CBD For Dummies

Blair Lauren Brown is a plant-medicine veteran and cannabis expert, She’s been involved in every aspect of hemp and cannabis from cultivation to formulation, and medicinal applications of the plant to brand development. Blair is the in-house wellness expert and co-founder of Poplar, a modern drugstore, focusing on all-natural solutions for pain, stress, and sleep, including CBD and more.

• Introduction 1About This Book 1Foolish Assumptions 2Icons Used in This Book 2Beyond the Book 3Where to Go from Here 3Part 1: Looking into CBD 5Chapter 1: Updating Attitudes toward Cannabis and CBD 7Debunking Myths about CBD 8Understanding where some of the uncertainty about CBD comes from 9CBD is not a cure-all, but neutralizes many difficult symptoms 10Applying and Ingesting CBD 11Applying CBD to the skin 12Eating or ingesting CBD 12CBD: The New Treatment of Choice? 13Providing a natural alternative to Western healthcare 13Move over, opiates: Considering CBD for treating pain 14Looking at the Legality Surrounding CBD 15Breaking down the criminalization of CBD 15Changing attitudes and changing laws 15Moving toward new understanding 16Chapter 2: Examining CBD Itself 17Meeting the Mother of All CBD Sources 17Delving into the long history of hemp 18Identifying the parts of the hemp plant 18Explaining the Parts to the Whole 20Debating the benefits of using the whole plant versus the sum of its parts 20Appreciating all the cannabinoids in the hemp plant 21Exploring terpenes and flavonoids 21Looking at enzymes and the value of the other plant molecules 23Investigating the Hemp Strains and Varieties 23Checking out calming strains 24Recognizing refreshing and revitalizing strains 25Lifting and elevating some energizing strains 25Finding CBD and Similar Chemicals in Other Plants 25Coming full circle with tree bark 25Focusing on the flowers 26Exploring other similar compounds 26Choosing between Synthetic and Natural CBD 27Chapter 3: Looking into What CBD Does 29Discovering What Makes CBD Work 29Comparing and contrasting CBD and THC 30Seeing how CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system 31Recognizing CBD’s Physical and Mental Effects 34Chapter 4: Extracting, Infusing, and Producing CBD 37Familiarizing Yourself with Extraction Methods 38Discerning the Qualities of Kinds of Extractions 39Identifying the Forms Resulting from Extraction 40CBD RSO 40CBD distillate 41CBD isolate 41Infusing CBD 41Discovering the basics of CBD infusions 41Calculating concentrations like a champ 42Infusing CBD at home 43Using CBD Extracts to Make a Product 44Creating a useable topical or consumable product 44Including complementary substances 45Chapter 5: Doing the Math: The Pluses and Minuses of CBD 47Realizing the Potential Benefits: The Four Pillars of CBD(and an Added Bonus) 48Relieving stress and anxiety 48Soothing mood conditions 49Helping manage sleep issues 49Relieving pain and physical ailments 50Promoting skin health and beauty 51Looking at the Pros and Cons of Supplementing with CBD 52Adjusting to daily use 52Acknowledging potential drawbacks 52Checking how CBD interacts with medication 53Taking responsibility for being informed 53Weighing the Risks and Challenges of General CBD Use 54Finding a doctor versed in CBD 54Spotting an adverse reaction to CBD 55Part 2: Finding and Using CBD 57Chapter 6: Buying CBD 59Discovering What You Can Legally Buy in the United States 60Following federal laws 60Being aware of the laws in your state 61Promoting Medical Use 63Understanding the different kinds of retailers 63Checking quality 63Dosing and adjusting appropriately for your needs 68Tapping into Online Distributors 69Choosing an online seller 69Tracing the path of the best sellers 71Being an Informed Consumer 72Being wary of CBD scams 72Avoiding pitfalls 72Chapter 7: Delving into Forms and Delivery Systems 73Becoming Familiar with the Forms of CBD 73Full-spectrum 74Broad-spectrum 74Distillate 75Isolate 75Wax, rosin, and so on 76Hash and kief 76Uncovering the Delivery Systems 76Smoking 77Vaping 77Dabbing 78Sublinguals 78Eating and drinking 78Topicals 79Choosing Your Smoking or Inhalation Method 79Smoking, vaping, or dabbing? 