Frequently Asked Questions About CBD & Cannabinoids
CBD is one of many natural compounds found in hemp plants. CBD is an acronym for Cannabidiol (Can-na-bid-i-ol), a prominent naturally occurring class of molecules called cannabinoids found in the plant genus Cannabis Sativa L. (Hemp). CBD and other cannabinoids comprises up to 40% of the plant and is only one of over 100 plus compounds found in cannabis. Of these compounds, CBD and THC are usually present in the highest concentrations, and are therefore the most recognized and studied. CBD is a non-psychoactive component of the plant that possesses a wide range of benefits and does not cause a high, unlike THC. Our bodies are made up of an endocannabinoid system (ECS) that uses naturally-occurring cannabinoids to maintain healthy cells. When there is a deficiency in these cannabinoids, it can lead to any number of issues. CBD works to systemically replenish these natural cannabinoids, and therefore assist our cells to a balanced (homeostasis) state.
As previously stated, every single person has an Endocannabinoid System (ECS), whether they’ve consumed cannabis before in their lives or not. The ECS consists of naturally-occurring endocannabinoids (such as anandamide) and their corresponding receptors (such as CB-1 and CB-2 receptors). While research into this system is still young, doctors have found these natural cannabinoid compounds and their receptors to exist in virtually every cell and organ system in the human body, and have discovered they play a key regulatory role in whole-body health and homeostasis. Among other things, the ECS has been shown to help regulate our sleep cycles, our immune response systems, and even our emotional response to social stimuli.
When there is a deficiency in this natural ECS network, any one of the above-mentioned systems may be thrown out of balance, which can result in an array of issues and challenges. Plant-based cannabinoids (such as CBD) are a 100% natural way to assist with these chemical deficiencies (without a THC-induced high), thus restoring the system back to a state of harmony and homeostasis.
CBD (cannabidiol) and THC (Delta-9 Tetrahydrocannabinol) are the most abundant cannabinoids present, but both are only a couple of the over 100 cannabinoid compounds derived from cannabis plants. CBD binds to the CB2 (body) receptor, but the way in which they interact with the CB1 (brain) receptor is very different. Because of its molecular structure, THC has the ability to bind directly to the CB1 receptors. The reaction of this bond creates signals that are sent to the brain, and this results in the notorious psychoactive effects which make users “high.”
On the contrary, CBD doesn’t bind directly with the CB1 receptors. It works indirectly, and its presence has even been found to negate the bond between THC and CB1 receptors, meaning that CBD could actually neutralize some of the psychoactive effects brought on by THC.
Although THC has some potential health benefits, it’s mind-altering effects aren’t enjoyed by everyone. On the other hand, CBD can deliver plenty of the same benefits as THC but without inducing any psychoactive effects.
Aerosols utilize nano particles to disperse highly concentrated ingredients to quickly absorb directly in to the bloodstream through thin oral membranes delivering up to 80% more effectively than oil tinctures that can provide less than 15% net effective absorption rates.
When a chemical comes in contact with the mucous membrane beneath the tongue or other soft tissues in the mouth, it diffuses through it. Because the connective tissue beneath the epithelium contains a profusion of capillaries, the substance then diffuses into them and enters the venous circulation quickly. In contrast, oil/tincture substances taken orally that are absorbed in the intestines are subject to “first-pass metabolism” in the liver before entering the general circulation.
Sublingual and respiratory aerosol administration has certain advantages over typical oral administration. Being more direct, it is often faster and it ensures that the substance will risk degradation only by salivary enzymes before entering the bloodstream, whereas orally administered drugs (oils) must survive passage through the hostile environment of the gastrointestinal tract losing some of their bio-availability.
Application can vary wildly depending on the methods of delivery, body weight/mass, time of day, etc. For our aerosol products, our nano-mist technology allows you to get very accurate usage and higher uptake for each use. We recommend to begin using ~ 3-5mg per 10lbs of your body weight in total milligrams usage per day. (e.g. 100lbs = 30-50mg per day).
However, as you begin to see the beneficial effects, you can up the usage 25-50% more depending on your ailment or condition. We do not recommend exceeding more than 75% of your body weight in equitable milligrams of CBD. Always consult your physician before taking any amounts.
The most important thing is to get your expectations in line knowing that CBD works differently for everyone and the optimal level of dosing accommodates your body size. Using CBD has a cumulative effect and can take up to 30 days to fully assimilate in the body regardless of delivery system. Since it is organically accepted by your body’s natural endocannabinoid system (ECS), the changes you may see can be somewhat subtle depending on the level of your condition. Within the first week, you may just feel a more sense of calm or reduction of general anxiety with little aches and pains subsiding.
Since CBD is a natural anti-inflammatory, many of the benefits are internally systemic and not fully realized until several days of use. Many customers claim they do not feel the difference until they stop using the product and all the little symptoms gradually return.
We recommend using consistently for at least 2 weeks to see any significant changes and then adjusting your dosage from there.
