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What is CBD?

‘CBD’ is the commonly used abbreviation for the scientific term ‘cannabidiol’. Cannabidiol is a substance that originates from the hemp plant, often referred to as ‘weed’ or ‘cannabis’ plants.
Hemp and cannabis plants contain over 104 different kinds of cannabinoids, of which CBD is just one kind. It is the only natural plant to produce these kind of substances in her flowers and leaves.
A different cannabinoid which is mostly found in the ‘tops’, the flowers of the female cannabis plant, is THC. The abbreviation for THC is ‘tetrahydrocannabinol’.

Cannabidiol (CBD) is different entirely from THC. THC is a psychoactive substance, which signifies that this cannabinoid makes you ‘high’ when you smoke or eat it. CBD and the CBD oil derived from it does not have these psychoactive properties. It is not possible to get ‘high’ or ‘stoned’ from the use of CBD. Both substances possess many different properties and share little similarities; they are not easily compared. When using CBD you do not have to worry your awareness is altered in any way, like with the use of THC.

In the Netherlands, CBD is a freely available product, as it is not legally allowed to contain more than 0.05% THC. If CBD oil contains more than 0.05% THC, the government considers it as a (soft) drug. All our products are well below this percentage and are very strictly checked on these values. We exclusively sell CBD products. For products containing THC we are sorry not to be of service to you.

How is CBD oil produced?

CBD is derived from the so-called ‘fibre’ hemp plant. This industrial hemp plant (mostly used to make paper, building materials and animal feed) contains little to no THC. The ‘fibre’ hemp plant does however contain a lot of the desired CBD. There are many different ways of extracting CBD from the plant, but all it starts with the cultivation.

Hemp plants used for the extraction of CBD are cultivated under very strict quality inspections in the Netherlands. The soil on which the plants grow is inspected for the presence of bacteria, moulds, chemicals and pesticide. The plant itself is under constant surveillance to ensure the product is as natural and healthy as possible. When the plants are fully-grown, they are harvested and bundled together.

After harvesting the plant material, it is cleaned thoroughly to rid it of everything that is not hemp. Soil, grass, weeds and the like are separated from the hemp. What remains is raw hemp, ready for CBD extraction.

 

The CBD extraction process.

Most CBD products contain CBD-paste thinned with natural oils, like hempseed or olive oil. For the extraction of CBD from the plant material there are currently three possible methods used around the world.

The first and most widely used method is the ‘Supercritical CO2’ method. This extraction method leaves terpenes and other cannabinoids, besides CBD, intact. Products with CBD oil extracted from this method therefore contain multiple cannabinoids and terpenes. These products, produced using the Supercritical CO2 method, are often referred to as ‘RAW’ variants. The biggest advantage of these RAW products is the so called ‘entourage effect’; where the different active substances enhance each other’s positive benefits.
‘Terpenes’ are the perfume and the aroma molecules that give the hemp plant its distinct smell and taste. Researchers consider these terpenes to be a crucial part of the CBD ‘entourage’.

A different extraction method is using alcohol. For this method, the tips of the hemp plants are soaked in alcohol in which the CBD dissolves. After vaporizing this alcohol mix only the CBD remains in the form of a paste. This paste is thinned with natural oils like hemp or olive oil. Since this method of extraction does not require any specialized equipment this is the most commonly used method when making CBD oil at home.

Another possible method is oil extraction. Contrary to the cold Supercritical CO2 method, oil extraction does use heat. During this process, all cannabinoids are lost through heating except for CBD. This ensures pure CBD as the remaining activate substance. Products which are made using this method are often referred to as ‘pure’ variants or ‘isolate’.

Whichever method used, the result is a thick paste like CBD consistency. After extraction, the paste goes through extensive testing to determine its CBD proportions and that of other cannabinoids.
All the different kinds of CBD products that you can find on this website have been produced with this CBD oil.

