by Jenn Rush | Jul 23, 2020 | CBD Education
Learn the differences between these two natural compounds found in cannabis
When it comes to THC and CBD, there is often a lot of confusion about their effects, legal restrictions, benefits, and more.
While THC and CBD are both derived from cannabis plants, there are some key differences between the two. THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is the psychoactive element in cannabis that creates the feeling of being ‘high’. CBD, or cannabidiol, is the non-psychoactive element commonly derived from hemp––a plant from the cannabis family that contains 0.3% or less of THC.
Continue reading as we discuss the differences between THC and CBD.
Difference #1: The chemical structure
THC and CBD have the same molecular structure: 30 hydrogen atoms, 21 carbon atoms, and 2 oxygen atoms.
The difference? The arrangement of those atoms! This small difference completely changes their chemical makeup, therefore changing the effects they have on your body.
Difference #2: The psychoactive effects
Though both THC and CBD interact with your endocannabinoid system (ECS), they have very different effects. The ECS is a system in your body that helps regulate certain biological functions including sleep, mood, appetite, and more.
THC binds to the receptors in your ECS, which helps create the ‘high’ sensation. CBD, on the other hand, has no psychoactive effects and is thought to help increase the lifespan of endocannabinoids in your ECS, helping them have more of an impact. CBD is a completely natural remedy that works through this inherent system found within all animals and humans to foster homeostasis (balance and wellbeing) of the mind and body.
Read more:
Born to be balanced: Understanding your endocannabinoid system
Difference #3: The benefits
THC has helped people in the past with:
- Nerve pain
- Glaucoma
- Low appetite
- Pain
And more.
Research has shown that CBD may have the ability to help with issues including:
- Mental disorders
- Chronic disease
- Inflammation
- Pain
And more.
While THC and CBD may offer similar benefits, CBD is suggested for those who are looking for an alternative wellness solution that’s non-psychoactive and has no serious side effects.
Difference #4: The legality
CBD that’s extracted from hemp, a plant in the cannabis family that contains less than 0.3% of THC, is legal under federal law in all 50 U.S. states.
Some states have legalized marijuana and THC for both recreational and medical use. However, they are still prohibited under federal law. While CBD is legal at the federal level, some states may have their own specific restrictions. Be sure to check your state’s laws to ensure that you are compliant with their THC and CBD restrictions.
Are you looking for certified, high-quality CBD products?
At Just Breathe CBD, our wellness products are made with premium CBD, a natural plant extract derived from industrial hemp plants that’s federally compliant to contain less than 0.3% THC and legal in all 50 U.S. states.
Visit our online store to shop our variety of our premium, certified, U.S. manufactured CBD products today!
by SkylarRush | Jul 20, 2020 | CBD Education, Health and Wellness, Product Spotlight
“The first time I ever tried CBD was to help sooth my anxiety… A bonus to the whole thing was the relief from various aches and pains I have. Especially the arthritis in my knees. It immediately alleviated 90% of my pain… The benefits of CBD oil are unlike anything any pill or medication can do.”
-Tom Hanks
There’s no argument in the conversation surrounding all of the many ways cannabis can be used as a medicine. Scientists continue prove its merit, and growing numbers of people turn away from harmful pharmaceuticals in favor of natural remedies as information spreads. The most widely studied component of cannabis’s value to people and animals alike surrounds the powerful anti-inflammatory properties of CBD—specifically, as a treatment for those who suffer from the ever-present debilitating pain associated with arthritis.
According to medshadow.org, most pharmaceutical solutions to living with arthritis pain come with side-effects that commonly include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, anemia, hair loss, and more in some cases. Why put yourself through CBD has been proven to provide therapeutic relief for arthritis-related pain and increase mobility from those who suffer. Most importantly, as stated by researchers at the University of Kentucky funded by the American Cancer Society, this solution comes “without [any] evident side-effects.”
We recently provided our CBD soothing balm to Maddy, who suffers from rheumatoid arthritis in multiple areas of her body. “My right hand, wrist, elbow, shoulder, and neck,” she describes, “have always been the worst for my RA pain.” She would suffer from swelling, chronic pain, and severe lack of mobility that would understandably leave her fatigued and frustrated. After consistent use of topical CBD, the improvement in her day-to-day quality of life spoke for itself. “The soothing balm was a game changer. It’s not what you feel,” explains Maddy, “it’s what you don’t. Pain.”
As the ideological separation between the hysteria of cannabis as dope and as medication solidifies, we should all focus on Maddy’s words. CBD is a non-psychoactive solution to debilitating pain that brings with it ZERO side-effects to the user. If you suffer from arthritis pain, please reach out with any questions to see how the Just Breathe family can help you!
by SkylarRush | Jul 20, 2020 | CBD Education
Legendary social activist and visionary, Mahatma Gandhi once said, “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.” Now, if you’ve traveled to any third-world country and counted the ribs on the dogs trotting through the streets with ears back and eyes hungry, you know that the US treats its animals well. Some might even say that we spoil them (picture the overly glamorous woman at the airport talking to her tiny dog in a Louis Vuitton bag). Why, then, are many Americans hesitant to provide their pets a natural remedy that can improve their quality of life?
