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Guide to CBD

HAVE YOU GOT QUESTIONS ABOUT CBD? LEARN MORE WITH OUR USEFUL GUIDE

Interest in CBD products is growing rapidly, as more and more people around the world explore the potential benefits of using CBD as part of their daily lives. In this constantly evolving industry, doing your own research and being Well informed is hugely important.
The more you know, the better your experience is likely to be.

We’ve created this brief guide as a starting point for those who are new to CBD self-care and curious to learn more. We hope you find it useful – and don’t forget to check out the Well Lab blog for more news and views from the world of CBD.

glossary of terms

CBD

Cannabidiol (CBD) is the second most prevalent  cannabinoid in cannabis, after tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

Cannabinoid

The naturally occurring, biologically active chemicals found in hemp or cannabis.

hemp

A strain of the cannabis plant that is cultivated specifically for industrial uses and does not have psychoactive effects. 

Terpene

A component of the essential oils contained in plants. Terpenes give different plants distinctive aromas and flavours. More than 100 terpenes have been identified in the cannabis plant.

THC

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the main psychoactive ingredient of cannabis.

What is CBD?

First things first. CBD is short for cannabidiol, a chemical compound found in the cannabis plant. It’s one of more than 100 different cannabinoids (compounds first discovered in cannabis) that scientists have identified so far. Cannabinoids have since been found in many other biological systems, including our own.

Unlike THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), which is the most prevalent active ingredient found in cannabis, CBD has no psychoactive properties. However, awareness of CBD’s potential therapeutic value has been growing steadily among medical experts for many years.

CBD has been credited with relieving a number of serious medical conditions, including epilepsy, anxiety, insomnia and pain. Research teams around the world are now investigating the full scope of CBD benefits and applications.

Choosing CBD products

At the moment, the CBD industry is still largely self-regulated. Unfortunately, this means there is scope for unscrupulous people to enter the market, looking to profit from the lack of mainstream knowledge around CBD.

Once you make the decision to try CBD oils or any other CBD-derived product, you need to find a provider you can trust. This is what makes lab reports, which are still fairly rare to come by in the industry, so important. 

Lab reports should be one of the first things you look for when browsing a potential supplier’s website. A detailed lab report is a highly useful resource for you as a consumer, because it will break down all the ingredients of the CBD product and their exact quantities. Most importantly, the presence of lab reports are a strong indication that your chosen supplier is a trustworthy brand that cares about its consumers. 

 

Choosing CBD products

One of the most popular methods for taking CBD right now is CBD oil, which is typically hemp extract blended with a carrier oil.

CBD oils are typically applied beneath the tongue (also known as sublingually), which allows the CBD to get into your bloodstream much faster than if you swallow it. Many people like to drop or spray the oil underneath their tongue and wait for about 30 seconds until it is fully absorbed. CBD generally takes about 30 minutes to be absorbed properly into your circulation and will remain in your system for six hours.

Taking CBD is a personal experience, and each individual is likely to have different preferences. Dosing and frequency can therefore vary significantly from person to person, especially when you factor in variables such as body weight and the concentration of CBD in your chosen product.

However, if you are new to CBD, starting slowly with a fairly low dose is recommended. This could be between 20 and 40mg a day. Pay close attention to your mood and how your body feels, and increase the dose gradually if you wish. The aim is to find the precise dosage that you feel is satisfying and beneficial. Keeping a basic ‘dosing diary’ every day can be a good way to track your usage and find the right level for you. 

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