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THC Tincture Dosage Guide & Chart For Beginners
Trying cannabis for the first time? Here is a guide on how to find the right tincture for you, how to titrate, and how to find your optimal dose. If you are trying cannabis for the first time, you may have heard that it’s important to find your optimal dose or right ratio. The most effective way to do so is through a method called titration. Titration is the practice of adjusting your dose in low increments over a period of time to obtain the maximum benefit without adverse effects. For those who want a personalized introduction to cannabis wellness, there is no better way than to start with tinctures. By then end of this article you will have all the tools and tips you need, a tincture dosing guide, and a tincture dosage chart to start your wellness routine. But first, how do CBD and THC work in the body? To find your optimal dose, it is important to first understand how CBD and THC will work within your body. Each one of us has an Endocannabinoid System (ECS) that produces endocannabinoids. When dosing with CBD and THC, you are supplementing your ECS with natural phytocannabinoids from the plant to help your body maintain homeostasis. The ECS consists of two primary cannabinoid receptors: CB1 receptors (most concentrated in the central nervous system and brain) and CB2 receptors (abundant in the cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and peripheral nervous systems). The natural cannabinoids and phytonutrients found in cannabis communicate with these signal receptors of the ECS to regulate physiological processes including appetite, pain sensation, mood, and memory. Step 1: Find the right tincture for your needs What you’re treating for will dictate your ratio and dose. Every person’s dose will be different depending on what you are trying to solve. For those solving for physical discomfort or inflammation our 30:1 CBD Dominant tincture packs a powerful 450 mg of cannabinoids per bottle and is perfect for people who need to reduce discomfort and help the body recover from normal inflammation. Many people who have hectic or busy schedules turn to tinctures for stress reduction. Our 30:1 CBD Dominant tincture provides whole body wellness, relief from normal inflammation, and alleviates overall discomfort. Looking to stay motivated throughout your day? Try our Living Tincture, which promotes overall focus, alertness, and relief. It is the only raw THCa tincture made with fresh-frozen cannabis and MCT oil. Like cold-pressed juice, our THCa tincture keeps all the raw plant components intact, which allows you to experience cannabis in its purest form possible and all the benefits THC without immediate intoxication. Looking for a more restful night’s sleep? Our 30:1 CBD Dominant tincture promotes a calm, relaxed state and whole body wellness to help you fall asleep and stay asleep. We suggest ingesting one hour before you’d like your head to hit the pillow. If you are looking for whole body wellness throughout the day, take a look at Releaf Tinctures! For all the runners, yogis, and fitness fanatics, our 1:3 THC Rich and 1:30 THC Dominant tinctures help alleviate normal inflammation from overworked muscles, minor aches, and also help promote post-workout relaxation and more restful sleep. Depending on your needs, these are great to take pre-or-post workout. Not based in California? No Problem! For those of you not in California but looking to begin your cannabis wellness journey, Papa & Barkley offers their Releaf CBD line which is entirely derived from Hemp! The Hemp CBD drops are made using our whole plant infusion process from simple, all-natural ingredients grown on Colorado farms. Our fastest-metabolizing formula, it comes with a measured dropper for precise dosing, making it easy to find your individually preferred potency. Plus, it’s formulated from the whole plant without chemicals or solvents, resulting in an earthy and rich flavor. For those trying tinctures for the first time try our 1:1 THCa Rich tincture. Our 1:1a tincture provides a balanced feeling for whole body wellness. With a balanced ratio of CBD and THCa, it may help with mild aches, pains, and stress reduction. This serves as a great personalized introduction to cannabis tinctures. Here’s a step-by-step guide that will go into depth on how to find the dose that is right for you. Step 2: Find Your Optimal Dose Now that you have found the right tincture for your needs, use this three week guide to find your optimal dose. WEEK 1 A little goes a long way. For your first week, a good rule of thumb is to start with the most basic dose of 0.25ml. Days 1-4: Take 0.25ml of your chosen tincture once in the morning and