What we know about CBD has expanded and evolved rapidly over the past few years, and we at Royal Highness Cannabis Boutique understand the importance of making smart consumer decisions when it comes to your health and well-being. That is why we’ve taken the time to answer all of your most common questions about America’s favorite holistic, alternative therapy: CBD. 

1. What is CBD?

CBD, or cannabidiol, is a naturally-occurring chemical compound found in the cannabis plant. It is one of more than 100 identified cannabinoids. Cannabinoids occur naturally in the human body and interact with cannabinoid receptors, triggering various physiological functions that help to regulate things like appetite, mood, and memory, and pain sensation. 

2. What’s the difference between CBD and marijuana?

Marijuana is a variety of the cannabis sativa plant. Marijuana does naturally contain CBD as one of its many cannabinoids; however, it also contains THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the psychoactive compound that produces the “high” sensation marijuana is known for. Unlike THC, CBD does not produce any substantial mind-altering effect when consumed.

3. What is CBD used for?

CBD supports the function of the endocannabinoid system, which interacts with receptors found in virtually all of the tissues in our bodies to bring balance to the heart, digestive, endocrine, immune, nervous, and reproductive systems. In the simplest terms, CBD is known to alleviate anxiety and inflammation without psychoactive effects. According to Dr. Rachna Patel, author of The CBD Oil Solution, it “has been shown to reduce inflammation, intercept pain signals to the brain, boost serotonin levels, dampen the flight-or-fight response, and help regulate sleep.” 

CBD can be used as an alternative therapy for a number of ailments, including chronic pain, insomnia, anxiety, menstrual cramps, migraines, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and more.

4. What is the best way to consume CBD?

There are multiple ways to take CBD, and how you choose to take it is up to you. The four main absorption methods are: 

  1. Oral — gummies, food, capsules
  2. Sublingual — tinctures
  3. Inhalation — vapes, smokes
  4. Topical — body oils, balms, lotions, patches

How you take CBD should depend on your goals. If you want to relieve muscle aches and pains, a topical application can be a good option because it will work fairly quickly and target a specific area. Oral consumption is typically recommended for anxiety, insomnia, or other whole-body ailments. For quick, short-term relief, inhaled methods like a vaporizer may be ideal.

5. How much CBD should I take?

Everyone reacts differently to any given serving of CBD. It is always recommended to start with a smaller dose and gradually increase until you experience the desired result. If you’re concerned about taking too much, keep in mind that clinical trials have prescribed CBD doses up to 1,200 mg daily without any serious side effects. Also note that a number of factors will influence how your body responds to any dosage of CBD at any given time. For instance, food affects your body’s ability to absorb CBD; more cannabinoids are actually absorbed on a full stomach.

 

6. What are the differences between CBD isolate, full-spectrum CBD, and broad-spectrum CBD?

  • CBD isolate is cannabidiol in its purest form. It is refined to remove all other cannabinoids, terpenes, and hemp plant components, rendering the final product around 99% CBD. 
  • Full-spectrum CBD contains all of the phytochemicals naturally found in the plant, including CBD, trace THC, other cannabinoids, terpenes, and essential oils.
  • Broad-spectrum CBD also contains all phytochemicals naturally found in the plant. However, it goes through additional processing to eliminate the trace amounts of THC.

7. Does CBD have any side effects?

According to Dr. Peter Grindspoon of Harvard Medical School, “Side effects of CBD include nausea, fatigue, and irritability. CBD can increase the level in your blood of the blood thinner coumadin, and it can raise levels of certain other medications in your blood by the exact same mechanism that grapefruit juice does.” The primary effect most commonly described by CBD users, however, is an overall sense of calm, relaxation, and relief. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that there are no significant side effects associated with CBD. 

8. Does CBD interact with medications?

Anything that you introduce to your body has the potential to interact with prescription medications, which is why it’s recommended to consult with your doctor. Interestingly, both CBD and grapefruits inhibit cytochrome p450, so be cautious if you are taking a medication that warns against consuming grapefruit. 

9. I took CBD but didn’t experience any effects. What’s going on?

Oftentimes, people who are new to CBD expect a significant result within minutes, but CBD doesn’t quite work that way. Results will depend on many factors, including how you take it, your dosage, your body size and weight, and other conditions. You may also need to use it consistently over a longer period of time for the endocannabinoid effects to occur. Your body becomes more sensitive to cannabinoids as you introduce them into your system, and you might start experiencing more prominent effects as your body adjusts.

Have more burning questions? Not sure where to begin? If you’re looking for expert consultation on CBD, or you’re ready for an unsurpassed luxury retail experience, visit us at Royal Highness Cannabis Boutique today. We offer an exclusive collection of CBD and cannabis products other Palm Desert dispensaries simply can’t match. Our knowledgeable advisors are here to answer any additional questions and make individually tailored recommendations that work for you.