CBD is a biomedical abbreviation and stands for cannabidiol, which in turn is one of about 113 known cannabinoids. Said cannabinoids are derived from the female hemp plant won. Cannabinoids are also called phytocannabinoids and are chemical compounds that are obtained from the cannabis plant, for example through extraction.

A little digression:

You've probably heard the term THC before. Written out, THC means tetrahydrocannabinol and is also assigned to the cannabinoids. It is probably the best-known active ingredient in the hemp plant and is also considered to be the only psychoactive cannabinoid. Of the 113 non-psychoactive phytocannabinoids that have no intoxicating effects on our body, is CBD probably the best known. Cannabidiol is the second most common chemical compound found in the female cannabis plant. Unlike the THC molecule, CBD does not get you "high". In addition, cannabidiol itself in high doses generally has no relevant and known side effects.

CBD can have various effects on the body. For decades, scientists, like the general public, overlooked CBD and its promising potential because the focus was on psychoactive THC. In short, CBD can provide some level of wellbeing without being high.

Studies on CBD

Now the potential of cannabidiol has found its way into the general public. Clinical studies have dealt more and more with the topic of CBD over the past four decades.

The following study areas were surveyed on CBD:

CBD and pain

CBD and sleep

CBD and relaxation

CBD and stress

CBD and exercise

CBD and skin

CBD and inflammation

CBD and digestion

CBD and anxiety

In order to find out even more about the potential of cannabidiol, more studies must of course be made in these and other areas. This is also due to the fact that research on the topic has been going on for over 40 years, but only with more intensity in recent years.

In the recent past, hemp varieties have been bred that contain mainly the cannabinoid CBD. However, when breeding it must always be ensured that the hemp plant does not contain too much THC. Accordingly, cannabis plants that contain more than a certain percentage of tetrahydrocannabinol are considered addictive substances in many countries. In the DACH region, the legal requirements are as follows:

Switzerland> 1%

Austria> 0,3%

Germany> 0,2%

Thus, they are subject to the corresponding legal provisions, which breeders of cannabis plants as well as manufacturers of CBD products must comply with.

Cannabinoids are so-called agonists that bind to special receptors in the body, which are also known as cannabinoid receptors. Certain receptors are located in the central nervous system while others can be found in other areas of the body. The two best known receptors are the CB1 and CB2 receptors. Together they form the so-called endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS is a huge nerve transmission system with many functions. Endo means inside and cannabinoid refers to the effect on the cannabinoid receptors. The ECS can influence the following factors:

• Mood
• memory
• Motor skills
• Defense function
• Reproduction
• Pain perception
• Appetit
• Sleep
• Bone development

In order to be able to better imagine the process of how CBD works, one can use an illustration. Accordingly, one can imagine cannabidiol as a key and the CB1 and CB2 receptors as a lock, true to the “key-lock principle”. By taking “CBD keys”, the “receptor locks” are unlocked or activated. Cannabidiol is able to interact with cells in our body because the molecule has a similar composition to comparable chemicals that the human body naturally produces.

Does CBD have any side effects?

The answer here is clearly NO. According to current research, there are no known side effects that have a negative impact on our body.

The dosage of cannabidiol should always be designed individually. Above all, the right CBD dosage generally depends on the person. Accordingly, there are also different concentrations of CBD oils.

5 tips for the correct cannabidiol dosage

Start with small doses: Every newbie in the field of CBD should slowly approach this topic. Accordingly, it is advisable to start with a cannabidiol oil 5%. Here everyone can test for themselves how the oil affects their own body. If you want to increase your dosage, you can easily do this with twice the number of drops. This means that two drops of, for example, a full spectrum oil with 10% have exactly the same cannabidiol concentration as one drop of a full spectrum oil with 20%.

Do not exaggerate: The process of approaching your perfect cannabidiol dosage and concentration can take a while. Here you should really approach the matter with care. If you don't feel the desired effect of cannabidiol for a long time, you can slowly increase your number of CBD oil drops, for example.

Stick to the same ratio of CBD for several days: In order to feel the desired effect of corresponding products, it is often necessary to take them for several days. You should take this time and watch carefully to what extent you are satisfied with the result. On this basis, you can then adjust the dosage of your cannabidiol product or leave it the same.

Find the right way to take: CBD products are available as oils, capsules, liquids or creams, among other things. The way in which cannabidiol is taken also determines the dosage and duration of action.

