CBD: Everything You Need to Know About Cannabidiol

Cannabidiol (or CBD) is one of the most popular substances right now. The potential of this substance derived from cannabis seems enormous, but what exactly is CBD, what does it do, and what can you do with it? In this ultimate CBD guide, we will try to answer as many questions as possible.

What is CBD?

CBD is one of about 115 different cannabinoids found in cannabis plants. Cannabinoids, also known as phytocannabinoids, interact with your body and brain through a very complex endocannabinoid system (ECS) that is likely involved in the regulation of physiological and cognitive processes (including fertility-pregnancy, various immune system activities, appetite, mood, memory, and even pain perception). It is believed that our endocannabinoid systems produce our own “cannabinoids,” known as endocannabinoids. Cannabinoids derived from cannabis plants (phytocannabinoids), when ingested, will enhance our naturally occurring cannabinoid production and/or will behave the same way our internally produced cannabinoids would.

Can CBD make you high?

No. Cannabidiol, or CBD, is known for its many health benefits, and CBD does not have psychoactive, “euphoric,” or other mind-altering effects like THC does. CBD is typically used as a “relaxing yet non-intoxicating agent,” and most users simply notice feelings of relaxation, calmness, and ease. In the vast majority of cases, the effects are not comparable to those of THC.

Although CBD does not get you “high” like THC, cannabidiol has other effects that will influence your state, which is why we recommend starting with very low doses, learning how CBD personally affects you, and only then adjusting how you want to use CBD.

How do you feel about CBD?

Cannabidiol (CBD) is known to make you calmer, more focused, and relaxed. Most first-time users report feeling more “carefree,” as if their life struggles and burdens are lifted from their shoulders, allowing users to relax and concentrate better without feeling intoxicated or experiencing anxiety/stress.

The most noticeable relaxation occurs in the muscles, as CBD releases muscle tension. Another very noticeable CBD effect could be an increase in sleep quality and making you less tired in the morning after using CBD. Under the influence of CBD, you might feel more at ease, and furthermore, CBD is not psychoactive, so you will never get high from taking Cannabidiol.

Other possible CBD effects include: may help with insomnia, reduced anxiety, less pain, neutralizing personal discomfort, stress relief, disappearance of negative feelings, anti-inflammatory effects.

IS CBD PSYCHOACTIVE?

In the vast majority of cases, CBD does not exhibit psychoactive effects among users.

When used in its pure form, without THC, Cannabidiol will not intoxicate you and you will not get high. That being said, CBD can have relaxing properties, so you should evaluate yourself carefully and not drive or operate heavy machinery during/after using CBD.

What is the entourage effect?

The entourage effect is a well-documented phenomenon that occurs when CBD is taken in combination with other cannabinoids found in cannabis plants. There are many different terpenes present in cannabis plants, and when different cannabinoids are taken together with other active ingredients in cannabis/hemp plants, the effects are much more effective than when taking the cannabinoids separately.

In principle, the theory is that compounds in cannabis work better when taken together rather than separately. The expectation is therefore that you will always get better results when taking cannabinoids together, instead of using them individually in purified form.

Do CBD products contain THC?

Most CBD products are intentionally made THC-free because most CBD users are looking for relaxing properties and health benefits and do not want the psychoactive, mind-altering effects (known as a “high” or “stoned”) that THC would bring.

Can you mix THC and CBD?

Most cannabis plants naturally maintain a balance between these two compounds, which means that if a plant had 10% THC, it would have a comparable amount of CBD, 10% CBD. Over the past 20 years, large-scale recreational cannabis cultivation and plant breeding (hybridization) have allowed us to create increasingly THC-rich cannabis strains (which means a stronger “high” for recreational users), but at the same time, CBD levels in most popular cannabis strains grown today have dropped dramatically.

