Everything You Need to Know About CBD

CBD is an initialism that stands for cannabidiol and it is one of the hundreds of chemicals that is found in the cannabis plant or hemp plant. There has been a lot of talk about CBD oil’s supposed benefits that have left many people wondering where CBD comes from, if CBD oil is safe to ingest, and how people extract CBD oil from the cannabis plant, alongside other important questions.

How do You Extract CBD Oil?

There are two main sources for CBD extraction: the hemp plant and the marijuana plant. The main difference between these two plants is the level of THC present. The marijuana plant usually has higher levels of THC, which is the main reason why the hemp plant is favored for CBD extraction.

The CBD extraction process works to isolate and target the compounds in the hemp plant. Farmers use highly sophisticated hemp extraction equipment to isolate and get rid of the unwanted chemicals in the plant (i.e. everything but CBD). There is a range of techniques that can be used to extract CBD. Some use oil, and some use cold water or dry ice.

Does CBD Make You “High”?

People know that CBD can be extracted from the marijuana plant, which causes many people to believe that it can make you feel “high”. This perception of CBD is perfectly understandable but very far from reality. CBD is not psychoactive, which means that unlike other compounds like THC that are found in the marijuana plant, it does not make you feel ‘high’.

Is CBD Legal?

CBD and any other substance that is extracted from the cannabis or hemp plants is legal as long as it contains less than 0.3% THC. The 2014 Agricultural Act changed the categorization of hemp CBD which now views the extract in the same light as any other agricultural commodity. This means that hemp and hemp CBD oil is legal to grow, sell and consume across the United States, as long as it contains less than 0.3% THC.

Who Uses CBD Oil?

CBD oil has many different potential uses and is found in many different forms. You will likely encounter CBD as an added ingredient in many different foodstuffs, as a gel or cream that can be applied topically, or as an oil or a tablet that can be ingested by itself. There are many different reasons why people choose to take CBD oil. Many people believe that CBD oil can be effective at relieving the symptoms of the following issues; however, more research is required to confirm a lot of these claims:

• Pain
• Seizures
• Irritable bowel disease
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Nausea
• Migraines
• Psychosis
• Arthritis
• Acne
• Sleep disorders
• Parkinson’s disease
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Substance abuse and addictions
• Diabetes protection

Is CBD Addictive?

Despite the fact that CBD is completely legal to consume, it is still classed as a Schedule 1 substance by the DEA. This means that it is considered to pose a high potential for abuse. However, there is reason to believe that this classification comes from a lack of understanding rather than clear scientific evidence.

A 2017 report conducted and published by the World Health Organization, from a trial on human participants, found that CBD is not considered to be an addictive substance. However, it is important to note that CBD is still relatively new, which means that fewer studies have been conducted into its effects than with other substances.