A brief history of CBD in Canada
In 1938, Canada passed the Opium and Narcotic Drug Act and effectively banned the growing and cultivation of cannabis. It wasn't until 1998 that industrial hemp, a plant with no psychoactive properties, and less than 0.3% THC, was differentiated in the eyes of the law and legalized for commercial application.
CBD, is but one of 483 compounds that can be derived from the cannabis plant - including industrial hemp. Today, industrial hemp-based CBD is the norm for much of CBD based body care and wellness products currently for sale in Canada.
Health Canada’s current position on CBD
As of today, Cannabis in Canada is legal and managed for both medicinal and recreational use under the Cannabis Act. The Cannabis Act, passed on October 17, 2018, made Canada only the second country in the world (Uruguay being the first) to officially formalize the production, cultivation and consumption of Cannabis.
Wellness products that contain CBD, even from industrial hemp, must abide by all the rules and regulations that are set under the Cannabis Act. This includes regulations around advertising and direct claims that CBD products may have on health, wellness and the treatment of illness.
Therefore any organization involved in the production, distribution or sales, or CBD products, (even those without THC) can not refer to any health benefits that a CBD product may or may not offer. That said, it doesn't slow the growing narrative, the rise in testimonials nor the early reports from scientific studies.
CBD and how it may work in the body?
Have you ever wondered why a growing number of Canadians are claiming that cannabis (medical or recreational) is helping reduce headache and migraine pains? Or how it can calm their moments of personal anxiety? Well, studies are beginning to support that it’s due to the CBD compound, the derivative of cannabis (genus) plants.
Cannabidiol, or CBD for short, is a non-psychoactive (meaning it does not stimulate a “high”) compound that is found in the cannabis genus of plants including both hemp and marijuana.
There are studies that support the growing theory that CBD does not directly attach to brain receptors but instead produces therapeutic effects by encouraging the body to use its own inherent cannabinoid receptors to improve mood, appetite, and memory function.
The Endocannabinoid System or (ECS) is the cell signaling system that plays a big role in how our bodies interact with CBD. Researchers and scientists note that our ECS is what helps our bodies control the important mental, physical and emotional functions in both our brain and our body.
From pain management to brain protection, the ECS plays a very important role in how our bodies function on a daily basis.
What are the 3 types of CBD?
Cannabis plants contain hundreds of natural compounds cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids. CBD comes in 3 forms, each varying in extraction process, unique qualities, and their use and application. They are:
Full-spectrum CBD
- Contains many terpenes, flavonoids, and other cannabinoids
- Extracted and derived from the cannabis plant
- May contain THC at varied amounts
- Widely available in all legal markets
- Products range from oils, tinctures, and edibles, to topical creams and serums
Broad-spectrum CBD
- Contains terpenes and other cannabinoids
- All THC is removed
- Less widely available than Full-spectrum CBD
- It’s most often sold as an oil
CBD (Hemp) Isolate
- CBD isolate has the advantage of being the purest and most potent form of CBD.
- Contains up to 90% cannabidiol
- No risk of getting ‘high’
- Hemp-based, no THC present
- A white powder or “slab” that can be broken apart and eaten for benefits
- Available as a powder, oil, or tincture or as an ingredient within topicals like creams and gels
Who Benefits from CBD?
Recent research and studies are helping inform a deeper understanding of CBD and how it works within our bodies. Reports of anti-inflammatory and pain relief benefits, along with brain-functionality, hold great promise. It should be noted that long-term studies are required before agencies like Health Canada can validate industry and anecdotal claims.
When CBD is infused in products such as topical salves, creams, butters, or in tinctures that can be ingested as a daily supplement, an individual may reap considerable benefits, such as:
- Relief with muscle aches, arthritis, and chronic pains without the side effects that are accompanied by the use of traditional common medications (substitute your Tylenol for CBD)
- Reduction in anxiety
- Alleviated autoimmune symptoms
- Healthier brain wellness and functionality
- Improved skin quality with less inflammation present (acne, eczema, psoriasis)
- A better night’s rest without the use of sleeping pills
About CBD and Seizures
Studies conducted in recent years have shown that in addition to CBD’s stress and anxiety-reducing benefits, it may also be used to treat forms of Epilepsy and seizures caused by abnormal electrical activity in one’s brain.
CBD is slowly but surely gaining recognition in the medical world for its vast therapeutic potential for individuals. Products like Epidiolex, which is a pure CBD product, are being licensed to treat certain childhood epilepsies in the USA.
Besides being known as an anticonvulsant CBD’s medicinal properties may also include:
- Pain relieving properties (analgesic)
- Anti-tumour effects
- Neuroprotective qualities
- Antioxidant
- Antipsychotic effects
CBD and Alzheimer’s Disease
CBD may prove to be beneficial for individuals who are in the early stages of Alzheimer’s. There is initial evidence that reveals CBD may help patients keep their ability to recognize certain family members or friends that they know. Although more research is needed in this area, if proven, slowing the progression of the disease could be a good first step.
Types of CBD pain treatment applications
Topicals: A CBD topical is any cream, lotion, butter, or salve that's infused with CBD and can be applied directly to the skin where pain or ailments persist.
