What is CBD?

Posted on April 13th, 2020 to Education by

The passing of the 2018 Farm Bill allowed for the agricultural production of hemp, as well as removed hemp from the Federal Drug Enforcement Agency’s (DEA) schedule of controlled substances. Since the passing of this bill, hemp has become a staple in many’s wellness routines & hemp is now widely being grown throughout the country. At RopaNa, our hemp is all grown, harvested and extracted in Vermont, or on other trusted farms in the USA.

Often sold as CBD oil, or as a topical formulation, hemp has provided relief to countless individuals across the globe. The growing industry is predicted by analysts to be worth $22 billion by 2022

Hemp contains over 100 different phyto-cannabinoids, or naturally occurring plant compounds, that have several different therapeutic applications and uses. CBD (AKA Cannabidiol), is unique from it’s sister cannabinoid, THC, because it is non-intoxicating, meaning it doesn’t get you “high”. Studies have shown CBD acts as a powerful potent anti-inflammatory agent, along with a diverse number of other potential therapeutic uses.

To learn more on what CBD is compared to THC, check out our other blog.

How does CBD make me feel so good? Will it work for me?

 

Many people report using CBD to help with a variety of issues such as chronic pain and to alleviate anxiety.

To fully understand what CBD is, and how it works in our bodies, we have to understand the systems our body has in place to metabolize it to cause therapeutic effects.

Which brings us to…

The Endocannabinoid System

The Endocannabinoid System (ECS) is a complex communication system found naturally in our bodies throughout every major organ system and even in our brain. Our bodies relies on the ECS to maintain balance of many physiological processes such as digestion/appetite, sleep, mood, memory, pain and inflammation.

How CBD Interacts With The Endocannabinoid System (ECS)

We naturally produce chemical messengers in our bodies called Endocannabinoids that interact and activate this system at receptor sites. CBD, and other phyto-cannabinoids, closely mimic these endocannabinoids in structure, so are able to be incorporated into our natural body chemistry with ease. The molecular structure of CBD allows it able to “dock” into a receptor site, much like a lock and key, initiating chemical processes in our bodies that allow for certain therapeutic effects.

The ECS is a system composed of neurons, neural pathways & receptors located in our nervous system. Two of the most studied receptor sites within the ECS are the CB1 and CB2 sites. CB1 receptors are found throughout the brain and nervous system while CB2 sites are primarily located in the immune system and digestive tract. 

CBD’s Potential Therapeutic Properties

CBD is an extremely versatile compound with many diverse effects. A few of its potential health benefits include:

Theres many studies being currently conducted on the therapeutic effects of CBD, but our customer reviews have shown us just how much potential CBD has to aid in one’s wellness.

[Read Our Customer Reviews in our Shop ]

How CBD Oil is made?

There is a variety of ways that CBD is extracted from the hemp plant and formulated into products. We will focus on the methods used for producing RopaNa products:

Extraction

At RopaNa, we choose only extracts that have been processed in the most safe, responsible and natural ways and with the consumer in mind.

Once the hemp is harvested, CBD is extracted from the whole plant using organic ethanol (drinking alcohol). The ethanol acts as a solvent to strip away any plant compounds from the plant material. The solution is then gently heated to evaporate and remove the ethanol, leaving behind a purified hemp extract. This resulting resinous extract contains all of the other natural plant compounds also found on the hemp plant, including terpenes, and other cannabinoids like CBG & CBC. Our Full spectrum hemp extract is certified organic every step of the way.

[ Shop our Full Spectrum Products ]

For THC-free hemp extracts, an extra purification process is required to remove any THC present on the hemp plant. (note: hemp plants by law are allowed to contain up to 0.3% THC by weight). Using column chromatography, only the CBD compound is isolated from all other plant compounds, resulting in a 99% pure CBD isolate that appears as a crystalline white powder.

[ Shop our THC- FREE CBD Products ]

Formulation

Once the CBD has been purified, we formulate our Nectars only with Organic MCT oil that is 100% derived from coconuts. MCT stands for Medium Chain Triglycerides. MCT’s are a type of saturated fatty acid that has been refined to remove all long chain triglyerides, resulting in a fractionated coconut oil that is more easily digested and bioavailable for brain energy. Unlike other saturated fatty acids, MCT is quickly absorbed and not stored in the body as fat. CBD is a fat soluble compound, so it is easily incorporated with MCT oil when gently heated. The resulting formulation allows for CBD to be absorbed in the largest concentrations since it has been partnered with a fatty acid that has optimal absorption capabilities. MCT also acts to protect CBD from being broken down prematurely in the digestive system.

MCT has been widely used for many years in wellness routines and as a dietary supplement. One of the reasons why we love MCT oil, is its numerous health benefits it provides in addition to the CBD.

By using coconut derived MCT Oil in our oral formulations, we can provide you with the most effective and healthiest way to consume your daily CBD.

