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CBD & Your Endocannabinoid System(ECS)

Our ECS (Endocannabinoid System)

Choosing Quality CBD Products

If you’re new to CBD, there’s a good chance that you are feeling overwhelmed with the number of products on the market. We want to share what we have learned along the way to help you better understand how to navigate products and find ones that work for you. It can be challenging and overwhelming to research and find a quality product. Here’s a basic guide on how to quickly identify quality CBD products:

Hemp Origin & Processing

Complete disclosure of the origin of the hemp and the location of processing should be readily available. Companies with quality products will transparently disclose where the hemp is grown. Support companies with organic and sustainable growing practices within the USA to guarantee a quality product free of impurities and chemicals.

Quantity of Cannabinoids

We recommend carefully evaluating the price of the CBD product in comparison to the milligrams of CBD per bottle. The price often reflects the quantity and quality of cannabinoids. Cannabinoid profiles and concentrations should be easy to find and review. CBD is only one of the many beneficial cannabinoids found in hemp. Quality products must list the CBD quantity in addition to other beneficial cannabinoids, flavonoids, and terpenes. Consumers should carefully consider the cannabinoid content to determine product potency and efficacy. Unfortunately, many companies reduce the amount of CBD in their products to keep cost low.

Hemp Seed Oil vs Hemp Extract Oil

In contrast to hemp extract oil, hemp seed oil is extracted from only the seeds of the industrial hemp plant and contains omegas but only a very small and often undetectable quantities of cannabinoids. Hemp seed oil is significantly cheaper and does not contain the powerful cannabinoids that are found in whole plant hemp oil extract. We recommend choosing full spectrum hemp extract for the maximum health and wellness benefits of the entourage effect, that is, unless you are concerned with consuming trace amounts of THC. If you do not wish to consume THC, then choose either a broad spectrum or CBD isolate oil. 

Lab Test Results

3rd party lab testing should be readily available for review. Look for testing that includes cannabinoid quantities (including CBD), heavy metal and pesticide testing. All 3rd party testing should be easy to find and correlate with a batch number or QR code on every product. We do not recommend purchasing any CBD product that you cannot find test results for. 

Beware of Extravagant Medical Claims

CBD is not approved by the FDA to treat, diagnose or cure any medical diseases or illnesses*. Companies that promote products by promising to cure serious medical illnesses should be avoided.

We know CBD is powerful and many research studies are in process to evaluate and prove that CBD can be used medically. However, medical claims should not be made by companies until having complete FDA approval and with research to back it up.

*EPIDIOLEX is the first and only FDA‑approved prescription cannabidiol (CBD). It is approved to treat seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS), Dravet syndrome, or tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) in patients 1 year of age and older.

CBD & Other Medications

CBD seems to be all the rage these days, and while we love the wide range of potential benefits of ‘Earth’s Gift Plant,’ you should always consult your doctor before adding it to your daily routine. CBD is a biologically active compound and, as such, it may have unintended interactions with supplements, herbal products, or over-the-counter and prescription medications you may be taking.

Potential Side Effects

While generally considered safe, CBD may cause drowsiness, lightheadedness, nausea, diarrhea, dry mouth, and, in rare instances, damage to the liver. Taking CBD with other medications that have similar side effects may increase the risk of unwanted symptoms or toxicity. In other words, taking CBD at the same time with over the counter or prescription medications and substances that cause sleepiness, such as opioids, benzodiazepines (such as Xanax or Ativan), antipsychotics, antidepressants, antihistamines (such as Benadryl) or alcohol, may lead to increased sleepiness, fatigue, and possible impairment. Increased sedation and tiredness may also happen when using certain herbal supplements, such as kava, melatonin, and St. John’s wort. Taking CBD with stimulants (such as Adderal) may lead to decreased appetite, and while taking it with the diabetes drug metformin or certain heartburn drugs (such as Prilosec) could increase the risk of diarrhea.

