CBD

The Future of Kratom: New Research Funding in the US

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When we post about the future of kratom, we often talk about the importance of research. Research about kratom over the last decade has remained fairly limited. Limitations are caused by a lack of funding as well as the problem of confusing supply streams. Additionally, there is the constantly changing legal situation in the US and other countries to consider when doing research.

Recently, it’s been seen that more kratom research may be funded in order to discover whether kratom may have benefits outside its intended use as a wellness product. With the growing public health crisis in America, it’s great to see kratom being taken more seriously.

And, it’s interesting to see exactly what is being considered. Today, we’ll talk about the December Congress Appropriations Bill, what type of research could be funded, and what that might mean for the future of kratom in America.

What Legislation Was Passed?

Every year, the American government has to set up the fiscal budget for the upcoming year. While this budget is technically due in on October 1st before the new year begins, it often isn’t submitted until well into the new year.

The FY2020 budget, however, was passed in the form of two mini bills in late December. Together, these two legislation packages set up appropriations for the 12 required areas. The bills, H.R. 1865 and H.R. 1158, set the stage for all government-funded agencies and programs for the next year.

Overall, most areas were given budget increases, so this is good science for science, research, and social services going into the future.

New Kratom Legislation

Legislation about kratom was included within these bills, and we are excited about the potential that comes along with this change.

The FY2020 Appropriations Bills passed by Congress specifically mention the need to do more research about natural products that might be able to be used in place of certain approved drugs. In particular, kratom and CBD are mentioned as potential alternatives that need to be studied in greater detail.

The bills list a need for doing more research about kratom to gain a better understanding of both the risks and the potential benefits of developing therapies from this natural substance. This additional research should also cover the details of kratom’s composition.

Overall, Congress suggested that at least $1 million dollars should be provided in research funding particularly to find an alternative to potentially harmful drugs that are currently causing a crisis in America.

Why Is More Research Needed?

You might be wondering why we find this research so important; why does it stand out from all of the other appropriations mentioned?

For us, kratom research is of the utmost importance, and it is something that we want to see happening more as soon as possible. Right now, kratom remains in a precarious position in America. While many states have passed Kratom Consumer Protection Laws to ensure the safety of kratom consumers, other states have passed laws against kratom consumption out of fear.

More research will make it possible for state and local governments to make clear and logical decisions about whether or not kratom should be legal. Organizations like the American Kratom Association do their best to help support kratom research and news, but support is needed on a federal level to make this type of research possible.

Without support from the federal government to do kratom research, it can be difficult for scientists to have access to kratom to be able to study it. This support will make it easier for kratom to be obtained for legal research, and that is sure to make a big difference in the future of kratom in America.

Other Legislation Updates

While the kratom research included in the legislation is very interesting, it certainly wasn’t the only thing that was included in these packets! Much of the fiscal budgeting passed is not directly related to natural substances or our areas of expertise, so we are only going to focus on overviewing the most related areas.

  • Cannabis Research:
    Cannabis came up a number of times throughout the conversations about the budget. In particular, Congress suggested that the National Institute on Drug Abuse do a report about how cannabis is currently being classified on the drug scheduling system.

    Currently, cannabis is still somewhat difficult to study because it is federally classified as a Schedule I substance. This means that scientists cannot always access it if they are using federal funding, so that should change in the future. The change will allow additional studies to be done more freely.
  • Medical Cannabis:
    Congress also included provisions to ensure that the federal government cannot prevent medical marijuana programs from being set up or continued in individual states.
  • Hemp Farming Provisions:
    Politicians took the time and effort to ensure that the process of hemp farming legalization is still going smoothly. The Farming Act of 2018 ensured that the hemp industry would get a boost, but there is still more that can be done to ensure that farmers are getting the support that they need. For FY2020, $16.5 million was set aside for this.

Progress in America

All of these provisions show that there is positive momentum in American politics to decriminalize, legalize, and protect consumers of natural substances. This is the momentum that we love seeing, and we are excited to track this progress as it continues.

