📖 CBD Education: What is CBD?

Cannabidiol or CBD is a cannabis-derived compound, studied for its wide range of potential wellness benefits. Even though CBD has become extremely popular in the mainstream media, there seems to be a lot of confusion surrounding what the plant-based compound can and can't do—making it difficult for even the savviest health-conscious consumers to navigate.

Neurogan is all about delivering transparency and setting a standard in the CBD industry, providing consumers with the information needed to ensure they're purchasing the right hemp-based products to support their health goals.

CBD belongs to a class of phytochemicals called cannabinoids which are concentrated in hair-like, resin crystals speckled on the flowers and leaves of the hemp plant. While CBD is present in both marijuana and hemp strains, it's most abundant in hemp plants, and it's harvested for its benefits towards relaxation and optimizing one's overall health.

Unlike CBD's counterpart, THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), CBD on its own does not produce intoxicating effects. The CBD and THC levels distinguish the type of cannabis Sativa plant. In the United States, any cannabis plant with more than 0.3% THC by dried weight is considered marijuana.

CBD that is made with hemp extract tincture oil is federally legal and can be found in products from CBD spray, tinctures, capsules, gummies, lotions, tea, and more, making the benefits of CBD easier to consume and enjoy.

CBD has such diverse effects because of its interaction with our body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS). Every mammal has an endocannabinoid system made up of a network of neurotransmitters, receptors, and enzymes throughout the body that regulates homeostasis, i.e. internal balance.

If the name of this system sounds familiar, it's no coincidence. The ECS was discovered thanks to researchers investigating the interaction of cannabis plants within our bodies.

It turns out, these active cannabis-derived compounds behave similarly to the neurotransmitters in the ECS called endocannabinoids (endo=within).

When we take a CBD supplement, we're essentially enriching our levels of endocannabinoids that support this complex system’s efforts to keep us in good health by facilitating messaging signals that regulate our vital systems.

Neurogan's lineup of CBD products is not derived from marijuana plants.

While hemp and marijuana are technically the same species of plant, cannabis Sativa, and you can harvest CBD from marijuana, hemp and marijuana have differing phytochemical makeups. What distinguishes the two plants are their CBD and THC content. Hemp has a high CBD content and must have no more than 0.3% THC.

Any plant over 0.3% THC is considered a marijuana plant in the United States.

All Neurogan CBD products are hemp-derived, containing high levels of CBD, a diverse cannabinoid, and terpene profile with under 0.3% THC. For those looking for a complete THC-free experience, we offer broad spectrum THC-free CBD extracts that undergo further distillation processes to isolate and remove THC from the extracts.

There is a lot of confusion in the CBD landscape today especially when it comes to terminology. Sadly, manufacturers are cashing in on this confusion by selling hemp-based goods that are not true hemp extract products.

When you hear the term “hemp oil” it could either denote hemp seed oil or referring to a hemp-based CBD (cannabidiol) extract.

Hemp seed oil is a dietary oil that's rich in omega-3. It's consumed as cooking oil or used as an ingredient in the skin and beauty industry. Hemp seed oil is made by pressing the seeds of the plant to extract the oil. Since cannabis seeds do not contain cannabinoids, there are no traces of CBD or THC.

Hemp extract is harvested from the resin found on the leaves and flowers of the hemp plant and is rich in cannabinoids and terpenes. These raw extracts are bitter and potent, making them extremely difficult to use as a pure extract, which is why it's often combined with a carrier oil such as hemp seed oil, olive oil, or MCT coconut oil to make dosing and palatability more enjoyable.

We create all Neurogan products by extracting cannabinoids from raw hemp for either a full spectrum or a THC-free broad spectrum extract. From here, our formulators create signature CBD products that are innovative and effective.

If you feel unable to make the distinction between whether you’re buying hemp seed oil or hemp-based CBD extract, ask to see lab reports for the product in question. While sharing independent lab testing is not yet a requirement in the industry, it's becoming a standard for products containing cannabis compounds.

It's no secret that the cannabis market is full of deception, which is why referring to a product's certificate analysis from a third-party lab can tell you exactly what's in your product from cannabinoid and terpene profile to residual solvents (from extraction) and pesticides or other potential contaminants from farming and processing.

The extraction process directly affects the quality of your CBD product.

The two most popular industrial CBD extraction methods are CO2 and ethanol extraction.

CO2 extraction uses CO2 (carbon dioxide), compressed to a supercritical point where it behaves more like a liquid than a gas. If you recognize this chemical abbreviation, it's because we breathe CO2 out of our very own lungs.

The benefit of using CO2 extraction is that it does not leave any harmful solvent residues like butane hash oil extraction (BHO) methods. CO2 extraction is considered the gold standard for yielding high-quality, clean hemp extract, and it's much better for the environment and for the people working with it asCO2 is non-toxic.

Ethanol extraction is another popular and generally safe extraction method used in the health and cosmetic industry, but it is a more time-consuming process.

Supercritical CO2 is used for all Neurogan products and independent lab results confirm that our extracts are free from solvent contamination, pesticides, and have an extensive cannabinoid and terpene profile.

CBD’s been shown to be a healthy, all-natural alternative for all ages. However, CBD is typically used by adults aged 18 above. If you wish to use CBD for a child under the age of 18, consult a medical professional to ensure it's a safe compound for your child.

Neurogan full spectrum extracts contain trace amounts of THC. It's not enough to produce any intoxicating effects. However, if taken in large doses over time, THC metabolites can build up in the body.

People may fail drug tests from consuming poppy seeds just as you may receive a false positive when consuming hemp products. The chances are low but it may increase if you consume large portions each day over time.

