CBD/CBG FAQ's
Research/Education:
There is a tremendous amount of research and information regarding hemp and cannabinoids available today. We have provided some common questions and answers for quick reference and education to assist in making informed decisions. However, we ask that HERO HEMP customers conduct their own research and come to their own conclusion regarding the effectiveness of cannabinoids. For individual recommendations on cannabinoid use, if you use prescription medications, take supplements or have underlying health conditions that cause concern, check with your physician or healthcare provider to make sure that cannabinoid products will be safe for your use.
What is CBD?
Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of over 100 compounds found in hemp plants. It’s a non-intoxicating cannabinoid that has the ability to act on cannabinoid receptors that are part of the Endocannabinoid System (ECS). Plant cannabinoids, also known as phytocannabinoids, bind with this system which helps regulate certain vital functions of the body. For more information visit https://www.projectcbd.org/.
What is CBG?
Like CBD, Cannabigerol (CBG) is a cannabinoid or a naturally occurring compound that is present in hemp plants. It's also a non-intoxicating cannabinoid that has the ability to act on receptors that are part of the Endocannabinoid System (ECS). Plant cannabinoids, also known as phytocannabinoids, bind with this system which helps regulate certain vital functions of the body.
CBG is sometimes referred to as the “mother of cannabinoids,” because it’s thought that many cannabinoids actually start out as a form of CBG. Within the hemp plant, CBG starts out in the form of cannabigerolic acid (CBGA), which provides the original material for other cannabinoids. CBGA is synthesized into the likes of THCA, CBDA, and so on. This synthesis process happens as the hemp plant matures, which helps explain why the amount of CBG in a plant declines as the plant ages - it’s being used up to synthesize other types of cannabinoids. For more information visit https://www.leafly.com/news/cannabis-101/what-is-cbg-cannabinoid.
What is the Endocannabinoid System (ECS)?
Your endocannabinoid system is the network of receptors and messengers that regulate the many vital processes in your body. The messengers manufactured by your body are made as needed and broken down quickly by enzymes. When your body cannot produce a sufficient quantity of messengers (neurotransmitters) on its own, the communication system can fail. Ideally, your endocannabinoid system would remain in balance. Unfortunately, under the assault of stress, illness or injury, your body may not produce enough endocannabinoids to fulfill communication requirements. The system becomes unbalanced, and communication deteriorates. Keeping the endocannabinoid system balanced is so crucial to your health and well-being that many researchers today believe endocannabinoid deficiencies are to blame for many common health concerns. CBD and other cannabinoids work by mimicking the messengers and influencing the receptors of the endocannabinoid system. By supporting the functions of this regulatory system, cannabinoids have the potential to provide numerous health and wellness benefits.
What is the difference between cannabis, hemp, and marijuana?
Cannabis is the plant species which is then legally recognized as two different plants, marijuana, and hemp. Hemp is a cannabis plant that contains less than .3% THC. Marijuana contains much higher levels of THC which is the cannabinoid that causes intoxication.
What is the Entourage Effect?
This term is used to explain how the whole has a greater impact than its individual parts. There are more than 400 trace components found in hemp plants, including plant terpenes, flavonoids, vitamins, and minerals. Many of these compounds have the ability to interact synergistically, meaning they work together when the compounds are consumed. When choosing CBD products, many people prefer Full Spectrum or Broad Spectrum CBD over CBD Isolate because of the potential to benefit from the Entourage Effect. CBD Isolate products contain 99.9% ± CBD and zero traces of other plant components. For this reason, those who use CBD Isolate products cannot benefit from the Entourage Effect. When cannabinoids, plant terpenes, flavonoids, and vitamins have the ability to work together, they have the potential to magnify the benefits of the others, strengthening the potential effects.
Do cannabinoids affect everyone the same?
The short answer is NO.
Genetics, gender, and unique biochemistry affect the way substances metabolize throughout our system. Since no two individuals are the same, everyone will have their own personal experience with the effect of specific cannabinoids. There are also various ways in which your body can process and absorb them. You can eat it, you can drink it, you can inhale it, or you can apply it topically.
What is the difference between Full Spectrum, Broad Spectrum, and Isolate CBD?