once at night. Days 5-7: Take 0.25ml in the morning. Take 0.50ml in the evening. WEEK 2 Week 2 is about consistency and staying balanced. If you are solving for pain and discomfort and you aren’t getting enough results, now is the time to increase your dosage. Also remember that it is okay to raise or lower your dose depending on your experience. You may want to up your dose or lower your dose depending on your desired effects! This week is also a good time to create a balanced tolerance for your body. If you are concerned about intoxication, it’s okay to dial back your dose to 0.25ml. Let your body adjust naturally and then continue Days 1-4: Take 0.50ml of your chosen tincture once in the morning and once at night. Days 5-7: Take 0.50ml in the morning. Take 0.75ml in the evening. WEEK 3 Week 3 is about patience.When titrating with THC and CBD it is important to stay attuned to your body and what you are feeling per dose. Keep tabs on your experience. Get yourself a nice notebook and record the times and amounts you dose along with the effects experienced. This will give you a baseline to work with in the future. Days 1-4: Take 0.75ml of your chosen tincture once in the morning and once at night. Days 5-7: Take 0.75ml in the morning. Take 1ml in the evening. Tincture Dosage Chart A tincture dosage chart is a helpful way of keeping track of your progress so you don’t have to remember where you are in the process. Here’s a great week by week tincture dosage chart that you can save to your phone or even print out: If you have any questions about the tincture dosage chart send us a message on Papa & Barkley’s instagram! Final Step: Think about how you feel If you followed our guide, your ECS is now saturated with cannabinoids and the full spectrum of the plant is at work! Pull out that notebook or log and take stock of what your experiences have been over the last three weeks. How did the doses make you feel? Ask yourself: did my body respond to the doses? Were the effects substantial or minimal? How did I feel before versus after? Once you’ve answered these questions you’ll know whether to increase your dose more or to move up to a full strength tincture. Resources & Citations https://www.thehigherpath.com/cannabis-dosage/ https://www.safecannabisuse.com/finding-your-dose https://hellomd.com/blogs/articles/how-to-find-your-ideal-marijuana-dosage http://www.cpsa.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/MacCallum-Russo-Practical-Considerations-in-Medical-Cannabis-Administrat….pdf https://www.greenbridgemed.com/blog/titration-of-thc-and-cbd-or-what-is-titration https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29307505
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Hemp Oil vs. CBD Oil: What You Should Know
Not all CBD is created equal. There are tons of products on the market now that call themselves “CBD”, but the truth is that some CBD is not as potent or effective as other kinds. The primary difference has to do with the process with which the CBD is extracted and how it is used to make the product. There’s a noticeable difference in efficacy between isolates, distillates, and whole plant methods for creating CBD products. The efficacy of oils can vary, especially when it comes to those derived from the cannabis sativa plant. Though often used interchangeably, hemp oil and CBD oil have crucial differences in how each one affects your body and health. In order to determine which cannabis product is right for you, you have to explore the differences between hemp oil and CBD oil, and what ingredients you should look out for, and the history the end of the hemp prohibition. What the 2018 Farm Bill Meant for Hemp and CBD Since 2013, farmers and ranchers have weathered a 50% drop in income. The Farm Bill came about as a result of a mounting farming crisis in the last decade. The bill itself seeks to crack down on corporate farming in order to help support family farms and restore measures like supply management (which curbs over production), and repair pricing policies, among other measures. Notably, the Farm Bill also incorporates the farming of industrial hemp and hemp for hemp-derived CBD. As a result, the manufacturing and sale of hemp-derived CBD products has skyrocketed on the national market. On December 20, 2018, President Trump signed the Farm Bill (H.R.2) into law. The farm bill is an omnibus, multiyear law that governs various agricultural and food programs. The most recent farm bill covers farm commodity revenue supports, agricultural conservation, trade and foreign food assistance, farm credit, research, rural development, forestry, bioenergy, horticulture, and domestic nutrition assistance. Typically renewed about every five or six years, the farm bill