To see this kind of change in America, we continue to support organizations like the American Kratom Association that are working to ensure that consumers are protected. Protection is needed to ensure that consumers aren’t at risk for buying tainted goods and also to make sure they aren’t at risk of prosecution.

Overall, we are excited about the progress happening in America in regards to natural products, and we can’t wait to see what else happens!

The Construction of Cannabis: What Are Cannabinoids?

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Are you someone that is curious about the world around you? Do you find that you want to know more about what’s in something rather than just using it and not knowing the difference? Then you’re in the right place!

Today’s article is going to be focused on understanding what cannabinoids are. Anyone who uses CBD or cannabis-based products should be aware of cannabinoids and what role they play in the function of these items. Still, we know that this information isn’t something that we get taught in school.

Get ready for class, everyone! Phytoextractum cannabinoid class is now in session.

What Are Cannabinoids?

The chemical compounds that make up cannabis are known as cannabinoids. There are more than 100 different cannabinoids in cannabis, and each strain has a unique combination of cannabinoids in it. Each cannabinoid works differently in the body, so the effects that they have differ widely.

You may have heard people talk about how different strains of cannabis have different psychical or psychological effects. Have you ever wondered why that is?

Simply put, that is because each strain has a unique combination of cannabinoids, so the way that the compound interacts with your body is different.

How Do Cannabinoids Interact In The Body?

Our bodies have something known as the endocannabinoid system. This system is full of endocannabinoid receptors, and these receptors are the areas of the body that interact with the cannabinoid compounds. When each binding occurs, a different effect or reaction may happen in the body.

Since there are so many different cannabinoids as well as different types of receptors throughout the body, there are different reactions that your body may have

Common Cannabinoid Effects

There are a lot of different effects that can be caused by the interactions that cannabinoids have with the body. In fact, some cannabinoids cause more than one effect. A lot of research still needs to be done into cannabinoids, but it has been found that many issues may be helped with cannabinoids.

There are many resources you can use to keep up-to-date on the latest research on cannabinoids and their benefits. We’re excited to see what future research into cannabinoids will help us discover.

The Most Common Cannabinoids

Though there are hundreds of different cannabinoids, there are a few that are more commonly known than others. In particular, most people know about THC and CBD. Both of these cannabinoids are incredibly powerful and interesting, but they aren’t the only ones.

Let’s take a closer look at both THC and CBD as well as some other unique cannabinoids; you might be surprised at what you learn!

THC and CBD

As mentioned, these are the big players in the world of cannabinoids. These two have some of the strongest and most recognizable effects of all of the cannabinoids, and they are also present in very large quantities.

CBD has incredible benefits, and it is now being used in both medicine (Epidiolex, recently approved by the FDA) and at-home health concoctions. CBD is not psychoactive; this means that it will not make you high when you use it. From CBD oil to CBD edibles, there are many different ways that people are using this cannabinoid to ease their everyday aches and other problems.

THC, on the other hand, is psychoactive. THC is typically the cannabinoid that is responsible for feeling high when cannabis is used, but it isn’t the only psychoactive cannabinoid out there. THC is present in very large quantities in some strains of cannabis; in others, it can barely be traced.

CBC

The next cannabinoid that we want to introduce is CBC, also known as cannabichromene. The amount of CBC found in any cannabis strain tends to be very small, but it is still effective. In fact, this is one of the cannabinoids that most full-spectrum products will make sure to include because of how it rounds out the overall treatment plan.

The endocannabinoid system in your body contains fewer CBC receptors compared to the number of THC and CBD receptors. As such, CBC on its own would not have a very large effect. When used in combination with a full-spectrum product, however, CBC’s presence can activate more receptors.

The CBC receptors studied so far seem to mostly affect the digestive and immune system.

CBN

Now, let’s talk about CBN, also known as cannabinol. Like THC, this is a cannabinoid that does have some psychoactive effects. The effects, however, are not as strong as those of THC. In fact, it is interesting how the two are linked. CBN, as far as it has currently been studied, only seems to show up in strains that also contain THC. Why is that?

