While many of you may already know about CBD, we realize many are now just learning about it and have many questions. That's OK, we answer CBD questions all day! We have compiled a list of some popular ones and some answers for you to help explain, but if you have any other questions that we don't cover, you can always email us at sales@hempest.com, or call us at 617-421-9944. Also, please be aware that we are not doctors. The questions we answer below are merely observations and our own personal experience running a retail store. We are not making health claims and encourage everyone to do their own research and consult with their doctor or medical professional before using CBD to treat any condition. The following is a link to the FDA's guidance: https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/what-you-need-know-and-what-were-working-find-out-about-products-containing-cannabis-or-cannabis
WHAT is CBD?: CBD is short for Cannibidiol, one of many cannabinoids present in several different sources in nature. While CBD can actually be found in many different plant sources, and tree barks, one of the best sources is industrial hemp. Most industrial hemp plants tend to be between 4-20% CBD which makes it the perfect plant for CBD extraction. There are a number of different extraction techniques to separate and isolate CBD. The final product can take many different shapes and forms, and each is usually 3rd party lab tested before reaching the market place to ensure purity, quality, and absence of any metals, toxins or pesticides. At the Hempest, we do our best to ensure the products we carry meet the highest standards, and have the best ingredients. We have spent years sourcing what we feel are the absolute best producers in this industry.
HOW DOES CBD WORK?: Great Question! The answer is very long and involved, but we will try to give you all the information we need as well as provide you with links to explore further. In short, all humans and mammals have an Endocannabinoid system. For the long version of what that is, please look here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endocannabinoid_system
For the short version, the endocannabinoid system is a biological system found in all mammals that helps to regulate many of our physiological, and cognitive process, such as appetite, immune system function, neural transmission, and pain management. The Endocannabinoid system is composed of many different cannabinoid receptors, the primary ones being CB1, and CB2. CBD is genetically tailored to bind to these receptors, stimulating our responses to these physiological processes. The extent to which this occurs does vary for everyone. We have customers who see changes with small doses, and others who tend to need higher doses to see a difference. We also have customers who prefer one brand over another, and some who need to change brands to continue seeing the results that they had previously been getting.
IS CBD LEGAL?: While this question seems to confuse a lot of people because it is not a yes or no answer, it really is not that difficult. CBD, like everything else in the US, can be regulated by state or federal law. Only 4 states in the US do not allow CBD, which are Idaho, Kansas, Nebraska, and South Dakota. I imagine that will change once legislators realize what CBD is, but who knows. CBD is legally federally, and can be obtained from Industrial Hemp Plants grown in states with legal industrial hemp programs. Industrial hemp is classified as cannabis with less than .3% THC by weight. For those unaware, THC is tetrahydra cannabinol, which is the psychoactive part of the cannabis plant which gives users the "high" many people associate with cannabis. As stated above, CBD can be extracted from trees, other plants, and citrus peels, so clearly there should not be an issue with legality. Industrial hemp plants are legal to grow in 17 states and counting, and are the perfect plant for CBD extraction, due to their high cannabinoid content. As long as the plants are grown legally under state programs, they are completely legal under federal law as well.
WHAT IS FULL SPECTRUM vs. ISOLATE?: This is an important piece of knowledge to understand for consumers, and worth understanding for anyone who wants to use CBD for a specific goal. Full spectrum extraction simply means you are doing a whole plant extract which is going to give a profile of varying amounts of other cannabinoids, and terpenes, which can have additional effects in consumption. In what scientists have deemed, the entourage effect, they have noticed that full spectrum extracts may be more beneficial in regulating your body's absorption of CBD, and varying cannabinoid profiles may be helpful on their own as well. Industrial hemp plants have minuscule amounts of THC(by law less than .3%), which means full spectrum extracts are going to have a tiny, legal amount of THC in them. This typically is not enough to get people a stoned feeling, but it can be helpful in achieving the best results of your CBD intake as the two cannabinoids work in symbiosis. It's also possible, though unlikely, that taking large quantities of full spectrum CBD products may trigger a positive on a drug test. Isolates, on the other hand tend to be a cheaper product and are over 99% pure cbd in crystalline form. Some will add terpenes for flavor. We have many customers that dab or smoke isolates in conjunction with smoking THC, or add to oil based foods to make edibles. We do get customers that swear by the effects of CBD isolates, but most find the full spectrum products to be far superior for longer term use in achieving goals, as the endo-cannabinoid system seems to react best to more cannabinoids than just CBD.
WHAT IF IT DOESN"T WORK?: Over the past 4 years we have sold CBD to tens of thousands of customers. We have heard reports from all over the spectrum from it being totally life changing, to it didn't do anything. We have also had customers who said they didn't notice it until they stopped taking it, and suddenly they were feeling aches and pains again. As with most medicines, the impact can be quite different from person to person. Many conditions and illnesses stem from different problems, and every human's endo-cannabinoid system is different. That being said, we do all have an endo-cannabinoid system that has been designed with receptors through human evolution to react with this product. While the FDA does not allow us to make any claims regarding effectiveness of CBD products, we certainly have had customers who think it has been an option to help them with their own personal problems. Best of all, we have never heard of a bad side effect from CBD and see no reason why one wouldn't want to consider CBD as their first option before dealing with more dangerous prescription drugs. Selling CBD has been the most rewarding retail experience of our lives at The Hempest, as we have never had so many happy customers who appreciate what we are doing. We work hard to bring you what we feel are the best brands in the industry, and we hope you appreciate them as much as we do. For those with financial hardships and serious medical issues, please reach out to us as we are happy to do our best to get you these products at a hardship discount directly through manufacturers.
Be advised that all medical conditions are different, and we are not doctors. Your own due diligence is essential in meeting your health goals.