The extraction of CBD and other cannabinoids has a three-tier classification:

  • CBD oil Pure (also known as ‘isolate’): containing CBD only
  • Broad spectrum: containing CBD and all other non-psychoactive cannabinoids.
  • Full spectrum: CBD and all other cannabinoids, including the psychoactive THC

The term ‘full spectrum’ is often misused for products that only contain trace amounts of THC, when these products should actually classify as broad spectrum. As there are no set guidelines, we often see the terms intermingled although, in principle, it is the same composition.

It is important to note that the production of cannabidiol currently takes place in the most advanced and specialized laboratories. All CBD products on our website come from renowned producers known for their premium and superior products. They use the latest scientific insights, technologies and techniques and their production process is under constant and strict surveillance. We ensure quality products on our website on which you can blindly trust.

What are the different applications of CBD?

The body can absorb CBD and other cannabinoids in many different ways. As such, there are several applications each with their own specific use.

Firstly, CBD can be taken orally through the mouth mucosa. If you choose to use CBD capsules they are also ingested orally, but absorbed in the body through the stomach and intestines.

CBD is also absorbed through the skin via skin care products like creams and balms. Other application include ‘vaping’ or inserting it rectally or vaginally with a suppository.

In addition, Band-Aids, lip balms, hand creams and CBD chewing gum are amongst the possibilities these days! There are even specialised CBD products available for administrating CBD to animals.

The different applications of CBD
Each application method has their own specific advantages, depending on the situation and intended use. The most used methods for CBD consumption is through the following products:

CBD Oil
This is by far the most popular method at the moment. You can use a pipette to dose droplets oil under the tongue. The biggest advantage of this method is being able to dose the oil very precisely. You are able to count the droplets when doing it in front of the mirror. Swallow with water after 30 seconds, allowing the oil to absorb through your mucous membrane first. The oil gets absorbed by the body immediately and if therefore one of the most effective methods.

CBD capsules
Capsules are also a very accurate way of dosing CBD oil, and perhaps even more practical than using drops. Each pill contains the same exact amount of CBD oil. Swallow the pill whole with a drink of water and you stomach does the rest. Most capsules are made from vegan material, which allows the casing to dissolve quickly releasing the oil in the stomach. However, absorption through the stomach lining is a slower process than through the mucous membrane in the mouth. Capsules are a great solution for people who do not like the taste of CBD oil.

CBD Band-Aids

A relative new and very popular application is the CBD Band-Aid. Each Band-Aid contains 16 mg CBD and is applied directly on the skin. During the next 8 to 10 hours, the CBD is slowly absorbed into the body. It is very easy to change the dose by adding more Band-Aids or cutting one in half when you wish to lower the dose.

CBD E-liquid
E-liquids are ideal for people who like vaping or own an e-cigarette. E-liquids are available in many different flavours (ranging from lime and mint to strawberry and mango) and are also available with different concentrations of CBD. The CBD evaporates in the e-cigarette when and ends up in the lungs after inhaling. In the lungs, the CBD is absorbed in the blood stream and immediately dispersed throughout the body. Vaping CBD using an E-cigarette is immensely suitable for people with an acute need for CBD. The only downside of E-liquids might be figuring out the right dosing.

Creams and balms containing CBD
With CBD body care products the oil gets absorbed through the skin after application. Besides the aforementioned lip balm and hand creams, there is also a wide range of facial creams, skin oils, CBD soaps, shampoos and other kinds of skin care products.

CBD suppositories, pastes and crystals
CBD suppositories, pastes and crystals are all products with the highest concentration of CBD. The suppositories can be inserted anally or vaginally and each suppository contains 50 mg of CBD. The effect is quickly noticeable, as the body absorbs CBD after 10 minutes.
Concentrated CBD pastes contain 30% CBD and have a wide range of application possibilities. The paste has a thicker consistency than oil and can therefore be used as an ointment.
CBD crystals contain the highest concentration, as they are 98% (!!) CBD. Crystals can be placed under the tongue, just as the oil droplets, for immediate absorptions through the mucous membrane. You can also vaporise the crystals, smoke it with an e-cigarette or even stir it through your food to ingest the CBD.

Legality in the USA and Europe

Legality is a much talked about subject when it comes to CBD. Although CBD products are freely and legally available in the Netherlands, we are not allowed to make any medical claims. As the Dutch government determined CBD is a ‘supplement’ and not medicine.