If you have any questions, consult a doctor or pharmacist: If you have any concerns or even more questions about cannabidiol, you can also see your doctor. He can advise you. You can also often find help in your trust pharmacy.

CBD oil: Cannabidiol oil is the most popular form of CBD products for a reason. One of the reasons for this is that it can be consumed in so many ways. Usually, you drip the desired number of CBD drops under your tongue. This method is known as sublingual recording. Here the drops are left under the tongue for about a minute, so that the oral mucous membranes can absorb the extract very well. An effect can already set in after 15 minutes. There is also the possibility of swallowing cannabidiol. This option can be combined with a drink or a meal. Here the CBD oil drops are then added to the meal or, for example, in his coffee. As soon as the cannabidiol reaches the stomach, it is absorbed through the corresponding mucous membranes. However, this takes longer and you have to calculate up to an hour before an effect can occur. Some users also apply the oil to their skin and rub it in.

CBD oils represent a wide range of substances. Terpenes, other cannabinoids and also the carrier oil, which often brings omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids with it, make these products all-encompassing. In addition, cannabidiol oil has a very high bioavailability. This means the sustained extent, just like the absorption rate in the bloodstream through the body. Depending on which variant you choose, CBD can stay in our organism for several hours until it is then excreted again.

In our shop you will find different concentrations of cannabidiol oils, as well as two different variants. One of them is the classic full spectrum CBD oil, the other is called CBD Gold, which contains 0,00% THC.

CBD liquid: There is also the variant CBD Liquid. Here the cannabidiol is absorbed via an evaporator or vaporizer. The recording is extremely fast. Through the lungs, CBD is distributed very quickly in our body. This also guarantees high bioavailability. However, it must be noted here that the effect does not last as long as, for example, with a CBD oil. For more information, check out our blog, with an in-depth article on the Topic CBD Liquid.

CBD capsules: Cannabidiol capsules can be well portioned and accordingly you can dose them very well. However, this can only be swallowed and therefore there is only one form of absorption: through the stomach or the mucous membranes present there. This also means at the same time that the effect occurs with a time delay. The portioning with capsules is ideal, but the dosage is not as individual as with a CBD oil. The taste is more neutral here, but some consumers report that swallowing capsules is uncomfortable for them. However, that depends on the person.

CBD creams and CBD ointments: CBD interacts with our endocannabinoid system. The ECS is found throughout our body, and accordingly also on the skin, where many receptors are located. In the case of CBD cream and CBD ointment, the cannabinoids, such as cannabidiol, get through the skin and interact there with the local receptors, for example. Once the cream or ointment is absorbed, which usually only takes a few minutes, an interaction of cannabinoids and receptors takes place. Then there can be an effect.

Many also ask themselves how CBD oil is made in the first place. In the European Union, only EU certified hemp may be used for the manufacture of cannabidiol products. Care must be taken here that the guideline value of 0,2% THC is not exceeded. Otherwise the BtMG (Narcotics Act) will be violated.

In order to produce cannabidiol oil, care must be taken to use the flowers of the female cannabis plant. The reason here is that it has the largest proportion of CBD. These then have to be dried for about a week.

The two best-known methods of producing CBD oil are through alcohol extraction and CO2 extraction. You can find detailed information about these procedures in our Blog articles about CBD.

Full spectrum CBD oil:

The full spectrum CBD Ö (full spectrum) is a classic among CBD products. The name comes from there the full spectrum of plants contained in the hemp plant. Accordingly, this type of cannabidiol oil contains most of the cannabinoids and terpenes, which have a hemp-like aroma. This interaction also guarantees the entourage effect. A full spectrum oil in Germany has a minimum THC content, which must be below 0,2% THC.

Gold CBD oil:

Gold CBD oil is also known under the name broad spectrum cannabidiol oil. With another filtering process, the full spectrum CBD oil is processed into a wide spectrum. The THC content is set to 0,00%. The taste of such a cannabidiol oil is also more neutral. A gold oil is perfect for people who have to go without THC for certain reasons, such as due to regulations in their job. It is also perfect for professional athletes who have to carry out doping tests on a regular basis. Of course, anyone who wants to do without tetrahydrocannabinol can also access it.