Edibles: Gummies, chocolate, and candies that are infused with CBD are some of the most popular ways to ingest CBD. Edibles are dosed with milligrams or “mg”.
Tinctures: This potent liquid is the result of steeping cannabis flowers in high-quality grain alcohol while applying a low heat over a span of significant time which allows the beneficial compounds in the plant to infuse into the alcohol. Carrier oils like coconut oil or orange oil are added to improve the taste of the tincture.
When CBD is applied in the form of a topical (a CBD pain cream or a CBD lotion for pain), it can be directly applied to the inflamed area, which in return may help ease pain and tension caused by ailments like arthritis and chronic muscle pain.
If CBD is consumed through an edible capsule or a tincture, its benefits work on the inside of the body helping reduce anxiety, insomnia, and depression. Many individuals claim that using CBD as a daily supplement, often taken at night, can improve their overall mood, lessen anxiety, and has seen improvements in appetite.
What is the proper CBD dosage for pain management?
You may wonder what the “correct” dosage for CBD should be - especially if you are new to the CBD world. As of today, CBD is measured in milligrams (mg) starting anywhere from 5mg per serving on the low end, to 20mg per serving on the higher end of the spectrum.
There is no official dosage for how much CBD an individual needs to take in order to experience its benefits. It’s important to note that the amount of CBD taken should be based on what works best for that individual and the type of ailments that persist.
Take into account that consulting with your doctor or naturopath before starting your CBD journey can help clarify anything that you may be unsure of. Understand and take into account that your current medications, certain personal health issues, your medical history, and your BMI (body mass index) are all factors that can steer your dosage in the right direction.
How is CBD dosage measured?
To figure out what dosage may work for you, start with a relatively small amount and work your way up. Everyone is different! A 10mg dosage may be perfect for you and your personal ailments but someone else may need upwards of 50mg doses.
This all varies from person to person. Remember that there is no such thing as overdosing on CBD. Hemp CBD products are known to be very safe as long as they aren’t in synthetic form or filled with contaminants.
Many edible products in the form of CBD capsules, gummies, and pills will have the amount of CBD for a single serving on its packaging (ex. 10mg per capsule). When using a tincture or CBD oil, it will be packaged in a dropper bottle. The packaging might specify how much CBD is in a single drop or how much CBD is in a whole dropper.
When the packaging only states how much CBD is in the entire bottle you may have to do some critical math. A single drop of CBD is equivalent to 0.05 milliliters (mL). 200 drops of CBD oil adds up to 10-mL. So that means If a 10-mL bottle states that it contains 1,000 mg of CBD, each drop will contain about 5 mg of CBD (1000 ÷ 200 = 5)
CBD is a supplement, not a “Quick Fix”
As an ingestible, CBD should be looked at as a supplement that overtime helps build a healthier mind and body. See it as CBD helping you prevent future pains and ailments from happening or worsening by working in unison with the body’s endocannabinoid system. It is not a quick fix to all your problems- no product in the market can do that.
Consistency is key when it comes to CBD. You can’t just take it for a few weeks and expect all your problems to be gone. You must learn how to incorporate CBD into your way of life, diet, and self-care routine for you to benefit in the long run. CBD wellness products may be incredibly beneficial to add to your self-care routine.
As a topical, however, CBD Hemp Isolate products may provide fast-acting temporary relief for headaches, joint pains and inflammation.
A timeline for CBD pain relief - how long does it take to work and how long does it last?
Keep in mind that we are all unique individuals with different metabolisms and enzymes that work at different paces, so how long it takes for a person to feel the effects of CBD will vary from one person to another. Topicals can provide relief in minutes and can last up 4-6 hrs. With ingestibles one may start to begin to feel the peak of CBD’s effects 60-90 minutes after consumption.
Although research on how long CBD stays in one’s system is in its early stages, introductory studies suggest that a single dose of CBD taken orally has a half-life (how long it takes the body to eliminate half of the dosage taken) of 1-2 days.
As a side, so long as the CBD (CBD isolate) you are ingesting does not contain THC, it will not show up on drug tests.
What makes Orenda Botanicals the best choice for hemp pain relief in Canada?
The word ORENDA originates from the Iroquois Peoples of Canada and is defined as “a supernatural divine force within every human being that is forever around and always present.” This energy empowers people to change the world in a positive & loving way. It is the energy that affects change in one’s own life experience.
As a family, Orenda Botanicals believe in the power of intention. Through the careful curation of our Hemp topical products ranging from pain management to skincare, we have been able to help our friends, families, and communities, regain confidence in their everyday lives.
As a business, we dedicate ourselves to our high quality products and excellent customer service. We source only 100% sustainable, all-natural, cruelty-free hemp wellness ingredients. Our products are infused with a complimentary blend of medicinal herbs and organic botanical extracts to help aid everyday physical ailments.
As a brand, we believe that our bodies are the divine physical vessels that carry our souls and our ORENDA energy. We need to care for our bodies to keep moving forward in our everyday lives. Through the ups and the downs, take them all as blessings and lessons for you to grow into a better self.
“When mind, body and spirit are in harmony, happiness is the result”
-Deepak Chopra