Altered Effects of Other Drugs

Many drugs are broken down by enzymes in the liver, and CBD may compete for or interfere with these enzymes, leading to too much or not enough of the drug in the body, called altered concentration. The altered concentration, in turn, may lead to the medication not working, or an increased risk of side effects. Such drug interactions are usually hard to predict but can cause unpleasant and sometimes serious problems. Potentially serious drug interactions with CBD include:

• a common blood thinner, warfarin
• a heart rhythm medication, amiodarone
• a thyroid medication, levothyroxine
• several medications for seizures, including clobazam, lamotrigine, and valproate

Does the form of CBD matter?

Absolutely. Inhaled CBD gets into the blood the fastest, reaching high concentration within 30 minutes and increasing the risk of acute side effects. Edibles require longer time to absorb and are less likely to produce a high concentration peak, although they may eventually reach high enough levels to cause an issue or interact with other medications. Topical formulations, such as creams and lotions may not absorb and get into the blood in sufficient amount to interact with other medications, although there is very little information on how much of CBD ultimately gets into the blood using topicals.

The Bottom Line: Talk to Your Doctor 

CBD has the potential to interact with many other products, including over-the-counter medications, herbal products, and prescription medications. Some medications should never be taken with CBD; the use of other medications may need to be modified or reduced to prevent serious issues. The consequences of drug interactions also depends on many other factors, including the dose of CBD, the dose of other medications, and a person’s underlying and overall health.

CBD for Beginners

As CBD is currently flying off the shelves, a flood of new brands has taken over the market, making it challenging to find the right CBD product for you. Here at Hemped Park City, we can assist you with finding the best CBD products that suit you by starting with the basics and providing an understanding of what CBD is, along with describing its many forms.
CBD is the second most common cannabinoid derived from the cannabis plant. It doesn’t contain any psychoactive components and is known to offer help (for some) with issues such as inflammation/pain, anxiety, and insomnia. Legal CBD is extracted from the dried and cured hemp flower (a cannabis plant that contains less than 0.3% THC). The compound is later processed into three different concentrate forms: full spectrum, broad spectrum distillate, or isolate.

Full-Spectrum

Full-spectrum CBD oil is essentially the “full package,” providing the entirety of cannabinoids and other compounds that are thought to work together synergistically to enhance their benefits in a theory called the entourage effect. For those looking to get the most out of CBD, or the entourage effect by promoting balance in the body while supporting a healthy diet for the body, full-spectrum CBD oil is the way to go.  Please note that full-spectrum CBD oil is not recommended for those who need to be THC-free.

Broad-Spectrum and Distillate

Broad-spectrum is basically full-spectrum without the THC!  Broad-spectrum still contains most of the other constituents in hemp, but THC is specifically removed via distillation. It is first extracted as full-spectrum oil, then undergoes additional refinement in order to become the broad-spectrum we know and love. It is also made by starting with Isolate and adding cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids back in. Both ways end up with a honey-like concentrated substance with at least 80% CBD content.
The biggest benefit of broad-spectrum is that it allows consumers to completely avoid any THC, without having to eliminate the entourage effect. That being said, it may not contain the complete benefits that full-spectrum CBD offers to users.

Isolate

CBD isolate is pure CBD. The way it is made is by continuing the refinement process used for broad-spectrum until only the pure form of CBD in solid crystalline or powder form is left. One of the biggest advantages of isolate is that it does not contain any THC. It also offers the highest concentration of CBD possible (usually over 99% pure). This means that even one gram of isolate can carry around 990mg of CBD. But there is also no possibility of experiencing the entourage effect with isolate.
Many studies have shown that full- and broad-spectrum are still more effective overall than isolate, but as each body is unique, it’s quite possible that CBD isolate could be the perfect fit for you.

What are Terpenes?

Terpenes are highly aromatic compounds that determine the smell of many plants and herbs, think of rosemary and lavender.  Some larger and more complex terpenes occur in some animals.

Manufacturers use isolated terpenes to create the flavors and scents of many everyday products, such as perfumes, body products, and even foods. Terpenes play a vital role in plants. In some plants, terpenes attract pollinators, while in other plants, they cause a strong reaction to repel predators, such as insects or foraging animals. Some terpenes play a protective role in the plant, helping the plant to recover from damage; others act as a part of the plant’s immune system to keep away infectious germs.

