These days, CBD is everywhere: on the news, in store windows, and in many of the products we use every day. It’s exploded in popularity, and thousands of people are now discovering the benefits of CBD oil. You may be curious about giving it a try, but you may not be quite sure what CBD oil is, how it works, or how to use it. 

Not to worry, because in this article we’ll answer your questions and share everything you need to get started with CBD. By the end you’ll know what CBD oil is and how to take it for the best results. 

What Is CBD Oil, Anyway? 

To understand CBD oil, first we have to talk about the endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS is what keeps our body in homeostasis—in other words, it helps us maintain balance and stability in our moods, sleep cycles, metabolism, hormones, and more. 

In order for your ECS to work effectively, it needs a steady supply of compounds called cannabinoids. Some cannabinoids are made by your body (called endocannabinoids). Others are made by plants (called phytocannabinoids). 

One of the most well-known phytocannabinoids is CBD, which stands for cannabidiol. It’s an amazing compound that interacts with your endocannabinoid system to keep your body in balance. As a result, the regular use of CBD can help manage everyday anxiety, promote a sense of calm focus, help recovery from exercise-induced inflammation, and promote healthy sleep cycles. 

How Does CBD Oil Work? 

All this talk about phytocannabinoids and endocannabinoids can be complex, so here’s a simple analogy that will help explain how CBD oil works. For this analogy, we’ll use a well-known nutrient—vitamin D—to help keep things easy to understand. 

As you may know, our bodies are capable of creating their own vitamin D from sunshine. But most people don’t generate enough vitamin D on their own. That’s why it’s important for us to supplement our vitamin D intake by eating the right foods (like mushrooms and fish) and/or by taking a vitamin D supplement. 

The same thing is true of cannabinoids like CBD. Our bodies can create our own endocannabinoids, but taking supplemental phytocannabinoids (like CBD oil) can help ensure that we get enough of these compounds to keep our bodies humming along at peak efficiency. 

With a steady supply of cannabinoids, your body will be better able to deal with life’s ups and downs—resulting in more consistent sleep cycles, greater resilience to everyday stress and anxiety, and improved recovery from exercise-induced inflammation. CBD oil is also known for promoting a pleasant sense of calm and focus. 

Will CBD Oil Get Me High? Will CBD Make Me Fail A Drug Test? 

One of the biggest differences between hemp and marijuana is that marijuana is high in THC and is intoxicating—in other words, it gets you high. 

Hemp, on the other hand, is high in CBD and is non-intoxicating. Under the 2018 Farm Bill, the level of THC in hemp grown in the US is federally mandated to be less than 0.3 percent, which is not enough to produce an intoxicating effect. 

As for drug tests, the answer isn’t always cut and dry. Drug tests do not screen for CBD, since it’s not an intoxicating substance. Because THC can be found in minute quantities in full-spectrum CBD tinctures, gummies, or capsules, there is a chance that a person could test positive for THC in a drug screening after using a full-spectrum CBD product. Speaking of which… 

What Is Full-Spectrum Hemp Oil? 

The phrase “CBD” gets all the media attention, but in reality CBD is just one of over 80 cannabinoids that can be found in the hemp plant. Others include CBG, CBN, CBC, and more. 

Some products sold as “CBD oil” have been isolated and contain only CBD. But other oils (including ours at Charlotte’s Web™) are full-spectrum hemp oils. This means they contain the entire spectrum of active compounds found in the hemp plant. Some of these beneficial compounds include things like terpenes and flavonoids (antioxidants). 

These compounds work together synergistically to maximize the effects throughout the body, increase overall effectiveness, and provide additional wellness benefits. People call this the Entourage Effect. In a nutshell, it means that taking all the natural compounds together is more effective than trying to single out just a single chemical. 

Why Do People Take CBD? 

CBD would never have become so popular if it didn’t do something pretty impressive, right? So…what exactly does CBD do? Why do people take it? 

While researchers are still studying and learning more about the incredible benefits of CBD oil, some of the most powerful CBD oil benefits include: 

CBD Helps You Navigate Everyday Stress and Supports a Sense of Calm 

Many people take CBD for occasional anxiety, and it’s not hard to see why. Whether it’s keeping up with a demanding job, raising kids, dealing with other outside stresses, or all of the above, one thing’s for certain: there’s a lot to be anxious about in our daily lives. 

These everyday stressors may be mild, but over time they can accumulate and have a real effect on your mood and quality of life. Fortunately, the regular use of CBD oil can help your body to more effectively deal with daily anxiety and promote a sense of calm focus. 

How does CBD help with anxiety? The mechanism of action goes back to the endocannabinoid system, which plays a big role in how we respond to challenging situations like job interviews, arguments, and rush-hour traffic. 

Too much prolonged stress can interfere with our ECS and cause us to feel anxious. But the regular use of CBD oil helps to keep your ECS running at peak efficiency, making it easier to relax and let go of negative emotions. 

CBD Supports Recovery from Exercise-induced Inflammation 

We all know that exercise is good for us. But do you know how that works, exactly? 

When you exercise, you’re actually causing a small amount of damage to your muscles. It’s not an injury, necessarily, but simply tiny tears in muscle tissue that trigger an inflammatory response that heals the damage and helps to rebuild your muscles to be a little bit stronger than before. In moderation, inflammation is beneficial. 

