It seems like CBD is everywhere. Coffee shops make lattes and chai teas with it, spas use CBD-infused oils in their massages and facials, and even bookstores have started to carry little packs of CBD gummies. However, a lot of people may still be a bit hazy on what exactly CBD is. Where does it come from? Is it marijuana, or something else entirely? Is it safe? What is it used for?
Here at Farmer & Chemist, our goal is to be completely transparent when it comes to anything CBD. We want to help you understand how beneficial this medicinal tool can be, so that more people are able to take advantage of its potential. So, let’s start with the basics: what is CBD?
What is CBD?
As stated by the U.S. National Library of Medicine, CBD (cannabidiol) is a naturally-occurring compound extracted from cannabis plants that aids individuals with anxiety, cognition, movement disorders, and pain—all while avoiding the hypnotic and psychoactive properties of medical marijuana. Basically, it provides most of the calming and pain-relieving benefits of other cannabis products while avoiding the high. CBD has been celebrated for its use in treating various ailments, such as anxiety, epilepsy, and chronic pain. Speaking from firsthand experience, it’s also great for insomnia.
So how does CBD do all this good while avoiding any unnecessary high? Well, CBD is one of 113 identified cannabinoids in cannabis plants, constituting up to 40% of the plant’s extract. It is non-addictive, and, unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), CBD is non-psychoactive. It interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS) in such a way that the body’s naturally occurring cannabinoids are strengthened.
Yep, you read that right! The body has its own system of neurotransmitters and receptors that is startingly like compounds found in cannabis plants. If you want to learn more about the ECS, check out this PharmD reviewed article that explains it in a bit more detail. For our purposes however, suffice it to say that CBD works with our endocannabinoid system to give the body the balance needed to restore a proper appetite, sleep schedule, and mood—among other things.
So, while THC interacts with your endocannabinoid system in such a way that you feel a high, CBD does not. With CBD you get all the benefits without the haze.
Why should I take CBD?
CBD has a lot of therapeutic benefits. Because it produces no intoxicating effects, many people see CBD as the anxiety cure they have been looking for. Unlike a lot of prescription anxiety medications, CBD gives you the relief and relaxation you need while avoiding unwanted and laborious side effects. It may make you feel a bit lethargic if you take too much, but that can be easily avoided by talking with our pharmacists on staff.
Jeff Dunn, a pharmacist and co-founder of Farmer & Chemist, says “[Anxiety medications] work for some people, but they don’t work for others. They can take six to eight weeks to have an effect and they have drug interactions and side effects. They’re good agents, but there are other alternatives that should be considered, and CBD is one of them.
“It’s also worth pointing out that anxiety can come from a lot of different things,” Jeff continues. “It’s a disease and should be looked at that way. It’s not caused just by things like COVID and earthquakes, though they can exacerbate the problem. It’s also associated with a lot of other diseases. I happen to know two people, one with ADHD and the other on the autism spectrum, that have a lot of anxiety that comes with these other diseases. They’re both using CBD, and it helps them control their anxiety and function at a much higher level. They don’t have to worry about some of the side effects and drug interactions that come with adding more and more prescription drugs to their regimen.”
CBD is also a natural combatant against physical pain and maladies. Whether you have sore calves from a long hike or an inflamed shoulder, CBD infused balms and ointments are a great way to stave off any unwanted or excess pain. CBD works with the human body in such a way that muscles relax and lose a lot of the tension that causes discomfort. This also extends to chronic pain, such as joint pain or arthritis.
In addition to anxiety and pain-relief, CBD has also been shown to fight other maladies like insomnia, depression, acne, heart disease, epilepsy, and PTSD, among others. It’s also safe to use with your pets!
How is CBD taken?
CBD can be taken in a few ways. The most popular method is CBD oil. CBD oils are concentrated tinctures that can be dripped under one’s tongue. The tincture then interacts with the receptors in the mouth in such a way that the chemicals are carried to the rest of your body smoothly and quickly. Here at Farmer & Chemist, we have two different types of tincture. Our Steady Going is a phytocannabinoid-rich tincture that is designed to help relieve chronic pain and anxiety. Steady Going can also be used topically for localized relief. Our second tincture is called Lickety Split. This is an advanced emulsion tincture which is water soluble, so it can be mixed in your favorite drinks!
CBD can also be taken orally through soft gel capsules and gummies. We even have gel capsules that are mixed with other naturally occurring supplements like melatonin (which helps with sleep) and curcumin (an antioxidant), so we can better specialize your relief.
If localized relief is more up your alley, then balms and salves are an amazing option. These are ointments that are rubbed directly onto the skin, providing immediate aid to specific areas of your body. There are also roll-on options that are mixed with heating and cooling agents to help your muscles loosen up or cool down. It all comes down to what type of relief you’re looking for!
Before you start taking CBD though, it’s important to remember that the key to relief through CBD is consistency. Since your body has naturally occurring endocannabinoids, it won’t recognize the assistance of CBD right away. The more consistent you are with your CBD regimen, the better your results will be.
Doug Burgoyne, PharmD and Farmer & Chemist co-founder, says, “It's not that all of a sudden there's this relief feeling. Instead, it's the lack of anxiety after you've used the product a couple of times. CBD gives folks the ability to handle stress and to be able to deal with it pretty quickly.”
CBD in a Nutshell
There you have it: that’s CBD in a nutshell. So where does Farmer & Chemist step into the equation? Well, because CBD is mostly available as an unregulated supplement, it’s difficult to know exactly what you are getting. Here at Farmer & Chemist, we are able to trace all of our products back to the source plants they were derived from. After all, the “Chemist” in our name stands for our direct partnership with scientists. These chemists have undergone extraordinary effort to be able to ensure that our concentrates are pure, free from pesticides and metals, and have the exact quantities of cannabinoids to deliver the right dose every single time.
Working directly with chemists has also given us the tools necessary to create the highest quality CBD. Farmer & Chemist products feature a higher concentration of CBD, ensuring that the product will work its hardest to make sure you feel relaxed and relieved.
We also set ourselves apart from other providers through our relationship with pharmacists and medical professionals. Our on-staff pharmacists and pharmacy techs will ensure that you feel comfortable and confident with your CBD regimen, should you decide to branch out and try it. And we may be biased, but we think you should.