It’s actually because CBN is a side product of THC’s oxidation process! As cannabis plants that contain high amounts of THC get older, the THC oxidizes and creates CBN. Depending on the age of a plant, the ratio of CBN and THC will differ, and that is why there is some commonality between the two.

More than psychoactivity, CBN is known for sedation effects. It can make you quite sleepy! If you eat old edibles or use older cannabis plants in any way, it’s quite possible for this effect to occur. This is because of the THC oxidation.

CBG

CBG is another non-psychoactive cannabinoid. CBG, also known as cannabigerol, forms very early in the cannabis growing process. As more and more CBG is created, the presence of this cannabinoid triggers the THC and CBD formation.

The effects of CBG are similar to those of both THC and CBD, and that is likely because of how they are linked. CBG is a great for nervousness and restlessness, and it also may have a number of other effects on mental health. 

As CBG is studied more and more, we believe that it is possible that links to other cannabinoids might be found. Since there are so many cannabinoids that haven’t been studied very much, we can’t wait to see what else will be learned in future years!

Can You Spot The Differences Among Cannabinoids?

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As CBD oil and other cannabis-based products grow in popularity, the range of common knowledge about the scientific facts of these products is growing, too. Many people have heard of THC and CBD, and they are also aware of the ways that these two substances affect the body when cannabis products are used.

What a lot of people are still unaware of, however, is that THC and CBD are just two of the many cannabinoids that can be found in cannabis. Each individual cannabinoid can have effects on the body, and some are found in larger quantities than others.

Let’s learn about what a cannabinoid is, why THC and CBD seem to be the only well-known varieties, and what else is worth learning about some of the lesser-known cannabinoids that come from cannabis!

What The Heck Is A Cannabinoid?

Cannabis is full of naturally occurring chemical compounds. These compounds are known as cannabinoids, and they cause various physiological and psychoactive effects when cannabis products are used. Most strains of cannabis contain more than 100 different cannabinoids, and some strains may even have twice as many!

How Do Cannabinoids Work In The Body?

Every person has an endocannabinoid system in their body. Much like the nervous system, this system responds in different ways when chemical compounds bind to the system receptors.

In the endocannabinoid system, cannabinoids will bind with the various endocannabinoid receptors. When this bind occurs, some effects may be noticed or felt in the body. The exact effect will depend on which set of receptors it binds to and how fully it binds.

The Well-Known Cannabinoids

THC and CBD are the most well-known cannabinoids among all of the cannabinoids that are found in cannabis. This is mostly because they have the most obvious effects, and they are found in the largest quantities depending on which strain of cannabis you are looking at.

CBD is known for the wide range of benefits that it has, and it does not have any psychoactive properties. THC, on the other hand, is known for the “high” aspect of cannabis and does have some psychoactive properties depending on its concentration.

Potential Effects of Cannabinoids

Many cannabinoids have been studied to various degrees, and we can expect more to be unraveled about these interesting compounds as time goes on. For now, however, we can say that there is the potential for cannabinoids to help with a variety of health and wellness issues, and there is much anecdotal evidence as to their effectiveness.

Differences Among Other Cannabinoids

What are cannabinoids other than CBD or THC going to do if they enter your endocannabinoid system? Let’s find out a little bit more about these cannabinoids and why they matter as well.

CBG

CBG is a sort of mother hen cannabinoid. The full name for CBG is cannabigerol, and it is a non-psychoactive chemical substance found in cannabis. When the cannabis plant is growing, CBG is one of the very first compounds that is created by the plant. The presence of CBG in cannabis allows for the formation of THC and CBD.

Because of this parental nature, many of the effects that have been studied of CBG are similar to those of THC and CBD. CBG does stand out in its ability to fight off anxiety and other mental health issues thanks to the specific way that it binds with the endocannabinoid system.

There have even been studies that show CBG may have positive effects on the symptoms of Huntington’s disease! In time, it can be expected that more clear answers about how CBG works in the body and what it can treat will be discovered.

