You’d be hard-pressed to find anyone who hasn’t at least heard of CBD. By now, most people know the basics, and CBD’s long-awaited entry onto the wellness scene has passed that initial (and slightly controversial) initial phase.
But plenty of people out there are still waiting for the right time to dip their toes into the water and give CBD a try. We get it – it’s understandable. CBD is a big topic, and things have moved along so quickly that a lot of people are still wondering about the basics.
For that reason, we’ve decided to go back to the 101 approach and run through some of the first things you should know and understand about CBD before you give it a go yourself.
The Basics
- CBD stands for cannabidiol
- Cannabidiol is found in the cannabis plant, along with a wide range of other compounds.
- CBD is legal within the UK, provided it has a THC rating of less than 0.2% THC.
- CBD has very few side effects or contraindications (although it’s always important to check with a GP if you’re currently on any other medication).
- Our CBD is taken from the hemp flower, which is a ‘botanical class’ of cannabis. Hemp plants are characterised by an incredibly low level of THC, and much higher levels of CBD than you’d find in a marijuana plant.
- Different hemp flowers contain different combinations of terpenes, which create unique flavours ranging from fruity to piney to sweet and biscuity.
1. CBD does not get you high
CBD is a totally different compound to THC, and THC is the compound that gets marijuana users high. Any CBD sold legally in the UK will have less than 0.2% THC, which is not enough to produce any noticeable psychoactive effects in users.
Many CBD users report experiencing a relaxing, calming effect, but this is not the same thing as a ‘high’. The sensation is a lot subtler, although it really does depend on the individual user. For some people, CBD can be more stimulating than soothing. Different strains produce different effects, and different people require different strengths of CBD in order to really feel the effects.
Whether you smoke or vape CBD, eat it or take it as a supplement, you won’t get high. Still, it’s important to start off with a relatively low dose in the beginning, and work out your tolerance level gradually, rather than jumping in at the deep end.
2. Your experience will be different depending on how you use CBD
There are so many different ways to experience CBD. As we mentioned above, smoking and vaping are popular choices, but you can also make CBD a much more convenient, discrete part of your day with edibles or CBD oil. It’s a case of horses for courses, but it’s worth remembering that how you get CBD into your body will impact what you experience.
Smoking or vaping CBD is the fastest way to feel its effects. This is because the smoke or vapour is inhaled directly into the lungs and, along with oxygen, absorbed into the bloodstream. Once in the bloodstream, it only takes seconds for the body and mind to feel a wash of calm and peace.
Eating CBD is a different story. The edible has to travel down into the digestive system before its CBD content begins to be absorbed into the bloodstream. It can take around 30 minutes for the effects to kick in but, when they do, users tend to report a stronger, more tangible, and longer lasting effect than the one created from smoke or vapour.
The first thing any new user has to remember is that patience is key with edibles. If you don’t feel any effect in that first 30 minutes, don’t assume that you just need to increase the dose and have another edible on top of the first one. Otherwise, you could have a much stronger experience than you bargained for.
Start low, start slow.
3. Different flowers produce different effects, too
Some CBD flowers are better at targeting certain issues than others. This is because different strains feature different combinations and concentrations of terpenes and flavonoids. Some are more relaxing, while others are more stimulating and energising. For instance, we recently put together a guide to the best CBD flowers for sleep – ideal for insomniacs who have trouble unwinding at the end of a busy day, but not the best for first thing in the morning.
Next to every one of our CBD flowers, you’ll find a list of effects. For instance, we’ve found that our Cookie Monster CBD Flower is particularly beneficial for those looking for pain relief, relaxation, and a little mood boost.
4. There’s still a lot of research to be done
While we know that CBD is a very safe product to use, there’s still a lot that needs to be explored. There’s a lot of anecdotal evidence to suggest that CBD could offer a range of benefits for treating mental and physical health conditions, from PTSD, anxiety, and depression to arthritis, epilepsy, IBD, and multiple sclerosis (MS).
In the UK, CBD is currently used within the NHS for treating epilepsy, helping to alleviate the side effects of chemotherapy, and easing muscle stiffness caused by MS.
CBD has seen a very rapid rise from relative obscurity to the mainstream world of health and wellness, and researchers are still working to keep up with this new dynamic. Over the next few years, we can expect to see a lot more studies into CBD being published.
5. It’s all about personal preference
There’s no right or wrong way to enjoy CBD. Some people enjoy the ritual of choosing a flower based on terpenes and flavonoids – the process of grinding the flower, rolling it into a joint or firing up the bong – and taking an hour or so away from the daily grind to unwind. Others prefer to keep things quick and simple – they’ll add a few drops of CBD oil to their morning smoothie, or pop an edible just as they get home from work.
Some people like working up to a strong dosage, while others will be happy to stick with a very low percentage. Nobody is doing it better than anyone else; it’s all about experimenting and, most importantly, enjoying the process.
