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A Beginner’s Guide to CBD: Types, CBD Dosage, Uses and More

Types Uses and More

Are you having trouble sleeping? Do you experience aches and pains, skin rashes, or anxiety? You might benefit from hopping on the CBD train.

The industry is still growing strong! In fact, the cannabidiol (CBD) market could surpass $20 billion by 2024.

What exactly is CBD, how does it affect your body, and how can you determine your CBD dosage? Keep reading to find out! In this guide, we’ll review everything you need to know before you start using CBD.

By understanding more about the cannabinoids, you could ease your symptoms! Enjoy the lasting benefits of CBD with this guide today.

What Are Cannabinoids?

Before we can discuss your ideal CBD dosage, it helps to understand a little more about CBD, first.

The cannabis and hemp plants contain over 540 known chemical substances that can influence the body. They also contain over 100 cannabinoids. Cannabinoids are a form of chemical compound that can interact with human cells.

As cannabinoids and a cell’s receptors interact, they release chemicals. These chemicals reach our central nervous system and brain to cause different effects.

While there are over 100 cannabinoids, researchers only know about a few. Some cannabinoids are available at low levels, making them difficult to study.

When they’re found in plants, cannabinoids are called phytocannabinoids. The human body contains natural cannabinoids, too. These are called endocannabinoids.

Endocannabinoids and phytocannabinoids can both impact the human body. Each phytocannabinoid can produce different effects.

Different Types of Cannabinoids

Before you calculate your CBD oil dosage, consider what type of product you intend to use. Is it a full-spectrum CBD? Full-spectrum products contain a mix of cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids.

Terpenes affect the cannabis plant’s fragrance. Some can offer therapeutic benefits.

Flavonoids, on the other hand, are found in many different types of plants. They also offer therapeutic benefits. Some contain anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties.

Full-spectrum CBD products also contain small amounts of THC. THC is the psychoactive cannabinoid that’s associated with getting high.

If you decide to use full-spectrum CBD products, you could experience the entourage effect.

CBD can provide a list of therapeutic benefits like anti-inflammatory and pain-relief on its own. When combined with other cannabinoids, however, its effects are stronger.

For example, taking phytocannabinoids and terpenes from CBD together could prove beneficial for:

  • Epilepsy
  • Fungal infections
  • Pain
  • Anxiety
  • Cancer
  • Inflammation

You can also look for a CBD isolate. These products only contain CBD. Otherwise, consider the benefits of these cannabinoids before choosing your product.

THC

THC is one of the most researched cannabinoids. It’s also known as delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol. Unlike many other phytocannabinoids, THC is psychoactive.

It can cause euphoric sensations or get the user high.

Products with THC are legal to purchase so long as they contain less than 0.3% THC. If you want to determine your CBD dosage, check the product’s label, first. Don’t purchase products that contain over 0.3% THC.

THC is able to bind with both CB1 and CB2 receptors in the body. This allows it to cause psychoactive effects and release dopamine in the brain. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that causes sensations of pleasure.

When learning more about THC, you might also hear about THCA and THCV.

THCA is tetrahydrocannabinolic acid. The “A” indicates THCA is in its acidic form. THCA is:

  • Anti-proliferating
  • Neuroprotective
  • Antiemetic

It could also relieve pain and muscle spasms or help with insomnia.

THCV, on the other hand, is closely related to THC. THCV, however, contains fewer carbon atoms. It also binds to both the CB1 and CB2 receptors.

Delta-8

Remember, THC is also referred to as delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol. Delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta-8-THC) has a similar chemical structure. Its chemical bond placement is different.

Some people believe Delta-8-THC has a degraded form of THC. In fact, it only has 70% of THC’s original potency. You could use Delta-8 without experiencing the side effects associated with THC.

These include anxiety, disorientation, paranoia, and nausea.

You might experience a high while using Delta-8-THC. Wondering “how long does it last?” Find out before using Delta-8 for the first time.

CBC

Also known as cannabichromene, CBC is the third-most common phytocannabinoid found within cannabis plants. Like THC, it can interact with both the CB1 and CB2 receptors. It interacts with other receptors in the body as well.