CBN

Another cannabinoid that is worth learning more about is CBN. Also known as cannabinol, this is a very powerful cannabinoid that has some psychoactive effects. The effects are not nearly as strong as those of THC, but they are worth mentioning.

CBN is known for inducing sleepiness, and it is only present in cannabis strains that also contain THC. CBN is actually a by-product that forms when THC oxidizes. This means that older, dried cannabis plants will have very high levels of CBN and low levels of THC, while fresh plants will see the opposite effect.

If you have experience with cannabis products such as edibles or topicals, you may have noticed that they seem to cause you to get sleepier as they get older. Or maybe you’ll notice it for the first time after reading about CBN today! That is because the CBN overpowers the THC as the product oxidizes, and this leads to more physically relaxing effects.

CBC

Cannabichromere, also known as CBC, is a cannabinoid that tends to appear in very small amounts whenever it shows up in a type of cannabis. Though it isn’t present in large amounts, it is nearly always included in full-spectrum CBD products that seek to use more of the natural power of cannabis.

CBC binds with specific receptors in the endocannabinoid system that are less numerous in the body compared to the receptors that bind with THC and CBD. This means that the effects of CBC are much gentler, but they are still present. That is why it is typically used in combination with other cannabinoids.

The effects of CBC are not psychoactive, and they seem to focus on the digestive and immune system about others.

There’s More Than CBD!

As you can see from just these few introductions to lesser-known cannabinoids, there is a lot that we are still learning about cannabis and all that it has to offer! While CBD is becoming a common and useful product for many around the world, there is more waiting to be unlocked within cannabis thanks to all of these different cannabinoids.

If you are interested in trying some of their effects, we recommend finding a full-spectrum CBD oil or product to try. Full-spectrum products contain more than just CBD cannabinoids, so you can get a balanced set of effects from the included cannabinoids.

How Hemp Is Used In Other Industries

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Here at Phytoextractum, we’re super excited about the things that we are able to offer to our customers. We love hearing about how our products have made your lives better, but that’s not all that we want our site to be about. We also love being able to share more knowledge that can help you to become more informed about the industry at large.

While we love the power that CBD has and how accepted it has become, we also think it’s worth mentioning that the hemp plant is good for more than just making CBD oil! In fact, there’s a whole separate industry worth covering.

Join us as we explore this whole new world!

Hemp and Marijuana: Cousins, Not Sisters!

The first thing that we want to mention is that hemp and marijuana are actually two different types of cannabis plants! While the words are often used to replace one another, it would be more correct to point out that they are not the same thing. Both are cannabis plants, but they have their own unique properties.

The looks and chemical compounds found in both of these plants are different. Because of this, the two plants are used in very different ways! While the bushy marijuana plant is often short and stout, the skinny hemp plant has different uses because it is tall.

How They Relate To CBD

Both hemp and marijuana are types of cannabis plants, and all cannabis plants contain cannabinoids such as CBD and THC. While marijuana has high THC levels and thus makes you high, hemp tends to have lower levels of THC and higher levels of CBD. For that reason, hemp is frequently used to create CBD products!

Hemp is legal to grow in the US as long as it has a THC content of less than 0.3%. Anything more than this and it is possible that the plant would get you high, so the government regulates the hemp industry at this number.

Hemp: More Than Just CBD!

While hemp is often used to create CBD products, the plant is a very powerful part of the agricultural community for other reasons as well. Our focus today is not on CBD products but on the other ways that hemp is being used in manufacturing, agriculture, and other industries in today’s world.

Past Uses of Hemp

Hemp was a very popular crop until it was banned in the United States. In fact, the history of hemp dates back for thousands of years in some areas of the world! There are many famous documents that were made from hemp paper, and even famous clothing that we read about in textbooks may have been made from hemp.

There were a lot of ways that the hemp plant was used throughout time. It was used to create:

  • • Shoes
  • • Ropes
  • • Paper
  • • Clothes
  • • Sails
  • • As food

Today, hemp is still used in some of these products, but we tend to see it in some different ways. Hemp was banned as a farm crop from 1957 to 2007. The Farm Bill now allows for hemp to be farmed in regulated ways, so it is seeing more usage in various industries again.

