What is CBD?

Anyone who has been on the Internet or in a drugstore in recent years knows: CBD is suddenly on everyone's lips. The active ingredient extracted from the hemp plant is said to have all kinds of medicinal effects, from pain relief and anti-inflammation to cancer therapy and anxiety relief. Hemp has been used as a medicine in various forms for thousands of years, but only recently have the therapeutic properties of CBD been scientifically tested and (at least partially) confirmed.

What is CBD really all about and what can the substance actually do for our well-being? Is it all smoke and mirrors or is CBD the miracle drug it is often touted to be?

What exactly is CBD?

The three letters CBD are an abbreviation and stand for "Cannabidiol". This is a naturally occurring chemical compound extracted from the resinous flower of the hemp plant (also known as Cannabis Sativa L.). More specifically, like all other cannabinoids, CBD occurs in its acid form (CBDa) in the hemp plant and is only converted to CBD when heat is applied.

CBD is a low-risk and non-addictive substance and one of more than a hundred so-called phytocannabinoids. These are molecules produced by the hemp plant that can interact with the body's endocannabinoid system (ECS). Unlike its much better-known relative, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), CBD is not psychotropic, meaning it does not cause a high feeling, but it has a whole range of beneficial properties. Science has so far been able to demonstrate the neuroprotective effects of CBD, and German researchers reported back in 2010 that CBD stimulates neurogenesis, or the growth of new brain cells, in adult mammals.

Several American research centers are currently investigating the cancer-fighting potential of CBD, as well as a range of possible indications for the relief of rheumatism and digestive diseases, to the improvement of skin appearance and pain relief. For a few years now, CBD has even been commercially available as a prescription drug for the treatment of rare forms of epilepsy in children under the name Epidyolex. 

A growing mountain of case reports from thousands of CBD users also shows that CBD can be used to relieve a range of ailments including pain, anxiety, inflammation, depression, sleep problems, and many other conditions. However, it is important to emphasize that there is currently insufficient scientific evidence to support this.

What other cannabinoids are there?

As already mentioned, there are more than a hundred other cannabinoids besides CBD, the majority of which have been little or not at all researched. Among the best known cannabinoids are:

THC

Tetrahydrocannabinol, also known as Delta-9-THC, is probably the best known cannabinoid of the cannabis plant and has always been known and loved for its intoxicating effects. Besides its intoxicating effect, THC is also valued for its strong medicinal effects and is used by patients all over the world.

One of the most common medical uses of cannabis is pain relief, with THC playing a major role in this. While some cannabinoids offer pain relief, studies show that THC is highly effective at this, outshining alternatives like CBD. In turn, many other people use THC for its mood-boosting abilities. In addition, THC has been shown to help with nausea, muscle cramps, and sleep disorders, among others. Like CBD, THC is anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and has antioxidant effects. However, in addition to these benefits, THC's psychotropic properties are often a major deterrent for users who do not desire these effects. In addition, THC-containing compounds are not freely available in most European countries and require a prescription. In contrast, CBD can be purchased free of conditions and also offers many of the positive properties.

CBG

Cannabigerol (CBG) is also one of the more common cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. Like CBD, CBG is non-psychotropic and is therefore well-suited for users who prefer to avoid the intoxicating aspect of cannabis. Instead of intoxicating effects, however, cannabigerol has a number of therapeutic effects that have attracted the attention of scientists. Research shows that CBG is an effective analgesic and anti-inflammatory agent, and can also act as a neuroprotectant against conditions such as Huntington's disease. Studies have shown that CBG can help fight colon, prostate, and oral cancers, and can be an effective antibacterial agent for various inflammatory diseases.

CBN

Cannabinol (CNB) is usually found only in low amounts in the cannabis plant, and is best known for being a "waste product" of aging THC. Beyond that, however, CBN has some advantages. Since CBN is sedating in combination with THC, cannabis high in CBN and THC is an ideal remedy for insomnia.

In turn, other studies show that CBN stimulate the appetite, Alleviate glaucoma and as a strong Antibiotic can act.

Initial studies also show that CBN can be used for People with ALS helpful could be.

