CBD what you need to know

Dr. Monica Gavin, owner and medical director of Azani Medical Spa in Bethlehem Pennsylvania, has research the CBD market for the best options. It is important that potential CBD buyers are educated buyers, since the quality of the CBD varies greatly. After reading Dr. Gavin’s blog post, feel free to email her with any questions you may have at [email protected] or visit www.AzaniMedicalSpa.com

WHAT IS CBD?

The more that we learn about Cannabis sativa, the more fascinating this medicinal plant becomes. For years, THC was the only cannabinoid widely available on the market, and then CBD came along.

CBD, short for cannabidiol, is one of many cannabinoids, or molecules produced uniquely by the cannabis family. Unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (THC, the primary psychoactive element in marijuana), CBD is non-psychoactive, meaning it doesn’t have a strong effect on cognitive brain activity and doesn’t cause the “high” associated with marijuana.

Every variety of the cannabis family produces cannabinoids, including hemp. While CBD and THC are the most well-known cannabinoids, there are many different types. Our brains have specific receptors designed to accept cannabinoids, known as CB1 and CB2. These receptors are responsible for the assimilation of cannabinoid molecules into your system, resulting in the responses seen.

In the last few years, there have been many advances in cannabis processing and consumption methods. Concentrated products such as oils and tinctures have allowed for cleaner ingestion methods, such as vaporization, to become more widespread. These new technologies have brought more consistent, identifiable dosages to people, while enabling safer methods of consumption.

CBD can either be derived from marijuana or hemp—cousins in the cannabis family. The legality and availability of CBD depend on the source and state laws. Hemp and hemp products are legal in all 50 states.

Hemp is cannabis with low THC content, as defined by Title 7 of the US Code: It contains less than 0.3% THC on a dry weight basis. Hemp is typically grown for textiles, construction materials and CBD-rich oil with low traces of THC. 

What are the health benefits of CBD?

The reported health benefits of CBD cover a variety of conditions. It is most commonly used to treat chronic pain, anxiety, inflammation, and insomnia.

Studies have showed that CBD may relieve pain by affecting receptors of the endocannabinoid system. A complex system in the human body discovered in the 1990s, the endocannabinoid system (ECS) is understood to modulate all physiological processes throughout the brain and body, including the management of appetite, pain, sleep and mood. The purpose of this system is whole-body homeostasis (or balance), the optimal state for maintaining health and natural healing.

Chemical compounds that interact with the ECS (endocannabinoid system) as ligands, cannabinoids bind directly or indirectly to ECS receptors, acting like chemical messengers to turn on or turn off physiologic signaling in the body.

Cannabinoids can be made in the body (“endocannabinoids”), in plants (“phytocannabinoids”) or synthetically in the laboratory (“synthetic cannabinoids”).

CBD is an example of a phytocannabinoid.

WHY SHOULD I TAKE CBD?

Have you thought, What will CBD actually do for me? How do I know if CBD is working?

Because everyone is different and there are many contributing factors, specific effects or results any single individual will experience cannot be given.

Users might experience the effects of hemp-derived CBD differently. Many people use it to achieve mind-body balance. They say it contributes to their general feeling of wellness. A lot of people use it for relaxation and restful sleep, and some use it for relief after exercise.

“How effective” CBD is comes down to a user’s individualized wants or needs. For some, an appreciable or noticeable effect is not the goal. For those with goals in mind, feeling the desired effects is a clear indicator that CBD is “working.”

We suggest taking stock of your general sense of wellness before starting, then re-assessing a month later. Some questions people ask themselves might include: How’s my mood lately? How does my body feel? Is my mind-body balance good or does it feel off? Do I feel generally well?

Sublingual vs Oral

Sublingual, literally meaning “under tongue,” delivers an active substance to the bloodstream via capillaries under the tongue. Sublingual delivery allows greater bioavailability of active substances by bypassing absorption barriers, such as the intestines and liver.

What are the different types of CBD oils/tinctures?

Isolate (CBD), Full Spectrum CBD, and Broad Spectrum CBD

What’s the difference between broad spectrum, full spectrum and isolate in CBD oil?

The difference between broad spectrum, full spectrum and CBD isolate is simply the chemical compound content found in each of the products.

Full spectrum CBD contains all of the cannabinoids and other plant compounds to include THC. Broad spectrum CBD contains all cannabinoids and plant compounds except THC. CBD isolate only contains CBD and is often found in crystal or powder form.

CBD Isolate

CBD isolate is a true ‘CBD or CBD oil’ because an isolate only contains CBD (cannabidiol) and does not contain any other cannabinoids, terpenes, or healthy fatty acids from the plant. Most companies sell isolate as a crystal or a powder, however, some sell it as an oil. 

It is made through the same extraction process as other CBD oils. The difference is that once the cannabinoids are extracted, the CBD is filtered out. It then goes through a chilling process called winterization, which removes all other chemical compounds. 

Isolate is often used for vaping, and when in crystal or powder form is generally administered by putting it under the tongue. The benefits of isolate over other types of CBD are that it’s generally cheaper and it has no THC. The downside is that you miss out on the potential entourage effect which exists when a full spectrum of the cannabinoids is present in the oil.

