CBD 101

Talk About It Tuesday:  CBD 101

CBD has exploded in popularity over the last few years, but even with that surge there are still many people who have either never heard of CBD, or who are aware of it but hazy on what it actually does. In this post, my aim is to give you a basic understanding of CBD, how it works, the different ways it can be used and how it can beneficial. Here’s your CBD 101 crash course.

What is CBD?

CBD stands for cannabidiol and is one of many chemical compounds known as cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. Originating in Asia, the cannabis plant contains two main species, Indica and Sativa. CBD comes from the Sativa plant which is more commonly referred to as hemp. The hemp plant has been used for centuries too make everything from clothes to paper to construction materials. CBD is extracted from the flower and leaves of the hemp plant, not to be confused with hemp oil which is a non-CBD containing oil extracted from hemp seeds.

CBD from hemp is not marijuana. Marijuana contains the psychoactive compound THC, the compound responsible for the high of marijuana. Hemp contains 0.3% or less of THC making it ideal for its medicinal benefits with out the psychoactive properties so you will not “get high” using CBD.

How does it work?

CBD, like all naturally occurring compounds found in the Cannabis plant, is a Phytocannabinoid.  Phytocannabinoids interact with the cannabinoid receptors in our bodies known as Endocannabinoids. Endocannabinoids taken as a whole make up what’s known as the Endocannabinoid System (ECS). Sensations in the mind and body are controlled by the ECS. Some of these include appetite, mood, pain, and memory. You could think of this connection as a key fitting into a lock. When the key (CBD) is inserted into the lock (ECS), it improves the receptors ability to function, which in turn lead to helping maintain key health functions and the bodies sense of homeostasis or balance.

How do you use it?

CBD can be taken in a variety of ways but the most common are orally or topically.

The most common oral method of consumption are tinctures. A tincture is a highly concentrated liquid consisting of the extracted medicinal compounds from plants, in this case the hemp plant. Most CBD extracts are combined with a solvent such as vegetable glycerin or alcohol and are administered via a dropper sublingually under the tongue. Soft gels are another oral method and can be infused with other helpful compounds such as melatonin (natural sleep aid) or curcumin (natural inflammatory).

CBD can also be used as a topical cream or balm/salve. Topical treatments are really helpful if you have a certain problem area that tends to have frequent needs. This is a direct way to treat  specific body parts because the CBD can get to your bodies receptors without having to go through your circulatory system. This can also help with the dry and irritated skin that can occur because of the restricted blood flow to the skin in some instances.

Thank You for taking the time to read our first official Golden Legacy Blog!  Be sure to look out every Tuesday for our “Talk About It Tuesday” series.  Each week, we’ll be spending time on a different CBD topic to help inform our Golden Legacy family.  We’ll feature the Talk About It Tuesday series on our @goldlegwellness Facebook page. Whether you purchase Golden Legacy products or not, we want to be supportive in your journey to understand all the benefits CBD has to offer.

Lastly, we want to hear from you!  If there are topics you’d like to see covered, thoughts on topics already covered or you’d like to share with us how Golden Legacy products have helped you along your journey… We want to know!  Reach out to us at:  hello@goldenlegacywellness.com.