The Ultimate CBD Recovery Guide
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From professional athletes to children dealing with debilitating illnesses, people from all walks of life are ditching prescriptions and turning to more natural plant medicine. But it’s not just any plant; they’re seeking relief from one particular cannabis compound: cannabidiol, or CBD.
Even if you don’t use cannabis, you’ve probably heard of CBD. This cannabis compound took the nation by storm in 2013 when CNN reported on a six-year-old girl named Charlotte Figi. Four years prior, she was diagnosed with Dravet Syndrome, a myoclonic form of epilepsy, that prompts as many as 300 seizures a week.
After her parents administered an oral dose of CBD oil twice a day, that number dropped to just two or three seizures each month!
Since Charlotte’ story became public CBD has continued to rise in popularity. Most dispensaries carry CBD flower, vape cartridges, edibles, and topicals. Many health food stores now sell hemp-based CBD extracts, even in states that prohibit medical cannabis.
Because CBD is non-psychoactive (it doesn’t get you high), many who don’t smoke cannabis are able to enjoy the reported health benefits of this miraculous cannabinoid.
Aside from children finding epileptic relief, CBD is also gaining traction among pro athletes. Former NFL player Leonard Marshall, a former defensive end for the New York Giants, suffered a traumatic brain injury stemming from concussions, better known as CTE.
Rather than consuming a daily pharmaceutical cocktail, Marshall turned to hemp-based CBD oil to deal with CTE side effects like persistent headaches, mood swings and depression. Now he experiences relief within minutes after taking CBD, and his migraines are gone.
But what exactly is CBD and what can it actually do? We’ve separated fact from fiction to help you understand the latest research, how CBD can be used to aid recovery, and a handful of products that the Nugg Team has quality tested and approved.
What you'll learn in this article:
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What Is CBD?
CBD is one of many chemical compounds called cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. The most popular and most widely known is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which makes you feel stoned. But CBD is different. The World Health Organization concluded that CBD alone doesn’t appear to cause intoxication.
In addition to seizure disorders, CBD is also frequently used to treat anxiety, insomnia and chronic pain. In fact, pain is the number one reason why pro athletes are putting away the pills and turning to cannabis.
When professional cyclist Andrew Talansky strained his hip flexor muscle, he turned CBD oil and found instant relief. Aside from that, he also tells Outside Magazine that the benefits didn’t stop there; he also felt less anxious and his sleep improved dramatically.
While CBD is generally considered safe to use, it does have the potential to affect certain medications, including blood thinners, so consult your physician before taking CBD.
Not all cannabis has high CBD levels; in fact, many strains available at your local recreational dispensary typically have little-to-no CBD. That’s because these commercially available strains were historically bred for their high THC content. This is changing.
Cannabis breeders increasingly recognize the demand for potent CBD strains. Some are beginning to select strains based on their ability to yield a high CBD and low THC: Sour Tsunami, Charlotte’s Web (named after Charlotte Figi), Ringo’s Gift and AC/DC, for example, typically test high in CBD.
What Do Researchers Say About CBD?
Many studies suggest that CBD may have positive health benefits. Researchers have found that orally-administered CBD may contain significant anti-inflammatory properties, offering the potential for pain reduction and reduced swelling. Another study reported that topically-administered CBD can help reduce pain and arthritic inflammation.
Neuroscientists have also studied CBD for its potential to manage symptoms of certain neurological disorders and its potential immunosuppressive properties. Another neurological study even suggested CBD might help reduce brain damage from neurodegenerative conditions like Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and Huntington’s disease.
One patient study reported that CBD use in conjunction with pharmaceutical medication helped slow the progression of some ALS symptoms, giving the patient almost complete use of two affected limbs and slowing the pace of muscular degradation.
Like other cannabinoids, CBD interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS), which regulates endocrine function (glands that secrete hormones) and controls our energy balance. In fact, our ECS plays a key role in regulating a wide range of body processes, from brain function and immune tissues to our endocrine glands and digestive system.
Researches have also found that CBD may interact with receptor sites outside the ECS, illustrating the potential to treat inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
How Can I Use CBD to Help My Body Recover?
Cannabis patients and recreational users in legal states can purchase high-CBD flower, concentrates (including vape cartridges), topicals, edibles and tinctures.
If you don’t have this access, you might find CBD oil for sale online, but it’s most likely hemp derived and doesn’t offer the same benefits that MMJ patients report. This is due to the “entourage effect,” which means all of the cannabinoids and terpenes may offer greater benefits when combined as a whole plant or a whole-plant extract.