How CBD works in the body - The endocannabinoid system

To better understand how exactly CBD works in our bodies, we first need to take a step back and take a closer look at the endocannabinoid system. 

An overview

The endocannabinoid system (ECS), also called the endogenous cannabinoid system, is an enormously important component of the human nervous system. The prefix "endo" means that it is an endogenous system. The ECS includes endocannabinoids, which are cannabinoids produced by the body itself that dock onto various receptors distributed throughout the body. These receptors are found in almost every organ and system: from the nervous, respiratory, and circulatory systems to the digestive system and even the skin.

What does the endocannabinoid system do?

The endocannabinoid system has a great influence on our nervous system. It regulates a variety of processes in the body, thereby influencing our mood, appetite, memory, and inflammatory processes. The ECS is designed to keep our bodies in a state of balance called homeostasis. This works through messenger substances, the aforementioned endocannabinoids, which are used to exchange information between specific receptors. By binding the endocannabinoids to special receptors, for example CB1 and CB2, the ECS controls the generation and transmission of sensations such as fear, pain, pleasure or restlessness. Therefore, the ECS has a great influence on memory processing, pain regulation and the immune system.

The effect of the body's own cannabinoids can be supported or enhanced by plant cannabinoids (phytocannabinoids, phyto = plant), such as those found in the hemp plant. Therefore, the plant cannbinoid CBD can interact with our endocannabinoid system and help maintain the so important homeostasis.

The discovery of the endocannabinoid system

Surprisingly, the endocannabinoid system is a comparatively recent discovery. Its discovery was unwittingly spurred by then U.S. President Ronald Reagan, who provided researchers with millions of dollars in the 1980s to prove that cannabis causes brain damage. These attempts to explain the effects of exogenous cannabinoids, the active ingredients of the hemp plant, led to the discovery of the first endocannabinoid receptor in 1990.

The discovery of the endocannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2) also led to the discovery of the endocannabinoids that interact with these receptors, and in 1992, researchers at the National Institute of Mental Health in the United States were able to prove the existence of the ECS itself. Since then, research has been able to make great strides, but we are still far from a complete elucidation of this extremely complex system. Since the endocannabinoid system seems to be essentially responsible for the balance of systems in our body, there is also increasing evidence that a disturbance of this system plays a role in many chronic diseases, such as migraine or fibromyalgia.

How does CBD interact with the endocannabinoid system?

According to current research, different cannabinoids from the cannabis plant react, sometimes very differently, with our endocannabinoid system.

What herbal cannabinoids have in common is that they bind to the CB1 and CB2 receptors and influence the natural build-up and breakdown of endogenous cannabinoids. In addition, they also enhance or weaken the effects of other phytocannabinoids.

CBD can have different effects, as it interacts with various cannabinoid receptors, which are distributed throughout the body. For example, it can have anti-inflammatory, analgesic (by activating the so-called vanilloid receptors, among others), sedative, antipsychotic and anti-anxiety effects. In addition, CBD can weaken the effect of THC by blocking the CB1 receptor and thus preventing further absorption of THC.

CBD also blocks the enzymes responsible for the breakdown of our body's cannabinoids. This allows CBD to increase the level of anandamide in the body for a longer period of time, for example. Anandamide is often referred to as the "happiness molecule" and seems to be responsible for reducing anxiety and stress. CBD can therefore definitely lift the mood and thereby also have a relaxing effect.

CBD products - It's all there 

While CBD was virtually unknown just a few years ago, today it can be taken in an almost infinite number of dosage forms. 

CBD oil

CBD oil is probably the most well-known and also the most widely used delivery form of CBD, and with good reason. CBD oil is easy to dose and available in different concentrations, which usually makes it the first choice for first-time users. CBD oil is usually taken sublingually, meaning it is dropped under the tongue and held there for 30-60 seconds. This ensures absorption through the oral mucosa, which brings the CBD directly into the bloodstream. After already 20-30 minutes the effect occurs this way and lasts or for 1-6 hours. The special advantage of CBD oil is that the individual dosage can be easily adjusted and increased or reduced as needed.