provides a predictable opportunity for policymakers to comprehensively and periodically address agricultural and food issues. With this version, we saw the legalization of hemp. Though hemp has been legalized, it has been met with several stipulations: hemp cannot contain more than 0.3% THC, or it is considered non-hemp cannabis, a state’s plan to license and regulate hemp can only occur once the Secretary of the USDA approves the state’s plan, and lastly, while the Farm Bill legalizes hemp, it does not create a system where people can grow it as freely as basil or your garden variety vegetables. Hemp Oil vs. Hempseed Oil vs. CBD Oil: Know the Difference CBD oil is made from the leaves, flowers, and stalk of the hemp plant—the only part of the plant where cannabidiol is found. Hemp oil, or hemp seed oil, is made from hemp seeds, meaning there is little to no CBD content. Each type of oil offers its own health benefits. You may have seen small bottles of Hempseed oil on the market, but buyer beware, hempseed oil does not contain any CBD. Hempseed oil is extracted from the seeds of industrial hemp, and while it is beneficial for cooking your favorite cut of steak, it has none of the same benefits of hemp-derived CBD oil. Another key difference is that by regulation, pure hemp oil can have no more than 0.3% Delta-9 THC by volume, whereas oil made from industrial hemp has no cannabinoids present whatsoever. Ingredients to Look For The best way to determine if a product is CBD oil or hemp oil is to look at the ingredients listed on packaging. If the package doesn’t clearly include the words “hemp oil” or “hemp seed oil,” look for “cannabis seed oil” or “cannabis sativa seed oil,” which are the scientific names for hemp oil. To look for purely CBD products, you must find ingredients like “cannabidiol” or “CBD.” Health Benefits of Hemp Oil Hemp oil and CBD oil both show promise in enhancing one’s health, but in different ways. Hemp oil is often looked to for its nutritional power, due to its healthy fats and mineral content. There have also promising studies on its effect on skin disorders and PMS symptoms. Benefits of CBD Oil CBD is sought for its range of health benefits, which include relief from physical discomfort, normal inflammation and trouble falling asleep as well as trouble staying asleep. For those who are sensitive to THC and its intoxicating effects, CBD offers the power of the cannabis plant without psychoactivity. CBD Oil for Trouble Falling Asleep CBD can also help you sleep better, as determined by several studies. In one study, CBD showed promise for inducing deeper REM sleep, while another found that taking CBD oil helped with stress and provides calm for both mind and body. Ready to Start Your CBD Journey? Whether you’re trying to alleviate discomfort or normal inflammation, reduce stress, or get a good night’s sleep, there is a plant-based option out there for you. The next time you’re trying to decide between hemp oil vs CBD oil, consider your options and choose what you think will be best for you. We recommend always checking the ingredients on the packaging and consulting with a healthcare professional. If you are ready to try Hemp-derived CBD then look no further than Papa & Barkley’s Releaf CBD line, available to ship nationwide. Shop Now References: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/6-health-benefits-of-hemp-seeds https://www.threewells.co/article/cbd-cbdbenefits-cbdforprevention-whatcbddoes/ https://whatsgood.vitaminshoppe.com/hemp-oil-hemp-extract-cbd/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16019622 https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/rhythms-recovery/201707/hemp-recipe-brain-health https://www.msn.com/en-za/health/medical/hemp-seeds-why-we-love-them-and-their-benefits/ar-BBNuHGa https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/cbd-oil-benefits https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2828614/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25699191 https://www.verywellhealth.com/cbd-oil-for-anxiety-4176279 https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/can.2018.0006 https://nuleafnaturals.com/hemp-oil-cbd-oil/#:~:text=Hemp%20Oil%20or%20%E2%80%9Chempseed%20oil,processed%20and%20refined%20before%20bottling. https://www.brookings.edu/blog/fixgov/2018/12/14/the-farm-bill-hemp-and-cbd-explainer/ https://www.fda.gov/news-events/congressional-testimony/hemp-production-and-2018-farm-bill-07252019 https://www.perkinscoie.com/en/news-insights/what-does-the-2018-farm-bill-mean-for-the-hemp-and-cbd-businesses.html
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6 Self-Care Ideas for Holiday Stress
Learn how you can combat holiday stress this year with these six self-care ideas.
