CBD hemp oil: what we know and don’t know

CBD hemp oil is taking Switzerland by storm. Recent data suggests that between 8% and 11% of adults in this country have tried CBD, and that number is increasing. Consumers report that CBD consumption has positive effects on their health, although many of these claims are anecdotal.

Today we want to talk about what we know and don’t know about CBD hemp oil, including its legality and areas of application. But first…

Basic knowledge about CBD hemp oil

CBD is one of many chemical compounds found in the cannabis plant. It is crystalline in its purest form, although some manufacturers place it in oil.

Hemp is a type of cannabis that produces small amounts of THC, the primary psychoactive cannabinoid in cannabis. Because hemp produces so little THC, consumers rarely feel “high.”

Hemp oil generally refers to oil made from pressed hemp seeds. Seeds contain extremely low levels of cannabinoids, making them a poor source of CBD. However, hemp seed oil is still an excellent carrier oil to incorporate CBD. The resulting product is CBD hemp oil, or hemp oil infused with CBD extracts.

This hemp product is packed with valuable phytonutrients, including a range of cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids. Broad and full spectrum hemp oils generally have a much more pronounced cannabis flavor due to the complexity of their components.

The Science of CBD

CBD is a phytocannabinoid that interacts with the endocannabinoid system. It is one of many phytocannabinoids and mimics endocannabinoids that our bodies naturally produce. Unlike other cannabinoids like THC, CBG, and CBN, CBD does not directly interact with the receptors of the endocannabinoid system. Instead, it partially blocks CB receptors to control what information is transmitted between and within cells. In doing so, this CB receptor antagonist can help to regulate endocannabinoid production and promote the metabolism of endocannabinoids and phytocannabinoids.

Use and application of CBD hemp oil

CBD can have amazing effects on the body – when it has access to cannabinoid receptors. Fortunately, the body contains billions of cannabinoid receptors. Most are CB1 receptors in the brain and spinal cord and CB2 receptors in most peripheral tissues.

The best route of CBD administration depends on the goal of consumption. Cosmetic CBD products are absorbed into the skin via CB receptors in sweat glands and hair follicles. Most topical CBD products are not absorbed into the blood unless they contain special carriers.