CBD has now been proven to provide positive results to keep your pet active, healthy, and youthful without any negative side effects. Let’s look at a few examples to help you decide if CBD is right for your four-legged family!
A study published in April of 2020 in the medical journal, Pain: The Journal of the International Association for the Study of Pain, concluded that “[CBD] possesses potent anti-inflammatory properties and significantly improved the mobility of large domestic canines afflicted with osteoarthritis in a double-blinded, placebo-controlled veterinary study.” In other words, this study was conducted at random, with certain subjects being given a controlled dose of CBD and others given a sugar pill. The conclusion was made that dogs with arthritis—more common in larger breeds—benefit significantly from supplemental CBD in their diet, experiencing increased mobility and an overall improvement on their quality of life.
Nothing is worse than holding your four-legged friend, unable to help as he or she rides out a seizure. In two separate instances recently, we at Just Breathe have spoken to people who were nearly in tears seeking solutions for dogs that suffer from relentless and frequent seizures. In both instances, the vets prescribed a pharmaceutical barbiturate that turned their pets into a zombie-like version of their former pet. Two weeks after including a steady dose of CBD oil into their pets’ diets, both dogs are back to their tail wagging and ball fetching selves, with either no seizures or significantly less seizures reported. In fact, a researcher at Colorado State University recently conducted a study testing the effectiveness of CBD in dogs with epilepsy, which found that “89 percent of epileptic dogs had fewer seizures when taking… CBD oil.” See more on this study here.
Here at Just Breathe, we don’t claim to have the ability to cure every ailment for the pets that you love so much. But we do claim to offer solutions to improve your dogs or cats’ sense of wellbeing and quality of life. In our experience interacting with customers whose pets have specific issues like arthritis and seizures, the results speak for themselves. More importantly, these positive outcomes boast ZERO negative side-effects. Please feel free to reach out with any further questions and to see if CBD is right for your four-legged family!
by SkylarRush | Jun 15, 2020 | CBD Education
A crash-course on the vital compounds responsible for the irresistible sticky-icky aroma of the cannabis plant: Terpenes.
By: Skylar Rush
Did you know that CBD and THC—the most widely known and celebrated cannabinoids—are flavorless as well as odorless? Yea, that blew my mind too…
What is it, then—you might be asking yourself—about the cannabis plant that gives off such a distinctive and captivating fragrance?
Well…let’s sniff out the answer, shall we?
Picture yourself at an outdoor concert. Rhythms reverberate through the air, cold drinks never tasted so heavenly, dancing feet shuffle in the grass as people from all walks of life gather together for an evening of live tunes and fun. Through the sultry smell of funnel cake comes an aromatic waft of piney smoke that’s too sweet to come from a cigarette.
No, it’s not the huddled group of music fans with hippie panchos sending up smoke signals; it’s the smell of terpenes at work.
Terpenes are aromatic compounds present within various plants that produce distinctive scents and serve myriad purposes within the plant world, like signaling pollinators and fending off predators. Climate, soil type, exposure to sunlight, and moisture content all effect which terpenes can develop in a particular cannabis plant.
Different strains of cannabis contain different terpenes, and at different levels of concentration; which is why we associate quality flower with a strong “punch” to the nose. More interestingly, these terpenes all provide their own unique mode of treating various ailments in addition to the therapeutic benefits of THC and CBD. So, we at Just Breathe have set out to identify a few of the most common terpenes and explain how they work. Enjoy!
ALPHA-PINENE: Ever notice how you feel like you can breathe easier after a solid walk through the woods? This terpene is also found in pine needles and is a powerful bronchodilator—which means it widens the bronchi in your lungs and helps you to breathe easier. Alpha-pinene is great for treating asthma and general fatigue, and also holds antibacterial and antibiotic properties.
BETA-CARYOPHYLLENE: A strong anti-inflammatory found in the Trainwreck strain of cannabis. This terpene is uniquely used for treating certain types of ulcers as well as irritable bowels because, unlike many other anti-inflammatories, beta-caryophyllene protects stomach lining instead of damaging it.
LIMONENE: I’m sure you guessed from the name that this terpene is also found in lemons (as well as OG Kush). Limonene is a very heart-healthy terpene that assists in improving mood, heartburn, acid-reflux, and cholesterol levels. It boasts powerful antimicrobial properties, and has demonstrated anti-cancer properties in lab testing!