80Deciding on a device for smoking flower 80Picking a pre-roll 81Deciding to vape 81Dabbing CBD 82Touching on Topical and Transdermal Applications 83Smoothing on skin 83Pasting on patches 84Spraying on CBD 85Taking CBD Orally 85Putting CBD under your tongue 85Chewing gummies, tapes, mints, and more 88Cooking with CBD 88Swallowing CBD in pill form 90Chapter 8: Using CBD Safely and Responsibly 91Figuring Out How Much to Take 92Adjusting for product potency 92Scheduling CBD into your daily routine 93Realizing the importance of bioavailability 94Keeping Others in Mind as You Dose in Public or at Work 96Adjusting Your Usage to How Your Body Reacts 96Looking at potential sleep reactions 97Finding the virtue in moderation: Microdosing 97Storing Your CBD Products 98Preserving potency 98Restricting access 100Part 3: Benefitting from CBD 101Chapter 9: Easing Neurological Conditions 103Acknowledging the Dangers of Inflammation and How CBD Can Help 104Doing your homework on inflammatory conditions 104Understanding CBD’s anti-inflammatory and other neuroprotective properties 105Helping with Huntington’s Disease 106Looking at the five stages of Huntington’s disease 106Improving quality of life 107Soothing Alzheimer’s Disease 108Analyzing inflammation of the brain 109Setting the stage for treatment 109Tackling Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) 110Making sense of the symptoms 110Fighting a two-headed dragon: Pain and inflammation 110Treating CFS symptoms with CBD 111Addressing the Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) 111Describing the disease and its symptoms 112Supporting your nervous system 112Resolving and reducing the symptoms 113Chapter 10: Alleviating Autoimmune Conditions 115Understanding CBD and Immune Function 115Connecting cannabis and autoimmunity 116Tackling terpenes 117Comparing CBD to conventional treatments 118Relieving Lupus Symptoms 119Addressing the effects of lupus 120Treating lupus-related skin conditions with CBD 121Treating the Effects of Lyme Disease 124Looking at how CBD can help ease general symptoms of Lyme disease 124Diminishing diarrheas and intestinal problems 125Supplementing to address pain and muscle spasms 126Finding Help for Celiac Disease 127Familiarizing yourself with the symptoms 127Pinpointing possible gluten in CBD products 128Pairing widespread and specific CBD treatment for celiac relief 128Managing intestinal issues with CBD 128Chapter 11: Dealing with Eating Disorders and Digestive Troubles 131Relieving Anorexia 132Gaining weight 133Boosting appetite 133Regulating mealtime anxiety 135Limiting the Psychological Effects of Bulimia 135Dealing with the depression 135Counteracting anxiety 136Inducing sleep 137Calming Nausea 137Mother’s little helper: CBD and morning sickness 138Correcting chronic nausea 139Reducing seasickness and motion sickness 139Chapter 12: Coping with Muscular and Physical Ailments 141Connecting CBD and Muscle Recovery 141Utilizing hemp-derived dermal solutions 142Soothing post-workout soreness internally 142Pampering overworked joints with bath bombs or muscle soaks 142Relaxing the Symptoms of Fibromyalgia 144Resting easier 144Alleviating pain (without getting hooked) 144Clearing brain fog 145Activating Asthma Relief 145Looking at the lungs 145Breathing better 146Mitigating Migraines and Other Headaches 147Menstrual migraines 147Quelling stress-induced headaches 147Upgrading from traditional prescription treatments 148Dealing with Diabetes and Insulin Resistance 148Examining insulin resistance and CBD 149Preventing diabetes with CBD 149Regulating blood sugar levels through appetite suppression 149Chapter 13: Helping with Emotional, Mood, and Mental Disorders 151Identifying the Differences between Stress and Anxiety 152Processing stress so that it doesn’t lead to anxiety 152Unpacking the causes and treatments around anxiety 153Exploring the effects (and side effects) of traditional anti-anxiety medication 155Easing Depression 155Examining the effects (and side effects) of traditional antidepressants 155Helping your brain better respond to mood modulating systems in the body 156Modulating low moods and anxiety 156Combating the sexual side effects of mood modulating medications 157Calming the Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder 157Relieving the stress of painful memories 158Sweeping away stress and worry from nightmares 158Abolishing anger and irritability 159Addressing the Physical and Emotional Components of Addiction 159Curbing heroin cravings 160Treating opioid addiction 160Reducing dependence on alcohol 160Assisting with Bipolar Disorder 161Remedying mood swings 161Managing mania 162Using CBD as an adjunctive treatment 162Chapter 14: Alleviating