Unlike THC, however, CBC doesn’t cause psychoactive effects.

CBC might provide benefits such as:

  • Pain and inflammation relieve
  • Reduced acne symptoms
  • Neuroprotection

Unlike CBD, CBC can interact with the TRPV1 and 5-HT1A receptors. It could provide unique benefits as a result. More research is needed, though.

CBD

CBD is another phytocannabinoid found in cannabis and hemp plants. It’s not psychoactive. In fact, it’s sometimes used within anti-seizure medications.

Like other phytocannabinoids, CBD works by interacting with your endocannabinoid system (ECS). CBD is able to stimulate the CB1 and CB2 receptors to produce natural cannabinoids within the body. This allows it to cause health benefits like pain relief.

CBG

CBG is also known as cannabigerol. It only appears in small quantities, making it difficult to study. CBG is considered the precursor to CBC, THC, and CBD.

It’s also known as the stem cell.

Its original form, CBGA, is acidic and inactive. Then, it breaks down and becomes a base molecule. Other phytocannabinoids form from CBG.

What is the Endocannabinoid System?

In order to understand how cannabinoids work, it helps to know more about the endocannabinoid system.

The ECS is a cell-signaling system found within the human body. It’s active whether or not you use cannabinoids. The ECS includes three main components: endocannabinoids, receptors, and enzymes.

These components ensure your body remains in a state of homeostasis, or balance.

Your body produces endocannabinoids as needed. These endocannabinoids attach to receptors.

Your CB1 receptors are found in the central nervous system. CB2 receptors are found in your peripheral nervous system. Which receptor an endocannabinoid binds to can influence the effects it causes.

For example, if an endocannabinoid binds to a CB2 receptor, it could reduce inflammation.

Once your body is back in a state of homeostasis, your body uses enzymes to break the endocannabinoids down. This ensures the endocannabinoids don’t go overboard.

The ECS can affect different bodily functions, including:

  • Inflammation
  • Chronic pain
  • Motor control
  • Sleep
  • Muscle formation
  • Metabolism
  • Mood
  • Immune system responses
  • Learning and memory
  • Cardiovascular system function
  • Reproductive system function
  • Skin and nerve function
  • Stress
  • Liver function
  • Bone remodeling and growth

CBD interacts with your ECS by keeping enzymes from breaking down your endocannabinoids. This allows the endocannabinoids to have more of an effect. Researchers are learning more about how CBD impacts the ECS, though.

CBD Dosage

How do you determine your unique CBD dosage?

First, it helps to know CBD isn’t regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). With that in mind, there’s currently no official recommended dosage.

CBD is safe to use. Remember to look for products that contain less than 0.3% THC, though. Otherwise, you might experience THC’s psychoactive effects.

According to this review, there’s no one universal dosage for CBD. In fact, everyone responds to CBD differently based on:

  • Your weight
  • The concentration of CBD
  • Your unique body chemistry
  • The symptoms you’re experiencing

CBD is available as oils, capsules, pills, drops, gummies, and vapes. Before using CBD, determine its concentration.

Talk to your doctor about the appropriate CBD oil dosage for you. They’ll take any prescription recommendations into account.

Otherwise, start low and go slow. Consider starting with 20 to 40 mg a day. Is CBD helping to treat your symptoms?

If not, slowly increase the CBD dosage by 5 mg a week.

Make sure to track how much CBD you’re using. If you experience any side effects, contact your doctor right away.

Some CBD products also provide a CBD dosage calculator or formula on the label.

Side Effects

Even at high dosages such as 1,500 mg a day, CBD is well tolerated by humans. You can still experience side effects when using CBD, though.

Before determining your CBD dosage for pain, consult a doctor. CBD can have interactions with any medications you’re using. It could potentially cause liver damage, too.

Other potential side effects include fatigue, changes in appetite, changes in weight, and diarrhea. Let your doctor know if you experience these side effects.

CBD Benefits

Now that you know a little more about CBD oil, let’s talk about its potential benefits. Here are a few reasons you should consider calculating your CBD oil dosage.

