A Beginner's Guide to CBD

You would be hard-pressed to find someone these days that hasn’t heard of CBD. You can now find the ubiquitous compound on nearly every street corner, from CBD smoothies to shampoos, to lotions and lip balms. It’s undeniable that CBD is having its moment in the sun. Many of these recent CBD-infused concoctions can be chalked down to novelty items (that have little to no beneficial value) that will likely fade into the background after the initial excitement wears off. However, the therapeutic use of high-quality CBD will remain a mainstay due to its unique ability to support your endocannabinoid system (ECS) and restore balance to the body.

With so much “noise” surrounding CBD, it’s become more difficult to find accurate information. Selecting the right product can be a confusing process, especially for someone new to CBD. This guide will serve as a starting point for CBD beginners and those seeking basic knowledge.

What is CBD?

CBD is short for cannabidiol, one of the primary chemical compounds found in the cannabis plant. CBD does not produce an intoxicating “high” like THC, the other main compound of cannabis. CBD has been found to contain therapeutic properties that promote balance within the body.

Why Do I Need CBD?

All mammals, including humans, have what’s called an endocannabinoid system, or ECS as its commonly referred. Your ECS is a system comprised of endocannabinoids (lipid-based neurotransmitters), receptors, and enzymes located mainly in the brain and nervous system but spread throughout the entire body. Your ECS is responsible for maintaining homeostasis, a state of internal equilibrium. When your ECS becomes imbalanced or depleted due to chronic illness, unhealthy lifestyle choices, or other environmental factors, you may start to experience unwanted or negative symptoms.

CBD works by restoring balance to your ECS. Anybody can benefit from CBD support, even those without a specific ailment. But it can be especially beneficial for those experiencing an internal imbalance, as it helps re-calibrate the body back to a state of equilibrium. Daily CBD supplementation provides optimal support to your ECS and promotes an overall sense of well-being.

Is CBD Safe?

CBD is considered very safe, with minimal side effects for most people. CBD doesn’t affect the brain stem, where vital functions like breathing are controlled, so there is no risk of overdose. In the World Health Organization’s (WHO) extensive report on CBD, the organization found it to be a non-addicting substance, and that there were “no case reports of abuse or dependence relating to the use of pure CBD.¹”

If you plan on taking CBD, it’s recommended that you speak with your doctor first. CBD is known to have a similar effect as grapefruit in inhibiting the metabolization of certain medications by deactivating key enzymes in the liver that process and breakdown pharmaceuticals.

While CBD has an excellent safety profile, a CBD product is only as safe as how it was produced. It is essential to select a high-quality CBD that comes from a reputable source. The industry is plagued with low-quality products that may be unsafe for human consumption due to pesticide contamination, heavy metal residue, or other toxins tainting the finished product. When looking for a high-quality CBD product, make sure the company can provide third-party lab reports (Certificates of Analysis or COA) and has transparent information on the hemp’s sourcing and cultivation process.

Which CBD Product is Right For Me?

Selecting a product that will work best for you has to do with your individual preferences and desired effect. For full-body balancing, many people start with CBD tinctures, as they have high bioavailability (the amount that ends up in your bloodstream) and are relatively easy to dose and customize.

Other people may prefer soft gels to take on-the-go and for easy portability. Soft gels offer the same full-body balancing effect as tinctures but are slightly less bioavailable due to having to pass through the digestive tract before entering the bloodstream.

CBD topical creams and lotions offer localized relief to specific areas of concern. Topical CBD works by interacting with cannabinoid receptors located in the top layers of skin. Since it does not enter the bloodstream, topical CBD is fast-acting, and many will notice that the onset of relief is quick. Topicals are easy to use, offer instantaneous relief to areas such as muscles and joints, and are convenient to take on-the-go. Since topicals only interact with ECS receptors within the skin, they do not offer the same full-body balancing benefits of an ingestible CBD. Many people incorporate both forms to CBD into their daily routine to experience the dual benefits of both instant and longterm relief.

How Much CBD Should I Take?

CBD dosing is not a one-size-fits-all. The ideal dose depends on your unique body composition and will most likely vary from person to person. It also depends on the level of imbalance you’re currently experiencing. Someone with a severe imbalance may require a higher dose than someone who supplements with CBD for daily wellness support.

If you’re new to CBD, it’s generally recommended to start with a low dose. HempLand USA offers three levels of CBD in all of our tinctures, including an introductory level, an intermediate level, and an advanced level so that you can customize your dose as your body adjusts to the product, or if your health status changes.

The serving size for our tinctures is 1ml or a full dropper. Many people will start by taking half of the serving size (.5 ml). It’s important to see how your body reacts to the CBD before adjusting your dose. The onset is usually around 30 minutes to an hour until you notice any changes. If you do not feel the desired support after about 4 hours, you may try to increase your dose to a full dropper (1ml).

Since CBD is safe to use, it is perfectly okay to experiment with raising or lowering your dose until you achieved the desired effect. For many people, it may take up to a week or two until they find a dose that works for them. Most people find that a moderate dose is ideal since CBD’s peak effectiveness occurs at this level. Too much CBD may cause sedation, and too little may not produce any effects. Because of its bell-shaped response curve, most people will have to experiment to try to achieve a moderate level dose. During the dosing experimentation, it's helpful to keep a journal to track symptoms, amount of CBD taken, time of day, and if any improvements occur.

For the longterm balancing properties of CBD, it should be taken daily. This allows the CBD to accumulate in your body for sustained balance.

Don’t Be Afraid!

Trying a new product for the first time may be intimidating, especially if you’ve only recently heard about CBD. HempLand USA is committed to ensuring our customers have a pleasant experience with CBD. Daily CBD support is one of the easiest changes you can make to your daily routine for longterm wellness. The greatest thing about CBD is that anybody can benefit from its usage! Who wouldn’t want to go about their day feeling more centered and balanced? HempLand USA calls the sensation of CBD a “profound sense of well-being.” What do you have to lose?

Shop HempLand USA’s Introductory, Intermediate, and Advanced Level CBD Tinctures —>>>

¹https://www.who.int/medicines/access/controlled-substances/CannabidiolCriticalReview.pdf