As legal cannabis continues to sink into the public consciousness, with numerous stories on the news every night and articles appearing in magazines like Forbes and The Wall Street Journal, awareness has expanded. The general public is now becoming aware of the different components of the plant, beyond THC, and the various functions of cannabinoids and terpenes prevalent in the plant. But one cannabinoid has stood out in particular.
From some media reports, you would think CBD is a silver bullet, a wonder drug capable of fixing every malady known to man. Arthritis? CBD. Anxiety? CBD. Depression? CBD! Others caution that what you’re buying may be ‘cut’ with impurities that not only affect the potency of the product, but could even have adverse effects on your health. So what exactly is CBD? Where can you find it, and how do you know what you’re getting? And why should dispensary-sourced, cannabis-derived CBD products be your go-to choice when it comes to getting exactly what you’re expecting?
WHAT IS CBD?
Cannabidiol, or CBD, is – in simple terms – a non-psychoactive compound found in cannabis and hemp that has been found to have several medicinal uses. It is found in several different types of cannabis plants. In the hemp plant there is a very small concentration, while cannabis plants heavy in CBD can have upwards of 25% of the compound. Out of the known cannabinoids, one reason CBD has gotten a lot of attention is due to its medicinal qualities. While federal research is sparse, people from all walks of life suffering from a myriad of chronic illnesses attest that CBD products have done more for their afflictions than any prescription drug. In terms of abuse, the World Health Organization has stated that there have been no findings that cannabis would signal a potential for abuse by users.
IF CBD IS A CANNABINOID, WHY DOESN’T IT GET YOU HIGH?
CBD is one of many non-psychoactive cannabinoids found in cannabis and hemp. Non-psychoactive means that you do not experience a high feeling. The fact is, only a few cannabinoids have psychoactive properties, and CBD is not one of them.
WHAT CAN CBD HELP WITH?
CBD is used to treat a wide array of conditions. One reason for this is that it stimulates your body’s natural endocannabinoid system to create homeostasis. What this means simply is the CBD promotes balance. If your muscles are inflamed, it spurs your body to make it not so. If you are experiencing pain, CBD tells your brain through the endocannabinoid system to no longer receive those messages. This encouraging of balance is why CBD can help with pain, inflammation, nausea, anxiety, among other highly varied ailments. There can be side effects; dry mouth, dizziness, and changes in appetite. Although these side effects are reported to be less pronounced than when using prescription medications.
WHERE CAN I GET CBD PRODUCTS?
Products purporting to include CBD and its benefits have popped up everywhere. Walk into any gas station in America and there’s a good chance there will be a small display next to the register stocked with colorful bags of CBD gummies. While these seem to be a convenient and easy choice, the fact is that without proper regulation consumers have no idea what they are actually getting. Several investigations across the country have yielded products that contained no CBD whatsoever, some tested positive for THC! This isn’t the only reason why you should avoid buying CBD from a gas station. CBD really shines when it is paired with a small amount of THC. When you’re dealing with gas station CBD, you are dealing with hemp-derived product, which will not contain the THC necessary to give CBD its proper kick. So, while you may be consuming a suitable dosage of CBD, you are still not getting the full, proper effect. The reality is that all CBD products available at gas stations should be avoided because they are not regulated or tested like their cannabis-derived counterparts at registered cannabis dispensaries.
WHERE CAN I FIND REGULATED AND TESTED CANNABIS-DERIVED CBD PRODUCTS?
The best and most reliable source of CBD is through a registered dispensary. Insa’s CBD Relieve/Recover product line includes a wide range of products geared to treat a variety of symptoms. Although availability changes, flower options include Ancestral Skunk, CBD Divine, and Shark Shock. Shark Shock is also available in a concentrated distillate form for higher potency, in both 510 Cartridge and Dart Pods. By way of concentrates, Insa’s CBD shatter is renowned for its unique texture and flavor. Fruit chews with CBD are also available, in addition to our line of capsules and tinctures. For those seeking topical relief, be on the lookout for our new line of lotions and balms – coming soon to Insa Easthampton and Insa Springfield.