MYRCENE: This anti-inflammatory terpene is found in the hops vine as well as indica-dominant strains of cannabis and works as a powerful sedative at high levels. You know that catchy play-on-words that helps in remembering the effects of indica vs. sativa? Well, you can thank Dr. Ethan Russo, who’s article published in the British Journal of Pharmacology details the effects of Myrcene on mice and humans. “Myrcene…” Dr. Russo writes, “may produce the ‘couch-lock’ phenomenon…decried or appreciated by recreational cannabis consumers.”
BOOM! There you have it: indica = in-da-couch! Thanks, Dr. Russo!
While these four terpenes tend to be the most common, over 200 unique terpenes have been identified in cannabis, and they all work together cooperatively to play important roles in the marijuana “entourage effect” (if this term is unfamiliar, see our blog post on full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and isolate CBD). So, Just Breathe family, next time that scent hits your nose and turns your head, you know where it really comes from.
Happy smelling!
by SkylarRush | May 21, 2020 | CBD Education, CBD in the News
High CBD Cannabis Strains Show Promise in Impeding Spread of COVID-19
Researchers in Alberta, Canada have partnered with two major cannabis R&D companies hoping to find solutions that hinder the COVID-19 virus from finding a host in the lungs, intestines, and mouth. Lead by Doctors Igor and Olga Kovalchuck of the University of Lethbridge, a team of doctors aided by Pathway Rx and Swysh—two major companies devoted to exploring the therapeutic effects of cannabis—now have precursive evidence suggesting that certain high-CBD sativa strains can help inhibit rapid spreading of COVID-19.
Their findings have NOT yet been peer-reviewed, and require further large-scale testing to be proven outright. Nevertheless, Dr. Igor Kovalchuck states confidently in his manuscript that the results of his study, “pending further investigation, may become a useful and safe addition to the treatment of COVID-19 as an adjunct therapy.”
COVID-19, like many other airborne pathogens, spreads most rapidly when it comes into contact with the mucous membranes of the human body—i.e. the nose, mouth, throat, and lungs. It enters the cell walls through certain receptors which, if beefed up, could prevent infection in the most vulnerable tissues in our bodies.
After studying over 800 cannabis sativa strains, the research now focuses on just 13 strains of sativa that are especially high in CBD. “A number of them have reduced the number of these (virus) receptors by 73 percent, the chance of it getting in is much lower.” says Kovalchuck, “If they can reduce the number of receptors, there’s much less chance of getting infected.”
Now, it’s important to note that these conclusions do not prove that cannabis is the key to resolving the COVID-19 crisis altogether.
The research requires large-scale validation and publication in a peer-reviewed journal to gain recognition as concrete data. The researchers are not sure at this point if the medicinal key lies within the anti-inflammatory properties of CBD, the antimicrobial/anti-cancer properties of terpenes like limonene (also found in lemons), or in some other cannabinoid. But, given the rapidly evolving and vastly spreading epidemic, “every possible therapeutic opportunity and avenue” urges Kovalchuck, “must be considered.”
by SkylarRush | May 15, 2020 | CBD Education
Born to be Balanced
Understanding our Bodies’ Built-In Cannabis-Fueled System for Maintaining Healthy and Happy Humans
By: Skylar Rush
Did you know that you were born with naturally occurring receptors that are geared toward harnessing the healing powers of cannabis? It’s called the endocannabinoid system, and research now shows that its compounds play a vital role in regulating many of the most basic functions of the human body from the brain, organs, and connective tissues, to the strength and effectiveness of our immune cells. Our endocannabinoid system performs different tasks in each tissue, but it aims to reach the same goal no matter where it functions—homeostasis. In other words, we all have receptors built into our bodies that fit the compounds in cannabis and work to maintain a stable internal environment despite any fluctuations in the external environment.
Due to the federal government’s consistent “crop blocking” of this wonderful botanical, the American people have been corralled into a system of responsive medical treatments built around pharmaceutical drugs (I have symptom X, so I need to treat it with pill Y and Z). In an article published by The Epoch Times entitled, “Exploring the Body’s Self Healing Super Power,” Conan Milner points out a major flaw in this mindset for treating illness. “Pharmaceuticals” Milner notes, “essentially force the body to respond a particular way, rather than enhance its own capacity for healing.” Now, in some cases the body needs a push in the right direction to overcome serious illness. But do the negative side effects of the drug outweigh the intended benefits?
According to author, CEO, and founder of Greenmedinfo.com, Sayer Ji, the majority of drugs approved by the FDA list death as a possible consequence. Given this information, it’s not suprising that around 50 percent of FDA pharmaceuticals are pulled abruptly from the market before their patent expires due to the factual causation of disability. Yikes…
Let me give you a perfect example. In 2005, big pharma behemoth, Aventis submitted an anti-obesity drug called Rimonabant to the FDA for clinical trials. The drug worked by blocking cannabinoids from reaching their receptors in the brain to inhibit appetite. Patients signed up for an intended thirty-three-month clinical study of Rimonabant’s effectiveness. 13 short months and four suicides later, the study was abandoned. Period.