Because CBD shows promise treating inflammation, you may be wondering how to incorporate CBD into your recovery plan. First, talk to your doctor about your using CBD. Your doctor will need to review your health history as well as your medication list to make sure there is no risk of adverse side effects.
If your doctor recommends the use of CBD, then Nugg’s Cannabis Concierge service can help you find the right cannabis products for your needs, including products that are high in CBD. Here are a few of our favorites!
Smokable Flower High in CBD
Smoking and vaping cannabis flower remain one of the most popular methods of consumption. But smoking a bowl or a joint doesn’t necessarily mean you have to get stoned! Try these Nugg favorites, which are high in CBD and low in THC to give you greater relief without causing intoxication the way most high-THC cannabis strains do.
- Ritual CBD 20:1 1/8th (Henry’s Original): Offers a clean-burning flower that boasts a 20:1 ratio of CBD: THC. Our reviewers gave this strain high marks for its delicious aroma and superior smoke quality. This Henry’s Original strain also performed well in our ash test, and it delivered consistently exceptional effects.
- Harmony Rose CBD 1/8th (Flow Kana): This prepackaged eighth of is pleasing to the senses and sure to meet your needs. The appearance, aroma, taste and effects of this high-CBD strain earned high praise from our reviewers, who also appreciated Flow Kana’s above average packaging and labeling.
- JellyFish CBD (Glass House Farms): Nugg’s reviewers ranked this strain’s aroma and taste average among the pool, but Glass House Farms stood out in terms of its effects, consistency and clean-burning ash test. For the price, JellyFish offers a decent option for patients interested in trying CBD flower for the first time.
Vape Cartridges High in CBD
Many patients looking for quick relief appreciate the convenience that cannabis vape pens and cartridges offer. Vaping gives you rapid onset of effects, no lingering smoke or smell, and the ability to easily dose out your medication. You can take a couple of hits then put it away, whereas a joint requires you to keep smoking or stub it out.
And the best thing about vaping? No harsh smoke on your lungs, which is especially beneficial for professional and endurance athletes.
World-renowned mixed-martial-arts fighter Nate Diaz vapes CBD oil to help recover from the physical torment of the ring. Despite the match’s outcome, Diaz takes a beating. Vaping CBD oil helps his body heal and reduces inflammation so that he can prepare for the next fight.
These vape cartridges/pens received high marks from our Nugg reviewers and can offer the relief you need:
- Calm 10:1 CBD disposable pen (dosist): Our reviewers loved the packaging, labeling, and overall quality that dosist delivers. This disposable pen makes it easy to microdose, giving you precisely measured vape hits with a consistent 10:1 ratio of CBD:THC. No buttons or knobs, just a mouthpiece to inhale. The vapor tastes very flavorful, the oil is of high quality, and the effects come on quickly.
- ACDC 3:1 CBD, 0.5 g Pax Era Pod (Bloom Farms): Our reviewers praised the taste, vapor quality, oil quality and effects. You’ll need to purchase a proprietary Pax battery that’s a bit costly but won’t regret it. You can swap out pods as easily as you insert a USB drive–and it pairs with an app that lets you adjust to the exact temperature you want. A quality pod in a pleasing package.
- Marley Red CBD Rich, 0.5 g (Marley Natural): This vape cartridge offers a great tasting product with quality oil, decent vape quality and pleasant effects. The packaging left our reviewers a bit dissatisfied, but it’s a great product at a reasonable price – what’s not to love?
Edibles High in CBD
While edibles offer long-lasting effects, they take longer to kick in than smokable or vapable cannabis. All of the CBD edibles listed below contain some degree of THC in addition to CBD, meaning you may feel more intoxicating effects than you would with a pure CBD treat.
So we recommend caution if you’re new to cannabis or edibles. Infused treats affect patients differently than smoking or vaping, so don’t overdo it. Remember to start with a low dose and be sure to wait at least an hour before increasing.
- 1:1 THC to CBD Dark Chocolate (Chill): This delivers a balanced ratio of THC:CBD with 50mg of each per piece. Our reviewers found it well packaged, easy to dose, flavorful, consistent and effective. It’s a great product for a reasonable price.
- 1:1 THC to CBD Cinnamon Mints (Breez): Also balanced with an equal THC:CBD ratio, the bottle has 20 mints containing 5mg of each in every one. Nugg reviewers appreciated the taste, discretion and ease of dosing.
