Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of over 140 naturally occurring compounds found in the cannabis plant. We call them cannabinoids. Other well-studied cannabinoids include THC, CBG, & CBN. Historically, CBD has been proven to be non-addictive, safe, and used for many amazing health benefits documented as early as 2700 years B.C.

Cannabis is the umbrella term with Marijuana being on one side of the umbrella and Hemp being on the other.

• Marijuana is high in THC (the psychoactive component) and low in CBD (non-psychoactive).
• Hemp is high is CBD and low in THC.

Through the years farmers have genetically modified the cannabis plant to have more or less THC based on recreational or medicinal purposes. It is necessary to determine if your CBD oil is considered to be Marijuana-based CBD oil (possibly psychoactive) or Hemp-based CBD Oil (non-psychoactive. The Farm Bill that was passed in December of 2018 allowed for up to .3% of THC (trace amounts) to be legalized for medicinal purposes. When trace amounts of THC work together with CBD, it is called the Entourage Effect. This ultimately means an explosion of therapeutic benefits.

CBD is unique in that it acts on the largest receptor system in our body that was discovered in the late 1990’s. It is known as the Endocannabinoid System (ECS). The ECS is how cannabinoids, like CBD and THC, offer their benefits to our body. As the body’s largest receptor system, the ECS is constantly providing balance throughout our body for optimal health and wellness. It is quite possibly the most important physiological system we have in maintaining our health. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has stated that it “may have therapeutic potential in almost all conditions affecting humans”. It is known that every living creature with a spine has an Endocannabinoid System.

The receptors (CB1 and CB2) associated with the ECS are the most abundant receptors in the entire body. This includes the cardiovascular, pulmonary, immune, endocrine, urinary, digestive, central nervous system, muscular, skeletal, reproductive, and lymphatic system. These receptors help to regulate and set the tempo for our body’s own endocannabinoids which, in return, play a crucial role in the balance that is needed throughout our body systems.

We naturally produce cannabinoids in our bodies, but just like with vitamins, we can become deficient causing our health to decline. Cannabinoid deficiencies can be caused by environmental factors we experience every day from toxins in the air or in our food or simply physical or emotional stress on our bodies. The compounds in the cannabis plant, including CBD, work together to help our body return to balance and perform at its best. This can lead to better sleep, mood, agility, less discomfort and overall natural health and wellness. A clean, high quality CBD oil can be used safely by people of all ages, as well as their furry friends.

CBD oil is everywhere! It’s at the gas station, grocery store, box stores. How do you know which one to buy? I like to educate my customers so they can determine for themselves and often times, see the red flags from a mile away! My favorite thing to do is to analyze a new CBD company, but hopefully, you can come to your own conclusions from this short list of “Musts”.