How do Terpenes affect people?

Many terpenes are bioactive, which means they may affect the body. This effect will vary based on the concentration of the terpene itself and how a person uses it. Because terpenes produce vibrant smells, they form the basis of many essential oils and are an integral part of many alternative therapies, such as aromatherapy. Inhaling the scents from some plants and essential oils may affect a person’s mood and stress levels. Some people believe that terpenes will affect or enhance the benefits a person gets from using cannabis. This is known as the Entourage Effect, and it implies that terpenes enhance or alter the effects of THC and CBD in the body.

Types of Terpenes and potential benefits.

While there are many terpenes in the natural world, scientists have only studied a handful. Examples of better-known terpenes include:

Limonene

Limonene is a common terpene that most people can recognize by its scent. As the name suggests, limonene gives the rinds of fruits such as lemons and oranges their citrusy smell.

A study in Chemico-Biological Interactions notes that limonene contains the following therapeutic properties:

• anti-inflammatory
• antioxidant
• antiviral
• antidiabetic
• anticancer

Limonene appears to modulate the way certain immune cells behave, which may protect the body from a range of disorders. Limonene is also safe for people to take as a supplement.

Pinene

Pinene is another naturally abundant terpene. There are two forms of pinene: a-pinene and b-pinene. Pinene provides the fresh, bright scent of many plants, including pine needles, rosemary, and basil. Pinene may also have some therapeutic benefits.

Shirin-yoku, which means “forest bathing,” is a Japanese therapy that involves taking leisurely walks in the forest, soaking up the atmosphere, and enjoying the scent. Shirin-yoku may have preventative and restorative effects on a person’s psyche and physiology.

A study in Acta Salus Vitae notes that the amount of pinene in the air of a healthy forest is enough to be therapeutic. Pinene acts as a bronchodilator, allowing more air into the lungs. It also has an anti-inflammatory effect and may fight against some infectious germs when inhaled.

Linalool

Linalool is most abundant in the lavender plant and gives the flower its rich scent. Linalool is one of the more important compounds in aromatherapy and is responsible for the calming effect many people get when smelling lavender or its essential oil.

A study in Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces notes that linalool may affect the body in a variety of ways due to a range of properties, including:

• anti-inflammatory
• antimicrobial
• neuroprotective
• antidepressant
• anticancer
• anti-anxiety

Linalool does appear to act on the body, but researchers must study its effects further to understand how people can use it to benefit their health.

Myrcene

Myrcene is a terpene commonly found in plants such as hops, lemongrass, and thyme. The flowers of the cannabis plant also contain myrcene.

Myrcene is a powerful antioxidant. One study in mice concludes that myrcene could help protect the brain from oxidative damage following a stroke.

Another study in mice found that myrcene had a similar protective effect in heart tissue. The researchers note that myrcene may be a useful alternative treatment after ischemic stroke.

Another study in a cell model of osteoarthritis noted that myrcene appears to have an anti-inflammatory effect and may prevent the breakdown of some cartilage cells. This could make it useful against osteoarthritis.

Beta-caryophyllene

Beta-caryophyllene exists in many herbs and vegetables, such as cloves and black pepper.

Similarly to other terpenes, beta-caryophyllene may have an anti-inflammatory effect on the body that could reduce pain levels in some people.

In one animal study, beta-caryophyllene reduced pain from inflammation and nerve pain. The researches noted that this anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect might be useful for treating long-term chronic pain because the body showed no sign of developing a tolerance to these effects.

Humulene

Humulene is a key component of the hop plant. Other plants, such as clove and ginger, also contain it.

One study in Frontiers in Pharmacology notes that terpenes, including humulene, may have potential for preventing allergic reactions and asthma. In animal models, humulene reduced allergic inflammation in the airways. This could make it a helpful compound for natural asthma treatments in the future.

Another study in Food and Chemical Toxicology found that humulene may also have a protective effect in some cells. This protective effect could guard against cancer. However, this is just preliminary evidence, and researchers must continue to study the effects of humulene to back up these claims.