Cannabidiol or CBD is a compound that is naturally produced in the cannabis plant. Since its discovery in 1940 and its popularization in more recent years, cannabis breeders have been selecting for varieties of cannabis that yield higher amounts of this cannabinoid for its therapeutic effect. This cannabinoid can be extracted from the plant and mixed with a carrier oil to facilitate dosing and increase bioavailability of CBD in the body.
There many good reasons why CBD has become so popular.
Unlike THC, CBD has no psychoactive effect. In fact CBD plays a role in modulating the effect of THC. Some studies show that CBD may be useful in subduing some of the negative effects of THC such as anxiety and paranoia.
CBD is known to interact with the endocannabinoid system which directly effects how our body manages sleep, stress, and mood. It helps help maintain homeostasis (balance) in the body.
CBD is an effective alternative to pharmaceutical prescriptions which in many cases have other side effects. CBD has no serious side effects or interactions with other medications and no toxic dose.
CARRIER OILS
Ingestion and sublingual absorption is the most bioavailable and long lasting way to utilize CBD. MCT Coconut oil is a common carrier oil for CBD oil products. Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCT) from coconut oil are shorter chains of fatty acids that are more easily absorbed through the lining of the stomach and intestines. Longer chain fatty acids such as Olive Oil, Avocado Oil, and even Hemp Oil are proven to have lower absorption rate by comparison. Higher absorption rate also corresponds to a longer lasting effect as the concentration in the blood and storage in fat cells. Long term storage of CBD in fatty tissue in the body means that CBD becomes more effective over a period of consistent use.
FULL SPECTRUM vs. Isolate CBD Oil
It is important to understand the difference between Full Spectrum CBD and Isolate CBD. CBD can be extracted and processed in many ways. The resulting product can therefore differ. Alcohol is the most polar solvent used in cannabis extraction. It therefore extracts a wider range of compounds that include terpenes, flavonoids, waxes and chlorophyll. This wide range of compounds work in a synergistic way within the body creating what has now been coined the Entourage Effect. Simply put, the wider array of compounds create an effect greater than CBD would on its own. Extraction methods that use hydrocarbons such as CO2 or Butane capture a smaller array of compounds and could be potentially harmful if done incorrectly. Stovetop extraction with oil is a decent way to extract at home but but is impractical at scale because the oil solvent is not efficient at binding with the CBD. Further processing of extracted CBD strips away all other compounds creating a CBD isolate. CBD isolate is not as effective as Full Spectrum CBD but does have the advantage of not containing traces of THC which for sensitive individuals or those that get drug tested is a good option.
INGESTION METHODS
When ingested, the subtle effects of CBD can be felt within an hour or so and can be effective as long as six hours when ingested. CBD oil can also be ejected under the tongue where the mucosal membrane is thin and can be absorbed transcellularly into the bloodstream. This method can help with quicker onset of effect and is especially helpful for those that suffer from migraine and seizure symptoms. CBD oil can also be mixed with drinks or used in recipes. Studies show that eating food with CBD can increase absorption rate and length of effect.
DOSING
Understanding how to calculate your personal dose is extremely important because it will determine how effective CBD will be. Dose is calculated primarily by the weight of the individual, however some people may be more sensitive or have higher tollerance than others so it is advised that a small dose be taken at first and increased until the desired effect is achieved. Use the dosage chart below alongside the provided information on reading the graduated markings on the dropper of the CBD bottle to create a regiment of CBD that is best for you.
Once you know how much CBD you would like to ingest, it necessary to calculate the actual dosage you will be taking from the bottle using the graduating readings on the dropper. To do so we must first calculate the amount of CBD in One Dropper Full. All CBD products should display the amount of CBD in the whole bottle as well as the volume of the bottle in milliliters. Using our 600mg tincture as an example we can use the following equation to calculate how many milligrams of CBD one milliliters worth of CBD Oil contains.
Total Milligrams of CBD divided by Volume of bottle in Milliliters equals Amount of CBD per one milliliter volume of CBD Oil.
600mg CBD ÷ 30ml Bottle = 20mg of CBD per Dropper Full (1ml)
Using the example of a 180 pound person we can now deduce using the dosage chart that a micro dose would be considered anything between 1.8mg CBD and 18mg CBD
