Skip to Main Content

Enjoy 25% Off your first purchase with code: NEW25

0

No products in the cart.

Free shipping on orders $49+

CBD Information Guide

Welcome, welcome to our CBD Information Guide. We hope this serves as a reliable resource to further your CBD education. The following information should help debunk some CBD myths as well as teach you about this powerful natural ingredient that’s been in use for thousands of years. (Really). And, better yet, we’ll continue to add to this guide with the most up-to-date and accurate information, so you’ll never miss a beat in the world of CBD.

So, why is CBD so popular? While it has shown incredible promise for a wide range of symptoms in both humans and animals, there is still a lot to discover about what it can and can’t do. Since people have been using it for medicinal purposes since 2727 BC, it may not necessarily qualify as a fad, per se.

That being said, no matter how empowered you feel after reading the following sections, you still need to consult your physician before you add CBD to your regimen. He or she understands your health history the best, and can best advise whether or not CBD will benefit you. Happy learning!

What is CBD?

If you’ve landed on this page, chances are that you don’t know too much about CBD. And that’s totally OK, and why we’re here. Or, perhaps you feel pretty confident about your CBD knowledge thus far, and you want to put it to the test.

CBD (Cannabidiol) is a cannabinoid, one of 113 found in Cannabis sativa or the hemp plant. This compound is not to be confused with THC — the psychoactive relative of CBD, which also comes from hemp. CBD is also different from hemp oil and offers different benefits.

>> Continue reading the blog post, What is CBD?

History of CBD

Important dates in the history of CBD.

How Does CBD Work?

How Does CBD Work? The endocannabinoid system - or ECS - regulates many bodily functions, such as sleep, pain, mood, appetite, and responses from the immune system. CBD blocks harmful compounds from entering these receptors.

How is CBD Absorbed?

Cannabinoids must attach to a fatty acid binding protein to pass through the membranes of our cells. Once its inside the cell, CBD starts to be broken down by fatty acid amide hydrolase, a metabolic enzyme. From there, the CBD can start interacting with the receptors and compounds in our bodies!

The Endocannabinoid System

As we already mentioned above, CBD is one of over 100 compounds called cannabinoids that come from the hemp plant. Among these is CBG, which is actually the preliminary form of CBD, THC, and CBC. From THC also comes CBN, which is gaining some ground.

The human body already produces some cannabinoids on its own — these are called endocannabinoids. Since these compounds are naturally produced in the body, the body also has a system in place for dealing with the signals it receives from cannabinoids. This system is called the endocannabinoid system or ECS. The ECS regulates many bodily functions, such as sleep, pain, mood, appetite, and responses from the immune system.

The receptors in the ECS are divided into two categories: CBD1 and CBD2.

CBD1 receptors are typically found in the nervous system, and a small proportion of them may be found in the kidneys, lungs, or liver. These receptors are the ones known to interact with the neurotransmitters and affect sensations like appetite, concentration, and more.

CBD2 receptors, on the other hand, are a huge part of the immune system. These receptors have a hand in modulating the pain sensation along with other immune responses.

According to studies, CBD may not bind to the ECS itself — but it actually activates or inhibits other compounds and receptors. This may also be why CBD doesn’t produce any psychoactive effects. Delta 8 THC, another one of CBD’s relatives, is psychoactive. You can learn more about how delta 8 and CBD relate in this post.

 

How Does CBD Affect the Body

How Does It Affect the Body?

So, what does CBD actually do once it’s absorbed and interacting with the body? Here are a few of the ways that studies show CBD can affect your body.

One study shows that, at high concentrations, CBD can directly activate the 5-HT1A (hydroxytryptamine) serotonin receptor. This receptor is a factor in a large range of conditions and symptoms, such as nausea, pain, sleep, addiction, appetite, and anxiety.

Another study shows how CBD can bind to TRPV1 receptors. TRPV1 is known for mediating temperature, inflammation, and pain.

By stimulating the adenosine receptor, CBD can promote dopamine. Dopamine affects processes like motor control, motivation, reward, and cognition. CBD may also promote glutamate, which affects learning and memory production.

CBD can interact with the GABA-A receptor to enhance its ability to bind with GABA. GABA is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in our nervous system, and CBD can allow the GABA-A receptor to amplify the natural calming effect of GABA, which is helpful in addressing anxiety.

 

 

CBD Side Effects

With all of these complex chemical reactions mentioned in the prior section, it’s understandable if you’re curious about side effects. Are any side effects guaranteed if you take CBD? Does it depend on your unique body system, usage patterns, as well as any other health conditions you may have? All yesses! The best way to manage any potential side effects is to keep your physician in the loop.

