more direct CBD effect but may limit the overall benefits that you feel.
Broad-spectrum CBD contains everything found in the plant during the extraction process, including other cannabinoids, terpenes, and amino acids. The only thing it doesn’t have is THC.
With these other substances in the CBD, many believe that broad-spectrum products produce the “entourage effect” which is when all of these components work together to increase the effectiveness of the CBD as a whole.
If it were to contain THC, it would be full-spectrum CBD. This would produce the maximum entourage effect. Full-spectrum CBD, like the kind you can get from the Plant People in Colorado, is only legal where recreational marijuana is legal.
However you consume CBD, it eventually works its way into your bloodstream. Once in the blood, it is carried through the central nervous system. The CBD interacts with nerves in the CNS, which produces a calming effect felt in the mind and in the body.
Once in your system, CBD can also work as an anti-inflammatory, helping to reduce many different types of pain. For this effect, CBD can be taken internally, or be applied to the affected area directly with a cream or lotion infused with CBD.
CBD Products to Try
Now that you have an idea of how CBD works, what products should you try? There are many ways to use CBD. Here are some of the most popular.
CBD Oil
CBD oil is the most popular CBD product. You can find it at almost anywhere grocery store or convenience store, and you can buy it online.
Only a drop or two are needed at one time to feel the benefits. You can take it in numerous different ways.
The most effective is with the sublingual method. Put a drop or two under your tongue and hold it there for a few seconds, or a minute.
The tissue under your tongue is very thin, allowing the oil to be absorbed into your bloodstream quickly. This can result in felt benefits within 10 to 20 minutes.
It’s much faster than swallowing CBD products, which need to pass through your digestive system before making their way into your bloodstream.
CBD Smokables
Even though CBD won’t have THC, you can still smoke CBD. It will provide the normal CBD benefits, of calming relaxation and pain relief. But by inhaling CBD, you can experience these benefits very fast, often in under 10 minutes.
You can roll and smoke CBD joints, or you can use CBD vaping products.
CBD Edibles
Another popular way to use CBD is by eating or drinking it. The simple way is by purchasing premade CBD gummies or other types of candy. Just pop these tasty treats in your mouth whenever you need some support.
But you can also make your own CBD edibles by adding CBD oil or CBD tinctures to your food and beverages.
CBD Cream
CBD cream can be massaged onto sore areas on the body or applied to areas with skin issues. The anti-inflammatory nature of CBD works well when applied topically. Plus, CBD will still work its way into your bloodstream for calming effects, too.
No THC Needed
So how does CBD work without THC? By making its way into your bloodstream one way or another, CBD interacts with nerves in the central nervous system to send relaxation signals throughout the body.
No THC is required to help you feel calm, experience more peace, and find relief from pain.
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