<p>CBD 101 by Chow420</p>

If you’re interested in trying CBD for the first time, you probably have a lot of questions on where to start: What cbd products to start with? oils  or edibles? perhaps  flowers? If you narrow down on a category like oils, your questions probably shift to the different types of cbd extract ? How to take CBD oil? How much is enough or advised ? Here we attend to these questions, and more, on the effective use of CBD. 

While CBD has been growing in popularity in recent years, there is still a lot of confusion regarding best practices. Information is scattered and voluminous. This can sometimes be overwhelming to emergent enthusiasts.

We break down many of the common questions about CBD in this Beginner’s Guide to CBD.

What is CBD?

CBD stands for cannabidiol, which is a medicinal compound found in the cannabis plant. Hemp is a specific strain of cannabis that is naturally high is CBD and low in THC, which makes it ideal for extracting CBD. You can reap the benefits of CBD without the “high” associated with recreational marijuana. CBD products can come in the following different forms; oils, tinctures, flowers and edibles. 

CBD oil, for example, has been found to provide a multitude of health benefits with little to no side effects. Whether you want to promote a more relaxed mood, relieve aching muscles and joints, or if you’re dealing with more severe neurological issues, CBD can help.

Besides CBD, hemp also contains other beneficial compounds including 100+ minor cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids and amino acids.  When consumed together, these compounds have been shown to work synergistically and increase the healing properties of one another.  This is what is called the “entourage effect”.

How Does CBD work?

The human body has an Endocannabinoid System (ECS) that translates signals from cannabinoids through thousands of receptors in our brain, central nervous system and immune system. The ECS is responsible for regulating many functions such as appetite, sleep, pain sensitivity and immune system responses. The ECS produces cannabinoids of its own, which are called endocannabinoids.

When cannabinoids from plants (phytocannabinoids) enter the body, they interact with our ECS receptors in the same way our internal cannabinoids do. These phytocannabinoids activate responses and provide a host of benefits from anxiety relief, pain management to neuroprotective properties.

3 Types of CBD Extracts

There are three main types of CBD oils extracted from the hemp plant.  These include Full Spectrum CBD, Broad Spectrum CBD and CBD Isolate.

Full Spectrum CBD

Refers to the whole plant hemp extract, including up to 0.3% of THC. Full spectrum products contain cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids. Full spectrum composition is the most comprehensive. 

Broad Spectrum CBD

Starts as full-spectrum CBD that undergoes an additional process to remove the trace amounts of THC. It offers the “entourage effect” associated with full-spectrum CBD, without any chances of THC being ingested into the body.

CBD Isolate

Contains pure CBD only, and none of the other cannabinoids, terpenes or other natural compounds found in the hemp plant.

Research has shown that full-spectrum and broad-spectrum are superior for overall health and wellness than CBD isolate and provide a higher level of relief due to the whole plant profile and the entourage effect. Multiple compounds present in full and broad spectrum trigger multiple receptors to give a more complete and richer experience. 

How to use CBD isolate ? One might ask. Well, CBD Isolate can be taken orally, sub-lingually and through inhalation just like other CBD extracts. The key difference with isolates lies in the chemical composition. 

Broad spectrum CBD hemp oil is an excellent choice for individuals who wish to consume the full spectrum of beneficial compounds found in hemp, but can not have any traces of THC in their system, whether for legal purposes, passing a drug test, or any other reason.

How to Take CBD

As the popularity of CBD is growing, there are many different formats for taking CBD such as tinctures, capsules, topicals, vapes, and edibles.  While there is no “best” way to take CBD oil, there are some pros and cons to each and will ultimately boil down to your personal preference based on your individual goals, convenience and lifestyle.

Another factor in deciding how to take CBD is that different formats offer various levels of bioavailability, absorption rates and time frame for staying in your body.

Here are the most common ways to take CBD and the pros and cons of each.

Tinctures 

Pros:

• Fast absorption and high bioavailability taking sublingual CBD as the capillaries under the tongue lead directly to the bloodstream, bypassing the digestive system
• Easy to use (for both humans and animals)
• Versatility (can be consumed sublingually or added to food and beverages)
• Flexible dosing (fill the dropper to the desired dose and can also be split into multiple doses throughout the day)

Cons:

• Some people don’t like the taste of hemp
• Some people feel that the process of holding the oil under the tongue for 60-90 seconds is inconvenient compared to taking a CBD capsule

Capsules 

Pros:

• Arguably the most convenient way to consume CBD
• Tasteless and odorless
• Exact dosage every time
• Taking a CBD capsule doesn’t feel different or intimidating if you’re used to taking vitamins, supplements or other medications

Cons:

• Effects may take 1-2 hours to work as the CBD needs to go through the digestive system first
• Ingesting CBD may be less effective as the CBD must pass through the liver, which reduces its concentration before sending it to the bloodstream