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The Best Last-Minute Holiday Gift Ideas Parents Will Love
Holiday shopping for parents can be intimidating — especially when in a time crunch. Check out our best last-minute gift ideas for pampering your parents this holiday season.
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Building a Better You: CBD & Meditation
CBD is a great way to help expand your daily meditation practice. Our daily lives have changed. Managing a career, family time, personal life, and finding the time for self care can become increasingly difficult. Daily stress seems like a common experience for most people. If the stresses of modern life have become too overwhelming, perhaps consider starting your own meditation practice. MEDITATION & STRESS According to the American Psychological Association (APA), the most common sources of stress are the future of the United States, money, work, the current political climate, as well as violence and crime. Stress levels are higher than ever among Americans and as a result many individuals are turning to meditation to combat daily stress. MEDITATE TO COMBAT STRESS In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has estimated that: Among adults aged 18 and over, increases were seen from 2012 to 2017 in the use of yoga, meditation, and chiropractors during the past 12 months. Yoga was the most commonly used complementary health approach among U.S. adults in 2012 (9.5%) and 2017 (14.3%). In 2017, women were more likely to use yoga, meditation, and chiropractors in the past 12 months compared with men. The report from the CDC suggests that 14.2% of American adults surveyed in 2017 said they had practiced meditation at least once in the last year. HEMP CBD & MEDITATION Using meditation to focus and be more present to yourself as well as surroundings is a great way to relieve stress. According to an NIH survey, approximately 18 million people have turned to a daily meditation practice to alleviate stress and tune in to their body. It’s no wonder that many people are also adding CBD to their practice to help center and focus their attention on being present. CBD has several properties that reduce stress and create calm in the body, helping to further the practice of meditation. CBD is non-intoxicating and can provide comfort from minor aches, but when combined with mindfulness practices like yoga and meditation, the effects are compounded. Give it a try today and tell us your experiences! READY TO START? Made from all-natural ingredients grown on Colorado farms, our formulas feature all natural plant ingredients. Shop CBD For Meditation
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CBD Isolate vs. Full Spectrum Oil: What's The Difference?
CBD is rapidly rising in popularity for health benefits that include from stress reduction, whole body discomfort, normal inflammation, and restless sleep. While you may be familiar with these uses, did you know there are two distinct types of CBD products on the market? Learn everything you need to know about CBD isolate vs. full spectrum CBD oil, including the potency of each, recommended uses, and how to decide between the two. WHAT IS FULL SPECTRUM CBD? The cannabis plant is home to hundreds of phytochemicals, which include cannabinoids, terpenes and other compounds. Full spectrum CBD refers to products that contain more than CBD, such as other plant molecules like THC and healthy fatty acids. This version of CBD oil is minimally refined, so that most of the cannabinoids and terpenes remain intact. Full spectrum CBD oil is often called “whole plant” oil because the full plant extract is included. WHAT IS CBD ISOLATE? CBD isolate is often labeled as “pure CBD” or 99 to 100 percent CBD. As you may have guessed from the name, these products have been refined to isolate only the CBD compound with no extra cannabinoids or terpenes. Its CBD potency is usually higher than full spectrum, meaning a small dose is recommended. HOW TO USE CBD ISOLATE VS. FULL SPECTRUM CBD Full spectrum CBD is often preferable to CBD isolate because research shows that cannabinoids and terpenes occur in nature together and interact in useful ways. This synergy is referred to as the entourage effect and is thought to give CBD a wider reach as far as health benefits. An Israeli study on the potency of CBD isolate versus full spectrum CBD showed that full spectrum CBD was more suitable in clinical settings for such conditions as normal inflammation and stress. Pure CBD resulted in a “bell-shaped dose response,” which means that, when the amount of CBD exceeded a certain point, its therapeutic impact declined dramatically. However, this doesn’t indicate that CBD isolate is never useful. Some users who are particularly sensitive to THC turn to CBD isolate to benefit from the cannabis plant without any of the psychoactive side effects. CBD isolates also allow users to track how much CBD they’re getting from each dose. HOW TO DECIDE BETWEEN THE TWO Whether you choose CBD isolate or full spectrum CBD, you will likely experience the health benefits of the cannabis plant. With emerging studies, researchers are learning more every day about the difference between the two types of products. Further, for those living in states where full spectrum CBD remains unavailable, pure CBD often delivers a positive and legal solution. After all, CBD alone is better than no CBD at all. Erica Garza is an author and essayist. Her work has appeared in TIME, Health, Glamour, Good Housekeeping, Women’s Health, The Telegraph and VICE. She lives in Los Angeles. References: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30157131 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2828614/ https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs11920-017-0775-9 https://file.scirp.org/pdf/PP_2015021016351567.pdf
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What's A Safe CBD Oil Dosage?