Full Spectrum
- Created from hemp through full-plant extraction
- Includes all active hemp-derived cannabinoids, including <0.3% THC
- Also contains plant terpenes, flavonoids, vitamins, minerals, plant proteins all from the original hemp source
- All compounds work together in what is known as the Entourage Effect to multiply the potential health benefits
Broad Spectrum
- Created by taking Full Spectrum extract and further processing it to remove trace amounts of THC
- Includes most active hemp-derived cannabinoids, except THC
- Just like Full Spectrum, all compounds work together in what is known as the Entourage Effect to multiply the potential health benefits
Isolate
- Created by removing all other molecules except CBD from the Full Spectrum extract
- All that remains is a white powder that is at least 99% pure CBD with 0.0% THC
What are the benefits of Hemp Flower over other products?
Although there is a large variety of CBD-based products on the market, CBD hemp flower is an affordable way to provide customers with a “full-spectrum” product. Smoking hemp flower is the fastest way to feel it working as it enters the bloodstream upon inhalation.
How do I use Hero Hemp products?
As mentioned above, the diversity of human experience means that finding your ideal form of cannabinoid consumption may take some experimentation. The key differences between ways of using cannabinoids pertain to these questions:
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Onset: How quickly will they begin to work?
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Serving: What’s a reasonable starting point?
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Distribution: Which parts of the body will be most affected?
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Duration: How long will the effects last?
INHALATION:
- Onset: Seconds to minutes.
- Serving: As little as a puff may be necessary.
- Distribution: Affects the lungs immediately, then the heart and brain, then is distributed fairly evenly throughout the body.
- Duration: Most effects subside after 2-3 hours.
UNDER THE TONGUE / SUBLINGUAL TINCTURES:
- Onset: 15 minutes to an hour.
- Serving: 5-10 mg is common.
- Distribution: Absorbed into the bloodstream in the mouth, then distributes evenly.
- Duration: Generally 6-8 hours
- Onset: 1-2 hours.
- Serving: 5-10 mg is common.
- Distribution: Absorbed through the gut and modified in the liver, then spreads fairly evenly throughout the body.
- Duration: Generally 6-8 hours.
There is no definitive recommended daily serving, please remember individual results may vary and you may require a different serving size depending on a multitude of factors. For best results, it is recommended that you start with 5-10 mg of CBD, wait 3-4 hours, and increase as necessary to achieve desired effects.
For individual recommendations on CBD servings size, if you use prescription medications, take supplements or have underlying health conditions that cause concern, check with your physician or healthcare provider to make sure that our CBD products will be safe for your use.
CBD Flower
- Simply lite up one of our pre-rolls or inhale using your favorite delivery method (rolling papers, pipe, water pipe or vaporizer).
CBD Oil Tinctures
- Take your desired serving size and hold under the tongue for 10-30 seconds before swallowing.
CBD Isolates
- Add your desired serving size of CBD Isolate to personal care products, food, or beverages. Mix until dissolved.
CBD Capsules & Softgels
- Take with water and swallow like you would with any other supplement. Adjust the serving size as needed.
CBD Pet Tinctures
- Give the desired serving to your pet or add it to their food or water!
Do (CBD) and other natural hemp-based constituents show up on a drug test?
Most drug screens test for the metabolites your body makes when consuming Delta 9 THC and do not detect the presence of cannabidiol (CBD) or other legal natural hemp-based constituents. Studies have shown that consuming hemp with low THC can cause one to fail a drug test if enough is consumed. Since there are many variables such as how much one consumed, the number of fluids consumed, the amount of time from the last use to the test, the levels of THC in the product, and the metabolism of the consumer, we cannot answer this question for each person as there are too many variables. If you are getting tested we suggest you try a THC free product.
CBD for pets?
Just like humans, animals also have cannabinoid receptors primarily in the brain and central nervous system, making up what is known as the Endocannabinoid System. For mammals, this system helps regulate inflammation, pain, motor control, skin condition, appetite, aggression, anxiety, and neurological disorders. CBD is an agonist, weakly binding to endocannabinoid receptors, causing a long-lasting response with non-intoxicating effects.