In other European countries, and especially in the USA, the situation is entirely different. In these countries, you can speak out about the positive effects of CBD and the beneficial use of the products. CBD use has even turned into a hype in the USA with thousands of people using CBD products.

All around the world universities and institutions are researching the benefits of CBD use. Intriguingly, properties of the psychoactive cannabinoid THC are thoroughly examined as well. Much of the research to date indicates that THC (or the CBD – THC combination) is the most beneficial product for many people to use. We can only hope the Dutch government reconsiders their stance on CBD as soon as possible. It would be a good thing when the Dutch citizens are educated, in detail, about cannabinoids and their positive effects.

If you want to learn more about CBD and its effects, you can already browse the international internet for more information. There are plenty of websites and YouTube videos which explain all there is to know about cannabidiol and cannabinoids.

Which dose is best for me?

Many people wonder which CBD product, and more importantly which dose, is best suited for them. The best product depends on the purpose for which you are taking it. For instance, a CBD facial crème has a different purpose than a suppository.

The correct dosing is not only dependant of your purpose, but also your own body. Everyone has a different reaction to CBD because every body is different and unique. The right dose for one individual could be too little or too much for the other. CBD products can also vary in their concentrations, which can be denominated in percentages, milligram or millilitres. It is therefore widely recommended to take notice of your own body, and what it is telling you, when starting with CBD.

Always start with a low dose; for instance one drop of CBD oil under the tongue in the morning and one in the evening. Repeat this for a period of 10 to 14 days as the CBD needs time to build in your body. Take note of what the product is doing for your body. Do you feel the effect and does it feel good for you? Keep using that dose. If you notice little or no effect and feel you can benefit from increasing the dose you can increase the dose with one drop per day until it feels right for you.

As for the concentration of CBD in the products, we recommend the following;

  • Oils and capsules with 2.5 to 4% CBD: suitable for children and pets
  • Products with a CBD percentage of 5% and up: suitable for adults

Our standard advice for adults is starting with a 10% CBD concentration.

What is the difference between THC oil and CBD oil?

We shortly talked about this before, but the main difference between THC oil and CBD oil is ‘sky high’. THC oil (‘weed-‘ or ‘cannabis-oil’) has a psychoactive component which can make you feel high or stoned. THC oil is extracted from the ‘tips’ or flowers of the Cannabis Sativa, a different hemp variety grown especially for its high concentrations of THC.

CBD is not psychoactive and therefore has no ‘’mind-expanding’’ or ‘’mind-altering’’ properties.

The endocannabinoid system

Whether you believe it or not: every person, starting from birth, produces cannabinoids in their own body. The natural system in your body responsible for this is the endocannabinoid system. ‘Endo’ stands for internal.
The endocannabinoid system is responsible for many important physical and mental processes that take place in the body. Including your appetite, sleeping pattern, pain perception/experience and emotional state.
The endocannabinoid system is a regulating system in our body and subsists from two different receptors; the CB1 and CB2 receptors. These receptors can be found all throughout the body and are naturally created and multiplied where needed.

It can however occur for the system to be out of balance in some way. You will notice this as the primary bodily mechanisms, which the endocannabinoid system is responsible for, are disrupted. When this happens, it can be helpful to the body to supplement cannabinoids like CBD from the outside to restore balance.

Again, we cannot make ‘medical’ claims about this. However, it is quite clear; the implementation of cannabinoids and similar substances that come natural to the body are very important in modern medicine.

Side effects
After hundreds of studies, no side effects for CBD use have been discovered. There is no risk of an overdose; thorough testing proves that CBD use does not endanger your health in any way. You could even take up to 1.200 mg CBD per day, your body will ‘’know’’ what to do with the CBD and use it for its benefit. It is and will always be the ‘miracle cure’, as they have known for thousands of years.

IS CBD safe to use?

Yes, CBD is completely safe to use for adults as well as children and animals. Do you take certain kinds of heavy medication? We advise consulting your general practitioner before use. Use of CBD when pregnant or breastfeeding is not recommended.