So you’re curious about CBD and have some questions? Let us help you. Here are the answers to a few things that might be on your mind.
What exactly is CBD?
CBD, also known as cannabidiol, is a compound found in the cannabis plant. There are three varieties of cannabis plant—sativa, indica and ruderalis. The CBD that we use at RE Botanicals is derived from hemp, which comes from the sativa variety of cannabis plant.
How does CBD work?
While more than 100 cannabinoids have been identified in the cannabis species, CBD and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are the two most common cannabinoids that derive from cannabis. Our bodies produce cannabinoids too. These are used by the Endocannabinoid system (ESC) to promote our body’s homeostasis.
This brings us to another question, people typically ask: Will CBD get me high?
A key characteristic of hemp is that it contains less than 0.3% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the compound that is in cannabis and has psychoactive effects or is known for making you feel “high”. Cannabis typically contains anywhere from 3% to 30% THC or higher. However, hemp-derived CBD products like ours do not contain more than 0.3% THC. So the answer is “No” they will not make you feel high.
So how do you take CBD?
We recommend that CBD be ingested either as a tincture or capsule or used as a topical, which is rubbed onto the skin. For tinctures or capsules, we think it’s important that CBD be paired with a clean carrier oil, which makes it easier for the body to absorb and use. We use the gold standard in carrier oils, USDA certified organic MCT coconut oil. We also use USDA certified organic hemp and MCT oil in our topicals, which help to ensure the essential oils don’t irritate your skin.
How much should you take?
Everyone is different in how they react to CBD. The rule of thumb we like to use is to start with a low amount and then increase your intake until you find a serving size that works best for you. Serving sizes are based on the concentration of CBD in a product, which is measured in milligrams (MG). So you might see a label with 5, 10, 15 or 50 MG per serving on it. Your weight will play into how much you should take. A person who weighs more can typically handle a higher amount. You may find you need to adjust your amount of CBD over time as your body adjusts to using it. We recommend allowing around three weeks between changes, to let each serving take effect to see how it works.
How long does CBD take to work?
Just like the serving size, the amount of time it takes for CBD to work varies from individual to individual and from day to day. How it works can depend on what you eat in a day, how much you exercise, your mood, if you’re dehydrated and if you had a good sleep the night before. You will become more familiar with the nuances of how CBD reacts in your body as you narrow in on the right amount of CBD to take and as you take it continually over time.