Dietary Products

Hemp is often used as a dietary product. Hemp oils and seeds are both good for adding flavor, protein, and fatty acids to any meal. Some people mix these ingredients into smoothies while others simply snack on the seeds directly when they want a healthy snack.

It’s possible to find hemp flour as well. Hemp seeds can be ground into a flour, and then the flour is used in the same way that wheat flour would be used. Since hemp is so high in amino acids, it is often considered to be a healthier alternative to wheat flour.

Keep Things Building!

Hemp-base construction materials are also becoming more popular due to how fiscally and environmentally friendly they are. France uses a type of concrete known as hempcrete to work on their roads, buildings, and sidewalks. The material is lightweight, making it a very easy product to use.

The fibers in the hemp plant are very strong, so they are often repurposed into various types of construction materials and equipment. Their strength lends itself to this type of product very well.

Hemp For Your Pets!

While CBD oil made from hemp may be given to pets in the proper amounts, that’s not the only way that hemp might be doing something special for your doggie! There are a lot of dog foods that include either hemp seed or hemp seed oil because of the high amounts of amino acids and protein in them. These products help to improve your pet’s skin and coat health as well as their digestion.

Clothing Galore!

Much as was done in the old days, hemp fiber is often used as a way to make clothes, shoes, and textiles. As the material made from hemp is very soft, it’s a great alternative to cotton. Hemp can also be grown in more eco-friendly ways than the fickle cotton plant, so this alternative is a great thing for the world around us.

We expect many clothing companies to switch to hemp fiber rather than cotton in the future as an affordable and eco-friendly choice.

Tie It Up; Write It Down

Historically, hemp was most frequently used to create paper and ropes. The types of fibers in the hemp plant just makes sense for these uses, and that is why there is still rope and paper being made from hemp today!

Hemp paper is much more eco-friendly than paper made from tree pulp, so it is possible that we will see more paper products being made from hemp in the future as well.

Have You Heard Of Hemp Plastics?

One of the coolest things that we’ve ever heard that can be made of hemp fibers is plastic! Things like CD cases and pencil boxes can be made from biodegradable hemp-based plastics. This type of experimental product that can safely biodegrade is going to be a great option as we move towards an eco-friendly future.

Connect With The Kratom Community At Phyto Herbals In Portland

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Every year, more and more people become interested in the benefits that plant-based extracts and substances can have on our bodies. From Kratom to mushrooms, there are many substances that are growing in popularity.

As people learn about these products, communities about the best practices for using them, information about different varieties, and even recommendations about vendors form. These communities are a great source of information, and a lot of that information can be found online.

But sometimes, you might want the ability to come and check out some products in person or to engage directly with other Kratom lovers.

And if you happen to be in Portland, you can do just that at our flagship retail location, Phyto Herbals and Accoutrements!

All About Phyto Herbals and Accoutrements

Phyto Herbals and Accoutrements is a retail store located in NE Portland. If you’re interested in checking out our products in person, visiting the store is a great way to ensure that you get a complete look at every item available.

The shop is full of products for the Kratom and CBD lover, and there’s also other items for those that aren’t yet using either of these extracts. Our shop carries many different items:

  • • CBD products
  • • Kratom products
  • • Tea
  • • Plant extracts
  • • Books
  • • Incense
  • • Soaps and other beauty/health products
  • • Vaporizers and glass
  • • Accessories (grinders, capsules, scales, and more)

Banner For Kratom Products

To see everything that Phyto Herbals offers, check out our catalog! With retail shops like this, they can probably even order more products that you are interested in trying. If a shop doesn’t yet carry something that you want to buy, don’t be afraid to ask if they can get it!

You might be surprised by how accommodating shops in our industry can be – we love special ordering products that our customers would like to see!

If there are any products that you want to know more about or you aren’t sure, you can ask us when you stop in or even give the store a call. As experienced sellers, we’ll be able to tell you more about each product and what to expect from them.