Full spectrum oil

CBD oil is mainly available in two different forms. Firstly, as so-called full-spectrum oil and secondly, as pure CBD oil (see below). Before the CBD from the cannabis plant can be processed into the final product, it must of course be extracted from the plant. In the case of full-spectrum oils, the complete valuable plant substance spectrum is preserved in the process. Since the finished oil contains a complete image of the cannabis plant, with all cannabinoids and other substances, in the European Union CBD may only be extracted from hemp plants with a THC content of less than 0.2% (1% in Switzerland). This allows all the substances present in the hemp plant to work together in synergy in the body. This effect is also called the entourage effect.

Pure CBD oil

Compared to full-spectrum CBD oil, pure CBD oil isolates CBD as the only cannabinoid from the cannabis plant and processes it as a pure substance into the finished CBD oil. Since the extraction process here is far simpler than with full-spectrum oil, pure CBD oils are usually cheaper than full-spectrum CBD oils. However, there are studies that have proven that full-spectrum CBD is far more effective and potent than isolated CBD due to the entourage effect. Pure CBD oil, however, is especially relevant for those who cannot risk failing a drug test due to their CBD use. While this is rare, it can happen, as small amounts of THC are present in full-spectrum CBD.

Tinctures

Tinctures differ, at least theoretically, from CBD oils in one essential point: the carrier. While in CBD oils the CBD is added to a carrier oil (often coconut oil, MCT oil or hemp seed oil), the carrier in tinctures is alcohol. The alcohol serves as a preservative, which improves the longevity of CBD, but also enhances the bioavailability of CBD. Tinctures also lack the often unpleasant earthy taste of CBD oils, but are instead enriched with artificial flavors such as chocolate, peach, vanilla. It should be noted that the terms "CBD tincture" and "CBD oil" are often used very inaccurately and many products advertised as oils are strictly speaking tinctures (and vice versa).

CBD Concentrates

CBD concentrates are exactly what the name sounds like: Highly concentrated forms of CBD extracts. Concentrates can come in a wide variety of forms. The most common products in this area are:

Isolate

If you are looking for the highest possible concentration of CBD, CBD isolates are the way to go. CBD isolates are produced based on well-known extraction processes. These procedures are repeated over and over again until a purity level of up to 99.95 % is finally achieved. The result is fine, white crystals. This crystalline isolate is perfectly suited for further processing in beverages or food products, but can also be smoked as a pure crystal. As with pure CBD oil, all other cannabinoids and terpenes have been completely removed from the CBD isolate.

Pollinate (hash)

The production of CBD hash is no different than ordinary hash. For this purpose, the CBD-containing crystals are removed from the hemp flowers by friction and the resulting fine powder (kief) is pressed. CBD hash can be smoked or used in baked goods. However, the term CBD hash is rarely found, as it is too reminiscent of illegal substances in the legal trade.

Wax & Shatter

CBD Wax and Shatter are two types of so-called BHO (Butane Hash Oil), which are extracted from low-THC hemp plants with the help of butane gas or another solvent. By means of heat and high pressure, the CBD oil is extracted from the plant and then further processed into shatter or wax through a careful manufacturing process. Shatter (meaning "to break") gets its name from the glass-like and fragile consistency of the finished concentrate. CBD wax, on the other hand, is processed a little differently, giving it a waxy consistency.

CBD Vape Liquid

CBD vape liquid, also called CBD e-liquid, is a highly concentrated form of CBD that is produced for consumption with e-cigarettes. Depending on the manufacturer and product, the concentration of CBD of the liquid can vary greatly. Just like the concentration, the other ingredients of the vape liquids also differ greatly and can sometimes be harmful to health. Some renowned CBD oil manufacturers also offer vape liquid, which are definitely preferable to products from unknown and dubious manufacturers. Vape liquids can contain natural cannabis terpenes or just pure CBD that has been enriched with artificial flavors.

CBD Capsules / Pills

CBD capsules and pills are ideal for those who prefer a convenient and easy way to take CBD. In CBD capsules, the CBD is dissolved in oil and processed into a soft or hard capsule. The dose here is exactly fixed and remains the same from capsule to capsule (or pill to pill). Since the capsule is first broken down by the digestive tract and the CBD has to be absorbed and pass through the liver, it takes significantly longer than other delivery methods for the effect to kick in. However, the effect also lasts comparatively long with 1-6 hours.