Recreatieve cannabis soorten CBD/THC zouden in Europa gemiddeld ~15%THC/3%CBD kunnen zijn, terwijl het in Noord-Amerika zelfs ~25%THC/0,2%CBD kan zijn. De meeste ervaren cannabisgebruikers kunnen dit bevestigen met opmerkingen zoals – “Bij super hoge THC-rassen voelt de high minder natuurlijk en synthetisch aan, in plaats van dat je naar een koele droomachtige rustige plek wordt gebracht, word je met een stok geraakt en in de snelle lift gegooid die niet stopt met omhoog gaan”.

Furthermore, the entourage effect tells us that you can expect better results when different cannabinoids are taken together in a 1/1 ratio or a similar ratio.

How long does it take for CBD to work?

Generally, you should feel the CBD (Cannabidiol) effects in your body within the first 1-5 hours. The timing can be longer or shorter, based on the method of intake, dosage, body health, metabolism, sensitivity, body mass, and many other factors.

Most experts agree that the most beneficial use of CBD can be achieved through daily consistency, meaning you should use CBD in a consistent dose for multiple days to feel the full spectrum of CBD effects. It is also known that different people can react differently, and some may experience very noticeable strong and fast-onset effects after the first use, while others may have only a mild reaction, even after continuous weekly use.

Therefore, we recommend starting slowly with a low CBD dose (10-30 mg per day) and only increasing consumption after monitoring/analyzing your body and personal reactions for at least a week or two.

Do all marijuana plants have CBD?

In most cases, the vast majority of Cannabis/Hemp plants will contain most of the ~115 possible cannabinoids. The biggest difference will be the concentration of these cannabinoids, meaning almost all cannabis strains will have some amount of CBD in them.

In the last 20 years, the recreational cannabis industry has focused primarily on growing THC-rich cannabis, leading to much higher average THC content in most strains. In most cases, this has meant rapidly decreasing CBD levels. Therefore, most marijuana plants currently have high THC/low CBD combinations.

This only began to change in the last few years, with the advent of CBD medical trials and general public opinion shifting towards the health benefits of cannabis. In most cases, the reason there's a cannabis legalization wave sweeping across the globe has everything to do with CBD properties and nothing to do with recreational THC use. Unfortunately, after most legalizations have passed, this has had a greater impact on THC-rich recreational cannabis cultivation sales than on improvements and growth in the CBD industry.

What are cannabinoids?

Cannabinoids (most famously THC and CBD among 115 others) are some of the chemical compounds produced by cannabis that can easily affect our bodies. Most cannabinoids work by mimicking other natural compounds (called endocannabinoids) that are commonly found in our bodies. Our endocannabinoid system naturally produces compounds that act on various receptors, these compounds are called endocannabinoids, and they primarily affect our nerves, brain, central nervous system, and immune cell functions.

(Sources: Szaflarski JP, Bebin EM, Cannabis, cannabidiol, and epilepsy–from receptors to clinical response. Epilepsy Behav. 2014;41:277-82)

Is CBD the only cannabinoid in the hemp plant?

No, CBD is just one of ~115 different known cannabinoids often found in cannabis (hemp or marijuana) plants.

What is the difference between CBD and THC?

The short answer would be: THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is a recreational psychoactive substance that makes you high, and CBD (cannabidiol) is a calming, non-toxic substance known for its health benefits that will not make you high.

But everything in nature must be more complex than that. CBD and THC are known as the “main balancing parts of cannabis” because they are the most studied cannabinoids (among ~115 others) in every hemp/cannabis plant. Why balancing parts? CBD is known to reduce the side effects of THC, and both compounds are known to be in balance in most naturally occurring cannabis strains, meaning that as THC levels increase in a crossbreeding process, CBD levels decrease, and vice versa.

This means that CBD and THC have multiple levels of intricate connections/correlations that scientists are only beginning to discover and understand how these connections work together.

What is the difference between hemp and marijuana?

From a purely technical perspective, both hemp and marijuana are simply varieties of the Cannabis sativa plant. In a much deeper sense, there are significant differences between the two: the most important of these differences is usually that hemp plants are considered industrial cannabis plants with a THC content of no more than 0.2–0.3%. This makes them an agricultural resource for many industries, without the potential for recreational use. Most countries have strict rules and regulations regarding what is considered marijuana and what is considered hemp. Typically, these rules are based entirely on the plant’s THC content.

