What Does Cannabidiol Do? Plus Your Most Common CBD Questions Answered

CBD is available everywhere. There are hundreds of products from just as many companies. You can find CBD products almost anywhere - at grocery stores, pet stores, in massage parlors, online, etc. Of course, this means you've probably got a lot of questions about CBD. What is CBD? What does CBD do? What does CBD stand for? Why is CBD so popular, and how do you find out what you need to know about CBD to use it? Fortunately for you, we've got answers to all your questions.

Answer to Common Questions About CBD

What is CBD?

You've heard of CBD and CBD oil, but what does CBD stand for in CBD oil? CBD stands for cannabidiol. It is a cannabinoid found naturally in cannabis plants (both marijuana and hemp). Cannabis is made up of over 400 chemical compounds, over 100 of which are cannabinoids. The most common and popular cannabinoids are THC and CBD, which interact with the body to produce various benefits and effects.

What Does Cannabidiol Do?

When consumed, CBD binds with CB2 receptors within your body's endocannabinoid system, which is spread out across your body and responsible for a myriad of things like regulating your immune system, appetite, inflammation, and pain (amongst other things). Because of how it binds to CB2 receptors, CBD has been found to reduce stress, anxiety and depression, manage pain, lower inflammation, help prevent seizures, and more. If you have more questions about "what does CBD help," check out our other CBD blogs!

What's the Difference Between Hemp and CBD?

You might have noticed hemp extracts and hemp oils in the same isle as CBD products. What's the difference? Hemp is a plant, and CBD is a chemical compound found within that plant (also found in the marijuana plant). Hemp oil is taken from the leaves and flower of the hemp plant and contains much more than just CBD. On the other hand, CBD oil is a CBD concentrate taken from hemp, but it does not include all the other compounds found in hemp oil.

Will CBD Get Me High?

CBD and THC are both cannabinoids, but only THC has psychoactive properties. This means that CBD will not get you high. Studies have even shown that cannabis strains with high levels of CBD alongside THC may reduce the psychoactive intensity of the THC. If you use CBD without any THC, you will not get high, but using CBD products that also have THC may result in a high.

Is CBD Legal?

Unlike THC, CBD is now federally legal. In 2018, the Agricultural Improvement Act (aka The Farm Bill) was signed into law, which removed hemp from the Controlled Substances Act. This effectively legalized CBD because it can be extracted from the hemp plant. CBD extracted from the marijuana plant, however, is illegal. Any CBD product that contains more than 0.3% THC is also federally illegal.

Does CBD Have Health Benefits?

As we mentioned earlier, CBD is thought to have a wide range of medical benefits - it's one of the reasons that 36 states now have medical marijuana programs. Cannabis as a whole is thought to have a lot of medical properties, and CBD is no exception. Some of the medical conditions CBD is believed to help manage Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), acne, insomnia, epilepsy and seizures, multiple sclerosis, anxiety, depression, and addiction.

What's the Best Way to Consume CBD Products?

There is no one "right" way how to consume CBD - it's a personal preference and there are many ways to do so. The most common include CBD oil that you can put in drinks or take sublingually, topicals that you can put on your skin, edibles like gummies and mints, and CBD flower that you can smoke or vape. The choice is yours!

What is CBD Testing?

The CBD industry is not regulated, so testing is critical to provide consistent products and show retailers and consumers that a product is of good quality. CBD testing is the process of testing products for potency, any heavy metals that may be harmful, pesticides that were used during cultivation, and solvents used in the extraction process for CBD oil. If you're looking for a CBD brand you can trust, start with companies that do third-party testing so you know there's an unbiased party checking the quality.

Where Should I Buy CBD Products?

CBD can be found almost anywhere, and countless companies are making various new CBD products. Because CBD is unregulated, it's very important for consumers to do their research before purchasing a CBD product. We highly recommend asking your local dispensaries and CBD shops, which you can search for here on Where's Weed. They should be able to help you navigate the overwhelming world of CBD products. You can also find them and many other brands online and have CBD shipped right to your door.

How to Dose CBD Products

If you're taking CBD for medical purposes, we highly recommend you consult a medical professional for the best dosing practices. Fortunately, there has been no record of anyone overdosing on CBD (or THC, for that matter). Still, we suggest starting with lower doses and then working your way to higher doses until you find your comfort zone.

Can You Travel with CBD?

It is legal to travel with CBD within the United States. It's also legal to travel out of the country, so long as it's legal in the country you're traveling to (some countries that have yet to legalize it). Of course, you'll have to follow airline regulations and cannot take more than 3 ounces of CBD oil on a plane. You cannot, however, travel with THC. Even from one legal state to another - because THC is still federally illegal, you cannot legally cross state borders with it.

Will CBD Show Up On a Drug Test?

CBD on its own should not show up on a drug test. However, if you're using a CBD product with small amounts of THC, the THC will show up on a drug test. Make sure to research the company you're purchasing CBD from and thoroughly read the label to ensure that the CBD you're taking doesn't have something that might get you into trouble if you're expecting a drug test soon.

Can I Give CBD to My Dog or Cat?

Yes, you can give CBD to your pets. You can find CBD specifically made for your animals at most animal retail stores. CBD is commonly used to reduce stress and anxiety in cats and dogs and is great for road trips or at night when you need your furry friends to chill down. In fact, humans and dogs share the same cannabinoid receptors in the brain, meaning that the effects are very similar.

Do you have any other questions? Do you have a favorite strain, brand, or consumption method for CBD? What does CBD oil do for you? Let us know in the comments below!

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