Reposted from a blog written for Peoples Rx on 10/3/19.
With the amount of CBD information (and misinformation!) out there, it can be confusing to know where to start or even what questions to ask. Whether you’ve never heard of CBD, or are a megafan, constantly pushing your friends and family to try it, we’ve got answers for you!
When Peoples Rx began carrying CBD products in 2016, we established quality and purity standards to help our customers navigate the multitude of options. In addition, our knowledgeable wellness specialists and pharmacists keep abreast of the latest research and information and are always ready to help with any questions you may have about products and what might be the best fit for your particular needs.
Below you’ll find answers to some of the FAQs we hear most often. Consider this a quick and easy guide to help you navigate the shelves as a more informed CBD consumer. And be sure to check out our newsletter next month, where we’ll delve even deeper into the world of CBD!
What exactly is CBD?
CBD is just one of many different phytocannabinoids (of which there are over 113!) found in hemp plants. There are a variety of other very beneficial phytocannabinoids including CBA, CBG, and CBN, each of which have slightly different actions in the body.
CBD is non-psychoactive. The only phytocannabinoid that is psychoactive is THC.
CBD has shown a lot of promising anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-neoplastic, and anti-anxiety benefits, and has been documented as an anti-epileptic.
What are people saying about CBD?
While studies are still pending regarding CBD, we have received a lot of anecdotal support from customers reporting improvements in many areas.
Pain: Arthritis, sciatica, fibromyalgia, MS, headaches and migraines, menstrual cramps, injuries, and sprains
Anxiety and depression
Reduced appetite (especially due to chemo treatments), and nausea (including motion sickness)
Insomnia (more effective if due to pain or anxiety than hormonal issues)
Helping to calm children with behavioral issues and dementia patients
What are the different extraction methods, and do they make any difference in the end product?
CBD products can be obtained from hemp through a variety of different extraction methods. The best ways to extract CBD are:
Through Ethanol Extraction: This method is a clean and affordable extraction method, but is often time-consuming and difficult to mass-produce. This process may leave some taste residue from the ethanol.
Through CO2 Supercritical Extraction: This process is the cleanest extraction method, and can quickly produce large quantities of CBD products, but requires a lot of expensive equipment.
Beware CBD products that don’t readily list their extraction method! Butane and Hexane are neurotoxic solvents sometimes used in CBD extraction that leave toxic residues!
I know sourcing is important, but what do I need to look for?
As popularity in CBD has exploded, the market has been flooded with CBD vendors, so paying attention to sourcing is more important than ever.
Avoid synthetic. Synthetic CBD will be void of the plant’s benefits like phyto-lipids, plant terpenes, omega fatty acids, etc.
Find third-party tested, true-to-label CBD to avoid getting way less CBD than the label claims, or more THC than it claims.
Look at additives, some are helpful (like fractionated coconut oil, olive oil, or other fatty acids) and some are questionable or outright harmful.
Will CBD show up on a drug test?
Yes, it can! Although unlikely except in larger doses, full-spectrum CBD products can show up on a drug test. Poor liver clearance or slow detoxification pathways can play a role in this. Additionally, some cheaper drug tests are not THC specific, but are testing for phytocannabinoids in general.
Are there any contraindications with CBD?
As with most supplements and herbs, CBD has not been studied for safety in pregnancy or with breastfeeding mothers.
Because CBD is metabolized by Cytochrome P450 (CYP450), a liver enzyme that works on a lot of different substances including many pharmaceutical drugs, CBD may slow down or speed the metabolism of these other substances. In the case of certain pharmaceuticals, this may be dangerous. Talk to your doctor before beginning CBD, and feel free to come to talk to the staff at Peoples Rx. Our pharmacists can look up potential contraindications. Check out part two of our CBD series here! And as always, know that we screen all brands in our stores for quality and purity. If you’ve got more questions about CBD, stop by your favorite Peoples Rx location and chat with a wellness specialist. We’d love to help find the right product for you and your needs!
Lindsey Wilder Flatt is a Wellness Specialist at Peoples Rx, passionate about alternative and herbal medicine. She is in her final year of a Master’s program in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine at AOMA in Austin and will be pursuing her Doctorate in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine beginning in 2020. Originally from Santa Fe, New Mexico, she grew up in an environment steeped in natural and alternative medicine. Since entering her Master’s program, which has a strong emphasis on biomedical practices, her appreciation for alternative healing practices has been informed by an improved understanding and respect for the respective roles of Modern Medicine and Traditional Medicine in improved patient well-being.
Original post can be found here.
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