Broad Spectrum CBD

Broad spectrum CBD oil is a middle ground between CBD isolate and full spectrum CBD oils. It has all of the cannabinoids and other chemical compounds except for THC, therefore you’re likely to gain some of the beneficial effects of the entourage effect. 

Broad spectrum CBD oil/tincture is not as easy to find as the other types of CBD oil. Like its counterparts, broad spectrum CBD oil goes through the normal extraction process. For places where THC is illegal, the benefit of broad spectrum CBD oil is that in the final stages of processing, the THC is removed from the extract. Therefore, broad spectrum CBD oil will not show up on a drug test if the test is looking for THC.

Full Spectrum CBD

Full spectrum CBD oil has CBD and all of the other cannabinoids (including THC), terpenes and fatty acids that naturally occur in the cannabis plant. Full spectrum CBD is often called a full or whole plant extract. 

In a full spectrum extract, the oil goes through the cannabinoid extraction process and filtration, however, none of the cannabinoids or other compounds are removed. While full spectrum CBD does have THC, it does not contain enough THC to get you high. The THC concentration is less than 0.3%.

The benefits of a full spectrum CBD oil is that many of the other chemical compounds and cannabinoids in a full-plant extract have healing properties. For example, the terpenes in the cannabis plant are known to have anti-inflammatory properties. Other cannabinoids found in a whole plant extract are thought to enhance the overall benefits of taking CBD.

Some studies concluded that a CBD oil with a full-plant extract had greater medicinal properties than only CBD. Because the oil has all of the cannabinoids and other chemical compounds, you will get the positive effects of the chemical synergies called the entourage effect.

TERPENES DEFINED

Terpenes are natural compounds that serve a variety of purposes, including forming a plant’s distinctive flavor and aroma profile, which can range from earthy and pungent to sweet and fruity. Though terpenes are found throughout nature, the plant family cannabaceae is unique because it can express a wide variety of terpenes to create complex and distinctive flavor profiles.

Whole-plant hemp extract (also called “full-spectrum CBD”) contains a range of terpenes native to the plant, while broad-spectrum products may contain a reduced amount lost in processing.

What is Entourage Effect?

The concept of “Entourage Effect” suggests that the effectiveness of cannabinoids is enhanced by the delivery of these key components (such as CBD or THC) alongside other components (like terpenes and other compounds that are not yet fully understood). In a nutshell, a plant’s “magic” is somewhat lost the further you get from the full plant.

What dose is best?

One or two servings per day is the best suggestion. There is no general amount to take that is designed to work for everyone. It’s best to start with small amounts and gradually increase by 20 to 50 mg until you discover how much is needed for you. Tinctures are placed under the tongue and absorbed via the small blood vessels in mouth/tongue bypassing the GI tract. This allows for a much lower dose requirement as compared to pills that must go through the GI tract.

MICRO-DOSING DEFINED

The widely used term “micro-dosing” refers to the practice of consuming small amounts of CBD (or another cannabinoid) at a time, often at increased frequency throughout the day.

A “micro” amount typically refers to a serving size ranging from a fraction to 2.5 mg of CBD. Since less is typically more with CBD, users can benefit from taking smaller amounts more often as opposed to a large amount all at once. Via CBD micro-dosing, a constant amount of CBD remains in the body throughout the day instead of being metabolized and eliminated just a few hours after use.

Organic CBD Vs Non-Organic?

As the name implies, organic CBD oil is sourced from hemp plants that are organically grown.

Organically grown hemp must meet a wide range of FDA criteria, or else it won’t be certified as organic. For example, the hemp must be kept in soil that is free from toxins and heavy metals at all times.

This is crucial for the hemp plant because it is prone to absorbing toxins from the soil. This means that, if the plant grows in soil full of chemicals, its oil will contain them as well. This, in turn, could damage both your health – when using CBD oil – and the surrounding environment.

HOW DO I KNOW THE CBD IS SAFE?

Use only CBD products that are meticulously lab-tested for quality and safety.

The CBD sold at Azani Medical Spa, the plants are certified Organic Industrial Hemp (Organic Certifiers). The CBD is lab-test multiple times throughout the hemp growing and extraction process: During growth, the hemp plants are tested for pesticides; after extraction, the tincture is re-tested for pesticides and additionally tested for heavy metals, microbes and solvents.

What are the extraction methods?

There are many methods for extracting CBD, but some are considered notably safer than others.

For example, C02 extraction is one common method considered reliably safe. That’s because at certain temperatures, C02 pulls away all of the important plant compounds like a solvent does—but without any of the potential dangers of actual solvents. This extraction method has long been used in other industries to create carbonated beverages and produce essential oils.

Other extraction methods employing ethanol and solvents are also widely used, but may be more problematic. While ethanol extraction is considered pretty safe, it tends to extract chlorophyll along with the CBD, which can disrupt the color and flavor of the final product. Solvents like butane are believed to leave residual toxins that are harmful to ingest.