Your endocannabinoid system supports this process by promoting balance and supporting  your body’s ability to recover from exercise-induced inflammation. So if you’re an athlete, an active person, or just trying to get in shape, consider taking CBD for improved athletic recovery. 

CBD Supports Healthy Sleep Cycles 

It’s hard to overestimate the importance of a good night’s sleep. High-quality sleep does more than simply making us feel good: it directly impacts one’s productivity and overall health and wellbeing. 

We’ve all had the experience of lying awake in bed with racing thoughts, tossing and turning, or waking up in the middle of the night. For times like these, CBD can be a great way to help support the length and quality of your sleep. 

CBD can help promote regular, healthy sleep cycles so you can sleep more deeply and soundly. And because it also helps your body deal with everyday anxiety, it can help minimize the impact of stressful thoughts on your ability to fall asleep at night. 

Want another reason to consider the use of CBD to support healthy sleep cycles? Unlike some other sleep supplements, CBD can be taken during the day without negatively interfering with your body’s sleep schedule. That’s what we call a win-win. 

CBD Oil vs CBD Gummies vs CBD Capsules 

As you’ve just learned, CBD has a wide variety of beneficial effects on different parts of your body. For that reason, CBD can be taken in different forms depending on your needs and preferences. Here are the 4 main types of CBD products: 

CBD oil is probably the most popular form of CBD. A high-quality, full-spectrum CBD oil contains a host of beneficial compounds including cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids that are carefully extracted from the hemp plant and turned into a carefully formulated tincture that can be taken orally with a dropper. Out of all the CBD forms available, CBD oils are often the most concentrated and potent. 

CBD capsules allow you to consume CBD in a convenient pill form. At Charlotte’s Web, our CBD liquid capsules contain the same full-spectrum extract as our CBD oils plus extra-virgin olive oil as a carrier oil. It’s an easy way to take CBD when you’re on the go. 

CBD gummies. You now know about CBD oils and capsules, but what are gummies? They’re squishy little treats, similar to gummy bears. Except unlike gummy bears, our CBD gummies aren’t candy—they’re a quick and tasty way to consume high-quality CBD plus other functional ingredients like calming lemon balm, inflammation-reducing turmeric, and sleep-promoting melatonin. 

How to Use CBD Oil 

We’ve talked about what CBD oil is, how it works, and what its benefits are. But how do you actually use CBD oil? And what should you do to get the best effect from it? Here are some tips to help you make the most of your CBD experience. 

How much CBD should you take? 

When deciding how much CBD to take, consider the relative strength of the product you’re taking. We recommend starting with a lower dose and gradually working your way up until you find the “sweet spot” where you get the desired benefits. 

What does CBD feel like? 

First and foremost, remember that CBD is not marijuana. It is non-intoxicating and will not get you “high.” So what does taking CBD feel like?  

Everyone is different, and the exact effect of CBD is liable to be different from one person to the next. But many people describe the feeling of CBD as one of overall relaxation and general well-being. 

How do you get the best results from CBD? 

Remember that CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system, the part of your body that regulates homeostasis. So in order to get the best results from CBD, it’s very important to take it on a consistent basis to help support that regular balance. We recommend creating a CBD daily routine by taking it at the same time(s) every day. 

What’s Different About The CBD Oil We Make at Charlotte’s Web? 

Charlotte’s Web was started as a mission by seven brothers to help one little girl with a rare form of epilepsy. In fact, our Original Formula CBD Oil was formulated specifically for little Charlotte Figi. 

Since then, Charlotte’s Web has grown a lot. We now offer a much wider variety of CBD products than ever before. 

But no matter how successful we may be, we still follow the motto that inspired us from the beginning: “Do well by doing good.” We’re a certified B Corporation, which means that we meet strict standards in terms of social responsibility, environmental sustainability, and public transparency to balance profits with purpose. And we feel blessed to be able to create a product that plays a positive role in so many lives. 

In order to do that, we go to great lengths to create the highest-quality hemp oils and CBD products you can find anywhere. And it all starts by taking extraordinarily good care of our plants. 

All of our non-GMO hemp plants are grown right here in the USA—specifically Colorado, Oregon, and Kentucky (unlike some other products that import their hemp from China or Romania to save on costs). We use sustainable farming practices and never use harsh chemical pesticides, insecticides, or herbicides. 

Before one of our products arrives at your doorstep, we perform at least 20 quality control tests from seed to shelf to ensure the absolute best in quality and consistency. We even test the soil and water to safeguard against heavy metals, microbes, and other contaminants. 

Finally, to ensure a rich phytochemical profile, we cultivate and use our patented proprietary hemp varieties. This way, we’re able to provide you with the same high-quality CBD oil every time. 

Are You A CBD First-Timer? Try These Beginner-Friendly CBD Products 

If you’re interested in trying CBD for the first time, or are wondering “where can I buy CBD?”, here are some products we recommend: 

If you think you’ll prefer CBD in gummy form, consider our CBD gummy mix pack. 

If you’d prefer to go the CBD oil route, our collection features four flavors that we think you'll love!

Mainly interested in CBD for sleep? Try our CBD sleep bundle. It comes with our calming sleep gummies plus 30 mL bottle of our strongest CBD oil to help you drift off and enjoy a long, restful night’s slumber.