The main difference between hemp and marijuana is usually just the concentration of cannabinoids (THC, CBD, and similar compounds). Hemp is a term used to describe the cannabis plant with a very low THC/CBD content (usually less than 0.2–0.3%).

This allows some companies to easily grow certain types of cannabis for multiple industrial purposes.

ARE CBD OIL AND HEMP SEED OIL THE SAME?

“CBD oil” means that “this oil has CBD (Cannabidiol) as one of its active ingredients.” In rare cases, for health purposes, the oil portion may be derived from another plant (coconut oil or other) and the CBD may be added in its pure form to create a unique supplement.

Now, “hemp oil” (or hemp seed oil) means “oil made from hemp seeds,” which means there is no or very little CBD in that oil, but it does contain most of the compounds found in cannabis seeds.

Both types of oils can have their own unique potential health benefits.

What are terpenes?

Terpenes are some of the essential oils found in many plants. Cannabis plants typically contain over 200 different terpenes. Terpenes are oils that give cannabis its unique flavor and various aromas, so the terpene composition differs from strain to strain. Additionally, different terpenes have different beneficial effects and work in synergy with various cannabinoids (such as CBD, THC, and at least 115 others). The synergistic ability to work together in unique relationships is often referred to as “The Entourage Effect.”.

Cannabis terpenes are another type of chemical compound found in all cannabis plants. Cannabis terpenes are responsible for the scent of the cannabis plant. They are aromatic oils that give cannabis plants their distinct colors and fragrances.

In combination with different cannabinoids, terpenes can promote different effects in users. There are over 100 different cannabis terpenes.

Can I give my pet CBD (dog, cat, etc.)?

There are special CBD products made specifically for cats or dogs. We do not recommend giving your pet products “made for human consumption,” as your pet's body mass is several times lower than your own. This makes it very difficult to choose the correct dosage. Do thorough research before experimenting with CBD for your pet.  

What are the health benefits of using CBD?

As the scientific community releases new research on the health benefits of CBD every day, most clickbait media have begun to embrace CBD as a “cure-all” over the past decade, while some manufacturers simultaneously exploit the vague restrictions around cannabis to their advantage, marketing CBD with unproven claims.

That could help legalize/decriminalize cannabis worldwide, but there are only a few completely medically proven truths when it comes to CBD. Most of the larger claims, even when preclinical studies show some real signs of major health benefits, are still awaiting clinical studies that need to be proven by the scientific community.

Known CBD effects can include increased alertness at lower doses and a calming effect at higher doses. CBD is generally known to reduce pain, relax muscles, act as an anti-inflammatory, counteract nausea/vomiting, reduce anxiety/depression, counteract psychotic thoughts, act as an antioxidant, be anticonvulsant, neuroprotective, and even possibly have an anti-tumor effect.

CAN YOU OVERDOSE ON CBD?

Even in very large doses (1.5 g/day), studies on chronic CBD use have successfully shown that there are no serious health risks to human life.

IS THE USE OF CBD SAFE?

Clinical studies on chronic CBD use have shown that even very high doses of CBD (1.5g/day) do not have negative effects on humans, and CBD is well-tolerated by people even in very large doses.

(Sources: World Health Organization, WHO Expert Committee on Drug Dependence, Thirty-ninth Meeting Geneva, 6-10 November 2017.

Safety and side effects of cannabidiol (NCBI/NIH). Curr Drug Saf. 2011 Sep 1;6(4):237-49. Safety and side effects of cannabidiol, a *Cannabis sativa* constituent. Bergamaschi MM(1), Queiroz RH, Zuardi AW, Crippa JA)

What diseases can be treated with CBD?

