CBD Oil; What You Should Know

So, I did a thing a few weeks ago.

​I bought & started taking CBD oil. 

I know it's the newest "thing" & there's currently a whole boatload of people jumping on the CBD bandwagon, but man, this stuff is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G. I wish I would have started it sooner. 

It's kind of funny because originally I had started researching CBD oil as an alternative treatment for our lab, Milo, who suffers from seizures & severe anxiety. The more research I did, the more it became clear that CBD oil might be beneficial for both of us. 

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Milo was on a daily regime of Gabapentin & Apoquel, but the long-term effects of Apoquel are unknown. However, early studies are showing Apoquel depresses the immune system causing irreversible damage. Hence my search for a more natural alternative. As for my self, as someone who suffers from Fibromyalgia, Hyper-mobility of my joints, Chronic Fatigue & Anxiety I've tried mainstream treatment plans including prescription drugs, massage therapy, Melatonin, vitamins & supplements, diet modifications, exercise regiments, etc. to no avail. The side-effects of prescription drugs were always far worse than dealing with the daily aches & pains, or anxiety & diet changes only seemed to offer temporary relief.  ​

But now, now, there's legal CBD! ​

​CBD is one of the main ingredients in Cannabis but will not get you high as it does not contain THC. Without getting too complicated, THC attaches to the CB1 & CB2 nerve receptors in the brain which are what causes the psychosomatic euphoria associated with Marijuana. Unlike THC, CBD does not attach to the brain receptors & will not have the same psychosomatic effect. Don't misunderstand, CBD does contain a small amount of THC, between .3 & .5%, but not enough to attached to brain receptors releasing dopamine & cause hallucinations. 

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WARNING...WARNING...WARNING...

 Not all CBD is created equal. ​

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Since the passage of the Farm Bill in 2018, if you haven't noticed "CBD sold here" signs on your local storefront windows, then you simply aren't paying attention because it's being sold EVERYWHERE! Gas stations, pet stores, convenience stores, & salons are just a few of the establishments where I personally have seen "CBD available here" signs plastered in their windows. But let's make one thing clear; just because they're selling it doesn't mean they're a reputable place to buy.  

It's important to understand that CBD is not regulated by the Food & Drug Administration making it even more imperative that you research potential suppliers before you purchase a product. ​In fact, a study completed in 2017 by Michael Bonn-Miller, an assistant professor of psychology in psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania School Of Medicine, revealed 7 out of 10 CBD products did not contain the amount of CBD indicated on the label. Nearly 43% contained too little CBD, while 26% contained too much. Too much CBD can have adverse effects like increased seizure activity in epileptic patients & increased anxiety in those suffering from the disease. 

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So, what can CBD be used for? 

That, my friend, is a very long list. But keep in mind while there are hundreds upon thousands of personal accounts claiming CBD has worked wonders, there is very little verified research out there. Just something to be aware of. ​

• Anxiety
• Anti-seizure
• Alzheimer's
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Parkinsons       ​
• Stroke
• Arthritis 
• Chronic Pain
• Spinal Chord Injuries
• ADHD

• Acne
• Inflammation
• Schizophrenia
• Withdrawal Symptoms
• ALS
• Bacterial Infections
• Insomnia 
• Intestinal Inflammation 
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome 
• Depression

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In an effort to help guide you I put together a quick list of the top 5 things to look for/ask when purchasing CBD: 

1. Third-Party Testing 

• A reputable seller will have third-party testing results readily available. It's important to know exactly what's in the CBD oil you're thinking of purchasing & the amount of each ingredient. 
• The lab who completed the study should be credited by the ISO (International Organization of Standardization) if not, chances are they are a phony laboratory & their results are hogwash. 

2. Where is the hemp sourced from? 

• The quality of hemp directly correlates to the quality of CBD & some sellers look for the cheapest product rather than a quality product. 
• Hemp can be sourced from several places including the United States, China, & Europe. The US has nutrient-dense soil & better cultivation technologies making the quality of hemp sourced from the United States greater than those sourced elsewhere.  

3.  The percentage of THC in the product. 

• To remain legal the THC content must remain between .3 & .5 percent depending on what state you reside in. This is the amount considered to be safe & will not produce any psychoactive effects.
• THC is extremely important if you are looking to use CBD  as a treatment for you pet as it can be dangerously toxic if using a product with more than .5%. 

4. Ingredients 

• If a product does not list the ingredients on the label this is a giant red flag. As mentioned above, CBD is not regulated so you must be even more vigilant in protecting yourself against toxic or potentially dangerous ingredients. 
• Look for wording such as "Organic," or "All-Natural." 
• Some will even use ingredients aimed at increases the effectiveness of the CBD oil. B12 added to CBD can aid in pain relief or Melatonin   to aid with insomnia. 

5. Dosage 

• This is where things can get a little confusing. Three bottles, all the same size, filled to the brim, could have different total milliliters of CBD inside. 
• Make sure you understand the specific specs of the product you are purchasing to make sure you are giving yourself the appropriate starting dosage. 
• Dosing is going to vary greatly depending on the product you are using, what you are using it for, & who is using it. 

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Another factor to consider when purchasing a CBD product is how the CBD is extracted from the Hemp plant. There are two methods; Ethanol extraction & extraction using Carbon Dioxide.  There are drawbacks & benefits to each. It's going to be up to you to decide which method you feel most comfortable with. 

Ethanol extraction is the process of heating the Hemp to remove carbon atoms, soaking the plant in Ethanol for an extended period, filtering to separate the liquid from plant matter, & finally, leaving the remaining liquid in the open for the ethanol to evaporate. While this process does make it nearly impossible for all the ethanol to be removed, it does provide for the most efficient means of digestion into your body. It can also be certified organic. 
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Extraction of CBD using Carbon Dioxide is slightly different in that instead of using heat it uses pressurized Carbon Dioxide to pull CBD from the Hemp plant. When Carbon Dioxide is in a supercritical stage, meaning it has properties of both a liquid & gas, this is when the extraction occurs without causing any damage or denaturing to the CBD. For this reason, extraction using Carbon Dioxide is the preferred method, but extraction using this method is very costly.  

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CBD oil has been a game changer for me. While it doesn't eliminate my pain completely it has provided more relief than prescription medications with zero side-effects. I have more energy, I'm sleeping better at night, & the brain fog associated with Fibromyalgia is at an all-time low. Of course, not everyone will have the same results, but I think anyone who has thought about trying it really should. It could make a world of difference in your day-to-day life. ​

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If you have any question, I'm no expert, but I'll do my best to help! Or if you have an experience with CBD, good or bad, please share!