Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the many different compounds, known as cannabinoids, found in the cannabis plant. Cannabinoids are unique because they act on cannabinoid receptors that are part of the endocannabinoid system found throughout the body. The second most abundant compound in cannabis, CBD is not intoxicating and has none of the psychoactive properties of marijuana.
Nearly pure CBD is isolated from the other cannabinoids found in hemp oil. Hemp oil is extracted from the stalks and stems of cannabis using a chemical process and contains the full range of cannabinoids found in the plant. Oil may be obtained using solvents or with a non-toxic and non-flammable CO2 extraction method. Prevalent in the food industry, and “generally regarded as safe” by the FDA, CO2 extraction eliminates the risk of solvent residues in the final product.
CBD and the processes used by reputable companies enable the manufacture of a variety of safe CBD products. Total Health Co. ensures that its products are of the highest quality by consistently testing and using only non-GMO industrial hemp. All products manufactured by The Total Health Co. are from hemp grown outdoors under natural sunlight with pesticide-free organic practices.
WHO Report Finds No Public Health Risks Or Abuse Potential For CBD
A World Health Organization (WHO) report has found no adverse health outcomes but rather several medical applications for cannabidiol, a.k.a. CBD, despite U.S. federal policy on this cannabinoid chemical.
According to a preliminary WHO report published 2017, naturally occurring CBD is safe and well tolerated in humans (and animals), and is not associated with any negative public health effects.
CBD (cannabidiol) may interact with other medications and dosage. Consult your physician on all vitamins, supplements, prescription and over-the-counter medications you’re taking.
Table 1. Overview of diseases for which CBD may have therapeutic benefits taken from Pisanti et al (2017)
| Disease | Effects |
| Alzheimer’s disease | Ant-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiapoptotic in in vitro and in vivo models of Aβ-evoked neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative responses. |
| Parkinson’s disease | Attenuation of the dopaminergic impairment in vivo; neuroprotection; improvement of psychiatric rating and reduction of agitation, nightmare and aggressive behavior in patients. Multiple |
| Multiple sclerosis | Improved signs of EAE in mice, ant inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties |
| Huntington’s disease | Neuroprotective and antioxidant in mice transgenic models; no significant clinically important differences in patients. |
| Hypoxia-ischemia injury | Short term neuroprotective effects; inhibition of excitotoxicity, oxidative stress and inflammation in vitro and in rodent models. |
| Pain | Analgesic effect in patients with neuropathic pain resistant to other treatments. |
| Psychosis | Attenuation of the behavioral and glial changes in animal models of schizophrenia; anti-psychotic properties on ketamine-induced symptoms |
| Anxiety | Reduction of muscular tension, restlessness, fatigue, problems in concentration, improvement of social interactions in rodent models of anxiety and stress; reduced social anxiety in patients. |
| Depression | Anti-depressant effect in genetic rodent model of depression. |
| Cancer | Antiproliferative and anti-invasive actions in a large range of cancer types; induction of autophagy-mediated cancer cell death; chemo preventive effects. |
| Nausea | Suppression of nausea and conditioned gaping in rats |
| Inflammatory diseases | Ant-inflammatory properties in several in vitro and in vivo models; inhibition of inflammatory cytokines and pathways |
| Rheumatoid arthritis | Inhibition of TNF-α in an animal model |
| Infection | Activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus |
| Inflammatory bowel and Crohn’s diseases | Inhibition of macrophage recruitment and TNF-α secretion in vivo and ex vivo; reduction in disease activity index in Crohn’s patients |
| Cardiovascular diseases | Reduced infarct size through anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties in vitro and in vivo |
| Diabetic complications | Attenuation of fibrosis and myocardial dysfunction |
Hemp oil is the name given any oil derived from the hemp plant; CBD oil is an oil containing high amounts of CBD, made from either the hemp or the cannabis plant. While much CBD oil is also hemp oil, not all hemp oil is CBD oil; hemp oil made from the seeds of the hemp plant will not contain active CBD.
The health benefits of full-spectrum hemp go beyond it being a source of CBD. The array of cannabinoids and other natural constituents found in full-spectrum hemp oil work have been shown in studies to work together in what’s referred to as the “entourage effect.” Together, these compounds work harmoniously to magnify their therapeutic properties. The complex mix of cannabinoids, essential nutrients, protein, and healthy fats work synergistically to encourage homeostasis and balance in our health.
Terpenes are essential oils found in plants. There are around 200 terpenes in cannabis. They are what give cannabis its distinct aroma and flavor. Terpenes may have beneficial effects and work synergistically with cannabinoids like CBD and THC – this relationship is called the entourage effect.
The length of time it takes for CBD to take effect will depend on the route of administration. The fastest effect will be felt from smoking or vaporization (onset of effects in minutes). Topical administration of CBD will be felt quickly as well. The next fastest effect will be felt from a sublingual dosage (onset of effects in 15 – 60 minutes). The slowest effect (but the longest lasting) will be felt from oral ingestion (onset felt in 90 minutes)
Hemp and marijuana are two types of cannabis that are genetically distinct and differ in both cultivation, chemical properties, and use. Hemp is grown and cultivated for fiber and seed to produce a variety of products including foods, oils, rope, and fabrics. Marijuana is cultivated to yield high levels of the psychoactive ingredient THC, concentrated heavily in the flowers and buds. Marijuana is bred to have THC levels that can exceed 20% as opposed to hemp which has less than .3% THC and no psychoactive properties.
CBD does not have any of the psychoactive properties (such as THC) associated with marijuana and will not impair the user or get them “high.” Industrial hemp that has less than 0.3% THC content can yield high-quality CBD that is 99% pure.
Yes, as long as the CBD oil is derived from Hemp. Hemp-derived CBD products are legal under Federal Law in the United States. Cannabis derived CBD is legal for medicinal purposes.
The Hemp Farming Act of 2018 was a proposed law to remove hemp (defined as cannabis with less than 0.3% THC) from Schedule I controlled substances and making it an ordinary agricultural commodity. Its provisions were incorporated in the 2018 United States farm bill that became law on December 20, 2018.