What is CBD?

Cannabis Sativa (Industrial Hemp) is made up of a large number of different compounds, including Cannabidiol (also known as CBD), which is perhaps one of the most well-known cannabinoids in the world, having been first isolated and identified back in 1963. In total, there are 104 cannabinoids that can be extracted from different strains of the cannabis plant, alongside several other important compounds called terpenes.

Terpenes are a large class of organic compounds that are produced by plants (not just hemp!). They are incredibly fragrant and are what gives Cannabis it’s aromatic diversity. There are over 30,000 terpenes currently recorded, therefore if you can find any plant that smells pleasant or a herb that tastes spicy, terpenes are likely responsible for these characteristics. Hempura CBD products are packed with natural terpenes. These other compounds found in the hemp extract are just as important as CBD. Remember, there is more to hemp than just CBD!

CBD oil and CBD capsule products, in particular, have become a popular wellbeing supplement in the UK and internationally over the last few years, but here at Hempura, we do receive occasional questions from individuals who want a little more reassurance about the potential so we wrote an article on the potential side effects of CBD for those that want to read more before buying.

 

Which CBD product is right for me?

There’s no question that Cannabidiol (CBD) has seen a spike in popularity recently. Positive word of mouth has made the industry evolve quickly, with the introduction of new CBD products ranging from beauty to food.

Numerous studies have now proven that CBD is a safe and non-habit-forming substance that does not produce the ‘high’ associated with 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is the major active psychoactive component of cannabis.^[1] CBD is, in fact, a naturally occurring substance that’s now widely used as a supplement.

With so many types of CBD products on the market, it can often be confusing where to start. Generally, we recommend starting with a low dose and slowly increasing, meaning really any of our products, except for our topicals, are a suitable place to start – it usually comes down to personal taste.

 

How much CBD should I take? Discovering an Effective Dosage

There are a number of hemp-based CBD products available on the market, and each should have the recommended dosage clearly labelled. Generally, the recommended dosage will be in milligrams (mg).

If you are starting taking Hempura CBD oil or CBD products, we recommended that you start with a low dose of CBD around 10-15mg, taken in two doses, evenly spaced throughout the day.  Once you get more familiar with CBD (and the effect that it has) you can increase the dose slowly, perhaps every 5-7 days, until you reach a point where you feel that you are comfortable.

Gradually increasing dosage in this way is called the uptitration method (pronounced up-tie-tray-shen). The body only needs small doses of CBD to respond positively, so this method helps to ensure that you aren’t giving yourself a higher dosage than you actually need.

 

How is CBD extracted?

The Hempura CBD oil & product range is manufactured safely and effectively using an advanced wheat-based ethanol extraction method. Extraction refers to the method used to derive the usable forms of CBD from the hemp plant itself. Butane, ethanol and CO2 are the most common methods of extraction. Recent studies have shown that ethanol extraction is a highly effective extraction method for hemp, as it preserves the cannabidiol molecular structure and full terpene profile.

Ethanol extraction is ideal for producing high-quality full-spectrum extracts. It increases the bio-availability of vitamins, allows for ester formation and results in an incredibly high-quality distillate. Ethanol extraction not only delivers an incredibly robust and high-quality product, but it is also one of the safest of extraction methods currently being used across the industry today. It is effective and clean when used in the extraction of terpenes and cannabinoids.

 

Different types of CBD Products

At Hempura, we stock a range of different high-quality CBD products, including:

• CBD Oil Drops
• CBD Capsules
• CBD Edibles and Hemp Tea
• CBD Beauty Products
• CBD Vape Juice

 

CBD Oil Drops

CBD oil comes in a variety of forms and is one of the most common methods utilised to consume CBD. As mentioned, CBD oil also contains other natural compounds derived from the extraction process but CBD isolate products shouldn’t contain any cannabinoids, flavonoids or terpenes.

You can even opt for the refined CBD oil, which will have some (but not all) of the cannabinoids or hemp constituents you collect when processing industrial hemp.