The entourage effect

The entourage effect is the effect that results from the combination of phytocannabinoids and various terpenes. The term is also known to some as the terpene entourage effect. This effect can be found in CBD oils. From a biological level, one has to imagine that a mixture of different plant substances in combination has a higher activity than the substances considered in isolation. Thus, a higher degree of effectiveness can be achieved through the various cannabinoids together with terpenes. With a full spectrum CBD oil, for example, a maximum entourage effect can be expected, since the entire spectrum of the cannabis plant is shown here.

CBD carrier oil

The CBD extract can be supplied to the body through products such as cannabidiol oil. There are different types of edible oils that can be mixed with said extract. The most common are hemp oil or hemp seed oil and MCT oil (coconut oil). Hemp seed oil is used for the most part because it fits perfectly with cannabidiol and cannabis and is also very healthy because it contains omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids. However, many customers often note that it can have a rather bitter and earthy taste.

An alternative is MCT oil. This has a very neutral taste and is processed even faster by the body. This means that the effects of CBD can also occur more quickly. In addition, it also has omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids and is also considered extremely healthy. That was reason enough for us at Malama, this carrier oil for ours CBD oils to use.

CBD and THC - origin

CBD (cannabidiol) and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) are the two most famous cannabinoids that can be extracted from the female hemp plant. There are innumerable different types and hybrids of hemp. In Germany, however, it is only important that their THC content must not exceed 0,2%. [1]

The cannabinoids, THC and CBD, are both extracted from resin droplets that form on trichomes (plant hairs) on the surface of the female cannabis flower. But not only the hemp species, their genetics and the origin of the two cannabidoids are extremely similar, the chemical structure is also the same. Both structural formulas consist of 21 carbon atoms, 30 hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom (C21H3002). However, there is one important difference: while THC has an oxygenium, CBD binds a hydroxyl group there. The effects of this small difference are fundamental: THC gets you high, CBD doesn't.

Different effects of CBD and THC on our body

The small difference in chemical structure has a big impact on how ours work Endocannabinoid System. The endocannabinoid system is found throughout the body, but mostly in the nervous and immune systems. It works as a kind of control system in the body to direct various activities. When it comes to THC and CBD, the CB1 and CB2 receptors are particularly important. The CB1 receptor is mainly located in the central nervous system, while CB2 receptors are more common in the immune system.

The intoxicating effect of THC comes from the fact that the THC docks with the receptors CB1 and CB2 and thus triggers a feeling that can be compared to a runner's high. The CB1 receptor is mainly responsible for the psychoactive effects of THC. CBD, on the other hand, has a regulating and stimulating effect on the receptors and thus has a positive influence on our immune system, as well as on our well-being and the resulting motivation. It has no intoxicating effects. One Study even shows that CBD negatively affects the binding of THC to the receptors. This is because, unlike THC, CBD does not bind to the receptors, but only occupies them. So when cannabidiol occupies the receptors, the THC cannot dock and thus it inhibits the feeling of being high, but promotes our body's own endocannabinoids.

CBD also has other mechanisms that have a positive effect on our body: It can block pain signals because it docks with the vanilloid pain receptors and it has a positive effect on the GABA receptor, which is responsible for relaxation and a good night's sleep.

However, research in this area is not very advanced. Above all, there is disagreement about the effective dosage, since in medical studies the dosage is often much higher than it is in everyday life. A clear separation should also be made here between medical CBD and CBD in everyday use.

Normal use with a normal Dosage CBD is therefore suitable, for example, for faster muscle regeneration in athletes or for better general well-being.

Comparison - side effects

As we have just seen, the cannabinoids CBD and THC act differently on our bodies. Because of this, they also have various side effects. In addition to the positive effects of THC on being high, euphoria and serenity, the psychoactive effects of THC can also have negative effects. Fear and panic can occur, as well as restrictions on action due to impaired movement and short-term memory. In addition, it can lead to nausea, dizziness, rapid heartbeat and circulatory collapse.

CBD, on the other hand, is considered to be almost free of side effects. In addition, unlike THC and other drugs, cannabidiol is not addictive.

Ingestion of CBD and THC

Probably the best-known ingestion of THC-containing cannabis products is smoking. Smoking or the vaporizer are mainly used for consumption as a leisure activity and THC as a drug. The effect occurs quickly with these variants. However, only vaporizing is also suitable for medical use, since it does not absorb any toxins. Another option is to take products containing THC orally. This works, for example, through food or drinks. The effects are described as long-lasting, but it takes longer to work and the dose is difficult to estimate. Other medicinal cannabis products are tinctures, sprays, ointments or suppositories, some of which can also have a specific effect on the areas applied. However, not all options for taking THC-containing products are prescribed by doctors in Germany. This only affects a few prescription drugs, as well as dried cannabis flowers. Overall, it can be said that the consumption of THC-containing products is either medicinal in nature or used as a leisure activity and can only be legally acquired in Germany with a prescription.

