WHAT IS CBD?

Cannabidiol, or CBD,  is considered a cannabinoid, a type of active compound found naturally occurring in the cannabis planet. So far, research shows that there are at least 100 discovered cannabinoids, with the most studied one being CBD. Cannabinoids, like CBD, interact with and modulate the endocannabinoid system to promote homeostasis, or balance, in the body. 

As per the 2018 Farm Bill (also known as the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018), farmers are now legally allowed to cultivate hemp plants in the United States as long as it contains less than 0.3% biomass of THC. This has led to the surge and competition in the hemp and hemp-derived products market. 

Hemp is a variety of cannabis plants that are CBD dominant, meaning they have relatively high concentrations of CBD and low concentrations of THC (in comparison with marijuana which is THC dominant). To learn more, click here.

The hemp plant has been used in many industrial and practical applications, including but not limited to rope, apparel, clothing accessories, food and paper.

While hemp and marijuana are both varieties of the cannabis plant and are nearly visually indistinguishable, there are key differentiators between the two. One of the main differences is their chemical make-up. Marijuana often has high concentrations of THC – the compound that gives users the euphoric or intoxicating feelings or “high”. Hemp, however, has low concentrations of THC and high concentrations of CBD. In fact, industrial hemp must have THC concentrations lower than .3% in order to be considered legal for cultivation. Both plants have an incredibly long history of human use, rich with medicinal benefits and practical uses.

To learn more, click here.

THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is a compound derived predominantly from the marijuana plant, known for its high concentrations of THC; this is the infamous compound associated with the euphoric feelings or “high” you can feel upon ingesting, vaping, or smoking cannabis. While hemp may contain some THC, industrial hemp must contain less than .3% THC in order to comply with federal regulations.

To learn more, click here.

As the name suggests, hemp seed oil is derived from hemp seeds while hemp oil is derived from the whole (or parts) of the hemp plant. One key difference between the two is the presence of cannabidiol (CBD). Hemp seed oil is rich in healthful oils and fatty acids which are highly beneficial for the human body, however, hemp seed oil does not contain CBD while hemp oil does.

Both hemp and CBD have been used as part of health and wellness regimens for thousands of years and its safety has been validated by numerous scientific studies. If you are interested in incorporating hemp or CBD into your routine, we recommend you consult with a cannabis specialist on our medical team. 

Try and Ask Dr. Swathi

Please note that cannabis medicine is not a part of healthcare professional curricula, so if you do have questions about natural products like these for therapeutic benefits, please reach out to a specialist before purchasing and using any products. 

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) plays an important role in promoting the homeostasis, or balance, in the body, as it is linked with many organ systems and neurotransmitter systems. The ECS itself includes cannabinoid receptors, with the two most extensively studied being cannabinoid receptor type 1, CB1, and cannabinoid receptor type 2, CB2. CB1 receptors are predominantly located in the central nervous system, while CB2 receptors are associated with immune modulation. 

When your body seems to be out of balance, the ECS synthesizes cannabinoids on demand, called endocannabinoids, that interact with and bind to CB1 and CB2. The two most well-known endocannabinoids are anandamide and 2- arachidonoylglycerol, called 2-AG for short. For more information, check out this article.

When you exercise and your body starts to sweat, which is the ECS working with other systems in your body to help regulate your body temperature; the anandamide release is often misunderstood as the release of endorphins.

Cannabis contains countless compounds, over 100 of which have been identified as cannabinoids. CBD and THC are considered the major cannabinoids found in cannabis, as they are usually available in the highest concentrations. Minor cannabinoids, in contrast to the minor cannabinoids (for example, cannabinol, CBN, and cannabigerol, CBG) are found naturally occurring at low concentrations. Our Chief Scientific Officer, Dr. Swathi, considers cannabinoids as siblings as they are related and come from the same parent(s), but each have their own strengths, weaknesses, and goals. For example, CBG is most known for its benefits in gut health, skin health, and immune health–while CBN is most known for its benefits in active recovery, pain/discomfort, and sleep.

Broad spectrum hemp oil is an extract derived from hemp which contains most of the plant’s original compounds (including other, non-psychoactive phytocannabinoids and terpenes) except THC. There should be 0% THC in broad spectrum products. To learn more, click here.

Broad spectrum hemp oil extracts make CBD more readily absorbed and bioavailable. Because of the way the various cannabinoids, terpenes, and essential oils are extracted from the plant interact with and synergize with each other, broad spectrum hemp oil is often preferred and is more effective in its ability to provide the intended therapeutic benefits. This is commonly referred to as the “entourage effect” or “ensemble effect”. 

We have developed our Element Apothec formulas to harness this effect using the finest sourced ingredients in what we believe are the most efficacious products for your treatment goals available on the market today.

To learn more, click here.

There is no universal “correct” amount of CBD for everyone. Dosage is very individualized and depends on many factors including your conditions, drug regimen, dietary supplements, lifestyle, cannabis tolerance, and treatment goals. However, typically, a dose of less than 10 mg has proven to be mostly ineffective. Our Chief Scientific Officer, Dr. Swathi, always says to “Start low, go slow, and stay low (when possible). We recommend starting with a smaller dose and building up slowly until the desired effects are reached. For specific recommendations, please contact our medical team who is more than happy to answer your questions.

We always recommend speaking with all of your healthcare professionals, including your primary care provider, before starting any new nonprescription product, whether it is a dietary supplement, herb, homeopathy, or, of course, CBD.

Some of the important functions regulated by the endocannabinoid system include:

• Appetite
• Digestion
• Immune function
• Mood
• Sleep
• Reproductive System
• Motor control
• Temperature regulation
• Memory
• Discomfort
• Pleasure/reward

Full spectrum hemp oil is an extract derived from hemp which contains all of the plant’s original compounds including other, non-psychoactive phytocannabinoids, terpenes and plant waxes to create a full spectrum, whole plant formula, including THC.

To learn more, click here.

Different from broad spectrum hemp oil, certain manufacturers use what is called an isolate – where the CBD molecules are isolated for use in a product without any other parts of the plant present. This means that the active ingredients in a CBD isolate oil should be simply CBD and nothing else.

For any additional questions regarding the science behind hemp, you can email our Chief Scientific Officer, Dr. Swathi Varanasi. Dr. Swathi has specialized training in integrative medicine and cannabis with extensive clinical experience treating patients on dietary supplements, prescription drugs and cannabis-derived products. You can also send us a message via our Contact Us page