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Questions and Answers about the properties of CBD

Updated: Mar 26, 2022

How Effective is CBD?


For all our history, plants have provided solutions for many of our health issues that scientists have spend countless hours creating synthetic chemical treatments for. A few examples are white willow bark extract, made into common aspirin, bread mold from where we get penicillin. Within the last 40 years, we discovered that we have cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2) mostly clustered around organs and the brain, which interact with the cannabinoids found in the hemp plant's oil. The human body contains more cannabinoid (CB) receptors than any other receptors in the body. These CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors have been shown to regulate and modulate various systems in the body.


If for some reason you feel the CBD is not what you thought it was, there are a number of things you can that may help you see CBD for what it is.


  1. Increase he dosage in 1/4 dropper increments, waiting 3-4 days between each increase.

  2. Also, micro-dosing has been shown to be popular, using only a drop or two every 4-6 hours for a few days.

  3. Try another brand, look for pure hemp oil with no added oils.

  4. Make sure the product is in date.

  5. Increase the strength of the CBD, if you were using a 500 mg bottle, increase to 1000 mg.

  6. Try to spread out your dosing schedule – You might try taking a 10mg dose four times throughout the day (40mg), rather than one large dose once a day.



How long does it take for CBD oil to absorb?


There are a number of factors that can determine how long CBD takes to absorb. CBD needs to be absorbed into the bloodstream, and can take a few minutes to several hours or more. The impact on how much, and how quickly CBD to be absorbed in the body is referred to as bioavailability. Your gender, weight, health, metabolism, and experience levels can vary for each person to how long CBD takes for it to absorb.


1) Method - The biggest determining factor is the method used to ingest it, and the time is pretty consistent with each method. There are 4 basic methods of ingesting CBD:


1) Inhalation - CBD can be smoked directly from the flower (bud), or vaped, usually in a glycerin base, or more recently, coconut oil, and it has the highest bioavailability of CBD. Since the capillaries of the lungs absorb the Cannabinoids directly into the bloodstream in larger quantities, usually it can absorb within a minute or less, but inhalation is generally known as the shortest lasting method, usually 2-4 hours.


2) Sublingual - Sublingual Application involves applying an oil or tincture directly under the tongue and letting it absorb for about a minute or more. The absorption can occur almost right away, but it could take anywhere between 15-60 minutes. For most people, this is one of the most preferred ways to take CBD. The capillaries under your tongue can quickly absorb it, although not as fast as inhalation.


3) Ingestion - A method preferred by many people who do not like to smoke or use CBD sublingually, ingestion sends the CBD through the digestive tract where it is brought to the liver, which breaks it down and sends it to the bloodstream. The most popular products for this method are gummies, chocolates, candies, tea & coffee as well as drinks. Although this method can take anywhere from 60-90 minutes on average, it is also the longest lasting,


4) Topical - This method of applying CBD directly to the skin which is absorbed through the skin's surface. Its a good idea to apply CBD-infused topicals liberally to since the skin has a low cannabinoid absorption rate. The absorption can occur in a few minutes for some, and for others up to about 90 minutes.


Bioavailability for each method approximately:

1) Inhalation - 30-40%

2) Sublingual - 20-30%

3)Ingestion - 15-20%

4) Topical - 5-10%


2) Dosage - The basic rule is start slow and increase the dosage slowly until you feel it is enough, with each change in dosage after 3-4 days. A higher dosage, strength or potency of CBD will increase the amount that will eventually be absorbed into the body. So start slow, and work your way up until you feel it is the right dose.


3) User's Weight - An individual's weight is a factor that influences your metabolism circulation, and health, and can greatly impact CBD absorption. Those who weigh more will have more fat cells, and they can absorb and store more CBD, but may require more CBD. As a result, heavier people with more fat will have a higher concentration of CBD.


4) Concentration - CBD products with higher concentrations will tend to absorb in higher concentration in the blood. Although there is no set dosages for individuals, beginners should usually start off with lower concentrations, or if using a higher concentration of CBD, stick with a lower dose.



CBD and Side Effects:


One of the most common questions we get asked is about side effects and the safety of CBD.


The World Health Organization (WHO), in a recent critical review reported that CBD is safe to use for everyone from young to old, has very little to no side effects, thus is well tolerated by almost everyone, and has a very low risk of forming any kind of dependence or abuse.


So far, thousands of scientific articles that have been performed over the years with CBD seems to show that there is very little or no evidence that CBD has any dangerous side effects or possible contraindications. Currently, there are many trials testing what CBD can do, and many universities and labs are recruiting people to participate in further studies which can test what it may be able to do and benefits, if any.



Using CBD with Prescription drugs


When taking CBD and any medications, you want to wait an hour or more between them. If you take CBD at the same time you take medications, it is possible that it can cause the body to increase or decrease the levels of those drugs in your bloodstream.


The way CBD's interacts in the body has been shown to have a similar response to grapefruits. CBD can occupy certain enzymes (cytochrome p450) which are used by your body to process certain pharmaceutical drugs. If the medication you are using warns you not to take with grapefruit, you would want to speak with a medical professional before taking CBD. These can include anti-epileptics, chemotherapy, HIV antivirals or warfarin. It is advised to talk with your doctor before using CBD.


For pregnant or nursing women, it is advised to avoid all cannabinoids as there is little evidence of how CBD may affect a developing baby.


When it comes to using CBD, we recommend to first consult with a medical professional especially if you take prescribed medications.


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