To consume CBD Oil, you simply need to place a couple of drops under your tongue and hold it for one to two minutes before swallowing. The daily dosages can range from 5mg to 70mg, so conducting research into what strength suits you best is necessary.

 

 

The molecules carried in the oil are absorbed into the bloodstream via a vein called the sublingual gland. This means the absorption time is quicker than taking a capsule as it only takes 20 to 40 minutes before the effects are felt. These effects are 12% to 35% higher than oral consumption and it lasts for up to six hours.^[3]

Pure unfiltered CBD oil has a taste that is often described as earthy and grassy. For those who don’t like the taste, it is recommended that they swallow the oil with a spoonful of yoghurt.

You can take a look at Hempura’s range of CBD oils here – including our Full-spectrum Original Extract and Broad-spectrum Refined Extract products.

 

CBD Capsules

Capsules release CBD at a much slower rate than CBD oil as the digestion process takes place over six to eight hours. The exact time depends on the individual and a variety of factors (such as your weight and height) and will affect how long it takes your body to absorb it. The effect will be felt gradually throughout the whole day.

 

 

As each capsule offers a set amount of CBD it means it’s much easier to keep track of your daily serving. It is also a great option for those who want to avoid the taste.

Hempura offers full-spectrum capsules, containing 10mg of CBD per capsule. They are rich in active cannabinoids and terpenes and made from HPMC, which is vegetarian-friendly.

 

CBD Edibles and Drinks

CBD edibles come in a variety of different forms, such as gummies, chocolate and drinks. The main benefit of edibles is that they’re easy to consume and are a great way to mask the taste, making it a great option for those who are making their first foray into CBD.

Edibles are processed through the liver, similar to capsules, which reduces the concentration of CBD that enters the bloodstream.^[4]

 

 

An edible can take anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours to kick in and lasts between six to eight hours. Again, factors like your weight and height can affect the time period as well as how your body processes it.^[5]

Hempura offers a delicious raspberry or lemon hemp tea that is made from high-quality cannabis sativa hemp strains that are bursting with terpenes and are completely THC free.

 

CBD Beauty Products

CBD beauty products are an expanding market and include everything from makeup to body lotions. Our skin contains numerous cannabinoid receptors which are bound and activated by CBD for improved wellbeing, and CBD beauty products can help repair, restore and soothe the skin.

 

 

As Hempura CBD products (with the exception of our CBD chocolates) are certified vegan and registered with the Vegan Society, makeup that is infused with CBD can be a great option for those who are looking for cruelty-free cosmetic products. For example, CBD can often be used instead of beeswax in mascara and brow gel and can infuse lipstick and lip balm with moisture and give them a creamy texture.

Hempura offers a CBD rich topical cream that is packed with 100% natural cannabinoids and contains no artificial flavours or colours. Hempura CBD is extracted from organically grown hemp plants that are produced naturally with no harmful pesticides.  To view our range of Hempura CBD Creams, click here.

 

CBD Vape Products

Inhaling vaporised CBD oil through e-cigarettes is the fastest way to experience its benefits as the compounds are inhaled and absorbed directly from the lungs into the bloodstream.

The discussion is ongoing as to whether vaping does damage to delicate lung tissue so proceed with caution if you choose to vape CBD and ensure that you source any CBD vape products from a reputable manufacturer and retailer so that you know only top-quality ingredients are used in the strict manufacturing process.  You can view Hempura’s range of CBD Vape products here.

 

 

Conclusion

In this growing market of CBD infused products, it’s important to understand the various ways that you can consume CBD. Depending on your personal preferences, such as taste and convenience, you might find that certain products work better for you than others, so experimentation is often worthwhile as you begin your CBD journey. You should also conduct research into what dosage would suit you best, no matter which form of CBD you use.

 

 

References

^[1] World Health Organization. Cannabidiol (CBD): Critical Review Report (World Health Organization, 2018).

^[2] https://medium.com/cbd-origin/hemp-vs-marijuana-the-difference-explained-a837c51aa8f7

^[3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22716155

^[4] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3797438/

^[5] https://www.healthline.com/health/how-long-do-edibles-take-to-kick-in#side-effects