What is Cannabidiol (CBD)?

CBD or Cannabidiol is one of the primary known cannabinoids found in hemp and cannabis sativa plants. According to numerous clinical studies, CBD offers significant medical benefits without any psychoactive or negative side effects. In fact, CBD actually counteracts the psychoactive effects of the other most common known cannabinoid, delta-9 THC.

Plant derived cannabinoids including CBD interact with receptors or “endocannabinoids” inside the human brain and CNS. According to the US National Institutes of Health, endocannabinoids are “the brain’s own cannabis-like substances which serve as synaptic circuit breakers and regulate multiple physiological and pathological conditions”.

Cannabidiol molecules can be derived from both industrial hemp plants and cannabis plants. Products made from industrial hemp derived CBD is sold in retail stores, pharmacies and doctors offices in all 50 states, however, CBD from cannabis plants can only be purchased and used under the legal guidelines for use in states where medical or recreational laws have been enacted.

Prior to the outlawing of cannabis in 1937, major pharmaceutical companies produced a wide variety of cannabis-based medicines, but cannabis has actually been used as a medicine for thousands of years. Although it has a long history, the recent discovery (1992) of the body's widespread endocannabinoid system (ECS) has thrust cannabis back into the limelight again as a viable medicine.

Steven Leonard-JohnsonRN PhD and author "CBD-Rich Hemp Oil: Cannabis Medicine is Back"

Endocannabinoids are “the brain’s own cannabis-like substances which serve as synaptic circuit breakers and regulate multiple physiological and pathological conditions”.

U.S. Department Of Health & Human ServicesNational Institutes of Health-National Library of Medicine

”The entourage effect is the term used to describe enhancement of efficacy, with related improvement in overall therapeutic effectiveness, derived from combining phytocannabinoids and other plant-derived molecules.”

U.S. Department Of Health & Human ServicesNational Institutes of Health-National Library of Medicine

“Putting these pharmacologic, clinical, and societal issues together, the direction for the future resides in the development of orally administered, highly bioavailable, non-psychoactive phytocannabinoid products that also take advantage of the entourage effect”.

U.S. Department Of Health & Human ServicesNational Institutes of Health-National Library of Medicine

Endocannabinoid System (ECS)

Endocannabinoid receptors are the most abundant receptors in the mammalian brain and are also found throughout the peripheral central nervous system (CNS).

Since the relatively recent discovery of endocannabinoids through the study of medical cannabis, the entire natural complex came to be called the “endogenous cannabinoid system,” or “endocannabinoid system” (ECS).

Hemp plants are loaded with cannabinoids like cannabidiol (or CBD) that stimulate our ECS receptor sites. These sites are found in the brain, organs, glands, connective tissue and immune cells. The primary purpose of this system revolves around maintaining balance in the body, known as “homeostasis”.

Cannabinoids found in the hemp plant work in harmony with the cannabinoids we naturally produce when our system is functioning properly.

We encourage you to do your own research and consult with your physician before taking any new supplements or medication to make sure it is right for you!

Frequently Asked Questions

Please note: We cannot recommend products for specific conditions. Please consult your primary care physician or wellness practitioner before using cannabidiol to make sure it is right for you.

Is CBD legal?

Some hemp derived CBD products are considered legal in all states. Cannabis derived CBD products are only legal in states with medical or recreational marijuana use. HealthSmart Products are derived from industrial hemp.

Do I need a medical card?

No medical card or prescription is needed to buy these products. It is legal to buy CBD made from imported industrial hemp, for use in any state, without a prescription. Individuals ordering CBD products made from medical marijuana plants must live in a state where medical marijuana is legal and have a prescription.

Will I fail a drug test?

Most drug tests are geared towards identifying THC, not CBD or another cannabinoids. If one uses CBD rich cannabis that has only a small amount of THC, the THC may register on a drug test. A drug test geared toward CBD would not be an effective law enforcement tool, given that CBD is not psychoactive and does not cause impairment.

Is CBD a drug?

CBD is a natural occurring substance found in the cannabis plant; a plant that has been known and used by man for over 5,000 years. It has been incorporated into man’s life for so long, the human body even has it’s own endocannabinoid system, (ECS), with receptors found in our nervous system and our immune system to bind with CBD and THC. This is not unlike how we utilize other nutrients we consume to keep our health and wellness optimum. It could be said that CBD might be a dietary supplement we are meant to take regularly like vitamins and minerals. It is a neuroprotectant and an antioxidant, offering preventive qualities, such as vitamin C preventing scurvy. It has been used medicinally all over the world, treating chronic pain, auto immune conditions, cancer cell destruction, and many other ailments. It is even being studied for its effects on epi-genetics as a preventative substance that may help humans avoid such conditions as Alzheimer’s, Muscular Sclerosis, and Senile Dementia. Most importantly, it may the best supplement ever to help the cessation of addictive substances and behaviors such as smoking cigarettes, taking opiates, and alcohol. In the area of psychotherapy, CBD may be the most promising preventative substance in the treatment of PTSD. Based on the definition of a drug above; CBD does not alter the structure of the body, it only optimizes its intended function of that structure, whether it be a neuron or an immune cell in the body. CBD does not alter the function of the body, again it only optimizes it. CBD restores and replenishes, it has no notable physiological changes in a persons vital signs even at very high doses in the range of 1500 mg. It has no apparent toxicity documentations and it appears that the body only absorbs and uses what it needs, just like most vitamins and other nutrients. With the increase in allergies, auto-immune disorders and epidemic PTSD in our world, CBD may be returning to our world just in time, as the most important nutrient we needed and are lacking in, not another drug.

How does CBD work?

In the last 20 years, natural cannabinoid receptor systems have been discovered in the human body. It is binding to these receptors that cannabinoids produce their pharmacological effects. There are two types of cannabinoid receptors in humans, CB1 & CB2. CB1 receptors are present in the brain, spinal cord and certain peripheral tissues. CB2 receptors are found primarily in immune tissues.

How strong are CBD products?

Cannabinoid levels vary. CBD and THC levels, known as cannabinoids vary between plants. Marijuana plants grown for recreational use tend to be high in THC and have varying amounts of CBD. Industrial Hemp, which are to very low in THC, while medical marijuana plants are typically high in CBD.

Is our CBD synthetic?

No. The CBD in our products is a natural, complex element giving you the experience in the best way possible: how nature intended.

What does Active CBD mean?

Active CBD refers to the complex, full spectrum molecular structure of the CBD molecule, along with the Terbenes, flavonoids, and other cannabinoids that make up the “Entourage Effect”. This maximized, active complex structure provides the most natural, wellness supplement to the body; offering the optimum opportunity for restoration and prevention.