CBD oil is one of the 113 chemical compounds (or cannabinoids) found in cannabis. It is extracted from the plant and used in products so that the user can make the most of the many health benefits CBD oil has to offer , without any psychoactive effect (or feeling ‘high’ in colloquial terms).
What does CBD stand for?
CBD is short for the scientific term cannabidiol – a chemical component of cannabis.
How is CBD oil made?
CBD makes up around 40% of the cannabis plant extract – but how is it taken and made into products such as CBD gum , drops and capsules?
The plant must first be prepped before the extraction and distillation of CBD oil can take place. To prep the cannabis, the plant is harvested and left to dry out (this can take a number of weeks). The flower of the plant is then removed and ready for the next step: extraction. The process used to ensure you have untainted CBD oil is called winterisation. This process removes the elements of the plant that you do not require, such as lipids or wax. You will then need to combine the extraction with alcohol and freeze the concoction overnight. Filter the mixture and remove the alcohol by causing it to evaporate using heat.
In order to further refine your product, you will want to put it through distillation. This means heating up your oil to remove undesirable components- this is possible due to the fact that each one will have a different boiling point and will become isolated from the oil.
You should be left with a clear, viscous oil.
What does CBD oil do?
CBD oil works by binding to your body’s cannabinoid receptors.
CBD has been said to help with:
- Relieving stress
- Treating Insomnia
- Reducing anxiety and depression
- Relieving joint pain
- Clearing up acne
- Alleviating symptoms of cancer, epilepsy and MS
CBD oil could also be good for giving up certain addictions such as smoking or drug addiction.
What does CBD oil taste like?
The taste of CBD largely depends on how you consume it. Our CBD gum for example tastes minty (coming in both spearmint and peppermint flavours), the drops on the other hand have been said to have an earthy (and often unpleasant) taste. This can be avoided, however, by taking the oil in capsule form.
How long does it take CBD oil to work?
When taken sublingually (so in droplet or gum form) CBD typically enters your bloodstream within 20 minutes. Other methods (such as capsules or edibles) mean a slower system entry- around 2 hours.
Many beginners to CBD expect instant changes to their body and wellbeing. However, to void disappointment, it is important to note that CBD may take some time to fully affect you. The effects of CBD may also strengthen in time and with an increase in CBD dosage – you may experience a great night’s sleep after your first intake of CBD, but it could take a month or two to really feel the other benefits such as reduction in anxiety or relief from joint pain.
If after a few months you still do not notice any changes, it may be worth considering increasing the strength of dose of your CBD. Do not try and increase the dose rapidly, however, a small increase once a week should be fine.
What is full spectrum CBD?
Having full spectrum CBD means that your product contains hundreds of cannabinoids, as opposed to isolated CBD. Rather than relying on just cannabidiol, the whole spectrum of cannabinoids can work together to give you the desired results and effects. Generally, full spectrum CBD is often cited to be more powerful than its isolate counterpart.