1. Pain Relief

One of the more popular reasons people start using CBD oil is to relieve pain symptoms.

Inflammation is the body’s natural response to invaders and illness. Unfortunately, too much inflammation can have a negative effect. In fact, excessive inflammation is sometimes connected to:

  • Type 2 diabetes
  • Obesity
  • Asthma
  • Cancer
  • Heart disease
  • Crohn’s disease
  • Stiffness
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Sinusitis
  • Neurodegenerative disease
  • Allergies
  • Psoriasis
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
  • Active hepatitis
  • Tuberculosis
  • Chronic peptic ulcers

Your endocannabinoid system can regulate inflammation throughout your brain. CBD contains anti-inflammatory properties that might help. By acting on your ECS, CBD could ease your inflammation.

As your inflammation decreases, your pain symptoms and risk of these conditions might as well.

2. Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis affects the nerves and brain. It can cause pain symptoms and muscle spasms.

Sativex is a CBD and THC-based oral spray. It helps patients with multiple sclerosis by reducing their muscle spasms.

3. Arthritis Pain

Excessive inflammation could cause arthritis to develop. In one study, CBD helped rats with arthritis by reducing pain and inflammation symptoms.

4. Depression and Anxiety

Are you suffering from anxiety or depression? CBD has helped patients with social anxiety disorders by reducing their depression symptoms.

CBD could also help produce serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is responsible for regulating social behaviors, mood, and sleep. By determining your CBD oil dosage for anxiety, you could reduce your anxiety symptoms.

5. Heart Health

High blood pressure could increase your risk of stroke, heart attacks, and metabolic syndrome. CBD oil could improve your circulatory system. This would allow it to improve your heart rate.

CBD also contains anxiety- and stress-reducing properties. These properties could improve your blood pressure as well.

6. Substance Abuse Treatment

CBD could help modify circuits in the brain that trigger drug-seeking behavior. For example, CBD has reduced morphine dependence and heroine-seeking behaviors in rats so far. Reducing these behaviors could help patients who are overcoming addiction.

7. Cancer Treatment Relief

Cancer treatments like chemotherapy can cause vomiting, nausea, pain, and other side effects. Some of the medications meant to relieve these symptoms don’t help. CBD could relieve these side effects and help cancer patients.

CBD might contain anti-cancer properties, too. In one study, CBD stopped breast cancer cells from forming. Researchers are still learning more about CBD as a potential cancer treatment, though.

8. Diabetes Prevention

Excessive inflammation and blood glucose levels could contribute to diabetes. If you’re concerned about your diabetes risk, CBD might help.

Understanding your CBD oil dosage could ease the inflammation in your body. It might also lower your blood sugar levels and insulin resistance. Your risk of diabetes could decrease as a result.

9. Skin Health

Do you suffer from sensitive skin? Inflammation could trigger:

  • Acne
  • Eczema
  • Psoriasis
  • Sensitive skin
  • Signs of aging

CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties could help. CBD could also reduce sebum production, which is associated with acne. In fact, CBD contains antioxidants that could reduce signs of fine lines and wrinkles, too.

10. Neuroprotection

CBD could help patients with schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s, and other neurological conditions. Remember, the ECS is responsible for memory and learning. Using CBD could help, though more research is needed.

11. Sleep Support

Are you struggling to get enough sleep each night? Remember, your ECS helps regulate your sleep, too. Without enough sleep each night, you might develop:

  • Anxiety and depression
  • Low sex drive
  • Mood swings
  • Weakened immunity
  • Weight gain
  • Increased risk of accidents
  • Increased risk of heart disease
  • Impulsive behavior
  • Increased risk of diabetes
  • High blood pressure

CBD could decrease your sleep difficulties to help you get enough sleep. However, more research is needed.

Understanding Your CBD Dosage and More: Your Complete Guide to CBD

Determining your CBD dosage could help you experience these benefits of CBD and more. Remember, CBD affects everyone a little differently. Remain realistic before using CBD for the first time.

By calculating your CBD oil dosage, you could relieve your symptoms and improve your quality of life.

Looking for more useful tips and tricks? We’re here to help. Check out our latest guides today.

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