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CBD 101

It’s no secret that CBD has been making a fast entrance into the wellness world. The health benefits of this molecule seem to be endless – but with so many new products, formulations, and brands of CBD coming to light, it can all seem super overwhelming.  

Before investing in this supplement, it’s best to understand what exactly you’ll be putting into your body and how it may affect you. We’ve created this page for anyone looking to learn about how CBD works, what benefits it may bring to your wellness, and how our CBD stands above the rest. Now let’s clear the confusion and get to the good stuff. 

What is CBD?

Cannabidiol, also known as CBD, is one of the 113 distinct cannabinoids found in the hemp plant. 

A cannabinoid is any naturally occurring compound that can bind to our cannabinoid receptors. They can be found in most animals and plants such as cannabis, ginseng, black pepper, and more – and the two most common cannabinoids are none other than THC and CBD. 

Unlike THC, however, cannabidiol is non-psychoactive. In other words, CBD does not promote mind-altering effects. Instead, its primary function is to encourage an overall sense of wellness by bringing our biological systems back to balance. 

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What is the Endocannabinoid System?

The Endocannabinoid System (ECS) is found in all animals and is known to be the ‘master regulator’ of the body. It keeps the balance of many key biological functions such as your hormones, immunity, pain perception, energy levels, and memory to name a few.  

It involves a mix of endocannabinoids, enzymes, and cannabinoid receptors that maintain our homeostasis. ‘Endo’ refers to ‘within’ – meaning that endocannabinoids are the cannabinoids that already form and exist within your body. 

As with any system in our physiology, external stressors and imbalances can deplete your endocannabinoids and put a strain on your ECS – affecting all other pathways it regulates. In times of physical and mental stress, cannabinoids such as CBD can give you that extra support to help your endocannabinoids function more effectively and internal mechanisms reset. 

The CB1 and CB2 Receptor Groups

The cannabinoid receptors are divided into two main groups: CB1 and CB2.  

The CB1 receptor groups are mostly found in the brain and nervous system. Although the CB1 receptor group holds therapeutic promise to treat many neurological disorders, it’s often associated with THC’s psychoactive effects instead. Alternatively, the CB2 receptor group is most concentrated on immune cells and is thought to have an important role in regulating immune system functions like inflammation. 

The Different Types of CBD

Even though there’s a great deal of CBD on the market, there are three major formulation types that form the base of each product’s foundation. 

A full spectrum CBD product means that it contains every botanical compound found within hemp, such as all its cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids. The unique aspect of full spectrum CBD is that it also has trace amounts of THC (less than 0.3%). 

If you want to experience the most natural form of CBD — full spectrum CBD products allow you to experience each compound’s holistic effects that work synergistically. This is known as the Entourage Effect which has the potential to elevate your benefits. 

Broad spectrum CBD products are similar to full spectrum CBD except for one thing — they lack THC. 

If you do not want to consume any form of THC, but you’d like to experience the therapeutic qualities of other cannabinoids and terpenes — broad spectrum CBD is for you. 

Last but not least is CBD isolate — also known as zero-THC or THC-free. 

CBD isolate is the most refined form of CBD available. It’s exactly how it sounds — void of all cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids — only 100% pure CBD. If you want CBD and nothing else — CBD isolate is a perfect choice. 

The Different Forms of CBD

Once you receive your CBD, you’ll be surprised at how easy it is to incorporate into your daily routine. Each type of CBD has its own benefits and limitations concerning onset time, duration, taste, etc. Choosing the method of intake is entirely dependent on your preferences and lifestyle factors. 

CBD Oil CBD oils/tinctures/drops are one of the most taken forms of CBD. Simply pull the desired amount into the dropper and squeeze the liquid out under your tongue. Hold it there for 30-60 seconds before swallowing to allow it to become absorbed by the tissue. 

