Whenever someone starts CBD oil for the first time, the same questions seem to pop up, so I wanted to make one master-sheet containing the answers to any and every question you may have. But if you think anything is missing, please do let me know and I’ll make sure to add it!
What Is CBD?
CBD stands for cannabidiol, which is compound found in the cannabis plant. It’s one of the primary active compounds found in relatively high quantities compared to the other cannabinoids.
Will CBD Make Me High?
No, CBD cannot make you high as it isn’t psychoactive. The cannabinoid that gets you high is THC. For this reason, THC must be under 0.2% in the UK and 0.3% in the USA, which means it will have a small quantity in full spectrum CBD oil, but not enough to make you high. For this reason, if you are drug tested, you should opt for a broad spectrum or an isolate, which contains zero THC.
What’s The Difference Between Hemp And Marijuana?
Both are forms of cannabis, however hemp plants contain less than 0.3% THC content in dry weight, whereas marijuana has higher than 0.3% THC. Hemp is used to make a number of different products, from clothing to topical treatments, whereas marijuana is largely used for medical or recreational purposes.
The cultivation process is also very different between marijuana and hemp, with marijuana requiring a lot more supervision in a controlled atmosphere. You can also often see a clear difference between the two, mainly in the leaves.
Is CBD Legal?
It depends which country you are in and the quantity of THC in the product. I’ve written an article showing which countries CBD is legal in. For the vast majority, it is either illegal or only allowed up to 0.2% THC.
Does CBD Come From Marijuana Or Hemp?
While CBD can be found in both forms of cannabis, the CBD oil products you’re trying are from industrial hemp, which have high quantities of CBD and very low levels of THC. As previously mentioned, if the plant contains over 0.3% THC then it is counted as marijuana.
How Do I Take CBD?
Your consumption method depends on the form you take it in. Most people have it as an oil, which means it should be taken sublingually, meaning putting drops under your tongue and holding them there for 1-2 minutes, before swallowing the rest. You can also get CBD in many other forms, such as gummies and topical treatments.
What Is The Entourage Effect?
The entourage effect is the phenomenon that the cannabinoids, flavonoids and terpenes found in the cannabis plant actually seem to work better when kept together rather than taking a single cannabinoid on its own. While many people see the benefits of CBD isolate and it certainly has its place, for the majority of people the full spectrum CBD oil might work better. I’ve written more about the entourage effect in this blog post.
Why Is CBD Oil So Expensive?
There are several reasons why CBD oil is so expensive. For a start, the extraction process, often being CO2 extraction, is a costly process. Hemp has also had to battle many legal limitations, meaning it isn’t a common crop we can regularly find and farms have to pass several rules to be able to grow it.
On top of this, the hemp is highly porous, while the oil would contain the pesticides if they were used, which is checked during the certificate of analysis. For this reason, chemical fertilisers and pesticides must be avoided to make this organic product. As with chicken or anything else in the organic section of a supermarket, it always comes with a premium price, but it’s worth it. The cost will also depend on the quantity of CBD actually in the bottle, so it depends on the strength you’re after.
One thing we do know however is the price of CBD oil will go down over time as the supply and demand increases and we also see enhanced extraction processes introduced.
What Type Of Forms Can You Have CBD In?
The expansion of ways you can consume CBD is growing by the day, with it already available as a CBD oil, gummies, alcohol, topical and beauty treatments, chocolates, gummies, capsules, coffee and tea, drinks, muscle recovery lotions, patches, powder, sprays and vaping.
What Are Terpenes?
These are essential oils found in a number of plants, or in this situation, found in cannabis alongside the cannabinoids. Terpenes are known to provide its colour, aroma and taste. They’re also known to have a number of potential health benefits.
How Long Does CBD Last For?
This depends on how much you consumed, when you last ate, how much you weigh, how often you take CBD, as well as a number of other factors, but most find it lasts for approximately 4 hours.
How Long Does It Take For CBD To Start Working?
It depends how you consume it. If you have CBD oil then it normally takes about 30 minutes to start working, so I would take it 40 minutes before going to bed. On the other hand, if you need a quick hit then vaping might be your answer, kicking in almost instantly.
Where Can I Buy CBD Oil?
You can find CBD stores all over the place, but most people opt to buy it online, where you can easily compare prices and various brands. I link out to all the products I’ve tried and reviewed.
What Are CBD Capsules?
CBD capsules are the capsular form of taking this cannabinoid, often also containing other ingredients which should be listed on the product page. They are a good option for those that don’t like the taste of CBD oil and want a precise dosage without any confusion. I don’t often review them on CBD Sloth as I’m not very good at swallowing capsules.
What Is CBD Alcohol?
