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CBD is a chemical compound found in the cannabis plant. In fact, the cannabis plant contains more than 100 of these compounds, which are called cannabinoids. CBD stands for cannabidiol, and it is found primarily in the flowers and leaves of the plant.

Hemp refers to the plant cannabis with a THC concentration of less than 0.3% THC. The terms hemp and marijuana can cause confusion. Both are the plant cannabis, but they are not the same. The difference between them is their respective concentrations of tetrahydrocannabinol, commonly known as THC. Upaya products come from hemp plants not marijuana.

CBD (cannabidiol) and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) are present in both hemp and marijuana. Marijuana contains much more THC than hemp, while hemp has an abundance of CBD and minimal quantities of THC. THC is the main psychoactive compound in marijuana. It's what makes people feel "high." CBD products are not psychoactive, so they cannot make you high.

CBD is responsible for most of the medical benefit claims associated with cannabis. CBD interacts with what are called cannabinoid receptors in our body. These receptors are located primarily in the brain and in the central nervous system. This ability to interact with our nervous system is what links CBD closely to pain management. Besides pain relief, people take CBD products to help with everything from insomnia and anxiety to arthritis, Crohn's disease, diabetes, and multiple sclerosis.

Each of these CBD product types differs in the way it is extracted and formulated, what it contains, and how it reacts with the body. CBD, or cannabidiol, is just one of over 100 cannabinoids that can be extracted from hemp. CBD and THC are the best known and have long been recognized in the scientific community. Other important cannabinoids include CBN (Cannabinol) and CBG (Cannabigerol).

Full spectrum CBD uses the full range of phytochemicals found in hemp, besides cannabidiol: plant terpenes, flavonoids, vitamins, minerals, and other cannabinoids, including THC (usually under 0.3 percent, as required by U.S. law). There is scientific evidence that these plant compounds have a better effect on the body when working together, rather than individually. When these compounds and cannabinoids work synergistically in this way, they produce what is called the “entourage effect.”

Broad Spectrum CBD products use cannabidiol and all the other compounds found in hemp, just like full spectrum CBD products. However, after further processing, one active ingredient is removed – THC. Because they retain the other compounds which work together more effectively, broad spectrum CBD products still create the “entourage effect.”

CBD Isolate is pure CBD and is created by removing all other molecules, except CBD, from the full spectrum extract. This is the most concentrated form of CBD. It does not, however, provide the entourage effect described above.

The 2018 Farm Bill removed hemp from the legal definition of marijuana in the Controlled Substances Act.

The growth, production, and manufacturing of hemp and some hemp-derived CBD products with less than 0.3 percent THC became federally legalized. On the other hand, CBD products containing more than 0.3 percent THC still fall under the legal definition of marijuana, making them federally illegal but legal under some state laws. Marijuana is cultivated to have higher THC concentrations and so is still federally illegal.

While the FDA has not yet approved nonprescription CBD products, it did, in April 2018, unanimously approve the first CBD-derived prescription drug in the United States, Epidiolex. Epidiolex is a treatment for several severe forms of rare childhood epilepsy.

While highly unlikely it is always possible that consuming certain hemp products may lead to a positive drug test via the detection of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Full spectrum CBD products do contain very
small quantities of THC, which is inherently present in small, trace amounts in hemp plants. In the U.S. the legal limit of THC in hemp is no more than 0.3 percent.

If you are likely to undergo drug testing, you should consult your health care provider before consuming hemp-derived products. Individual biochemistry and the potential conversion of cannabinoids within the body, as well as the possible presence of trace, but legal, amounts of THC inherent in hemp products may all affect the result of a drug test.

Look out for proof of third-party lab testing to determine quality, consistency, and potency. A Certificate
of Analysis (COA) should be available to show exactly what is in your CBD product.

The best way to take CBD is to ingest it orally, more specifically sublingually without it entering the bloodstream. The benefit of taking CBD drops this way is that the capillaries under the tongue provide a direct route to the bloodstream. Holding the CBD tincture under the tongue for between 60 and 90 seconds before swallowing helps to maximize its absorption into the system and provide a fast-acting and longer lasting effect.

Alternatively, CBD topical creams can be applied to particular areas of the body. The CBD is directly absorbed through the skin, without it entering the bloodstream.

If you are taking CBD oil for the first time, begin with a lower dose and increase it as you begin to understand its strength for a normal, healthy individual. Our standard bottle contains 1500 mg (30mL) of CBD. One full dropper is 37.5 mg or 0.7mL (about 40 servings per bottle). That is our recommended serving for a normal, healthy individual.

This is a matter of personal choice. Some people like to take their CBD in the morning with breakfast to help them through their day, while others prefer to use it before bedtime. The key is consistency. For any supplement to work effectively, it must be taken regularly. Missing servings or only taking CBD intermittently can adversely affect its efficacy.

Because individual genetic and biochemical makeup and associated metabolism vary so much, as do personal lifestyle factors, it is impossible to accurately predict how soon the effects of CBD may be experienced.
In the very short term, and depending on the quantity taken, CBD will generally be absorbed within around 20 minutes to two hours of taking a CBD product. The way in which the CBD is taken will have a significant impact on the time required for its absorption. For instance, taking one full dropper (0.7mL or 37.5 mg) of Upaya CBD tincture and holding it under the tongue for 60 seconds before swallowing should produce an activation time of 5 – 60 minutes.
As for longer term effects, these will likely be noticed over the course of several weeks.

Some CBD brands are unclear about their strength and contents. Independent tests of CBD oils have even found products that contain less CBD than claimed – in some cases, barely any at all. Quality brands will inform you where the CBD is from, how it was cultivated and extracted, and will provide independent, third-party testing and lab reports in the form of COAs (certificates of analysis). 

Cannabidiol, or CBD, is widely used to help people with their anxiety, and is also advertised as a means to help relieve depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. As a result, the CBD industry is thriving and is anticipated to reach $16 billion in the United States by 2025 (per TD Cowen).

Read more here:
CBD Could Be The Psoriasis-Soothing Ingredient Your Skincare Routine Needs (thelist.com)

A recent pilot study found that CBD almost halved chronic anxiety symptoms in young people. The study adds to existing research suggesting that CBD could be a successful treatment option for young people with treatment-resistant anxiety.

Read more here:
CBD reduces anxiety symptoms by up to 50% in young people (medicalnewstoday.com)