Topicals 

Pros:

• Targeted relief for specific pain and inflammation
• Useful for skin repair and skin conditions
• Can be formulated and combined with other essential oils and beneficial ingredients

Cons:

• Can be messy before fully absorbing into the skin
• Does not enter the bloodstream, therefore only offers relief to the specific area applied

Vaping / Smoking 

Pros:

• Highest absorption rate and bioavailability
• Effects can be felt almost immediately, usually within minutes
• Easy to carry around and use on the go

Cons:

• Effects will last a shorter time vs ingesting CBD orally
• Additional vaping apparatus is required
• Stigma around vaping/smoking

Edibles 

Pros:

• Fun and convenient way to consume CBD while snacking
• Can be a tasty treat
• Everyone likes to eat!

Cons:

• Low absorption and bioavailability due to being processed through the digestive system
• Typically contains low doses of CBD vs other methods
• Some edibles include artificial ingredients and sweeteners
• Not all edibles adhere to dietary restrictions such as celiacs or vegans
• Unwanted calories

Any Other Methods?

There are a few other methods to take CBD including rectal and vaginal suppositories and intravenous injections, but for obvious reasons, these are not desirable or convenient for the general public.

How to use CBD oil ? : Dosage 

Finding the optimal dose is an individual process as each person is different, as well as the method of ingestion, so it may take a bit of trial and error to find the right dose of CBD for you.

Several factors influence each person’s effective dose of CBD including weight, diet, metabolism, sleep patterns, stress levels and genetics.  Also some individuals are just more sensitive to the effects of CBD than others.

In any case, it’s always best to start with a low dose (we suggest starting with 10-20mg of CBD) and see how you react.  You can slowly increase the dose over the next few days to find the most effective dose for you and your goals.

Most people stick to somewhere in the 10-80mg of CBD per day, with higher doses for sleep, therapeutic effects and “flare ups”.

Can you buy CBD oil online? With Chow420 you can

There are many places to buy CBD hemp oil of all types and formats, but first and foremost, we highly advise against picking up some cheap unknown CBD product from your local smoke shop or gas station! The CBD purchase process has to be informed by both subjective and objective considerations. Balancing factors such as offering variety in flavoring and category should belong to the former. However with the latter, requirements such as tests by 3rd party laboratories and proper represeantation of product chemical composition are a matter of necessity. With Chow420 you can get all these considerations properly attended to with ease and precision.

 Hinged on blockchain-enhanced transparency, Chow420 offers buyers a clear view of all the products that exist on the platform. Buyers can also check the reliability of past purchases to reinforce their confidence. 

Things to look for when buying CBD

Read Labels

Always read labels to make sure you know exactly what you’re buying.

Is the CBD full spectrum, broad spectrum, or is it a CBD isolate?  

Is there any THC in the product?

How much CBD does the product actually contain? (Look for CBD contents in the entire package as well as CBD per serving or recommended dose)  

Are there other artificial ingredients or fillers?

Origin and Manufacturing

Many hemp plants obtained from Eastern Europe, Asia, or other uncontrolled or unknown sources may be contaminated with harmful substances or synthetic chemicals in order to increase yield, weight, or potency.

Look for hemp that is organically grown in the USA.

Are the CBD products manufactured in a GMP certified FDA registered facility?

What extraction method is used? Look for CO2 extraction for a solvent free whole plant extract.

3rd Party Lab Tests

Transparency should be key to any CBD product you are purchasing.  

Make sure to review product COA’s (Certificate of Analysis) and 3rd party lab tests showing the product’s potency, quality, and safety.  Lab tests should confirm that the product is free of heavy metals, harsh chemicals, solvents, or pesticides.

Price

Price is a prominent factor in dtermining the purchase of any product. For CBD products, one should have in mind that the acceptable pricing standard is roughly between $0.10 – $0.15 per mg of CBD.

With this in mind, it is also useful to compare other variables such as brand recognition, reputation and reviews when previewing products. Brands with more respect and quality would definitely retail for more. 

At the same time it is important that one does not make choices solely based on price. These are products that would be going into the body. It is imperative that the product is reliable and reputable. Look out for the availability of lab tests, clear rendition of ingredients and other features of transparency that demonstrate the intent and seriousness of the manufacturee and seller. 

Purchasing CBD does not follow the cheap/expensive paradigm. Rather affordability should be the keyword that dictates your search. 

Central Highlights 

• Research has shown that CBD may help with a variety of issues such as anxiety, pain, cognition, and movement disorders.
• Start with full spectrum or broad spectrum. Transition to CBD isolate afterwards. 
• Factor in lifestyle habits, health situation and preferences in choosing the consumption format for CBD. 
• Measure your dosage. Consumption increments should be based on a targeted or other rational basis. 
• Read labels and review lab reports to ensure you know what you’re buying.
• Purchase CBD products from Chow420