There are indications that therapeutic use of Cannabidiol (CBD) may be successfully used against:

• Obesity
• Anorexia
• Emesis
• Pain
• Sclerosis
• Epilepsy
• Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, etc.
• Bipolar disorder
• Posttraumatic stress disorder

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Insomnia
• Schizophrenia
• Asthma, cardiovascular diseases, glaucoma

The Smartific team cannot be held responsible for any claims regarding the medicinal properties and actual health benefits of the substances mentioned. Before experimenting with substances for healing properties, you should always consult your doctor and discuss the potential risks of using CBD.

Does CBD cause side effects?

In most cases, CBD is well-tolerated by most users, although everyone is different, and in a small number of cases, CBD may cause side effects such as diarrhea, decreased appetite, drowsiness, fatigue, dry mouth, and others. The most important thing is that CBD can interact with any other medications you are taking, so always consult a doctor before using CBD supplements.

We always recommend starting with the lowest possible dose and stopping use immediately if side effects are noticed by the user.

What is the effect of CBD on appetite?

CBD is unlikely to affect your appetite, although in rare cases, users have reported an increase or decrease in appetite. If you are using CBD as a daily supplement and begin to notice changes in your appetite, we recommend discussing this with your doctor.

Can I take CBD at work?

In general, CBD can improve your concentration and reduce stress, making it a common supplement for many work-related issues. Furthermore, CBD will not make you high, so there are no risks of impairment associated with it. That being said, because CBD can affect different people differently, we do not recommend using CBD on heavy workdays, especially since CBD can make you sleepy under certain circumstances and this could affect your ability to drive or operate heavy machinery.

In general, most users are okay after using CBD on workdays, but that is a personal choice and should only be done after some personal experimentation (on doses and effects) and research.

CBD is a non-psychoactive substance, so potential harm is minimized.

Can you use CBD if you take prescribed medicines or medication?

You should consult your doctor if you plan to use CBD with other medications, as CBD can interfere with multiple other substances when taken together.

What is the best way to take CBD?

The simplest and most straightforward way is to take it orally, in the form of an oil drop. Other methods may include vaping or smoking it, or consuming pure CBD crystals with your food.

How much CBD can I take?

Even though you can't overdose on CBD, the normal CBD dosage ranges from 10 to 100 mg per day, with 10 mg being the minimum dose for the day, and 100 mg being a super high dose that may cause side effects in some users.

Clinical studies have successfully tested chronic CBD dosages up to 1500 mg per day and have found no noticeable direct harm, even with severe chronic CBD use at these levels.

How much CBD should I take?

Our recommended starting dose is 10-30 mg of Cannabidiol (CBD) per day. You can increase your intake after a few weeks of daily use if you do not notice any negative side effects.

How do cannabinoids work?

In short, most cannabinoids work by reducing the activity of presynaptic neurons, limiting the amount of neurotransmitters (let's say dopamine) that are released. In principle, cannabinoids affect how different chemical messages are sent, received, and processed by cells in our body.

WHAT IS THE ENDOCANNABINOID SYSTEM?

The endocannabinoid system primarily functions as a homeostatic regulator in your body, with its main goal being to maintain balance. Our bodies also produce their own “cannabinoids,” known as endocannabinoids. The most well-known endocannabinoids are anandamide and 2-AG (2-arachidonoylglycerol). When you ingest plant-derived cannabinoids like CBD/THC, known as “phytocannabinoids,” these cannabinoids can activate the same receptors in your body. Furthermore, due to their composition, they can have similar or even stronger effects than your naturally produced endocannabinoids.

In short, THC and CBD interact with multiple human receptors such as CB1/CB2 (and at least 65 others) and activate them just like (or stronger than) all naturally produced endocannabinoids that you would already have in your body.

Are endocannabinoids neurotransmitters?

Yes, endocannabinoids are lipid-based neurotransmitters that tend to bind with cannabinoid receptors (CBRs).

What is the purpose of the endocannabinoid system?

Although it is still in the preliminary research stage, it is believed that the endocannabinoid system is involved in regulating cognitive and physiological processes, and also has various functions in our immune system, appetite, pain sensations, mood, and even memory.

What are CB1 receptors?

