The chemical compound cannabidiol

By this point, you've probably heard a lot of buzz about cannabidiol, more commonly known as CBD.

Many folks across the world have begun using it as a more natural way of treating their ailments and with much success. However, despite its popularity, there still exists a distinct lack of information around what it is, where it comes from, and how to use it. 

At Calyx Organics, we strive to help educate our community about this industry and the products we create. With this guide, we hope to fill in the gaps and assist everyone in making more informed decisions when venturing into the world of CBD

Some questions we will cover include:

• What is CBD?
• What can CBD help treat?
• How to determine your ideal dosage
• The difference between full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and isolate CBD

 

And so much more!

If you've ever wondered about this popular cannabinoid, this blog post is for you. Keep reading to learn more. 

What is CBD?

Put simply, CBD is a chemical compound derived from the plant Cannabis Sativa. 

In cannabis plants, CBD first exists as cannabidiol acid (CBDA). Through a process known as decarboxylation, i.e. processing via heat or sunlight, this compound breaks down from its raw form, CBDA, into its processed form, CBD.

One of 113 known cannabinoids, CBD accounts for up to 40% of Cannabis Sativa's possible extract, and unlike one of the most popular cannabinoids, THC, CBD has no psychoactive properties.

In other words, it can provide many benefits without the feeling of being "high". 

CBD, along with another cannabinoid known as CBN, was first discovered and isolated in 1940 by scientist Roger Adams. In fact, his discovery predates that of the more widely known compound THC, which wasn't isolated until 1964 by another scientist named Raphael Mechoulam.

Since its discovery, CBD has been found to help in the treatment of many common ailments. In the next section of this guide, we take a look at some of its potential benefits. 

What can CBD help treat?

CBD has a wide variety of uses, and potentially many that may yet be discovered as research on this compound increases. A few of the most common include:

• Sleep aid - Many find that regular use of CBD products during the evening can help them relax before bedtime, and sleep more deeply overall. When added to a hot cup of your favorite soothing tea, CBD oil can calm your mind and help you doze off more quickly

• Anti Anxiety - As mentioned above, CBD promotes a sense of calm and relaxation. For many, it can be difficult to escape from the many thoughts and worries that often cloud our day-to-day lives. There comes a time when, for the sake of mental health, one must put these concerns aside and rest the mind. Regular CBD use can be a very helpful aid in doing exactly this

• Pain management and relief - For those who deal with chronic pain, finding a more natural alternative to pharmaceutical drugs can make all the difference. Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, CBD acts as a means to this end. Many find it to be a preferable choice to over the counter and prescribes medication, which can both lead to issues with the stomach and liver, or even addiction in some extreme cases. 

• Reduced inflammation - Even if your pain is not chronic, CBD is still a great choice for helping to reduce inflammation that may arise from any number of sources. Athletes and fitness enthusiasts alike use this compound as a way to aid in recovery and reduce the pain caused by training. By soothing the inflamed areas of the body, CBD allows for healing to take place and expedites recovery. 

• Apatite Stimulant - If you struggle with getting appropriate nutrition from day to day, CBD can potentially help. Whether you are trying to put on more muscle mass, or simply have a naturally high metabolism that makes maintaining a healthy weight difficult, utilizing CBD as a way to consume a bit more in your diet can be a game-changer. 

Aside from these common issues, CBD is also being studied as a treatment for other serious conditions such as epilepsy. It can even be used to treat certain ailments in animals, such as Canine osteoarthritis in dogs. 

Now that we've looked at some of the potential uses of CBD, you maybe have some questions about how to implement it in your own life. In these next sections, we will discuss how to decide on the right dosage for you and the various products available for you to try. 

Determining Your Ideal Dose

As with most things, what is an appropriate dose can vary widely between individuals. Because of the differences from person to person, we always recommend starting low and slowly building up, paying close attention to how your body responds and what you feel.  

Depending on what CBD product you chose to use, the correct dosage will be measured differently. Additionally, various products will have different levels of potency. It is important to take note of this when trying different CBD products for the first time.  

Because of this, new CBD users should seek products that either have a low dosage option, such as candies and edibles, or can be self-measured such as in the case of CBD oils.

Long-time users may wish to begin at a higher dosage.

Once again, we always recommend erring on the lower side and slowly building from there based on how you feel.

Much of CBD's benefits come from finding the "sweet spot" for your personal needs. Determining what this means for you can take some time and attention, but we believe it is well worth it. 

With this in mind, the next section of this guide will cover a few different options available when you are in the market to try CBD.

Common CBD Products

As it grows in popularity, many different types of CBD products exist for consumers to choose from. To help break it down, we've put together this handy chart laying out some of the most common products.

Check it out below: 

 

Depending on your needs, any of these products could be a useful addition to your wellness routine. We recommend tailoring your choice based on personal preference. 

Different Types of CBD

The final point we want to touch on in this guide is a common question among those who are interested in using CBD: What is the difference between full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and isolate? 

To help clarify, we've defined the two terms below: 

• CBD Isolate - As the name suggests, these products contain only CBD. Some may find this preferable if they have experienced unwanted side effects from the inclusion of other cannabinoids. 

• Full Spectrum CBD - This type of product retains the full range of cannabinoids, terpenes, and other compounds through the processing of the hemp plant, including a small amount of THC. Full Spectrum products offer the benefit of the entourage effect, a term that refers to the increased effectiveness of each element as they work together. 

• Broad Spectrum CBD - Similar to Full Spectrum CBD, Broad Spectrum retains many of the plant's naturally occurring compounds that can offer a stronger effect when working together. However, Broad Spectrum CBD does not contain THC. Those who are sensitive to this cannabinoid or do not enjoy its effects may prefer this type of product. 

 In Conclusion

The world of CBD is ever-evolving, with new studies and products coming to light seemingly every day! 

 As exciting as this is, we understand it can feel overwhelming for those who are interested in trying it out but don't know where to begin. 

We hope this guide has provided you with some answers to a few of the most common questions associated with CBD use. If you still have questions, feel free to leave a comment and we'll be sure to get back to you as soon as possible. 

Thank you for reading!

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