Everything Canadians Need to Know About CBD

Although CBD was first discovered back in 1942, it took the cannabinoid a minute to get into the mainstream. Only with the legalization of hemp in 2018 did it truly hit the scene and start grabbing the attention of every recreational and medicinal user alike.

With so many online and brick-and-mortar dispensaries available, you can easily and affordably get the best CBD in Canada wherever you are. But before you do that, it’s in your best interest to learn more about this beneficial cannabis compound and find out exactly what it is and how it works.

So, without further ado, let’s see everything you need to know about CBD.

Understanding CBD

For the longest time, the most well-known cannabinoid found in cannabis was THC. The notorious psychoactive compound would alter your state of mind when consumed, and you’d start feeling “high” relatively quickly after using it (depending on the method of consumption).

However, THC isn’t the only cannabinoid found in hemp. As a matter of fact, over a hundred different cannabinoids have been identified so far, with CBD, or cannabidiol, being one of them.

Unlike THC, CBD doesn’t have any psychoactive properties. You can freely use it without worrying about getting high, even if you’re not using pure CBD isolates.

CBD isolates normally contain CBD only, no additives or other cannabis compounds. CBD oils, edibles, lotions, and more will often contain trace amounts of other cannabinoids such as THC. However, it’s in minuscule amounts, less than 0.3%, not nearly enough to affect your clarity of mind.

Why It’s Becoming So Popular

CBD is becoming a popular natural remedy because of its extensive therapeutic potential. It acts as an analgesic, anxiolytic, antipsychotic, anti-oxidative, antiepileptic, and more. It has neuroprotective properties, and it’s indicated that it can enhance neuroplasticity. CBD has various applications and could help to alleviate symptoms of:

  • Mood disorders
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Chronic pain
  • Sleep disorders
  • IBS
  • Parkinson’s
  • Multiple Sclerosis

Its potency and versatility are what’s making CBD such a popular choice among today’s consumers.

ECS and CBD

The many applications and benefits of CBD beg the question – what makes this cannabinoid so potent? While it’s easy to label CBD as a miracle cure for all, that’s not exactly what it is. Of course, it does have many beneficial and miracle-like properties, but the main reason why it’s so powerful is our own Endocannabinoid System (ECS).

Every mammal has the ECS – it’s a biological system like any other. It’s in charge of maintaining and regulating natural bodily functions and processes such as pain sensation, mood, appetite, memory, even immune responses.

Our bodies produce compounds known as endocannabinoids that bind to receptors found in the ECS to moderate these functions and processes. These endocannabinoids have a very similar structure to cannabinoids found in hemp, like CBD. What all of this means is that our bodies are primed to respond to (endo)cannabinoids and allow them to impact the body and mind.

Determining the Dosage

Before you buy your first CBD product and start reaping its benefits, you must consult your doctor and determine the right dosage for your needs. Unfortunately, this can be more challenging than it first appears.

CBD can affect everyone differently based on their genetics, health, metabolism, age, even their daily diet. So, determining the dosage is usually a matter of trial and error.

As a general rule of thumb, it’s best to start with a light dose of about 10mg CBD, then wait for about six to eight hours before taking another dose to avoid accumulation. Slowly increase your dose by 5mg over the next few weeks and monitor your body’s response to CBD. When you find a dose you’re comfortable with, stick to it.

Experiencing the Effects of CBD

As mentioned, CBD won’t get you high, and it won’t have any psychoactive effects. However, it still does affect your body and mind and could change the way you feel, so you need to be careful how you use it.

At low doses, CBD typically has stimulative effects and gives you an energy boost. At high doses, it acts as a strong pain-reliever and can make you feel sleepy.

While there aren’t many reported side-effects of CBD, you might experience:

  • Drowsiness
  • Dry mouth
  • Nausea

That’s why it’s so critical to slowly increase your dosage and talk with your doctor before you start using CBD.

The Legality of CBD

Since 2018, CBD has been legal in all Canadian provinces, but many places still have strict regulations regarding its use, distribution, and harvesting. Each province is responsible for determining how CBD is regulated, so it’s in your best interest to check your local laws before you start using it.

The Bottom Line

CBD can prove to be beneficial for handling the symptoms of a variety of mental and physical conditions. It’s a unique hemp-derived compound that’s showing great therapeutic promise, with more and more studies showcasing just how beneficial it can be.

If you want to use CBD, you must get it from an authorized, reliable dispensary that’s careful about how it extracts and combines CBD products.

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