CBD 101: The Basics for Beginners

Understanding the cannabinoid known as cannabidiol (CBD) involves exploring how it’s produced by the hemp plant, the process of its extraction, and its interaction with the human body. The complexity can be daunting, given the extensive science behind it. Let’s simplify this and delve into what is essentially CBD for Beginners.

FIRST, THERE’S HEMP

Hemp has a long history of cultivation, dating back thousands of years. It was a crucial source of durable fiber, especially significant for maritime shipping prior to the Steam Age. However, from 1938 to 2018, with limited exceptions, it was illegal to grow, own, or use hemp for research in the U.S. The 2018 Farm Bill amendments legalized the cultivation of industrial hemp, which must contain less than 0.3 percent of ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) — merely trace amounts. THC is known for its psychoactive, euphoric effects. CBD and THC are two of the over 400 compounds present in hemp.

FROM HEMP COMES CBD.

CBD, derived from hemp, is sourced from the plant’s flowers, leaves, and seeds, which are separated from the stalks during harvest. There are various extraction methods, including the use of alcohol, ethanol, or CO2, and the extracted CBD must be heated to activate it through decarboxylation. Canopy specifically produces CBD isolate for its softgels, oils, and creams, which involves multiple refinement stages of the hemp extract to ensure precise CBD amounts and consistency without any THC. Other methods may yield broad-spectrum CBD, with a wider range of active ingredients, or full-spectrum CBD, which includes THC.

This outlines the origins of hemp-derived CBD and its extraction process, but what about its interaction with our bodies?

THE ENDOCANNABINOID SYSTEM

Humans, along with most vertebrates, naturally produce endocannabinoids that engage with receptors throughout our bodies. The endocannabinoid system (ECS) plays a role in regulating various physiological processes, including pain sensation, sleep, inflammation, memory, digestion, immune response, and neuroprotection. When CBD is introduced into the body—be it in a carrier oil, topical cream, or edible form—it interacts with the ECS without directly binding to its primary receptors. Consequently, CBD does not produce the intoxicating, euphoric effects associated with THC; rather, it may help mitigate these effects.

The long-standing criminalization of cannabis in all its forms hindered comprehensive research into cannabinoids’ full impact on the body. However, scientists are now actively conducting the clinical trials needed to substantiate the anecdotal reports and theoretical science suggesting CBD’s potential benefits.