While drug tests aren't looking for CBD metabolites, as it's a legal substance, drug tests may be triggered from the trace amount of THC metabolites in your system. If you're worried about drug testing for THC, our THC-free broad spectrum CBD products are your next best option.

Cannabidiol can remain active in your body for up to 6 hours, and the elimination (half-life) of edible CBD (how long it takes to break down by half) is roughly 1–2 days.

This means that you can expect to feel the effects of CBD for approximately 6 hours, but CBD and other cannabinoids get stored in fat cells as your body metabolizes them.

It can take up to a week for the compounds to completely leave your system, but this length of time may depend on your doses, frequency of use, and metabolism.

Our pets are part of the family, and we all want what's best for our most loyal companions.

Hemp-derived CBD products for pets are a natural and gentle way to support your animal's health. All mammals have an endocannabinoid system to regulate homeostasis. CBD oil for pets works very similarly to how it works for humans — but you'll need to adjust the dose to suit your pet's size.

Cats and dogs don't need as much CBD, which is why you'll often find pet-related CBD products in much lower potencies and in more palatable options for pets.

Another thing to note when purchasing CBD products for your pet is that you may want to avoid products containing THC, as animals may be more sensitive to the psychotropic compound (even in trace amounts).

It's still considered generally safe to administer full spectrum CBD products to your pet, but you should discuss this with your vet and monitor your pet closely after giving them CBD oil with THC to ensure they're not experiencing any discomfort.

If you want to avoid THC altogether, you can still ensure your pet is getting the highest potential of benefits from the cannabis plant with THC-free broad spectrum CBD products for pets. They can enjoy the effects of CBD and the other beneficial cannabinoids without experiencing potential discomfort from THC.

Neurogan's lineup of CBD products for pets includes CBD oil, CBD dog treats, CBD pellets for horses, CBD horse chews, and CBD horse oil.

One of the highlights of CBD is that it's an incredibly versatile ingredient. Since the US Farm Bill came into effect in 2018, legalizing hemp crops for supplement use, there's been a tremendous amount of innovation in the space.

We've got products to suit virtually everyone's needs and preferences from classic CBD oils, skincare products, smokables, and edibles in varying flavors and potencies.

When it comes to picking your first CBD product, we recommend starting with a low-medium dose of one of our basic full spectrum CBD products: Neurogan CBD oil 1000 or Neurogan CBD oil Robust 2000. Our CBD oil, CBD pills and CBD spray were our very first Neurogan CBD products — made with simple ingredients, premium hemp, and designed for ease of use.

Finding the right dose for you will take some time to perfect, however, we always recommend starting low and going slow.

Follow the instructions on the product packaging for dosage during the first 4-6 weeks and determine if either a higher or lower dose product would be right for you based on your experience. During this trial period, try taking CBD daily. Consistent dosage is the best way to experience the beneficial effects of CBD.

Once you feel like you’ve become comfortable with CBD and the right dose for you, it’s time to explore! Hemp-derived CBD is a versatile compound, allowing for many ways to enjoy the compound from fast-acting smokables to more targeted effects with skin products. Try our CBD skin products, CBD smokables, CBD teas, and more.

There are endocannabinoid receptors found all throughout the body. While eating CBD (oils, capsules, gummies, tea) is a popular way to get the effects of CBD, it's not the fastest. When you eat CBD, it has to go through the gut before it enters the bloodstream to exert its effects, which can take anywhere from 30–45 minutes.

By far the fastest way to feel the effects of CBD is through inhalation, which you can feel within a matter of minutes. Smoking CBD products delivers the active cannabinoids and terpenes directly into the bloodstream via the oxygen exchange in the lungs.

Smoking isn't suitable for everyone, so it's best to experiment with different products to see what delivers the results you're after.

The biggest distinction between full spectrum or broad spectrum cannabis extracts is the THC content.

Full spectrum contains as close to the full range of the original hemp plant's cannabinoid and terpene profile. Broad spectrum CBD oils are still rich in terpenes and cannabinoids, but the extract undergoes extra steps in its processing to remove traces of THC.

As long as you're looking to shop for hemp-derived CBD products, they can only contain up to 0.3% THC, which isn't enough to produce any intoxicating effects (even at high doses). However, if you undergo drug testing for work, the trace amounts of THC may result in a buildup of metabolites in your system that may trigger a positive result.

In these instances, we've created THC-free broad spectrum CBD oil and other popular CBD products.

Whether you choose a broad spectrum or a full spectrum product, you’ve made a great choice.

Both extracts feature a wide variety of hemp’s cannabinoids, making them capable of the entourage effect: the synergistic quality of hemp’s cannabinoids working together for a stronger effect.

CBD is one of over a hundred cannabinoids harvested from cannabis. While it's the main cannabinoid in hemp, minor cannabinoids such as cannabigerol (CBG) and cannabinol (CBN) have been researched for their unique effects as well and contribute to the overall effectiveness of CBD.

Cannabigerol is a minor cannabinoid that's found in the early flowering phase of cannabis plants. It's better known as the parent molecule to CBD and THC.

CBG has many of the same benefits as CBD, but it's best consumed alongside CBD and other cannabinoids. People report CBG has helped them with supporting a healthy appetite, natural recovery, and to mitigate the adverse effects of THC.

Cannabinol is a metabolite of THC. It's found in higher concentrations in older hemp crops as the THC compound breaks down from oxidation.

While it's a derivative of THC, it does not induce the same level of intoxicating effects.

CBN is best taken alongside a wide range of cannabinoids, and when combined with CBD, it can help to support focus and a sense of calm.