Issues Specific to Age and Sex 165Addressing Skin Concerns That Coincide with Aging 166Sagging skin and lost elasticity 166Scar tissue 167Clearing up Acne and Other Conditions 167Addressing acne 168Reducing rosacea 168Eliminating eczema 169Answering common CBD skincare questions 169Relieving Menstrual Cramps 171Suppositories 172Transdermal patches 173Bath soaks 173Teas and balms 174Considering CBD during Pregnancy and Breastfeeding 174Cannabis and pregnancy 175CBD and breastfeeding 177Making Menopause Bearable 178Helping with Sexual Dysfunction Issues 180Lifting your libido 180Rising to the occasion (so to speak) 181Preventing vaginal pain 181Increasing sensation 181Chapter 15: Letting Pets Benefit from CBD 183Determining How CBD May Help Your Pet 184Asking the right questions 184Reviewing conditions that CBD may help alleviate 185Aiding an Anxious Pet 186Soothing stress from separation 187Treating anxiety in dogs with PTSD 187Trying CBD as a Cancer Treatment 188Shrinking tumors 188Stimulating a weak appetite 189Saying Goodbye to Seizures 190Reducing the frequency of seizures 190Relieving epilepsy 190Getting Good with Dosing 191Starting low 192Watching for reactions 192Adjusting as necessary 193Part 4: Concocting Your Own CBD Products 195Chapter 16: Bringing CBD into the Kitchen 197Discovering Ways to Add CBD to Your Regular Meals 197Bringing CBD into your breakfast routine 198Elevating evening meals with CBD 199Satisfying Your Sweet Tooth 201Fashioning DIY CBD gummies 201Swapping in cannabutter 202Selecting a Quality Base Oil 206Getting Familiar with Special Techniques 207Investing in quality cookware 207Turning down the heat 207Diving into decarbing 208Chapter 17: Testing Out Recipes at Home 211Mixing up CBD Beverages 212Bottoms Up! Indulging in CBD Cocktails 219Cooking with CBD 227Creating CBD Ingredients 232Chapter 18: Branching out to Other CBD and Hemp Products 235Treating Your Sweet Tooth: Recipes for CBD Sweets and Snacks 236Treating Your Body: Recipes for CBD Body Care and Skincare 245Treating Your Pooch: Recipes for CBD Dog Food and Treats 252Part 5: The Part of Tens 257Chapter 19: Ten Reasons to Try CBD 259You Can Use CBD Every Day 259CBD is a Plant-Based Product (Usually) 259CBD is Safe to Use 260CBD is Easy to Ingest 260CBD Doesn’t Get You High 261CBD is Legal in Most States 261CBD is Available from Many Sources 261You Can Take CBD Discreetly 262Name Brands Provide Reliability 263CBD Relieves Innumerable Conditions 263Chapter 20: Ten Ways CBD Can Help 265CBD Enhances Health 265CBD Relieves Stress 266CBD Controls Nausea 266CBD Relieves Pain 266CBD Helps You Sleep 267CBD Relieves Digestive Problems 267CBD Supports Autoimmune Treatments 268CBD is Effective for Neurological Conditions 268CBD Eases Cancer Symptoms 269CBD Can Help Pets, Too 269Chapter 21: Ten Ways to Get CBD into Your System 271Eat a Product Containing It 271Smoke It 272Vape It 272Dab It 273Smooth It on Your Skin 273Put It in Your Food 274Take a Mint 274Swallow a Pill 275Drop It under Your Tongue 275Drink a Beverage That Contains It 276Chapter 22: Ten Tips for Having a Great CBD Experience 277Recognizing That CBD Can Help 277Researching before Buying 278Buying the Best Product 279Choosing the Form That Suits You 280Finding the Proper Dose 280Determining the Best Way to Buy 281Being in a Good Physical Space 281Getting Your Head Right 282Adding a Complementary Product 282Trying Something New When You Feel Comfortable 283Appendix A: Helpful CBD Resources 285Resources for Using CBD 285Know Your CBD (International) 286CBD Resource (U.K.-based) 286Informative CBD Websites 286Project CBD 286Be Poplar 287Industry-Focused Hemp Information 287Informative Cannabis Resources 287Leafly (U.S.-based) 288Weed Maps (U.S.-based) 288Miss Grass 288Hello MD 288Cannabis Health (U.K.-based) 289Trade Organizations 289Hemp Industries Association (HIA) 289Drug Policy Alliance 289Marijuana Policy Project 290Law Enforcement Action Partnership (LEAP) 290American Herbal Pharmacopoeia (AHP) 290Americans For Safe Access 290American Trade Association for Cannabis & Hemp (ATACH) 290Cannabis Trade Federation (CTF) 291Cannabis Canada Association 291Conferences 291MJ Biz Con (U.S.-based) 291NoCo Hemp Expo (U.S.-based) 292Informative CBD Science Articles 292Journal of Cannabis Research 292PubMed 293Updated CBD Guidelines 293Daily CBD 293U.S Food and Drug Administration (U.S.-based) 293Health Canada 294The European Commission 294Index 295