CBD Hemp Flowers

CBD flowers are rather rare to find in the European Union, but have recently been enjoying increasing popularity. The great advantage of consuming flowers, whether smoked or vaporized in a vaporizer, is the extremely fast onset of the effect. Through inhalation, the CBD reaches the bloodstream and thus the cannabinoid receptors particularly quickly. With CBD flowers, consumers can also make their own products, such as edibles, tea, or oils. Like CBD oil, CBD flowers may contain a maximum of 0.2 % THC in the EU.

CBD Quality Check - What You Should Look For Before Buying

CBD, like any other product, can now be easily ordered from the Internet directly to your doorstep. However, especially for inexperienced users, there are some points that should be taken into account to ensure that you get a high quality and safe product. 

For every reputable CBD oil producer, there are at least two manufacturers who care less about the quality of their product and are only out to make a quick profit. When making your choice, pay attention to the quality and safety claims in the description of the products. This includes constant quality controls during the manufacturing process to ensure that the product does not contain pesticides or heavy metals.

Another characteristic for high quality products are manufacturers that are GMP certified. Also very important are available laboratory tests. If these are not advertised on the website itself, they can easily be requested through customer service. Any quality conscious manufacturer will be happy to provide the lab test results. Also, pay attention to the origin of the CBD products. Avoid products that are made in China, as they are usually not subject to any standards. 

The history of the hemp plant

The history of the hemp plant is as long as it is turbulent. Hemp was valued thousands of years ago as a valuable and universal medicinal and useful plant. It is believed that hemp was used as early as 10,000 years ago, with the earliest records describing how clothes and remedies were made from hemp for the Chinese emperor as early as the 28th century BC. The first ropes made from hemp fibers were also produced around this time and the oldest paper in the world was made from hemp fibers in China around 140 to 87 BC.

In Europe, on the other hand, it took a little longer to discover this wonderful plant. Since the first proven European hemp products around 800 to 400 BC, hemp has always played an important role and until the 19th century, ship maps, money, books and newspapers were made from hemp. Hemp was so valuable that in some states in the USA, cultivation was even required by law. Even the world's first jeans were made from hemp in 1870 by Levi Strauss. 

But then came the rapid rise of cotton and gradually pushed hemp out of the market. Various interest groups in the USA ensured the further decline of the plant with a campaign against the hemp industry, and when in 1937 the USA introduced a business tax for hemp dealers, hemp simply became too expensive. At the same time, marijuana was demonized as a dangerous drug, bringing hemp cultivation to a halt in the Western world.

However, thanks to tireless activists and lobbyists, hemp and marijuana came back to the forefront in recent years, and with the passage of the Agricultural Enhancement Act of 2018, the U.S. legalized the cultivation of hemp and the distribution of cannabis products, helping not only hemp but also CBD to a rapid and well-deserved rise.

Legal situation CBD in Germany, Austria and Switzerland

The legal situation of CBD in Germany, Austria and Switzerland is and remains a bit complicated and no less confusing. Although CBD is legal in all three countries, the various CBD products are classified differently. 

In Germany, CBD can be purchased as a dietary supplement or cosmetic product without any problems, as long as the THC level does not exceed the 0.2-% mark. When buying on the Internet, the buyer must also be at least 18 years old. However, if you want to buy CBD as a medicine, you need a prescription from your doctor, which is sometimes not easy to get.

For Austrians, the situation is significantly simpler. Here, the classification of CBD as a drug simply does not exist, which is why Austrians are allowed to buy CBD as a dietary supplement and cosmetics, as well as in flower form. Unlike in Germany, the THC limit of 0.3% applies here. 

In Switzerland, on the other hand, cannabis products are subject to the Swiss Narcotics Act only above a THC content of 1 % and may otherwise be sold freely. However, the Swiss distinguish between CBD as food and CBD as an article of daily use. For example, CBD liquids that are vaporized are considered an article of daily use. However, the cosmetic use of CBD is illegal in Switzerland, as are medicines containing CBD.