WHAT IS CBD?

CBD (short for Cannabidiol) is one of the most studied cannabinoids, second only to THC. Being non-psychoactive, CBD provides numerous benefits without THC’s intoxicating effects. CBD promotes a good night’s rest, aids in relief, balances mood, enhances relaxation, promotes recovery, supports the immune system and more.

Cannabidiol, or CBD for short, naturally occurs within the tiny hairlike structures known as trichomes that grow on hemp and cannabis. The first cannabinoid molecule to be discovered in 1940, researchers have been studying CBD’s numerous benefits ever since. Cannabidiol exists in two states, CBD and CBD-a.

WHAT IS THE ENDOCANNIBINOID SYSTEM?

The Endocannabinoid System (ECS) is a recently discovered group of endogenous cannabinoid receptors found throughout the body. The endocannabinoid receptors that make up the ECS are located in our Central Nervous System (CNS), Peripheral Nervous System (PNS), and Immune System. Our CNS includes our brain and spinal cord, while the PNS acts as a communication network linking our CNS to the rest of our body. Our brains contain the heaviest concentration of cannabinoid receptors, but there’s no shortage of them in our organs, tissues, glands, and more. The saturation of ECS receptors throughout our body is part of why CBD has so many uses and is so effective.

WHAT IS A CANNABINOID?

Cannabinoids are organic molecules naturally produced by hemp and cannabis which activate two of the body’s central nervous system receptors: CB1 and CB2.* CB1 receptors are primarily located in the brain, while CB2 receptors are spread throughout the rest of the body. Because CBD does not activate the brain’s CB1 receptors, it is largely non-psychoactive. Each of the 100+ known cannabinoids have unique receptor interactions, producing individual results. Research has also shown that cannabinoids’ benefits multiply when used together, producing what is called the “entourage effect.” *More information on receptor activation and their effects on the body should be researched through reliable sources. We cannot provide health claims.

HOW MUCH CBD SHOULD I TAKE?

A number of factors determine your ideal CBD serving. This can include your weight, metabolism, and genetics, among others. Because each individual’s endocannabinoid system is unique, some people may only require a small amount of CBD to receive their desired benefits, while others may require much higher serving to experience the same effects. If this is your first time trying CBD, we recommend starting with a small serving of only 10-25mg and increasing it later if desired. CBD can take time to work, so wait up to 2 hours before ingesting another serving. Some people may require up to 100-150mg per serving or more of CBD to get the desired effect.

IS CBD PSYCHOACTIVE?

CBD does not cause the mind-altering “high” that is often sought out amongst cannabis consumers. It’s another compound, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), that causes the mind-altering effects. It is for this reason that CBD is not considered psychoactive. However, the compound does have an effect on the brain and your mood. CBD and THC both engage the brain in different ways. THC binds directly to special locations in the cell known as cannabinoid receptors. These receptors were named after the active compounds in cannabis, called cannabinoids. Both THC and CBD are cannabinoids. THC directly engages cannabinoid receptors, causing a near immediate psychoactive high. CBD, however, engages a different location on these receptors (like a side pocket). While CBD does not produce a stand-apart psychoactive experience by connecting with this location, the molecule does alter the effects of other compounds that try to link up to the same spot.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CBD AND HEMP SEED OIL?

If you are trying CBD for the first time, you may not be sure what you should be searching for. For the first time buyer, it can be a challenge to sort through all of the options. Many retailers sell “hemp seed oil,” but these products should not to be confused with CBD. Hemp seed oil is extracted by pressing the seeds of the hemp plant. While hemp seed oil does possess a number of health-related benefits, hemp seeds do not contain any cannabinoids, so products labeled as “hemp seed oil” do not provide the reported benefits of CBD, or other cannabinoid-based products. The Hemp Industries Association makes the distinction between hemp seed oil and CBD extracts, stating, “CBD is not a product or component of hemp seeds and labeling to that effect is misleading and motivated by the desire to take advantage of the legal gray area of CBD.”

ARE THERE HEAVY METALS AND PESTICIDES IN CBD PRODUCTS?

