Disclaimer: This website is for information purposes and is not intended to replace medical advice.
Copyright 2021 © Craving4Health Integrative Nutrition. All Rights Reserved.
It can be overwhelming to sift through all the online cannabidiol oil information. Before jumping on the cannabidiol (CBD) bandwagon, take a few minutes to learn terminology, review a list of questions to ask about CBD, and be aware of safety concerns about CBD.
The passing of the 2018 Farm Bill reclassified hemp products as legal, removing it from the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). In Southern California, CBD is found on nearly every street corner. CBD comes in several forms, including tincture oils, soft gels, gummies, and topical liquids or ointments, with varied quality and reasons for use.
Until recently, I’ve tried to stick with trusted dietary and herbal interventions. As a food-first practitioner, I don’t align with a specific company or profit from any supplement suggestions through my accounts with Fullscript or Wellevate. However, when clients ask me about CBD, I owe it to them to do the required research.
Cannabidiol (CBD) oil is typically derived from the hemp plant Cannabis sativa L., although there are other cannabis plants cultivated. There are at least 80 different cannabinoid properties in addition to cannabidiol (CBD), the beneficial property that doesn’t cause that “high” feeling.
Another cannabinoid frequently discussed is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) that is associated with psychoactive properties, making it the most regulated ingredient in CBD. Cannabis was widely used for thousands of years as a therapeutic plant until it was classified as a controlled substance.
Cannabidiol (CBD) Oil – Derived from the flowers and leaves of the Cannabis sativa hemp plant, contains CBD, & federally legal when it contains less than 0.3% THC by dry weight
Hemp Seed Oil – Derived from hemp seeds, contains antioxidants and omega-3/omega-6 fatty acids, contains no THC and little to no CBD
Cannabis Oil – Derived from flowers and leaves of the Cannabis sativa “marijuana” plant, contains little CBD, and contains more than 0.3% THC by dry weight
CBD Terms Further Defined :
Check with the specific company to clarify definitions as there are no standardized terms or processes.
Full Spectrum – the product contains full cannabinoids without reduction, so in addition to all the cannabinoids and terpenes, the product may contain higher amounts of CBD and THC (closer to 0.3%) than other diluted products
Broad Spectrum – the product contains full spectrum properties but has been modified through processing to contain fewer compounds such as THC
Isolate – a specific compound has been extracted, such as CBD, with other cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids removed
Plant cannabinoids, called phyto-cannabinoids, interact with the body’s natural endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS is a complex, multi-faceted system connected to the Central Nervous System that’s involved with many important functions within the body, including mood, memory, immune function, gut health, and inflammatory status.
In addition to Cannabis sativa, phyto-cannabinoids are derived from common foods like carrots, ginseng, echinacea, black pepper, turmeric, ashwagandha, and cloves. You don’t need to ever touch hemp or cannabis to feel the effects that prompt the powerful ECS.
CBD derived from the hemp plant Cannabis sativa L. containing less than 0.3% active tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), on a dry weight basis, is considered legal. Always check with your local laws, as certain state laws may affect sale, distribution, or purchasing of CBD.
Various plant cannabinoids, found in full and broad spectrum products, interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system. In addition to CBD and THC, main cannabinoids include cannabinol (CBN), cannabigerol (CBG), and tetrahydrocannabinol acid (THCA), which is similar to THC without the psychoactive effect.
Another noteworthy property within CBD oil is its terpene content. Terpenes originate from hemp flowers, providing benefits like cannabidiol while also determining the product’s aroma and taste.
Terpenes include bisabolol, caryophyllene, linalool, myrcene, ocimene, pinene, terpinolene, limonene, humulene, and eucalyptol. Some terpenes work well for specific conditions, while other terpenes may have negative effects for certain individuals.
For example, a product with elevated limonene, a terpene known for anti-anxiety properties, may increase anxiety symptoms in some individuals who are prone to anxiety. Genetics, such as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), that affect neurotransmitters or detoxification create the need for a customized approach to CBD.
Before deciding to use CBD, you should consider underlying causes for your condition. Being a functional nutritionist, I recognize the common tendency to cover up needs with temporary fixes. For example, if you feel pain because of relationship issues, it may be wise to explore ways to improve your relationship in addition to addressing pain.
Here’s a short list of questions to ask a company before considering its CBD product:
✔ Is this a reputable company?
✔ Where and how is the hemp grown?
✔ How is it processed (ethanol, CO2, etc.)?