Full-spectrum Hemp-derived CBD is an extract that contains all compounds found naturally occurring in the plant, including terpenes, essential oils, flavonoids, and other beneficial cannabinoids legally containing little of the psychoactive THC elements and legally contains less than 0.3% psychoactive THC. Broad-spectrum refers to a full-plant extraction process containing almost every compound found in the cannabis plant but THC is removed completely during extraction and contains 0% THC.
The Full-spectrum use of cannabinoids, terpenes, and essential oils extracted from the plant work together to magnify the therapeutic benefits of each individual cannabinoid. This is commonly referred to as the “entourage effect“. Straight Hemp oil is only derived from the hemp seeds and does not give the full benefits of the plant and is mostly recommended for cuisine ingestion, cooking or topical use.
It was previously believed that CBD in its isolated form was more effective than Full-Spectrum CBD; however, in 2005, this theory was debunked by a study from the Lautenberg Center for General Tumor Immunology in Jerusalem. In the study, researchers found that test subjects administered with full spectrum CBD were provided with higher levels of relief, compared to subjects administered with CBD isolate. In addition, the results showed that full-spectrum CBD provided enhanced effects with higher dosages, while the effects of CBD remained consistent with increased dosages.
Terpenes are the aromatic compounds found in most plants such as cannabis, pine, lavender or even the essence you get from and orange or lemon peel. The fragrance of most plants is due to a combination of terpenes. In nature, these terpenes protect the plants from animal grazing or infectious germs.
However, terpenes also offer some health benefits to the human body. As regulations surrounding cannabis become less strict, scientists are carrying out more research into these possible benefits.
Terpenes compliment and can accelerate the benefitcial effects of cannabis in the right combinations for desired results. A good example is using the abundant terpenes, Myrcene and Linalool for sleep disorders as they have natural sedative affects. Terpenes are also very bio-active and work with the natural efficiencies of the endocannabinoid system.
Everyone’s body reacts differently to the various benefits of CBD depending on the severity level of a person’s issues. The number one factor is how you administer your CBD to the body – orally/edibles, oil tinctures, topical lotions, aerosols (inhaler & sublingual), or various other means. Understand the net absorption (uptake) levels of what you are taking and realize the actual true dosage amount of CBD you are getting in to your system and how.
Note: Most do not take enough CBD to realize full benefits. Begin with ~ .5mg per pound of body weight.
*There are no standards set by the FDA. Consult your health professional prior to using any CBD or cannabis product.
So much also depends on body weight, body mass, level of hydration and your circulatory system. Point is, everyone reacts differently.
To manage your expectations, follow our general usage/dosage guidelines and allow 2-4 weeks of consistent use to realize any potential affects or differences in your body. Subtle, moderate or major transformations commonly occur after regular usage as the effects are often cumulative. Most users notice varying changes within 2 weeks and can then adjust dosages ongoing.
See our Product Usage page for more information.
Industrial hemp-derived CBD Oil is legal at the federal level. We mention ‘hemp-derived’ because you can also get CBD from marijuana. CBD has the same effects no matter where it comes from. Industrial hemp is described by the 2018 Hemp Farm Bill as having less than 0.3% THC, which is the compound that produces the high or psychoactive effects associated with marijuana. CBD is non-intoxicating, and will not generate a high. This is part of the reason the legality surrounding this compound is more relaxed.
There are over fifteen U.S. states where cannabis is legal for medical and recreational use. These include Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Illinois, Nevada, Oregon, Vermont, Washington, and D.C. If you live in one of these states, you can often use CBD regardless of whether it came from hemp or marijuana. Again, we always recommend you do your own research about the state your live. Believe it or not, some states permit cannabis but still not hemp. There’s a lot of misinformation out there at all levels and laws are updated per state regularly.
*See the full approved U.S. Map
As of April, there are only 6 states with restrictions on all cannabis and cannabis-derived products. These are Alabama, Idaho, Kansas, Nebraska, South Carolina and South Dakota. Even though hemp is likely to become more accessible in these places soon, if you are in one of these states, it is crucial that you know how hemp-derived CBD extracts are treated.
Most of our products contain 0% THC and are highly unlikely to show up positive on a drug test. However, we cannot make guarantees with regard to drug test outcomes. Products with <0.3% THC are legal but do contain trace amounts of THC. We always recommend taking caution by either ceasing intake for at least a week prior to the test, and/or disclosing to your physician or testing center that you are currently taking a full spectrum CBD product.
Cannabinoid therapeutics are connected to the part of the biological matrix where body and brain meet. Since CBD (cannabidiol) and other compounds in cannabis are so similar to the chemicals created by our own bodies, they are integrated better than many synthetic drugs. According to Bradley E. Alger, a leading scientist in the study of endocannabinoids with a Ph.D. from Harvard in experimental psychology, “With complex actions in our immune system, nervous system, and virtually all of the body’s organs, the endocannabinoids are literally a bridge between body and mind. By understanding this system, we begin to see a mechanism that could connect brain activity and states of physical health and disease.”