WHAT IS CBD OIL? As more states legalize marijuana, the use of cannabidiol oil is on the rise. This non-intoxicating extract is one of the many chemical compounds in a class called cannabinoids which naturally occur in cannabis plants. Once the cannabidiol is extracted from the flowers and buds of marijuana or hemp plants, the CBD is diluted with a carrier oil, i.e. coconut or hemp seed oil. Due to its benefits and versatility, CBD oil is gaining momentum in the health and wellness world. However, unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), CBD is non-intoxicating. In other words, CBD is known to deliver mental and physical benefits without THC’s typical side effects that can include paranoia, munchies and dry, red eyes. Plus, CBD comes in many forms: you can drop CBD tinctures under your tongue, whip CBD-infused butter into savory dishes or massage a CBD-enhanced salve into your skin. Currently, CBD oil is available in all states where medicinal and/or recreational marijuana is legal. BENEFITS OF CANNABINOIDS With cannabis websites and dispensaries sweeping the nation, it’s no surprise that CBD-infused edibles, drinks, dog treats, and beauty products are becoming mainstream. And, for good reason. By interacting with the brain’s signaling systems, CBD can reduce stress, discomfort, digestive upset, sleep issues, and normal inflammation. In every sense, it’s a non-toxic, medicinal powerhouse. In addition to reducing minor aches associated with various conditions and boosting your mood, CBD is also known to have beneficial effects on skin conditions and athletic performance due to its anti-inflammatory qualities. CBD MCT OIL CBD needs to travel through the bloodstream to reach its target, whether that’s the brain, immune system, or another location in the body. For those looking for immediate, short-term comfort, using a vaporizer to inhale CBD products is ideal. On the other hand, to maintain steady levels of CBD throughout the day, an oral product like a CBD tincture or edible is the best option. In terms of sublingual usage, MCT oil is the most efficient way to consume CBD oil. Medium-chain triglycerides, or MCTs, are medium-length fatty acid chains. A common source of MCTs is coconut oil. Beyond the cannabis industry, MCT oil is also used for better brain function, weight management, and hormone balance. When cannabinoids break down, they are stored in fat, as opposed to water. In other words, cannabinoids are fat-soluble and are best consumed with fat to increase absorption. However, not all fats are created equal—especially when paired with CBD oil. That said, the liver recognizes MCT oils as carbohydrates and directly metabolizes the oil into energy. Interestingly, it does this without causing free radicals because the liver processes the oil as fat. This rapid metabolism puts the cannabinoids to use right away. To summarize, MCT oil can assist with energy, metabolism, and brain function, making it a beneficial addition to CBD. OPTIMAL CBD DOSAGE Cannabidiol (CBD) oil has become the hot new product in states that have legalized medical marijuana. However, depending on your needs, CBD oil dosage will vary. Read below for optimal dosages, whether you’re looking for daily wellness or suffer from chronic discomfort or stress. Whether you’re interested in reducing stress, performing better at the gym or improving sleep, CBD has a staggering variety of therapeutic properties. And, although the use of cannabidiol as a therapeutic, restorative substance is in its infancy, medical professionals and scientists are beginning to develop dosing schedules for everything from medical marijuana to CBD. Once you find your optimal CBD method and dosage (listed below), you’ll want to ensure you’re using a high-quality CBD oil, as some manufacturers are less trustworthy than others. Depending on your weight and discomfort level, you can adjust the amount you take daily. Keep in mind that, if you’re concerned about taking too much, we recommend speaking with a trusted medical professional before embarking on your CBD journey. References: https://www.webmd.com/pain-management/news/20180507/cbd-oil-all-the-rage-but-is-it-safe-effective#1 