Breaking down CBD for medical cannabis patients

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CBD is providing many health benefits for medical cannabis patientsWhich Form of CBD Is the Best for You?

It is becoming more and more common for doctors in Canada to legally recommend medical cannabis for various medical conditions, the most common of them being epilepsy and chronic pain. However, because this industry is relatively new, there isn’t much scientific research that has been done. This makes it quite difficult to prove how medical cannabis affects our bodies- and the chemistry behind it all.

Cannabis has an incredibly vast number of chemical compounds, called cannabinoids, each with its own set of benefits. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) are notable examples. THC is the psychoactive substance found in cannabis that gets you ‘high’. CBD is non-psychoactive and has proven quite useful in the medical world.

What is CBD?

CBD is a cannabinoid that is obtained from hemp. It is most commonly used by people with anxiety, chronic pain, a muscle disorder called dystonia, and seizure disorders. CBD can be incredibly effective since many users say it provides relief against both musculoskeletal pain and nerve pain. These patients use CBD in many forms, ranging from CBD nasal sprays, cannabis tinctures and capsules.

The CBD compound works by preventing the breakdown of a chemical in the brain that affects mental function, mood and pain. By keeping this chemical intact, CBD also has the potential of reducing the psychotic symptoms of conditions like schizophrenia. It can be ingested in a host of ways, although most users prefer to administer it orally.

There are three types of CBD extracts: CBD isolate, full-spectrum CBD and broad-spectrum CBD. It’s crucial that you get the kind that has the highest chance of being helpful for your specific medical condition. Being prescribed the wrong type of CBD may make you more anxious and escalate the problem.

CBD Isolate

This is a solid, crystalline extract that contains pure CBD, and no other cannabinoids are present in this extract. Considering that CBD is obtained from hemp, which generally has a very low THC concentration, CBD isolate is practically THC-free.

This extract is suitable for:

  • People with a high CBD dose prescription, or those with a CBD-only prescription.
  • People that are sensitive to other cannabinoids aside from CBD.
  • Users who, for their own reasons, aren’t comfortable taking a product with THC in it.

The biggest benefit of using CBD isolate that it isn’t psychoactive and can be consumed in many different ways.

CBD isolate is ingested by holding it under the tongue for about a minute. During this time, it will be absorbed by your mucous membrane directly into your bloodstream. It can also be mixed with terpenes to come up with a concentrate that can be vaped, dabbed, or inhaled.

Full Spectrum CBD

This extract contains much more than just CBD. It also has essential oils, terpenes, and very small traces of THC (under 0.3%). Because it includes all these compounds, it has a much shorter extraction process. Full-spectrum CBD is suitable for:

  • Patients with medical conditions that require a specific CBD: THC ratio.
  • People whose pain cannot be addressed by CBD only, and need a little THC to get the job done.
  • People whose work isn’t security or safety-sensitive (thereby imposing THC use restrictions on the employees).

Broad Spectrum CBD

This concentrate contains CBD and other cannabinoids, although THC isn’t present. It seems to be the intermediary between CBD isolate and full-spectrum CBD. Unlike other forms of CBD that have no smell and taste, broad-spectrum CBD has a natural and strong flavour. It delivers the combined benefits of all the cannabinoids without the psychoactive effects of THC.

This type of CBD is suitable for:

  • People whose employers have strict THC laws.
  • People that are at risk of having psychotic episodes after consuming THC.
  • People with chronic pain who need CBD and other cannabinoids.

Choosing the Best Type of CBD

Before you begin using a particular type of CBD as a medical cannabis patient, it’s crucial to make sure it’s a suitable kind for your medical situation. You should also make sure you follow the dosage you’ve been advised to take. How exactly do you choose between isolates, full-spectrum, and broad-spectrum when shopping for CBD products?

  1. Don’t self-medicate.

CBD works wonders when used with THC. However, it is advisable for you to talk to a healthcare professional before you lay your hands on any medical cannabis CBD product. In fact, Health Canada requires that you obtain a medical cannabis prescription before you are eligible to use CBD products therapeutically. Talking to a healthcare professional will inform you of the dose you need to follow, and this will ensure you don’t use more than you should.

  1. Consider the Purity

When looking for a CBD concentrate, it may be a good idea to choose the purest kind. This CBD wouldn’t come with any other cannabinoids thus making it specific, functional, and practical. If you’re looking for something that doesn’t have any psychoactive effects, consider CBD isolate and broad-spectrum CBD.

Due to the popularity of CBD, there are a lot of false products that don’t actually contain enough of it or any of it at all. To ensure the best product quality, always purchase your CBD from a legally licensed producer.

  1. Consider the Severity of Your Condition

CBD is most commonly used to provide relief against chronic pain. Before choosing an option, you ought to keep your condition in mind. If the pain is very intense, you’ll need something strong enough to combat it. A mixture of CBD and THC would best relieve such severe pains, and you probably want to buy full-spectrum CBD. However, heed the recommendation of your doctor or other healthcare professional.

  1. Where to Buy Medical CBD Products

No precaution is too much when it comes to matters of your health, and that is why we recommend that you buy your CBD oil for medical purposes from Cannalogue. We are approved by Health Canada as a Licensed Producer (LP). We go over and above by giving you all the information that you need to make an informed decision, and our health professionals will guide you every step of the way if you need that help.

The Final Word

Despite the research has been dedicated to the world of medical cannabis, finding a dose that works for you is a highly individualized process. It can be challenging to decide what CBD extracts to use since there isn’t a “one size that fits all.” However, factors such as weight, height, and how your body reacts to certain compounds are important considerations to make when picking out a CBD concentrate. We encourage you to consult closely with a healthcare practitioner to find the product that works best for you.