There are a number of CBD brands launching alcohol based products containing CBD, such as in gin, rum or vodka. These are a bit of a gimmick, considering you’re having something that isn’t good for your body, therefore I don’t overly recommend them, however I do enjoy a drink as much as the next person, so I don’t want to be hypocritical and I will give a few of these a try on the website.
What Is CBD Chocolate?
This is chocolate infused with CBD, while most options are dark chocolate, around 70% cocoa. While chocolate is often seen as a negative for weight loss, dark chocolate actually has a number of health benefits if consumed in small dosages, so you can have a CBD chocolate without guilt, providing you don’t eat the whole box!
What Are CBD Patches?
These are patches you place on the skin for a constant slow release of CBD into the system. They tend to stick quite well, providing you don’t get them wet, while they normally last 6-8 hours. The most popular option is the Budslife CBD patches.
How Can I Ensure I’m Buying From A Reputable Source?
This question is what started CBD Sloth, with many of the CBD brands seeming shady at best, without many regulations in place and many brands from China containing dangerous by-chemicals. The first step should be to ensure you’re opting for a brand from a country where they must pass certain regulations to sell CBD.
The second step is to check where the hemp is grown, as again there will be farming regulations in place, which is why the EU is a great option. You should also check whether they utilise organic hemp and that all ingredients are from organic sources, meaning no chemical fertilisers or pesticides.
You should always check the CBD certificate of analysis by the third party lab, to make sure it has the stated levels of cannabinoids, as well as no traces of anything that shouldn’t be in there, such as heavy metals.
Will I Fail A Drug Test If I Take CBD Oil?
The drug test isn’t looking for CBD, it is testing for THC levels. For this reason, it depends how much THC is in the product and how much you’ve consumed. As you can imagine, a full spectrum CBD oil with low levels of THC might show up on a test, therefore it isn’t worth taking if you are in a profession where they will check, such as sports, firefighters or teachers. On the other hand, you can easily opt for a broad spectrum CBD oil or an isolate. One strong recommendation I will make is, even if it states broad spectrum, I would still contact the brand to ensure it has zero THC and to look through the third party lab test results. Many brands call it ‘broad spectrum’ when they actually mean full spectrum, seriously!
What Strength CBD Oil Should I Use?
This all depends on your budget, the amount you’ve taken in the past, the reasons for taking it and even weight can weigh in as an added factor. Most people start with a 500mg CBD oil, however if you find this doesn’t work properly for you then you can go up from here. I personally find 500mg CBD oil’s tend not to get the best results for me, but I have consumed a large quantity of CBD oil over the past year, therefore I have had to up my levels. I personally use either a 1,000mg or a 1,500mg CBD oil.
What Time Of Day Should I Take CBD Oil?
Again, this depends on you personally and why you’re taking it. You can split it into different times in the day, such as once in the morning and once in the evening. I like to take it 40 minutes before going to bed in order to help me drift off to sleep?
Why Is There MCT Oil In My Product?
This is a carrier oil, which helps to enhance the bioavailability of the CBD after consumption. MCT oil is arguably the most effective option, however some brands will try other sources such as olive oil.
Can My Pet Have CBD?
Many people do choose to give CBD to their cats and dogs, especially older ones that are struggling with stiff joints, or are suffering with anxiety. There are specific CBD products created for pets, but as I don’t yet have a pet, I’m not yet certain what the difference is between these products and your average CBD product, or if there is a difference at all.
How Long Will A Single CBD Oil Bottle Last?
It depends what size you get (most come in 10-30ml bottles), as well as the amount you consume each day. If you were to take CBD oil each day, a single bottle should last up to a month. On the other hand, some people just take CBD oil for when they feel they need the added support or an improved sleep, therefore it could potentially last longer.
Can You Overdose On CBD?
As it stands, there isn’t enough research into this subject. All the medical bodies say it’s generally fine, but almost every CBD brand I’ve used has highlighted that you shouldn’t go over 200mg of CBD in a 24 hour period. From my personal perspective, you should never go over 100mg of CBD in a day, while I most often have 20-40mg per day. The average CBD beginner will have around 10mg of CBD per day, so you shouldn’t be anywhere near this limit, providing you’re following the proper product guidance.
How Long Till A Bottle Expires?
This will depend on how long it has been sat in storage, while it’s more of a ‘best before’ rather than a clear expiry date, but most have a 1-2 year date on them. With gummies, they seem to have a 1 year date on the products I’ve received.
Do You Need A Prescription For CBD?
No, CBD can be easily purchased online or instore without any requirement for a prescription. On the other hand, you will need a prescription for medical cannabis, which will have higher levels of THC. This is possible in the USA, however despite being made possible by a doctor in the UK from 2018, no doctors are actually prescribing it. This means that most people from the UK who suffer from epilepsy are having to travel to Amsterdam to get their medication and risk breaking laws when they bring it back to the UK in their baggage.