CB1 is one of the 65 different receptors found in our “endocannabinoid” systems. CB1 receptors are mostly located in the central nervous system (spinal cord and our brains).

The endocannabinoid system is one of the most important parts of our neuro-immuno-endocrine network. This system sends and receives chemical messages and influences many aspects of human health, including mood, pain, inflammation, stress response, and immune function.

What are CB2 receptors?

CB2 is another receptor among 65 different known endocannabinoid system receptors found in our bodies. CB1 receptors are located in our immune system.

Like CB1, CB2 is part of a very complex endocannabinoid system (part of our neuro-immuno-endocrine network). The endocannabinoid system is known as a homeostatic regulator in the body, so the main goal of the endocannabinoid system is to maintain balance in your body.

Can anyone buy CBD oil?

You must be over 18 years old to purchase products from the Smartific store.

HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST CBD OIL?

Consider the potency and strength: the higher the strength, the more difficult it is to accurately control your daily CBD intake. Consider the taste. If you think you don't like the bitter taste of cannabis/hemp oil, consider taking CBD capsules instead of the oil.

If you plan on vaping/smoking CBD, consider using pure CBD crystals instead of oil.

How do I know there is CBD in the product I am buying?

All our CBD products are produced in the Netherlands, where cannabis has been legal for years. The CBD industry is growing rapidly here, and all the products we offer contain precisely the amounts of CBD as stated on the packaging/product description.

Does CBD oil work?

Yes, CBD works for most users, with some reporting a very mild and others reporting a moderately strong relaxing effect. It can all depend on the user and the dosage.

Is it safe to buy CBD online?

CBD is legal in the Netherlands, which is why the quality of CBD we produce cannot be matched by some other EU CBD producers. From a legal perspective, you should inform yourself about the legality of CBD in the country where you live.

How to choose a CBD product?

The most common factors are: the way you plan to use CBD (vape/smoke, oral, edibles), CBD strength (based on the dosage you plan to take daily), flavor factors (do you like the cannabis taste or not?) along with a few other factors such as: how rich the CBD product is (does it only have pure CBD or also terpenes and other cannabinoids?).

What is the difference between isolate CBD oil and whole plant or full-spectrum CBD oil?

Isolated CBD is just pure CBD filtered to not have any other compounds that the cannabis plant has (terpenes, cannabinoids, etc.), full-spectrum CBD oil usually has multiple different cannabinoids (like CBG, CBN, etc.) alongside many other ingredients that naturally grown cannabis plants possess.

Claims suggest that when taken with other cannabinoids, CBD's effects are richer and the substance becomes more potent. This theory is called “The Entourage Effect”.

What are types with a high CBD content?

The most well-known CBD strain is certainly Charlotte's Web, but there are other CBD-rich cannabis strains that are popular with CBD enthusiasts: ACDC, Harley Quinn, Harle-Tsu, Ringo's Gift, and many others. Most seed banks today have a separate selection of CBD-rich strains.

IS A CBD-DOMINANT CANNABIS STRAIN A BETTER MEDICINE THAN A CANNABIS STRAIN WITH A 50% CBD AND 50% THC MIX?

Theoretically, based on the “Entourage Effect,” the answer should be no. However, the major side effect of this method would be getting high due to the THC. That's not what the average CBD user wants. It all depends on your perspective. In most modern cases, the answer should be yes, CBD-dominant cannabis strains should be more useful when used as medicine compared to THC-rich cannabis strains.

Is CBD legal?

CBD is legal in the Netherlands, where our products come from. You must inform yourself about the legality of CBD in the country where you live.

Can I bring CBD oil through airport security?

That depends on the local legislation of both countries, the country you are coming from and the country you are traveling to.

Is CBD a class A drug?

CBD is legal in the Netherlands, where our products come from. You should inform yourself about the legality of CBD in the country where you live.

Does CBD affect drug test results?

In most well-known cases, pure CBD use, without the use of THC, does not affect most common drug tests. However, you should inform yourself about the testing process and learn more about the substance you are being tested for.