Full Spectrum, Broad Spectrum & Isolate: What’s the difference?

CBD can be extracted from hemp and purified into three different types: full spectrum, broad spectrum and isolate.

Full Spectrum CBD

Full Spectrum CBD means that the extract has the “full spectrum” of plant compounds found naturally on the hemp plant. This includes all of the plant’s various compounds such as cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids. The compounds work together to enhance each other, a phenomenon titled “The Entourage Effect.” You can learn more about that here.

Because of all of the terpenes and flavonoids present, this hemp extract has a robust hemp smell and flavor. Full Spectrum CBD may also contain trace amounts of THC (up to 0.3%), however this small amount is not considered intoxicating.

Research has shown that full spectrum products can be more effective than CBD isolate alone because of the Entourage Effect that is created when all these compounds are present together, just as natured intended.

Broad Spectrum CBD

Broad spectrum CBD is similar to Full Spectrum, however, contains no THC. This extract still contains all other natural hemp compounds, but further processing has removed THC.

CBD Isolate

CBD Isolates, or THC-free CBD, however, still deliver incredible results on its own, which is why our THC-Free Nectars have been our Best Selling products for several years now. An isolate, like its name implies, is pure 95-99% CBD extracted using a multi-step extraction method, as explained above. It contains no additional plant compounds and is 100% THC-free. CBD Isolate is also flavorless and odorless since all other plant compounds have been removed, making this a preferred choice for those that do not tolerate the natural robust hemp flavor or Full Spectrum CBD. Some of our customers also find that using the isolate is preferable to full spectrum oils, stating that the THC-free CBD allows them to feel more “alert” and less “sleepy”. This sleepy feeling is likely due to the trace amount of THC in full spectrum extracts.

(Note: Due to a certain genetic polymorphism present in a small percentage of individuals, some may be overly sensitive to THC, which is why we recommend new CBD users to try Full Spectrum CBD for the first time at home, with no plans to drive or operate machinery before knowing how it may affect you.)

Another added bonus of CBD isolates is that since they are 100% THC-free, you can be assured you don’t ever have to worry about testing positive for a drug screening.

How to use CBD in my life:

 

One of the most common CBD products are CBD oils, which are formulated for sublingual use (under the tongue). However, our CBD oils can also be mixed into any food or beverage that contains fat. Blending CBD oils with food, however, will require your dose to be digested before being absorbed, so time of onset will be increased.

We love blending CBD oil into our smoothies, salad dressings or mixing it into our morning Chai Tea. We here at RopaNa are proud to say we’ve put a lot of time and effort into perfecting our CBD oils. All of the CBD we produce is made using local, fair-trade and/or organic ingredients. We also make sure every product is third party lab tested so you know exactly what you’re consuming. 

Our Entourage CBD oils are full spectrum products. We also have isolate CBD oil options available via our Nectar line. These oils are directly absorbed via capillaries under the tongue and our customers report a typical onset time of 30 minutes to 2 hours. Typical duration time is 4-6 hours, however results vary drastically from person to person due to many different biological factors. Each bottle comes with an easy dose dropper, so you can easily choose the desired amount of CBD you would like to take. Studies have shown that the most optimal time to take CBD is 30 minutes after consuming a fatty meal, causing CBD to be 5x more bioavailable for our ECS.

We also offer topical CBD products. Our topical products have been formulated for external use and localized applications. Topicals provide fast relief and may help with a variety of conditions from skin issues, to muscle aches and beyond. Many customers love using our CBD Salve for these reasons. Topicals are more fast acting, generally providing relief within a few minutes, but may last for less time than tinctures.

Another topical product we offer that is quickly becoming a Customer favorite is our CBD Face oil that has been formulated with all organic botanicals. Every ingredient has been chosen with intention. We formulated this to address every and all skin needs. We wanted something that would be gentle enough on sensitive skin, but also pack enough moisture and healing properties to address more problematic issues like oiliness, dryness, wrinkles, uneven pigmentation, complexion, acne & inflammation. We also love this formula for our hair (and beard).

Is CBD Right For Me? 

Many people report using CBD to improve their quality of life and improve their wellness. A 2019 Quartz survey conducted by the Harris Poll revealed 50% of Americans polled used CBD for stress/anxiety relief. A number of those who were surveyed also reported using CBD for pain relief—specifically for muscle, joint and chronic pain.

While CBD isn’t currently FDA approved, RopaNa follows strict guidelines, procedures and regulations to ensure consistent, safe and accurately dosed products.

CBD, however, can have some drug interactions, which is always why it’s best to talk to your doctor if you have any concerns before adding CBD to your daily wellness routine.

We feel blessed to be able to provide you with high quality products to help you access the healing power of the hemp plant. We wish you all the best in your wellness journey!

Love,

Andrew and Rachael

Questions:

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