Some side effects of CBD include, but are not limited to the following:

  • Extreme drowsiness
  • Lethargy
  • Upset stomach
  • Diarrhea

Though side effects aren’t fun, they’re not guaranteed. They’re certainly not guaranteed if you do your best to follow product instructions, either. Wondering how CBD will make you feel in general? This comes down to a variety of factors, such as:

  • The type of product you take or use
  • Your unique body system or biome
  • The symptoms you’re experiencing

You may also wonder if CBD causes any sort of body “high.” Though CBD can address and symptoms of anxiety, as well as boost healthy sleep patterns when combined with ingredients like melatonin, CBD still does not affect you as THC would.

How Can I Use CBD?

When to Take CBD

CBD may seem like one of the most versatile natural ingredients out there — and that’s pretty true. However, this may make it difficult to decide whether or not CBD is right for you, even with a physician’s advice. For example, more than 54 million adults and 300,000 babies have arthritis symptoms in the U.S. alone. Arthritis, as well as joint and muscle pain in general, are common reasons for individuals to turn to CBD. When CBD is combined with other natural pain-relievers and ingredients, such as menthol, camphor, and even lavender, it may even become more effective.

It’s probably safe to assume, too, that you may be among many that would like a natural way to improve focus. After all, our world is increasingly demanding and distracting. Can CBD be the answer in this case too? Check out our blog.

CBD Edibles

Quite a few different kinds of products fall under the category of “edibles.” The most popular is CBD gummies — much like the popular gummy vitamins! Energy chews, gum, protein powder, and infused water all fall under the category of edible. You can also shop teas and recovery beverages as well as water-soluble CBD. There are even delicious CBD confections like chocolate made with other tasty botanicals.

If you want to enjoy a tasty snack while you get your CBD, an edible option might be perfect for you. As with any supplement, it’s important that you take your CBD edibles as directed.

CBD Tincture Oils

CBD oil is one of the most versatile options for CBD. Typically, tinctures are dropped under the tongue — which helps it absorb more quickly — and then swallowed. They come in a wide variety of flavors from cinnamon to fruits or even unflavored if you’re going for an all-natural experience.

You also have the option of blending your CBD oil with a carrier oil such as coconut, olive, or jojoba and then applying the oil mixture directly to your skin.

If you’d like different options for your CBD application or are interested in the additional benefits often included in the carrier oils, oils and tinctures are a great choice for you.

CBD Capsules

CBD capsules are a no-fuss solution to your daily CBD. Some capsules are even dissolvable if swallowing pills isn’t an option for you. Just grab one along with the rest of your daily vitamins and a sip of water, and you’re good to go.

Capsules are great if you’re sensitive to tastes or textures or you’re looking for the easiest way to take CBD.

CBD Topicals

Topical CBD comes in many different forms, including lotions, salves, creams, massage oils, transdermal patches, sprays, and even bath bombs — and more! These products usually have pleasant, calming scents and can be very therapeutic to apply in addition to the benefits from the CBD.

Topical CBD is wonderful for quick relief of localized, day-to-day aches and pains.

CBD Skincare

If you’ve heard about the balancing, restorative, even age-defying characteristics of CBD skincare products — it isn’t just hype. We’re proud to offer a wide variety of premium products with formulas suitable for every age, skin type, complexion, and concern.

CBD and Self-Care

No self-care routine is complete without a few products on standby just for the purposes of pampering. Luckily, we offer plenty of CBD bath products, including bath bombs, shower gels, hair care, and more. We also offer exclusive products from women-centric brands, and even a variety of CBD intimacy products. Curious?

CBD for Pets

If you want to give your pet CBD, there are a variety of options as well! CBD can come in sprays and oils to be put on their food or directly into their mouths in tasty (to them!) flavors like bacon and tuna. Tasty CBD-infused treats are also available. Pets can also benefit from topical CBD balms for skin problems or gel that can be applied in the ear for quick absorption into their veins.

How to Shop Smarter for CBD

 

Shopping for CBD can be just as overwhelming as actually selecting a product and trying it. However, it doesn’t have to be all that bad. In fact, there are plenty of unique benefits to shopping for CBD online, that is, if you’re browsing on a reputable website. You may also be a bit overwhelmed by the volume of choices you may be met with. On Direct CBD Online, all of our brands and products are subjected to rigorous testing. However, there are a few tricks to finding the best CBD product for you.

When it comes to actually getting your CBD home and in your cabinet or on your shelf, you may wonder if there’s a right or a wrong way to store CBD oil. And, even then, how long is too long to keep using a CBD product for? Does CBD oil go bad?

Serving Sizes & Information

There is no official recommended serving size for CBD. The information on this page is intended to serve as a starting point, and can serve as a way for you to open a discussion up with your physician. He or she should serve as the authority on all of your health-related decisions. This guide is merely informative.