https://www.leafly.com/news/lifestyle/8-must-have-cbd-products-for-athletes-and-exercise-junkies http://www.governing.com/gov-data/safety-justice/state-marijuana-laws-map-medical-recreational.html https://papaandbarkley.com/cbd-pain-management https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3579248/ https://papaandbarkley.com/is-cannabis-medicine https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/cbd-oil-benefits#section1 https://trainright.com/cbd-for-athletes-cannabidiol/ https://www.verywellhealth.com/cbd-oil-benefits-uses-side-effects-4174562 https://www.cbd.org/ https://papaandbarkley.com/our-products
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Does CBD Oil Show Up On A Drug Test?
Lauded as a health elixir for its potential to relieve everything from reducing stress to normal inflammation, cannabidiol (or CBD) is growing rapidly in popularity—but will it show up on a drug test? The short answer: it depends. Unlike the other famous compound in cannabis, THC, CBD will not make a user feel “high.” It lacks the psychotropic effects of THC, but that doesn’t necessarily make it undetectable. If you’re an avid CBD user with an upcoming pre-employment drug test, here’s what you need to know to prepare. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT DRUG TESTS AND CBD According to TONIC, it’s “unlikely” that CBD will show up on a drug test, not because it’s undetectable, but because most drug tests aren’t looking for CBD. The average drug test is looking for the presence of THC or THC metabolites. CBD is chemically distinct from THC, so it is doubtful that pure CBD would be detected in these types of drug tests. A company would have to obtain a separate test designed specifically to pick up CBD, and most companies aren’t willing to shell out more money if they don’t have to. DIFFERENT CBD PRODUCTS MEAN DIFFERENT TEST RESULTS Keep in mind that not all CBD products consist of pure CBD. If your CBD product is hemp-based, it may contain trace amounts of THC. Products deemed “whole plant” or “full spectrum” benefit users by containing more than CBD, including terpenes, flavonoids and other cannabinoids, which are believed to work synergistically with CBD. While its health advantages are high, these types of products may lead to a positive drug test. Generally, if your CBD oil has less than 0.3 percent THC in it, it shouldn’t show up on a hair test, although it may appear in a urine or saliva test. HOW LONG DOES CBD STAY IN YOUR SYSTEM? There is not much reliable data to confirm how long CBD stays in a user’s system, though a 2014 publication in the scientific journal Epilepsy Currents reported “one to two days” for a single oral dose. If you’re taking full-spectrum oil, it’s probably best to look into how long THC stays in your system, which is usually detectable in body fluids for one to 30 days after last use. ISN’T CBD LEGAL? There’s an ongoing national debate about the federal legality of CBD. Unless it is extracted from hemp cultivated under the 2014 Farm Bill, the DEA maintains that CBD is illegal. While it won’t stop the compound from continuing to be widely available anytime soon, this grey area causes some confusion in courts, especially in states where cannabis is available for medical or recreational purposes. Legal or not, many companies call the shots on whether or not drug testing is necessary. Luckily, there seems to be a shift in dropping marijuana from testing protocol all the way to the White House. Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta said in 2018, “We have all these Americans that are looking to work,” Acosta said. “Are we aligning our … drug testing policies with what’s right for the workforce?” As CBD rises in popularity, it seems the national conversation is evolving at an equally rapid rate. Erica Garza is an author and essayist. Her work has appeared in Time, Health, Glamour, Good Housekeeping, Women’s Health, The Telegraph and Vice. She lives in Los Angeles. References: https://www.healthline.com/health/cbd-for-anxiety#how-it-works https://www.projectcbd.org/cbd-for/inflammation https://tonic.vice.com/en_us/article/xwjmpj/cbd-drug-test https://www.marijuanabreak.com/how-long-does-cbd-stay-in-your-system https://www.healthline.com/health/how-long-does-weed-stay-in-your-system https://www.forbes.com/sites/monazhang/2018/04/05/no-cbd-is-not-legal-in-all-50-states/#150e824b762c https://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/money/business/2018/05/02/more-employers-dropping-marijuana-pot-drug-tests/573907002/