- 1:5 CBD to THC Indica Milk Chocolate Bar (Garden Society): If you’re new to edibles, this may not be the best place to start. It’s got a decent dose of CBD, 16mg, but also comes with a relatively high THC content, 80mg total! The effects hit hard so use caution; although veteran edibles eaters will appreciate the taste, texture and effectiveness.
Topicals High in CBD
Topical products are applied externally to the skin. You can use topical balms or transdermal patches to target specific areas where you’re experiencing localized pain or inflammation. Lotions and soaking agents are also great options, and they easily offer widespread or whole body relief.
The best part is that you can easily use these products and, with the exception of transdermal patches, most CBD topicals don’t get you stoned!
Post-workout recovery, alleviating chronic pain, other recent injuries – topicals offer the symptom relief you need to rest up, sleep well, and feel better.
We understand that the number of cannabis options may be overwhelming, especially if you’re new to cannabis. Have questions? Our Cannabis Concierge service is here to help! Contact Nugg today to get the information you need and the medicated cannabis products you want!
CBD: The Good, the Bad, the Astonishing
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Ever wondered if CBD is an effective medical remedy or just another snake oil? Everywhere we look we see CBD in products like vape pens, fancy waters and maple pepper chewy puppy treats. So what’s the point of taking cannabis if it won’t make you high?
Our full-service Cannabis Concierges field this question a lot, though the answer might be more surprising than you think.
What you'll learn in this article:
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What Is CBD?
If you’re just joining the class, let’s review the basics. CBD, AKA cannabidiol, is considered one of the core 483 compounds contained in the cannabis plant. While it doesn’t make you high alone, it does induce a mild state of well being. Some other cannabinoids you might know are:
- THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol)
- THCA (Tetrahydrocannabinolic Acid)
- THCV (Tetrahydrocannabinol)
- CBC (Cannabichromene)
- CBN (Cannabinol)
- CBG (Cannabigerol)
- CBDV (Cannabidivarin)
Each of these distinct compounds is known for producing their own set of benefits and effects. However, cannabis is more than the sum of its separate components.
Isolates Vs. Whole Plant CBD
The cannabis compounds above are called isolates, substances that have been separated from their combined mixtures. Each isolate will have its own chemical properties and effects that are separate from the mixture they were derived from.
It’s difficult to overemphasize an important fact: these compounds can have completely different effects as isolates than they do when combined with each other.
THC alone has been proven to cause panic, anxiety and tachycardia (rapid heart rate) in some users. While this reaction isn’t fatal, it certainly interferes with the more pleasant side-effects of a high. The good news is that CBD can mitigate these negative effects.
This isn’t something to take lightly considering the plant’s medical applications. And there are more examples where this came from.
CBD More Beneficial Than THC?
Not at all. There’s an ongoing and incomprehensible myth that CBD is the good cannabinoid while THC is the bad one. Why? Probably because THC makes you high and CBD doesn’t. There’s a basic assumption behind this reasoning: things that make you feel good are bad for you. This couldn’t be more wrong.
Eating chocolate feels good; it has antioxidants, minerals and other nutrients that the body requires to maintain a healthy diet. Actually, eating anything tasty feels good. Why? The body creates reward pathways for survival so we’re more likely to do (and eat) things that are good for us.
The problem occurs when the triggering substance gets replaced with something harmful that carries the same feel-good effect. If naturally nutritious food gets replaced by processed junk, you’ll get sick—even if it feels good.
Pleasure Isn’t the Problem
Take dopamine, the chemical released with “runners’ high,” laughing, and even sex—basically anything that’s awesome. Cocaine also releases dopamine; but while the previously listed activities that lead to its release are usually healthy, cocaine is not. What’s wrong here? We’ve replaced naturally healthy methods of dopamine release with a caustic chemical that causes irritation, bleeding, and tissue damage.
The problem isn’t the reward pathway—it’s the thing that causes a reward. If it’s bad for our health, it’s a problem; if it’s good, it’s a solution. So far, THC shows promise to unlock many health benefits. Is the fact that it makes us feel good a bad thing? Of course not!
Mother Nature Knows Best
There’s another misconception that any cannabinoid works just as well without the others. This isn’t just assumed for CBD. You’ll also find potent MMJ products that have very little CBD and up to 25% THC. This isn’t necessarily the natural form of the plant that we’re evolutionarily designed to absorb.
We actually have specific receptors designed to receive cannabinoids. We create our own endocannabinoids in our cells, which bind to these same receptors. Cannabinoids are the actual substances designed for that reward pathway. Many believe the best cannabinoid combinations are those in their natural form, not distilled and purified like a pharmaceutical.