The CBD sold at Azani Medical Spa, uses gentle thermal extraction and flash activation to craft the full-spectrum CBD tinctures. Only heated air comes in contact with the organic material—no alcohol or other solvents. “Flash activation” preserves the source plant’s cannabinoids and full terpene profile for a truly full-spectrum CBD tincture.

HOW IS A HEMP-DERIVED CBD TINCTURE MADE?

Hemp-derived CBD can be extracted through several means, some of which require alcohol or other harsh solvents.

The proprietary method of flash activation and gentle thermal extraction requires only certified organic plant material. This process ensures the highest levels of naturally occurring terpenes and phytocannabinoids, the beneficial compounds responsible for the ”entourage effect”

The CBD sold at Azani Medical Spa is a CBD-rich hemp extract combined with MCT (Organic Coconut Oil) for a truly full-spectrum tincture.

WHY IS TINCTURE A GOOD INGESTION METHOD?

By ingesting sublingually (under the tongue where many capillaries reside), the active ingredient of a tincture—in this case, hemp-derived cannabinoids—reaches the bloodstream more quickly by bypassing absorption barriers like the intestines for maximum efficacy.

This is the main reason tincture is a good way to take CBD.

WILL MY BODY BUILD A TOLERANCE TO CBD OR CBN?

With cannabinoids, more is not always more. Research suggests that the effects can lessen when using too much and/or too often.

For example, when CBD is used for notable effects and the effects are no longer appreciated, it may be beneficial to cease use for two or three days. This is typically enough time for the body to reset and any notable effects to return.

AZANI MEDICAL SPA’S CBD FACTS

-ULTRA-PREMIUM TRUE FULL-SPECTRUM CBD

The CBD is cleanly extracted from the finest American-grown hemp.

With all the cannabinoids and beneficial terpenes of its source plants for a more

effective “entourage effect.” Plant-based, vegan, Kosher-Certified, non-GMO, gluten-free and certified organic.

-CALIFORNIA PURE & SIMPLE

The CBD manufacturer has deep roots in California cannabis, they work with responsible farmers across the US to craft the finest cannabinoid products available- thoughtfully grown and extracted, meticulously formulated and independently lab-tested for purity, safety and consistency.

-PURE, ALL-NATURAL… AND TRULY FULL-SPECTRUM

Proprietary gentle thermal extraction and “flash activation” ensure that the hemp-derived CBD tincture accurately represents the source plants. The exceptional quality of the full terpene profile is evident in the distinctive taste and color: Its earthy unfiltered flavor and rich amber hue indicate that it’s all-natural and full-spectrum.

Ingredients: USDA Organic MCT Oil (Certified Organic by Quality Assurance International), Whole-Plant Hemp Extract. Whole-Plant Hemp Extract is made from USDA Organic Industrial Hemp (Certified Organic by Organic Certifiers).

CBD TINCTURE

BALANCE: 300 mg of CBD, Size 1oz, Serving Size 1/4 ml (2.5 mg CBD), 120 Servings per bottle

RELIEVE: 600 mg of CBD, Size 1oz, Serving Size 1/4 ml (5 mg CBD), and 120 Servings per bottle

RECOVER: 1200 mg of CBD, Size 1oz, Serving Size 1/4 ml (10 mg CBD), and 120 Servings per bottle

Balance 300mg: Starting a regimen with a less concentrated tincture allows a new user to make smaller, more precise adjustments to find their ideal amount.

Relieve 600mg: This formula is designed for people to efficiently maintain a regimen after finding their ideal amount.

Recover 1200mg: This formula is designed for experienced users who know their ideal amount and wish for fewer servings at a higher concentration.

CBD Organically Grown • Unique Variety of Hemp • Grown and Made in the USA • Biodynamic Farming Practices *Unique Zero-Waste Cultivation • Gentle Thermal Extraction • No Solvents or Additives • True Full-Spectrum

Organic ingredients and each package carries validations of our stringent supply chain oversight, such as: Gluten-Free * Kosher-Certified *Non-GMO Recyclable • Organically Grown • Unique Varieties of Hemp • Grown and Made in the USA • Supports Responsible Farming Practices • Clean Extraction Methods • No Solvents or Additives

CBD VAPOR PENS

This CBD always comes from top-quality, responsibly grown plants.

Born out of their deep roots in California cannabis, they work with responsible farmers across the US to craft the finest CBD products available. Their vape line is made with uncut oil, meticulously formulated from specific strains of hemp and independently lab-tested for purity, safety and consistency.

State-of-the-Art CCELL Technology is best-in-class hardware from industry leaders CCELL is forged of FDA-approved food-safe BPA/BPS-free material and crowned with a slim, comfortable mouthpiece.

Uncut Premium CBD Oil: Never Any Fillers. While most CBD vape oil on the market uses MCT, VG or PG to simulate the ideal viscosity, our oil is pure and clean. They use only the cleanest extraction methods, so you know exactly what you’re getting: all-natural, broad-spectrum CBD oil with high cannabinoids content (including CBC, CBG and CBN).

CBD vapor pens are special order item.

Dr. Gavin, owner of Azani Medical Spa for the past 15 years hopes this article has been informative. If you have any questions please email us at [email protected] or visit us at www.AzaniMedicalSpa.com