The optimal amount and frequency of servings of CBD can vary from person to person. In fact, the variables on finding a universally prescribed serving size of CBD are almost infinite — weight, diet, metabolism, genetics, environment, and more all affect the perfect serving for you. Even the time that you take CBD can affect how it makes you feel.

If you don’t immediately get the results you expect from CBD, don’t worry. Making some small adjustments might be all it takes to find the perfect CBD serving size for you. Start with the lowest possible serving. Some conditions benefit from small amounts, some benefit from larger ones, and some benefit the most from somewhere in the middle. Slowly working your way up is the best way to find the proper amount for you. You may also be interested in whether or not you can take too much CBD, which you’ll learn is likely impossible.

If you feel you can benefit from a higher serving size of CBD, research suggests increasing the amount every 3–4 weeks to fully process how your current serving size is affecting you.

We also recommend keeping notes on how your CBD serving size affects you — this practice will help you remember accurately which amount helped you feel your best.

Is CBD Legal?

 

We are not lawyers and cannot offer you legal advice. Be sure to check into your state’s CBD-specific laws for further information about CBD legality.

While hemp is legal in all 50 states, there are some situations and factors where the legality of CBD can be hard to understand. It’s important to know where your CBD is coming from and the specific laws of your state before making CBD a part of your daily routine.

Hemp-Derived CBD vs. Marijuana-Derived CBD

One of the aspects that makes governing CBD products a bit confusing is the difference between hemp-derived and marijuana-derived CBD.

Hemp is an incredibly versatile resource for manufacturing, fabric making, and even fuel. In addition, it’s extremely sustainable and fast-growing. It also happens to contain high amounts of CBD, too!

CBD derived from hemp has no psychoactive effects, which is why it is excluded from the US Controlled Substances Act and legal for industrial production. On the other hand, marijuana-derived CBD is associated with THC — and the psychoactive effects caused by that compound — which means it is included in the US Controlled Substances Act as a Schedule 1 substance and illegal. THC is also what shows up on a drug test — not CBD. However, be aware that consuming large amounts of CBD can cause the trace amounts of THC to trigger a false positive on a drug test.

While there are some states where all forms of marijuana, including marijuana-derived CBD, are legal, most do not permit CBD that is not hemp-derived.

 

 

Legality of Hemp-Derived CBD

According to the 2014 Farm Bill, legal “industrial hemp” refers to the plants and the products derived from them with less than 0.3% THC that are grown by a state-licensed farmer. The bill doesn’t mention CBD specifically.

In January of 2017, the DEA made a rule that states an “extract containing one or more cannabinoids that has been derived from any plant of the genus Cannabis” is illegal. Understandably, The Hemp Industry Administration was unhappy with this ruling, saying that the DEA was failing to acknowledge legal hemp (and its extracts) that were covered in the 2014 Farm Bill.

This appeal was rejected — but here’s why that doesn’t mean the end of CBD. Judges of the appeal acknowledged that the Farm Bill and DEA have different definitions of legal cannabis. In addition, the Farm Bill preempts this DEA rule.

 

 

What Does That Mean?

So, if your oils, edibles, topicals, and capsules are coming from products that meet the following criteria, you’re still in good shape:

  • Hemp-derived
  • Contain less than 0.3% THC
  • Grown by a state-licensed grower

Don’t be shy about asking your CBD provider to answer these questions! It’s important to know that you’re getting high-quality, legally-derived CBD.

The laws around hemp and cannabis are currently extremely difficult to navigate, but that could all change with the introduction of the Hemp Farming Act of 2018. If it passes, the bill would put an end to picking apart which parts of the plant require regulation and offering blanket legality for “Cannabis sativa L. and any part of that plant” so long as the THC concentration is “not more than 0.3 percent on a dry weight basis.”

If these laws all seem extremely complex and at least a little confusing, that’s because they are. Marijuana and hemp laws are in an interesting, ever-changing time right now, but we’re excited to see how they continue to progress in the next few years.

CBD In the News

May 2021 Quick Hits
April 2021 Quick Hits
March 2021 Quick Hits
February 2021 Quick Hits
January 2021 Quick Hits
December 2020 Quick Hits
Save & Share Cart
Your Shopping Cart will be saved and you'll be given a link. You, or anyone with the link, can use it to retrieve the Cart items at any time. Your account information will not be shared. Cart links last 30 days.
Save Cart & Generate Link
Send Cart in an Email Done! close
Empty cart. Please add products before saving :)

Back Save & Share Cart
Your Shopping Cart will be saved with Product pictures and information, and Cart Totals. Then send it to yourself, or a friend, with a link to retrieve it at any time.
Send Cart Email
Your cart email sent successfully :)