✔ What is the carrier oil?
✔ Are there other additives?
✔ What type of product is this – full spectrum, broad spectrum, isolate?
✔ How much active THC is found in this product, and is there a chance I could test positive on a drug test?
✔ Does the company employ 3rd party testing for each batch & provide those results in a Cerificate of Analysis (COA)?
✔ What is the dosage and potency for that product, using cannabinoids per serving?
✔ And most importantly, does this product negatively interact with a current medication or supplement?
✔ Always speak with your doctor before starting a new product, even if you think it’s “natural.”
CBD products are complex, with multiple plant, cannabinoid, and terpene properties. Some CBD products are better than others for specific medical conditions.
After hours of reading research and attending webinars, I recognize the incredible potential for CBD. Individual genetics and medication use add further need for customized recommendations.
Author: Laura Farnsworth, MS, CNS, CN, Integrative & Functional Nutritionist at Craving4Health.com
References:
Alger B. E. (2013). Getting high on the endocannabinoid system. Cerebrum: The Dana Forum On Brain Science, 2013, 14.
Alipour, A., Patel, P. B., Shabbir, Z., & Gabrielson, S. (2019). Review of the many faces of synthetic cannabinoid toxicities. The Mental Health Clinician, 9(2), 93–99. doi:10.9740/mhc.2019.03.093
Atalay, S., Jarocka-Karpowicz, I., & Skrzydlewska, E. (2020). Antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties of cannabidiol. Antioxidants, 9(1), 21.
Babson, K. A., Sottile, J., & Morabito, D. (2017). Cannabis, cannabinoids, and sleep: A review of the literature. Current Psychiatry Reports, 19(4), 23.
Burstein, S. (2015). Cannabidiol (CBD) and its analogs: A review of their effects on inflammation. Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry, 23(7), 1377-1385.
Cuttler, C., Spradlin, A., Cleveland, M. J., & Craft, R. M. (2019). Short-and long-term effects of cannabis on headache and migraine. The Journal of Pain. doi: 10.1016/j.jpain.2019.11.001.
Fleury-Teixeira, P., Caixeta, F. V., Ramires da Silva, L. C., Brasil-Neto, J. P., & Malcher-Lopes, R. (2019). Effects of CBD-enriched Cannabis sativa extract on autism spectrum disorder symptoms: An observational study of 18 participants undergoing compassionate use. Frontiers in Neurology, 10, 1145. doi:10.3389/fneur.2019.01145
Gertsch, J., Pertwee, R. G., & Di Marzo, V. (2010). Phytocannabinoids beyond the Cannabis plant – do they exist?. British Journal of Pharmacology, 160(3), 523–529. doi:10.1111/j.1476-5381.2010.00745.x
Hegazy, O., & Platnick, H. (2019). Cannabidiol (CBD) for treatment of neurofibromatosis-related pain and concomitant mood disorder: A case report. Cureus, 11(12), e6312. doi:10.7759/cureus.6312
Iffland, K., & Grotenhermen, F. (2017). An update on safety and side effects of cannabidiol: A review of clinical data and relevant animal studies. Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, 2(1), 139–154. doi:10.1089/can.2016.0034
Lu, H. C., & Mackie, K. (2016). An introduction to the endogenous cannabinoid system. Biological Psychiatry, 79(7), 516–525. doi:10.1016/j.biopsych.2015.07.028
MacDonald, E., & Adams, A. (2019). The use of medical cannabis with other medications: A review of safety and guidelines – an update. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK549545/
Masataka N. (2019). Anxiolytic effects of repeated cannabidiol treatment in teenagers with social anxiety disorders. Frontiers in Psychology, 10, 2466. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02466
Shanks, K. G., Clark, W., & Behonick, G. (2016). Death associated with the use of the synthetic cannabinoid ADB-FUBINACA. Journal of Analytical Toxicology, 40(3), 236–239. doi:10.1093/jat/bkv142
US Food and Drug Administration. (2019). What you need to know (and what we’re working to find out) about products containing cannabis or cannabis-derived compounds, including CBD. https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/what-you-need-know-and-what-were-working-find-out-about-products-containing-cannabis-or-cannabis
VanDolah, H. J., Bauer, B. A., & Mauck, K. F. (2019, August). Clinicians’ guide to cannabidiol and hemp oils. In Mayo Clinic Proceedings. Elsevier.
Disclaimer: This website is for information purposes and is not intended to replace medical advice.