CBD 101
CBD, or cannabidiol, has gained huge popularity in recent years. This has caused a massive growth in businesses promoting a myriad of products. While widely popular, however, many people still don’t know the facts about CBD and most people don’t know that not all CBD is created equal. Our team at The Fifth Essence believes you should have all the facts to inform whichever decision you think is best for your health and wellbeing!
So what is CBD?
CBD is the second most prevalent active ingredient in cannabis – second only to THC, which is the psychoactive ingredient in cannabis. While derived from the same plant, CBD does not cause the “high” associated with cannabis – that’s caused by THC. Both components can be found, along with hundreds of other molecules, in the various forms of cannabis, such as cannabis and hemp. However, the content of THC and CBD varies – hemp has high levels of CBD and low THC content while cannabis exhibits the opposite traits.
The Fifth Essence CBD oil comes in both full spectrum and broad spectrum options. To create full spectrum CBD oil, we use a USDA certified purification process that removes solvents, pesticides, fats, waxes and other undesirable plant compounds. Our full spectrum oil contains up to 0.3% THC (the maximum allowed by law) and other terpenes from the cannabis plant, which work together with CBD to support your health.
In contrast, to make our broad spectrum oil we use a proprietary USDA organic certified chromatography process to extract all the THC from the oil. All of our broad spectrum products contain 0.0% THC, which you can see on our broad spectrum lab reports.
Is CBD legal?
In December of 2017, the World Health Organization declared that “In humans, CBD exhibits no effects indicative of any abuse or dependence potential” and that “…there is no evidence of public health related problems associated with the use of pure CBD.” The following year the 2018 Farm Bill was signed into law in the US, which removed hemp derived products, such as CBD, from the Controlled Substance Act. This made CBD containing less than 0.3% THC legal in the United States.
Is all the excitement about CBD just hype?
Let’s start by mentioning that cannabis has been used for hundreds of years. The curative properties of cannabis are well documented in the annals of history and its use can be tracked as far back as 5,000 years ago. In fact, cannabis was utilized as a patent medicine during the 19th and early 20th century in America. The legal history of cannabis after 1937 is a story for another day. What is important here is that there is a precedent for cannabis being used for its medicinal properties.
With the development of new technologies, there have been various studies focusing on specific molecules or cannabinoids, such as CBD and THC, that make up cannabis. CBD has been more profoundly studied in the past decade. Animal studies, self-reports, and research on humans suggests that CBD may help promote health and wellbeing!
How does it work?
One of the exciting things about CBD is that our bodies are equipped to utilize cannabinoids for wellness. The cannabinoids in hemp activate the endocannabinoid system, particularly CB1 and CB2, which help the human body regulate various functions. CB1 receptors are found throughout the body and particularly in the brain and help coordinate various cognitive functions such as movement, emotions, mood, and appetite. CB2 on the other hand, affects the immune system response, particularly inflammation and pain.
How do you consume it?
The benefits of CBD can be enjoyed in different forms such as softgels, tinctures, balms, creams, and gummies. The type of product you use can influence how long it takes for you to feel the effects, how long the effects last, and how target the effects are. The Fifth Essence offers a variety of CBD oil products to fit all your needs.
For example, our CBD tinctures are a fast-acting option that can be taken orally or added to food and beverages. On the other hand, our gummies and softgels take some time to take effect but the effects last longer. Our Creams, balms and other topical products can be applied to specific areas of the body, such as sore muscles, for a more targeted effect.
The Main Takeaway!
CBD is a natural supplement that promotes health and wellbeing. The benefits of CBD are supported by research and are gaining acknowledgment by the medical community. Some doctors even recommend CBD as an alternative supplement to synthetic pharmaceuticals, which can sometimes damage internal organs and cause other adverse side effects. The FDA has even approved the first drug with CBD that treats severe cases of epilepsy.
Keep in mind that the source of your products is important. The quality of products is important and knowing where anything you consume comes from is essential. The FDA has found that many CBD products are mislabeled and sometimes contain far less CBD than they advertise. Other products contain higher levels of THC than it is legally allowed.
So as you decide to explore the benefits of CBD, consider a brand that is trustworthy and offers premium quality. If quality and trust are important to you, consider The Fifth Essence! Learn more about our products and how they are made here by clicking here.