Considering the emerging evidence, there might be a case for not disturbing Mother Nature. The whole plant, with all of its complementary compounds, was designed to work together both in nature and our bodies.
The Case for Only CBD
Still, there are reasons why you might want to take pure CBD. You may:
- Want to try it for anxiety if you don’t tolerate THC well.
- Live in a state that hasn’t legalized cannabis.
- Want to test cannabis’ health benefits but get drug tested at work.
A CBD-only formula helps at least derive some benefit from cannabis, even though you can’t enjoy the full plant. Hopefully, in the future, the law won’t block anyone from enjoying the benefits of whole-plant, CBD-rich cannabis extracts.
Can CBD Convert to THC in My Body?
There’s a myth that CBD can convert to THC in our digestive systems, which is untrue. The rumor originates from a 1940s study that tested conversion rates in prolonged exposure to artificial stomach acids.
It’d take an enormous amount of CBD to end up with detectable amounts of THC in your bloodstream. Estimates are that roughly 1% to 3% of the amount of CBD ingested is converted to, and excreted out, as ∆9 and ∆8 THC.
Consider Your CBD Source
Lots of companies extract their oil from industrial hemp. It’s a little hard to believe they can extract an efficient amount of CBD from non-flowering hemp since CBD oil is mostly extracted from the cannabis plant’s resinous, flowering tops and leaves.
Other companies are going even further by extracting CBD oil from hemp seeds. While hemp seeds and hemp seed oil are wonderful sources of nutrition, they aren’t usable CBD sources as they don’t produce cannabinoids.
Another risk factor? Since so much industrial hemp is required to extract a tiny amount of CBD, contamination risk increases. If grown in a tainted area, hemp could produce polluted oil as it’s a notoriously powerful bio-accumulator. Those toxins hemp cleans from the soil have to go somewhere, and they go into the plant. So it’s better to use fewer and more resinous plants to reduce environmental toxins in the resulting oil.
What to Look for in CBD Products
The best CBD oil is produced using high-CBD plants with a high resin level, not industrial hemp. Many cultivators breed plants to be high CBD and low THC, less than .03%. These strains are proving to be a powerful treatment against Dravet’s Syndrome and other forms of epilepsy.
Just don’t forget: THC is medicine too. If you live in a legal state and work for a company that doesn’t test for THC, consider the benefits of using whole-plant, high CBD products with a complete cannabinoid profile.
Now that you know the good and bad about CBD, here are the most common ways to ingest it. Remember, always ask your doctor about the best delivery method and how much to take before medicating.
Edibles & Drinkables
There are just as many ways to eat CBD oil as there are ways to ingest THC. CBD oil is used in exactly the same way. And as the plant’s popularity continues to rise, we’re beginning to see CBDs featured at mainstream restaurants and health food stores. One of the most beautiful examples of creative consumption is the Mr. Nice Guy cocktail at San Diego’s Madison on Park.
Since you’re probably taking CBD oil for its health benefits, consider the vehicle you’re putting it in/on CBD gummies are cute and tasty, but also chock full of sugar. Instead, combine your favorite fruits with kale, chia seeds, yogurt or oats in a power smoothie and add a few drops of CBD oil to feel like a true superhero.
Potential Benefits
A CBD edible or drinkable may be a way to counteract an overactive high, since a solid dose of CBD has been shown to help calm anxiety and soothe inflammation.
And speaking of inflammation, several current studies explore the benefits of cannabinoids to soothe intestinal inflammation, Crohn’s, IBS, and other stomach related illnesses. The GI tract is lined with receptors that snatch up CBDs for these anti-inflammatory benefits. In other words, this might be the best and most effective delivery method for these conditions.
Potential Disadvantages
Make sure you have a clean source of CBD oil. As mentioned, cannabis can pull lots of toxins and pesticides from the soil. Other than this, there aren’t any know dangers; you won’t get high and you won’t overdose. Of course, read the package and make sure you’re not about to chow down on a product that contains CBD and high amounts of THC—unless you really want to.
How Much Should I Take?
It isn’t legal to list a recommended amount of CBD since the FDA reserves the right to set guidelines for nutrients. Until then, you should follow the dosage others are doing. If you are taking CBD only, typical doses are anywhere from 3mg per serving to 1,000mg per serving.
Start at a small amount, just a few milligrams, and gradually work up to the right dose for you. Everyone has different needs so most people experiment with different CBD to THC ratios and/or other cannabinoids as well.