CBD EdiblesFor those who are sensitive to the oil’s flavor or texture, edibles are a wonderful alternative that taste like a treat and are easy to take on the go. Simply take a single serving and wait for relief to begin. Though edibles take longer to kick in than oils, they have the longest lasting effects on the body for those who need all day or night support. 

CBD TopicalsCBD made into creams, salves, lotions, etc. provide relief in a local area by being absorbed skin-deep and binding to cannabinoid receptors in the epidermis. Apply directly onto the affected area (avoiding open wounds and infections) for targeted relief.  

CBD VaporizersThese vape pens are best for those who need close to instant relief anytime and anywhere. Pull softly and use in moderation each time (about 1-3 puffs but may vary by person). Vaping CBD causes it to reach receptors in the brain in a matter of seconds – giving it the quickest onset time but also the shortest duration of effects. 

CBD for PetsIf your furry friend is also suffering from anxiety, physical strain, or seems out of balance in general, they may benefit greatly from CBD as well! Dogs and cats also have a complex ECS that can undergo stress from time to time as well. Simply sprinkle CBD oil for pets onto their daily meal according to the suggested dosage for optimal relief. 

300 mg 
5 mg per 1 full dropper  

500 mg 
8.3 mg per 1 full dropper  

1000 mg 
16.7 mg per 1 full dropper  

2000 mg 
33.3 mg per 1 full dropper  

3000 mg 
50 mg per 1 full dropper   

How to Dose CBD

Since CBD isn’t psychoactive, you might think that dosage isn’t as important as it is for THC or other intoxicating substances. However, finding the right dose is essential to reaping the full benefits and enjoying the overall experience.  

We recognize that everyone’s starting dosage is unique to their body’s needs. Our recommendation is to start with a low dosage of CBD (around half the recommended dosage indicated the product) and adjust as you go for the desired outcome.  

For products like CBD oil, calculating your dosage can be a little bit trickier. The concentration of CBD in a single dropper (1 mL) will depend on the oil strength you choose.  

How to Recognize Good Quality CBD

When it comes to choosing the best CBD products in Canada — it’s the quality that counts. 

That’s why Plant of Life abides by a higher standard of product development and customer care. By using organic, non-GMO, vegan, solvent-free, lab tested, and cruelty-free methods, Plant of Life is at the forefront of offering transparent, premium-quality, and authentic CBD products. Find our certificates of analysis for each product here 

How is CBD Produced?

Before we delve into CBD’s extraction process, let’s look at why CBD is produced from hemp. 

Although hemp is cannabis, it’s a subspecies of Cannabis sativa. There are two primary reasons why hemp is the gold standard for producing CBD. 

First, hemp is legal throughout North America. The second is that hemp contains sky-high amounts of CBD and trace levels of THC – less than 0.3% in fact, which is the legal requirement for all CBD products. 

Extraction Process of CBD

Once the flowers of hemp plants are ripe — it’s time to harvest. 

Depending on the manufacturer, the flowers are dried or sent directly to the extraction phase. The most popular (and safest) extraction method is supercritical CO2 extraction. 

Without going into the nitty-gritty details, the raw hemp flowers are fed into a CO2 extraction system. The chamber is filled with CO2 (carbon dioxide) at supercritical temperatures and pressures to strip all botanical compounds such as cannabinoids, terpenes, lipids, and chlorophyll. After multiple stages of temperature and pressure swings, the result is a viscous liquid that contains CBD and terpenes. 

It’s important to note that the extractors customize the final product into full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, or CBD isolate (THC-free) formulations. 

Is CBD Legal?

Yes. 

Canada, along with the United States, legalized hemp. Although the FDA and Health Canada have yet to fully approve CBD, it is currently legal to buy, consume, and transport CBD products across the country. CBD is legal only if it meets specific criteria, such as: 

  • Contains 0.3% THC or less 
  • Does not make health-related claims 

Therefore, you must purchase lab-tested CBD products from compliant brands that meet Canadian regulations.