CBD is the abbreviated name for cannabidiol, one of the active components in cannabis plants (called cannabinoids or phytocannabinoids). Phytocannabinoids are only found in cannabis plants, and play a big role in the therapeutic properties of these plants.

There are around 100 active phytocannabinoids in cannabis plants, and CBD is typically one of the most prevalent components, along with THC. 

There are dozens of minor phytocannabinoids (CBC, CBG, CBN, CBDA), as well as terpenes and flavonoids (flavor and scent chemicals), that play a smaller part in cannabis’ health benefits, but CBD and THC are the two major players. 

[CBD is extracted from cannabis plants (usually hemp) in order to separate it from other phytocannabinoids. Pure isolated CBD is a crystalline solid, so it’s typically added to oil (eg. hemp oil or MCT oil), which acts as a carrier, making it easier for the body to absorb and metabolize CBD. This is the final product: CBD oil. Extracted CBD can also be used to make other kinds of products, but CBD oils and tinctures are the most popular way of taking CBD.]

CBD vs. THC

THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is the major psychoactive component in cannabis. That means that THC is responsible for causing the ‘high’ or ‘stoned’ sensation that’s often associated with cannabis use.

CBD, on the other hand, is non-psychoactive. CBD alone can’t get you high. Instead, CBD is known for its beneficial properties. People typically use CBD to find relief from a wide array of medical conditions, either in conjunction with or instead of traditional medicine. 

Some things people frequently use CBD for are: acute pain or chronic pain, insomnia and other sleep disorders, anxiety, and depression, just to name a few. CBD has shown promise in studies for many different medical conditions.

For people interested in the potential benefits of cannabis, but uncomfortable with the intoxicating side, CBD now presents a unique opportunity to have one without the other- to get the benefits, without getting stoned. 

Is CBD Marijuana?

CBD is an active component of all cannabis plants, which means that CBD is a part of marijuana- but it would be wrong to say that CBD is marijuana. 

The US government made hemp products federally legal in the 2018 Farm Bill. So, in order for CBD to be a legal product, it must be considered a hemp product. 

Both marijuana and hemp are part of the ‘Cannabis’ scientific family of plants, so both marijuana and hemp are considered cannabis, but only CBD products made from hemp are legal. 

So What’s The Difference Between Hemp & Marijuana?

According to federal law, cannabis plants are now divided into two categories: marijuana and hemp. 

• Marijuana: any cannabis plant with over .3% THC content is considered marijuana. 
• Hemp: any cannabis plant with less than .3% THC content is considered hemp. 

So, to reiterate, a cannabis plant with less than .3% THC content is legally considered hemp, and can be used to source legal CBD. This is called ‘hemp-derived CBD’. ALL of our products are made with hemp-derived CBD, and meet the federal legal limit of under .3% THC. 

[Not All CBD Is Legal: A plant with over .3% THC is considered marijuana- even if the subsequent CBD oil made from that plant were under .3% THC, because the CBD was sourced from a marijuana plant rather than a hemp plant, that product would NOT be considered federally legal.]

What Does CBD Do?

While all of the uses for CBD aren’t yet known, there are quite a few things that CBD has been found capable of in scientific studies. CBD seems to be beneficial for a range of things, with people using CBD to combat pain, insomnia, anxiety, and more. 

CBD interacts with the Endocannabinoid system, a system in the body that’s responsible for a lot of things- because CBD interacts with this system, it’s able to have an impact on our bodies!

Here are some of the things we know CBD can do!

CBD & Inflammation- One area that has been well-researched is CBD and inflammation. CBD seems to be a powerful natural anti-inflammatory, and quite a few studies have come out supporting this belief. In fact, one study from 2009 found that CBD has “significant potential to be used as novel anti-inflammatory agents,” and went so far as to say that CBD “can be considered useful for controlling T1D (Type 1 diabetes) due to their anti-inflammatory properties.” 

CBD & Seizures/Epilepsy- Perhaps the most promising thing that CBD has been found capable of is reducing seizures among people with epilepsy. For many people with epilepsy, their condition is what’s called ‘intractable’, which means that traditional epilepsy medications will not help. As many as 40% of epilepsy patients have intractable epilepsy. For these people, CBD has become a potential beacon of hope, as studies have found CBD can reduce and even stop seizures in some patients with intractable epilepsy. In fact, the FDA just released its first drug made of CBD- it’s called Epidiolex and it’s available to epilepsy patients who haven’t seen success with other medications. Epilepsy is not thoroughly understood, so a new option like this is a huge breakthrough for a lot of people whose lives are impacted by seizures. 

There is so much more CBD is able to do, but reducing inflammation and seizures are pretty major things CBD has been scientifically proven to be capable of. 

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.