A word of caution. If you’ve never eaten THC—even though you’ve smoked it—do not start with a high CBD/THC product. Most novices start with 5-10mg and usually feel medicated for hours. Can you imagine accidentally eating a 1,000mg brownie because you thought it was only CBD? You wouldn’t die, but it’d take a couple days to peel yourself off the walls.
It wouldn’t matter if the product had a balanced THC and CBD ratio either; no amount of CBD can counteract a dose that high. So while you freely experiment with your CBD dosage, approach any accompanying THC with extreme caution.
Sublinguals
Sometimes, under the tongue delivery is the most efficient way to take a medicine. That’s why nitroglycerin is placed under the tongue, instead of swallowed when a heart attack is near.
How does it work? The thin membrane of epithelium under the tongue is filled with large, absorbent blood vessels. When an herb absorbs into these blood vessels, it allows their compounds to pass directly into the bloodstream instead of first passing through the digestive tract.
How It’s Done
Simply place the recommended amount under your tongue and hold it there for a couple of minutes, then swallow.
Potential Benefits
Much faster delivery of its beneficial effects. If you’re using the CBDs for pain, headaches, seizures or other problems that need quick relief, many swear by this method.
Potential Disadvantages
Sometimes, you want to deliver the medicine to your digestive system first. If you are using CBD to help a rumbly tummy, intestinal distress, or liver problems, then you might be better off with an edible than sublingual delivery.
Topicals
This is a great way to take CBDs for skin problems or sore muscles. Many patients swear by CBD lotions, rubs, salves and oils for muscle pain.
How It’s Done
Just rub your CBD lotion onto your achy, itchy or splotchy parts.
Potential Benefits
Might be the best delivery method for skin conditions.
Potential Disadvantages
May not provide as potent a form of relieve as edible administration or tinctures.
A word of caution. Most say it’s impossible to absorb enough THC through your skin to fail a drug test or get high. Maybe. Most topicals just don’t have enough THC to matter. However, a tiny amount can absorb through the skin and make you high if you use enough, though it’d require more than an impractical amount.
Some theorize that many historical figures anointed themselves with cannabis oil to become high during rituals and thus commune with nature, God, etc. Likely, if they were only anointing and not smoking, they just had really soft skin.
Still, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Wait several hours and only increase the amount gradually if you’re concerned about the effects. If you choose one of those lotions with both CBD and THC (not THCA), make sure to start small and see how it affects you first. Non-decarboxylated (not heated) THCA is the precursor to THC and considered to be non-psychoactive until it’s heated.
Vaporizers
Vaping, like smoking, is one of the fastest, most potent delivery systems available. It also lasts the shortest amount of time, so the doses have to be repeated several times a day.
How It’s Done
Special cartridges of liquid cannabis extract are connected to a battery and heated until the liquid is vaporized and inhaled.
Potential Benefits
This is a convenient and unobtrusive way to inhale cannabis without the tell-tale smell. It also doesn’t expose your lungs to the tar associated with smoking dabs or flower, so some people (not all) find it to be less irritating.
Potential Disadvantages
There’s a tradeoff between vaping and smoking. Oddly, people used to consider limited smoking a healthy activity because they believed it would ward off parasites and disease. But now we realize the last thing our lungs need is a daily coating of fresh tar. So, we’ve begun to vape more often for both health benefits and the convenience.
It’s important to remember the law of unintended consequences. We haven’t been vaping long enough to understand the long-term health consequences. Additionally, many alarming safety concerns have popped up in recent months. Recently, the concentrates used in Brass Knuckles vape cartridges failed lab tests for pesticide exposure. One of the most alarming pesticides, Eagle 20, turns into cyanide when smoked—and that’s just one of the nasty pollutants they found.
If you’re vaping CBD-only cartridges for the “health benefits without the high” you could potentially be breathing in pesticides as well. Worse, some of the hemp-only CBD cartridges are sold without the same level of testing required for THC cartridges. Worst of all, many vape cartridges use propylene glycol to water down the oil into something that is easily vaped. This can irritate the lungs and there isn’t enough info about long-term consumption to ensure safety.
Yet this isn’t to say that vaping is a bad choice. It’s just a warning to consider your source carefully. Your best bet for the best benefit is to purchase fully lab-tested cartridges that don’t contain propylene glycol.
If you want to find the best CBD products, use Nugg’s cannabis delivery platform to find and have them brought to you! Unsure where to start? Consult our live chat cannabis experts who’ll help you find the best consumption method(s), dosage and lab-approved CBD products to ensure the best experience possible.