In general, CBD has been deemed safe for animal consumption provided there are no harmful additives or flavors in the product. Do not just give your pet a CBD product that isn’t designed specifically for animals. Not all CBD is created the same and certain formulas and oils are better for pets than for human consumption. We recommend fish oil base for the healthiest and safest ingredient for pets. There are some conflicting negative reports about MCT (coconut) oils for pets and we highly recommend only 100% Pure Omega rich fish oils or olive oils base for pet products. Often the pets loose bowels or diarrhea is blamed on the CBD when it is indeed the MCT oil.
Additionally, the size or weight of your pet determines how much they should be dosed. Follow our sizing chart and start slowly to make sure there are no adverse effects to your pet.
*Please consult your veterinarian professional before use of any CBD product for your pet.
Overall, CBD is deemed safe with few or no major side effects known for doses up to 500mg per day. Some reported early use minor side effects of cannabidiol include dry mouth, low blood pressure, light headedness, and drowsiness or fatigue.
Early studies show that CBD is more of a cumulative effect in the body and consistent use shows best results with no residual long term side effects. As the body becomes more accustomed to systemically accepting CBD, the endocannabinoid system (ECS) begins to work harmoniously on total body balance where needed. In 2018 the World Health Organization (W.H.O.) deemed CBD safe to ingest and published a full report on its findings.
See the report: HERE
Persons with liver disease should limit the higher dosages of CBD and/or consult their physician first.
Current research has shown that CBD does not typically interact negatively and may actually enhance certain supplements that are normally taken by themselves. There are a few supplements that may not be quite as effective, such as Vitamin D and certain herbs, but it is minimal and no adverse side effects were shown. However, most mainstream vitamin supplements work well together with CBD and can actually be part of your balanced regimen and healthy lifestyle.
Some CBD oils can assist in the absorption of supplements vs. taking them on their own. Fish oil and CBD oil are fine to take together and will help overall absorption of both.
Both CBD oil and certain supplements are processed by the liver if ingested, but research has not shown any damage or strain on the liver in processing these. However, certain weight loss supplements in high doses can cause damage to the liver and CBD oils can assist in minimizing this with overall better or maximized absorption.
Always consult your physician prior to combining any supplements with medications.
There is no simple answer to this other than CBD can change the way your body processes certain medications and you need to consult your physician first before taking it with any medications.
That said, there are some guidelines and research done on the way CBD may interact or metabolize as a whole and certain medications need to be studied more for further results or conclusions. CBD is ‘generally regarded as safe’ (GRAS) with few, if any, major side effects.
There is an extensive article on Healthline that goes in to great detail about certain enzymatic interactions to be aware of before combining your medications with CBD.
After consulting your physician, you can come about an initial dosage to try and work CBD into your regimen slowly. If no adverse effects, you can continue alongside with your medications while monitoring any changes in your health with your physician. Topical CBD creams, lotions, salves and balms have become popular and will not affect interactions with internal medications.
One thing of note, look for the ‘grapefruit warning’. Although studies are still ongoing to determine potential interactions between CBD and specific medications, there’s one rule of thumb that can help consumers in the meantime: Avoid CBD if your medications have a ‘grapefruit warning’ on the label. This warning indicates that people taking the medication should avoid consuming grapefruit or grapefruit juice.
Research is still young on CBD, but preliminary studies have shown no adverse effects by taking CBD every day or long-term. In fact, one of the initial recommendations is to make sure you take CBD daily to get its maximum (cumulative) effects and no major long-term side effects reported to date.
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a natural phyto-cannabinoid compound and is recognized systemically in the body’s own endocannabinoid system (ECS). Its sole purpose to create balance throughout the body and attempt to keep things in what science calls ‘homeostasis’. It works best with the body’s major organs in processing foods and beverages harmoniously without taxing the liver or kidneys as some supplements do.
Ongoing research is now focusing on accurate dosing and optimum delivery methods. Aerosols, water-soluble products, beverages and topicals are gaining popularity. CBD is lipophilic (fat soluble) which means it compounds in your body over time, adding to the potential long-term health benefits.
Yes. All of our products use only the finest quality hemp-derived CBD from trusted U.S. organic farm sources. Each batch produced receives a complete Certificate of Analysis (COA) and quality assurance.
Mantis™ CBD and cannabinoids are organically sourced from only the highest quality, federally and state certified and tested growers using super-critical CO2 to extract the raw oil with pressure and cold temperatures, ensuring that it’s not exposed to the heavy solvents used in lower quality, more widely available cannabinoid-based oils.
The FDA has been slow to accept or fund groups to do intensive studies on CBD and only one university has been granted to run official studies. That said, there are over 25 Top Universities doing extended research or have created cannabis study or research departments on their own.
There are numerous studies by various independent groups as well and NIH does have some data on the use of CBD in the medical community. The best way is to just do a search for ‘cannabis and CBD health benefits’ and you will get a myriad of recent articles. Also a decent source is to #CBDhealth on twitter for latest news.
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