Phyto Herbals & Accoutrements has tons of natural products plus pinball machines and a comfy couch!

How Retail Stores Can Help You Learn

Though you can buy everything online these days, there’s something special about being able to go into a retail store and engage with the customers and products directly. When you enter a brick-and-mortar store, you’re getting more than just the products you were shopping for.

You’re getting an experience.

Visiting the store gives you a chance to ask all of the questions that you have, hear about the experiences that those in the shops have had with the products, and simply see what sparks your interest when you’re in the store.

We know how convenient shopping online is – we have a whole website devoted to it! But we also know that there is something special about being able to head into a store yourself and simply browse until you make your final choice about what to get.

Meet the Community

If you’re new to CBD, Kratom, and other plant extracts it can be a bit overwhelming to learn more about what there is out there or how people like to use the items that are available. Even after searching online, you might feel like everyone knows more than you’ll ever know, and that can be overwhelming, too!

Walking into a store as a newbie is still going to cause some nerves, but it’s also going to give you the chance to directly meet and interact with friendly members of these communities. People in the community want to help others learn more, but that desire to share can come off too strong online.

In person, you can have the conversations you’ve been hoping to have and ask the questions that you have been wanting to ask without feeling like you’re missing out on something. As you enter the community, you’ll feel engaged and welcome, and that’s what we want for every single person who is ready to learn more!

A recent Full Moon Tea Ceremony at Phyto Herbals & Accoutrements

Other Ways to Get Involved With The Community

If you aren’t located in Portland, feel free to stop by on your next trip!

Otherwise, you’ll have to find other ways to get involved with the community. But don’t be afraid; there are a lot of ways that you could do that!

Forums

There are quite a few different ways that you can find forums. Simply searching online for forums about the specific topic that you are specifically looking for can help you to find a community.

The important thing to remember about online forums is that not everyone is going to be nice all the time! Don’t be afraid to stop talking to people that frustrate you, and be sure to follow any site’s protocols to follow the rules.

Support AKA

Another way to get involved in the community is to check out American Kratom Association’s website. On the website, you can find information about local events, national movements, and other interesting topics. With all of these events, you can find other people who are interested in Kratom or CBD just like you.

Where to Find Phyto Herbals

Phyto Herbals is located on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard just north of Fremont Street. If you want the chance to check out all of Phyto’s unique offerings, you can see it in person if you visit the brick-and-mortar location!

The store is open every day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., so feel free to stop by at any time!

Retail & Beyond

While we hope that you have the chance to check out Phyto Herbals, we know that not everyone is located in Portland, and even those that are might not have time to make it out to the physical location. We highly recommend it if you can, but we understand that not everyone can do that!

If you can’t, don’t forget that you can shop the catalog online as well. Between the offerings online at Phyto Herbals and here at Phytoextractum, we truly believe that you can find everything you might want to try!

All About CBD: Cannabidiol Definition, Uses, Legality, and More

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Cannabidiol, also known as CBD, has become a buzzword of sorts with the recent regulation and legalization of marijuana in many states. While medical marijuana has been around for decades, the common usage of CBD has people who know nothing about cannabis wondering what these three letters are all about.

CBD is one of the many chemical compounds found in cannabis, and its use is on the rise. To understand why and how it’s gaining such popularity, we’ll need to get into the CBD definition, common uses, proposed benefits, and more. Let’s get to it!

What Is CBD?

CBD is a cannabinoid. A cannabinoid is a specific type of chemical compound that can be found in cannabis, also known as marijuana or hemp. Cannabis plants have over 100 different cannabinoids in them, and these compounds cause various effects to our bodies when ingested or smoked.

Our bodies also produce cannabinoids, called endocannabinoids, and we have what is known as an endocannabinoid system (ECS). When cannabinoids are made by our bodies or ingested, they bind to receptors. These bonds cause different physiological and mental effects such as sleepiness, hunger, relaxation, and more. The receptors in the ECS have been linked to the nervous, digestive, and immune systems.

