All you need to know about CBD

What is it?

CBD stands for cannabidiol, which is one of at least 85 active cannabinoids identified in cannabis. It plays a major part of the cannabis/hemp plant, making up approx 40% of it. CBD is not the same as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), another well known cannabinoid - the one known for causing a psychoactive high. Due mostly to its safety and legality, CBD has long been researched for a wide scope of applications as it acts on completely different receptors and enzymes than THC.

A whistlestop history

CBD or cannabidiol may feel like it’s a very new and modern phenomenon, but in actual fact it’s been a naturally occurring component of a family of plants for thousands of years. Records suggest that hemp (or cannabis) was one of the earliest plants cultivated by humanity. CBD was first discovered in 1940 by Roger Adams. He isolated both CBD and another cannabinoid called CBN (cannabinol) from the hemp plant, and hypothesised about the existence of the psychoactive chemical THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). It wasn’t until 1964 that THC was isolated by Raphael Mechoulam. 

It was through Mechoulam’s work that the stereochemistry (the 3-D molecular form) and properties of both CBD and THC were identified. What’s fascinating is that given how THC is often associated with the high you get from ingesting cannabis, CBD was identified beforehand! Clearly, CBD has always been a very important molecule.

What should you look at when purchasing a CBD product?

In a saturated market of CBD products and brands with varying degrees of integrity, it’s difficult to know what you need to look out for when buying a product. These are our top tips:

1. Look for a product that has been tested by a third party which confirms it contains exactly what the label claims. For instance, the correct CBD percentage, and the absence of THC and potentially harmful substances. 

2. Understand the label; if a product says 500mg, that’s the amount of CBD contained in the entire product. Look for the amount of CBD per serving and note not to take over 70mg per day. 

3. Not all capsules and gummies are vegetarian. If that is something that matters to you, look for clarity and certification on the label. 

In conclusion, CBD is an exciting new ingredient that has started to shatter the myths and prejudice that exists around cannabis and has developed into a natural food supplement, with wide use all over the world. The early evidence is quite promising, but rest assured that we will keep updating you once new research is available! If you would like to find out more about CBD, feel free to reach out at info@vitl.com, or speak directly to one of our in house nutritionists at nutrition@vitl.com!

What are you waiting for? Get your CBD here today!

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