“[Our] endogenous marijuana system,” as reported by Psychology Today, “is normally involved…in controlling our mood and allowing us to experience pleasure,” and blocking the natural cannabinoid reactions in the brain has potentially disastrous consequences.
Good news: the solution to tons of ailments and medical conditions occurs naturally in our brain, grows all over the world, and now sits at our fingertips as a simple daily supplement.
Side effects? Anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, and anti-spasmodic properties; suppression of pain, nausea, anxiety, and insomnia; and is shown to aid in the prevention of harmful bacteria, cancer, and Alzheimer’s.
Your body speaks for itself. That inner voice resonates most clearly when your body is highly functional, and your moods are evenly contented. It’s about time we took control of our own wellbeing; and a major key to that solution lies within a system already present throughout our bodies, ready to be unlocked!
by SkylarRush | May 4, 2020 | CBD Education, Product Spotlight
“I’m really optimistic about the future, because we have solutions in nature that we can now amplify and be able to deploy.”
-Paul Stamets
Fun fact: an abundant solution to many of the aches, pains, and stresses that characterize our daily lives has been at our fingertips for thousands of years! If you’ve found your way to our site, then you probably know this already, or maybe you’d just like to learn more. So, let’s just get into the three main variations of CBD and how each works uniquely to improve your sense of wellbeing and optimize your health!
- CBD Isolate: Products with CBD isolate contain only CBD, without any other substances or additives. Isolate products are perfect if your needs include targeted symptoms or pains, or if you need to stay THC free due to required drug tests. Also, if you are sensitive to other cannabinoids or don’t like the occasionally anxiety-inducing effects of THC, CBD isolate is great for counteracting these effects.
- Broad Spectrum CBD: We call this our happy medium between isolate and full spectrum products. Just like isolate, broad spectrum contains zero THC; it does however contain many other beneficial components of the hemp plant (CBD, CBG, CBN, and terpenes to name a few). The benefit here lies in capturing what’s known as the “Entourage Effect,” which utilizes all of the compounds in cannabis to enhance effectiveness of their medicinal uses. In other words, the various components of the cannabis plant work together to employ more therapeutic effects when combined then when they are taken alone.
- Full Spectrum CBD: Full spectrum—also referred to as whole plant CBD—utilizes all bioavailable compounds in the cannabis plant to provide maximum therapeutic relief for TONS of conditions and symptoms. In addition to the curative essential oils and compounds included in broad spectrum, THC is present in full spectrum at trace amounts up to 0.3%; levels low enough to generate minimal, if not unnoticeable psychoactive effects. Full spectrum products maximize the “Entourage Effect” and are the most effective in treating issues with sleep and stress.
by SkylarRush | Apr 24, 2020 | CBD Education
Ok, Sooo… What Is CBD?
Cannabidiol (pronounced: can–ib–eh–dial) is a powerfully medicinal component of the cannabis plant which helps balance and optimize functionality in every major system of the human body. In fancier terms, CBD promotes homeostasis—the way our bodies stay regulated and healthy, even in times of severe stress, illness, and injury—throughout the mind and body.
Yes, of course, this comes from the cannabis plant; but in NO way does CBD oil produce the feeling of intoxication commonly associated with cannabis. In fact, according to a study conducted at Oxford University, published in volume 27 of the Endocrine Review medical journal, all animals are now proven to possess what’s known as the endocannabinoid system. This series of neuroreceptors within our bodies helps regulate pain modulation, appetite, digestion, immune system functionality, tumor surveillance, and fertility—among others. So, when we ingest CBD, it fires up a series of receptors in our bodies and strengthens crucial functions, providing support for essential systems and promoting a renewed sense of wellbeing.
Common uses of CBD oils, gummies, balms, lotions, and other means of consumption include pain relief, reduced inflammation, sleep disorders, mood regulation, and appetite assistance. In heavier cases, clinical studies show positive results with the implementation of CBD to reduce frequency of seizures in patients with epilepsy. Current research also shows that it helps to mitigate turbulent fluctuations in patients with mood disorders like PTSD and depression, as well as combating the grueling side effects of chemotherapy in cancer patients.
Simply put: cannabidiol is an entirely natural remedy that works through a genetically ingrained system within all humans and animals to promote a sense of contentment and wellbeing. It is a non-psychoactive, plant-based extract; and—most importantly—there are NO major side effects associated with use of CBD!
We at Just Breathe CBD hope this helps to bring some focus to those who might consider implementing this miracle plant into their daily diet or vitamin regiment. But, as always, please feel free to reach out to us with any specific questions.
Above all… Relax, and just breathe; we’ve got you!