How Is CBD Used?

CBD is most commonly used in the form of CBD oil. The CBD is extracted from a cannabis plant, and then it is put into a carrier oil such as hemp seed, coconut, or avocado oil. The specific strain of cannabis that is used to extract the CBD, along with a host of growing and processing conditions, determine the strength, but the dilution in a carrier oil also affects the concentration of CBD in the finished product.

There are some CBD products that are known as full spectrum CBD oils. These oils contain not only CBD but also other beneficial cannabinoids as well as terpenoids and flavonoids, compounds that give plants their distinct aromas and flavors. The blend of CBD with other powerful chemical compounds creates a more well-rounded effect than CBD isolate in many cases.

CBD oil is taken in a number of different ways:

  • • Internally (swallowed, mixed into food or drink)
  • • Sublingually (under the tongue)
  • • Vaporized (using a vape pen or other vaporizer device)
  • • Topically (on the skin)

Who Uses CBD?

While using marijuana has been stigmatized as sign of being lazy, the broad array of people across all demographics who consume CBD products today prove that CBD use is not synonymous with slacking.

Doctors, lawyers, mothers, fathers, children, veterans, nurses, teachers, and more have all been known to use CBD. There are, of course, regulations on the types of CBD and times when using CBD is allowed in various professions, but most CBD products do not cause the psychoactive high that is characteristic of smoking marijuana.

Why is that?

Why Doesn’t CBD Get You High?

Most CBD products do not cause a psychoactive high that you would get if you were smoking full-leaf marijuana. That is because CBD is a non-intoxicating compound. The high that people associate with cannabis is largely caused by THC.

CBD oils on the market today are high in CBD and other beneficial cannabinoids and extremely low in THC. In fact, to be considered legal, CBD must be extracted from hemp plants that have naturally low THC levels, not from resinous marijuana plants that produce high concentrations of THC. And, all CBD products must keep THC percentage below 0.3% threshold.

Some media coverage and assumptions about those who use CBD still put out the idea that CBD is an illicit substance, but that misconception is gradually being changed with the normalization of CBD and its benefits.

What Are The Alleged Benefits of CBD?

There are a lot of benefits that people say CBD can give you with regular use. While many of these benefits have been shown in human clinical trials, there hasn’t been enough research or evidence done to fully confirm that the effects are truly caused by the CBD.

Anecdotally, however, there is overwhelming evidence to support CBD as an herbal product which can help with many different things. There are more and more places documenting the possible benefits of CBD, and you’ll likely discover helpful information by researching organizations that study CBD and advocate for its use.

Studies About CBD

There have been studies done for all of these benefits, and the evidence is piling up to support CBD as an overall wellness product. We encourage you to find some trusted sources of actual scientific information and explore the studies that have been done on CBD and its possible applications.

You’ll probably find that the potential uses for CBD oil and other CBD products are incredibly varied. As this interesting substance is studied and understood more deeply, its power will be able to be incorporated into many applications.

Is CBD Legal and Safe To Use?

Before the 2018 Farm Bill was passed, CBD oil was legal in at least 30 states, most of which had legalized medical and/or adult-use cannabis. Many states had their own sets of rules and regulations about where you can buy the oil and how it can be used.

CBD’s legal status seemed to shift when the Farm Bill was made law, because it explicitly legalized industrial hemp, the plant from which most CBD products are extracted. Additionally Pharmaceutical-grade CBD, in the form of Epidiolex, was recently approved by the FDA as a prescription available to children with intractable seizure disorders. Still, it’s unclear if, when, and how the FDA will decide to handle CBD products.

The biggest danger that you should be aware of when using CBD is the current lack of regulation. Because CBD-based products are still relatively new, there are numerous companies out there that make CBD products. Many of these companies do not yet have the appropriate safety and testing practices in place.

So, you should be careful to choose a reliable vendor that tests and monitors their products for safety. As sad as it is, there are companies who are willing to lie about CBD percentages, carrier oils, and more in order to make money, so finding a trustworthy supplier is important.