Focus on Ingredients: CBD (AKA Everything You Need to Know about CBD but were Afraid to Ask)

CBD & CBD-Infused Heliotrope SF Products

Tinctures, edibles, and topical creams - CBD-infused products are popping up everywhere. It can be confusing, however, to know what CBD actually is, how it differs from THC, what to use it for, and how to use it. Some folks find CBD helpful for ailments such as pain and sleeplessness, while others claim they don’t feel much relief. Since we are all different, and our bodies react to substances in different ways, your experience with CBD may be different than someone else’s. We can’t make any medical claims about CBD, but wanted to remove some of the mystery surrounding it. 

What is CBD?

“CBD is one of more than 120 compounds called cannabinoids. Many plants contain cannabinoids, but people most commonly link them to cannabis. Unlike other cannabinoids — such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) — CBD does not produce a euphoric "high" or psychoactive effect. This is because CBD does not affect the same receptors as THC.” (source: Medical News Today)

The body has an endocannabinoid system (say that three times fast) that receives and translates signals from cannabinoids such as CBD. This system helps regulate sleep and deal with pain. CBD influences the body to use its own endocannabinoids more effectively. Cool, right?

There are two types of CBD oil products: hemp-based CBD oil and marijuana-based CBD. “The variety that is typically (and legally) used to make CBD oil is hemp. How is hemp oil different? A plant can only be legally considered hemp if it contains .3% per dry unit (or less) of the compound THC.” (source: Wellness Mama)

How does CBD differ from THC?

“Despite their similar chemical structures, CBD and THC don’t have the same psychoactive effects. In fact, CBD is a nonpsychoactive compound. That means it doesn’t produce the “high” associated with THC.” (source: healthline)

While THC binds with the cannabinoid 1 receptors in the brain to produce a high, CBD binds very weakly, if at all to these receptors. Weedmaps.com puts it this way: CBD is psychoactive; it’s just not intoxicating. Any substance that has a direct effect on the function of the brain is considered to be psychoactive. But does CBD get you high? No.

What types of products can contain CBD?

All types of products can contain CBD. We’ve seen CBD coffee, tea, gummies, capsules, mints, tinctures, and topical creams and balms.

“How CBD is absorbed depends on the route of administration, or how it’s consumed. Whether CBD oil is ingested, situated under the tongue, inhaled, or applied topically plays an important role in the uptake, distribution, and elimination of the compound. It can therefore influence how effective cannabinoid treatments will be at eliciting their natural balancing effects.” (source: echo connection)

Topical products are applied to the body via the skin. And, although skin has a low absorption rate for cannabinoids, if applied liberally, CBD is permeable through the pores.

What types of ailments can benefit from using topical CBD?

Studies suggest that CBD may be able to provide anti-inflammatory effects that could potentially be beneficial for conditions like arthritis.  When CBD extract is infused into a salve, it can be helpful for sore muscles, joints, and more. And, CBD oil can be used topically to treat skin conditions.

“Studies show CBD oil has a high potential for treating skin conditions like eczema by encouraging abnormal cell death. It can also help regulate the skin’s oil production, reducing acne. CBD also contains many nutrients like vitamin E that help improve and protect the skin.” (source: Wellness Mama)

What type of CBD products does Heliotrope produce?

Our products are made using 100% full-spectrum hemp extract (from industrial hemp). It’s certified and it’s organic. We use high proportions of CBD (100 mg/oz for cream & salve, 50 mg/oz for fizzy & candle). Many companies don’t even bother listing the percentage of CBD on  their bath/body products because it’s very low - or they just don’t know.

Our CBD Body Cream contains 70+% certified organic ingredients. This rich cream is infused with organic flowers, fruits, herbs and plant extracts that naturally moisturize and nourish all skin types. Plus, a full 200 mg of pure CBD extract per 2 oz jar.

Made of pure vegetable oils and waxes, our CBD Body & Lip Salve also contains over 70% organic ingredients. Rich and healing, use it all over your body, wherever you feel the need for relief. You’ll find 100 mg pure CBD extract total in this one ounce jar.

Melt our CBD Massage Candle at a low temperature, and it transforms into a warm massage oil. We've added jojoba to our best-selling massage candles, as well as pure CBD extract (50 mg/oz).

It was a no-brainer to add CBD to our popular effervescent Bath Cubes. These "bath bombs" have jojoba oil to soften skin, and silk proteins are rich in amino acids, which stimulate collagen production.

We are so excited for you to try all of our new CBD-infused bath and body products! With all-natural CBD extract plus our regular no-artificial-fragrance formulas, we are proud to offer these quality products under the Heliotrope SF name.

Shop Heliotrope SF’s new line of CBD products here: https://www.heliotropecbd.com