It looks a little different with products containing CBD. Most people take CBD less as a recreational product, but also not as a drug, as research has scarcely been able to show any results in this regard and only a few Medicines containing CBD on the German market. Many people expect CBD to have a regenerative effect after exercise, as well as an opportunity to fall asleep better or to generally get a more relaxed feeling and therefore consume the products in corresponding situations in everyday life. Products containing CBD come in various forms and levels of CBD. The best known product is the CBD oil. Said oil can either be consumed directly, with food or in a drink. Another well-known product is this CBD liquidwhich can be smoked as an e-cigarette or vaporizer. There are also capsules containing CBD, creams and cosmetic products, crystals, gummy bears and other foods containing CBD. So far, only a few drugs with CBD content have been approved in Germany. The best known is Epidiolex, which is mainly used to treat epilepsy.

CBD and THC - what is legal?

Keyword addiction potential, drugs and medication: Are CBD and THC legal or illegal in Germany? And how does that look with you drug test out?

Due to its psychoactive effects and intoxicating condition, THC is banned in Germany and it is tested for it in drug tests. As a drug, however, it can be prescribed by doctors. In order to get more information and results with drugs containing THC, people who have been prescribed THC by a doctor have to take part in a companion study.

In contrast, CBD is not recognized as a drug and only in a few cases as a drug, but as a dietary supplement. It is important that the THC content must not exceed 0,2%. CBD itself is not tested in drug tests, although it can be tested in isolation. This is because the effect is not psychoactive, there are no debilitating side effects, and there is no potential for addiction. In order to test positive with a normal drug test with a CBD product with ≤ 0,2% THC, it requires the ingestion of unnatural amounts. However, there are also people who, because of their job, have to take regular drug tests and therefore want to avoid the consumption of THC completely. This includes, for example, police officers or (professional) athletes.

To be clear again: with normal consumption of CBD oil (≤ 0,2% THC) you don't have to worry about a positive drug test, for example when driving a car. However, if you want to be on the safe side, you can use completely THC-free CBD oil.

CBD for dogs, cats and horses

We humans are not the only ones who can benefit from the non-psychoactive cannabinoid cannabidiol. Since mammals, fish and molluscs also have an endocannabinoid system (ECS), animals can also benefit here.

How does CBD work in animals?

The interaction between CBD and an animal's body is comparable to that of a human. This is simply because of the endocannabinoid system. The cannabidiol from the cannabis plant supports the ECS in its tasks. Again, the CB1 and CB2 receptors are activated by CBD.

There are some clinical studies with CBD out there dogs, cats and horses. This shows that science is developing more and more interest in this area too, in order to be able to research the full potential of cannabidiol.

However, it must of course also be noted here that every animal is unique and accordingly the effect has a different impact. Thus, even in animals, CBD can be a good alternative for some areas to conventional medicine. However, it is advisable to discuss this topic around cannabidiol with your veterinarian again, as it generally depends on the individual circumstances of the animal. He can then follow and assess the process of treatment with CBD.

Side effects: CBD in animals

According to the current study situation, CBD has no known side effects and negative interactions in animals. Even if it shouldn't normally be a problem to give your pet cannabidiol in combination with medication and other food supplements, you should consult a veterinarian who will be at your side with specialist medical knowledge.

The therapeutic value of CBD is very promising. For decades, outdated laws have banned a plant that has properties that can become one of the main alternative medicines for modern diseases. CBD is polypharmacological, which means it can affect several different pathways in the body at once. This in turn makes it very difficult to research this molecule, as it is almost impossible to say what influence these different interactions have on one another. Regardless of a lack of high quality human studies, many patients find value with this cannabinoid.

Even if cannabidiol has already been able to help many people, it should of course not be viewed as a healing miracle cure. As it is mentioned again and again in all the research reports, CBD does not work the same for everyone. Accordingly, more studies have to be carried out in order to be able to research the effectiveness of cannabidiol in detail. This means that in the future you will also have representative studies that you can refer to.