Hemp is a bioaccumulator, which means that it uptakes soil and air contents faster than it excretes them. This means that there is a potential for the CBD derived from hemp to retain environmental pollutants depending on where it is grown.  This can create serious problems from products derived from China or other places where there are large levels of soil contamination or air pollution. China is currently the worlds largest hemp producer, and much of the CBD on the marketplace is produced overseas in places where there is less regulation regarding heavy metals.  Even in the United States, there is potential for soil contamination on industrial lands, downstream of mines or other contaminated areas because hemp will accumulate toxins faster than other plants.

Hemp is hearty plant, so pesticide usage on hemp itself is generally rather minimal. The problem is that hemp, being such a new crop, is often planted on land that was recently used for other agricultural purposes. Those previous crops are very likely to have been to exposed to pesticides and the pesticides will stay in the soil for years. Hemp does an amazing job at removing and cleaning up the pesticides from the soil, but in this process will carry the pesticides into the plant and the finished product.  Depending on where the hemp is grown, it may also be exposed to pesticides that are sprayed in the air.  Since hemp is extracted and refined down, the pesticide levels reflected in finished products will generally be much higher than those found in other products grown in the same conditions.

Testing practices are critical to being able to ensure a safe and consistent product. We have all our CBD products third-party tested to ensure all our products are safe for consumption.

DO ALL YOUR PRODUCTS CONTAIN HEMP SEED OIL OR CBD?

We do use hemp seed oil as an added ingredient sometimes in our products, but the hemp seed oil itself does not contain CBD. Our CBD products are extracted from industrial hemp, which is grown to contain high concentrations of CBD. No hemp seeds are intentionally used during this process but may incidentally be extracted.

IS CBD LEGAL?

Yes. CBD that is extracted from Industrial Registered Hemp and contains less than 0.3% THC is legal. It is the consumer’s responsibility to know applicable state and local laws in regard to consumption of CBD.

IF I TAKE CBD WILL I FAIL A DRUG TEST?

Typical UA analysis tests are for THC and not CBD. While some of our products contain traces of THC (less than 0.3% THC), which is legal and very low, you could still possibly fail a drug test. If this is a concern, ask about our CBD products that contain non-detectable THC.

WHAT ARE TERPENES?

Terpenes are a class of volatile hydrocarbon compounds produced in the flower clusters of hemp and cannabis plants. Terpenes are naturally present in plants and they contribute to the plants’ unique taste, smell and color. Terpenes have been utilized by humans for millennia in a healing modality known as aromatherapy. Terpenes are recognized as safe for human consumption by the Food and Drug Association and are used in a wide variety of food and cosmetic products.

WHAT IS CBD ISOLATE?

CBD Isolate is the highest concentration form of CBD. CBD Isolate is produced by removing all other compounds from the plant – terpenes, flavonoids and other cannabinoids, including THC – to leave just the CBD for the consumer. This form of CBD is best used for those that are concerned with drug testing at their place of employment or have a sensitivity to THC, and do not need the benefits of other cannabinoids.

WHAT IS FULL SPECTRUM CBD OIL?

Full Spectrum CBD Oil is CBD oil that is extracted from the hemp plant with all of the other compounds present in the plant remaining. Meaning, it has not gone through the refinement process necessary to isolate the CBD. Full Spectrum CBD include terpenes, flavonoids, and other cannabinoids to help create a full body or “entourage effect.” Full Spectrum CBD is best for those that want the full benefits of the entourage effect and do not mind trace amounts of THC in their CBD product. We use only less than 0.3% THC in our NAYSA Full Spectrum products.

WHAT IS BROAD SPECTRUM CBD OIL? 

In looking at the composition of Broad Spectrum CBD, it falls between Full Spectrum CBD and CBD Isolate. Similar to Full Spectrum CBD, the user is getting the benefits of the entourage effect because it contains multiple cannabinoids. However, just like CBD Isolate, the THC is completely removed from Broad Spectrum CBD. This extraction of CBD is best for those that want more than just CBD Isolate, but are either hesitant to have any THC in their product or live in states with strict THC laws.