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How to Identify a High-Quality CBD Oil
Papa and Barkley Product Photo Shoot in Beverly Hills. Brunch and cocktails. Photo Credit: Timothy Kuratek The cannabidiol (CBD) industry is expected to hit $2 billion by 2022 as the cannabis compound makes its way into everything from bath bombs and makeup to dog treats and pharmaceuticals. Choosing a CBD product from the vast array of available products may seem daunting, especially when it comes to its most popular form: oil. But it’s critical that consumers choose high-quality CBD oil, as low quality CBD may not offer the same health benefits, and can even contain toxins. To ensure you’re getting high-quality CBD oil, here are some things to look for across labeling, production standards and product descriptions. CBD LABELS: WORDS MATTER Words matter when it comes to CBD product labels. Luckily, a few descriptions are common among top-quality products. Products deemed “whole plant” or “full spectrum” are different from CBD isolate, or what is often referred to as “pure CBD.” Percentages for CBD isolate are typically 99 percent or higher, but have been refined to exclude other molecules from the cannabis plant. These include terpenes, flavonoids and other cannabinoids, which are believed to work synergistically with CBD, making the benefits exceptionally higher than CBD alone. Another important factor to consider is whether the label reads “hemp oil” or “hemp seed oil,” which indicates a separate product from CBD oil. Hemp oil is made from hemp seeds, meaning there is little to no CBD content, whereas CBD oil is made from the leaves, flowers and stalks of the hemp plant—the only parts of the plant where cannabidiol is found. PRODUCTION: HOW WAS THE CBD EXTRACTED? While it may take some digging to uncover, finding out how your CBD oil was manufactured can tell you a lot about its quality. Some companies, especially those who sell their products for a significantly low price, may employ questionable methods when extracting CBD oil, such as using toxic solvents like propane, hexane, pentane or butane. Safer methods of extracting CBD include using organic, pharmaceutical-grade ethanol or supercritical CO2 extraction, which involves using carbon dioxide under high pressure in an extremely cold environment. Something else to consider is where the product originated. If the plant from which the CBD was extracted grew in rich soil, the resulting product will have absorbed nutrients from that soil. But if the plant grew in soil containing heavy metals, like mercury and lead, the CBD may be high in toxins. If possible, try to locate CBD extracted from U.S.-grown plants, since U.S. farmers must be certified by state departments of agriculture. WHAT TO ASK THE CBD SELLER To find out how your CBD was produced, simply browse a company’s website or consider calling a customer representative if you can’t find the information you’re looking for. You may also want to inquire about lab results of product testing and whether or not the company adds extra ingredients to its oil (and why). A company that lacks transparency is a good indicator that you should look for your CBD elsewhere. Erica Garza is an author and essayist. Her work has appeared in TIME, Health, Glamour, Good Housekeeping, Women’s Health, The Telegraph and VICE. She lives in Los Angeles. References: https://www.thestreet.com/markets/cbd-industry-expected-to-hit-2-billion-by-2022-14683940 https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/27/style/cbd-benefits.html https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/cbd-oil-benefits https://ministryofhemp.com/blog/identify-high-quality-cbd
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