In order to give you the information you need about our CBD oil products, we searched high and low for the most-asked questions. We looked through Google, delved into discussions on IG, and trolled Reddit threads and spent countless hours in Facebook groups. We thoroughly researched the answers to the most frequently asked questions. We spoke with industry experts, other medical providers, chemists, and other CBD educators bring you a comprehensive FAQ. We tried to keep this simple, but keep in mind, our founder has a degree in research and medicine, wrote a million papers throughout her college days, so she went a little overboard with the data and information.
Please keep in mind that we cannot provide medical advice, information given is for educational purposes only. Please consult with your healthcare provider when adding CBD to your health care regimen.
What is CBD oil?
Cannabidiol oil, better known as CBD is a substance derived from the hemp or cannabis plant containing high amounts of the cannabinoid, CBD. Most CBD oil comes from CBD rich (industrial grown) hemp rather than psychoactive marijuana strains; while the two plants are related, CBD rich hemp does not contain nearly as much psychoactive THC. According to the 2014 Farm Bill, industrial grown hemp cannot contain more than 0.3% THC– a miniscule amount. In order to extract CBD oil from the hemp, hemp producers need to “isolate” the CBD from the THC to ensure that the oil will not contain the psychoactive properties.
How Does CBD oil work?
CBD works with your body’s natural endocannabinoid system (ECS) to put your body back into homeostasis. Our endocannabinoid system is vital to our neuro-immuno-endocrine network. I know, I know, what in the world in my endocannabinoid system?? Your endocannabinoid system lies within your body and has very important receptors that have an enormous impact on our health and well-being.
Did you know we have an entire body system named after weed, 😂? Let's break down the word "endocannabinoid." "Cannabinoid" comes from "cannabis," and "endo" is short for "endogenous," which means naturally produced inside of our bodies. The ECS itself is made up of three parts; endocannabinoids, endocannabinoid receptors throughout the nervous system, and enzymes that help break down the cannabinoids. Our bodies produce their own cannabinoids. .A “phytocannabinoid” or plant-derived cannabinoid like CBD or THC can activate the same receptors in the body and have similar or stronger effects than the ones our body produces or is lacking. This is similar to how morphine that comes from the poppy plant can reduce pain by activating the body’s endorphin receptors. But when your body has an endocannabinoid deficiency, your body needs cannabinoids to bring it back into balance.
This is about to get a little complicated, but we feel it’s important for you to know what’s going on in your body.
To understand the ECS, it first helps to understand what homeostasis is.
Basically, homeostasis is your body's way of being in balance. Remember when you used to feel “normal,” back when your body was in homeostasis. Your body tries to keep your internal environment stable and balanced no matter what's going on around you. Your body is working 24/7 to stay in balance, but when your endocannabinoid system is out of whack, you’re no longer in homeostasis. Think of all the gauges in the dashboard of a car, those tell the driver if things are working properly. Your ECS is your bodies gauges constantly monitoring everything going on Is your heart beating too fast, too slow? Is your temperature in normal range? Are your hormone levels where they should be? Is your brain making too much Seratonin? Is there something bad brewing in your blood stream? Anything throwing those “gauges” off causes an imbalance in your endocannabinoid system.
When something is operating outside of that guage, your body hollars at the the ECS to help fix it~like the warning light on your dashboard. So when you're having a wicked hot flash and begin to sweat and cool off, give a shout out to your ECS for working to cool you down. Hangry and you hear your stomach start to growl? That's your ECS telling you to eat because you need gas in your tank.
The ECS does this through our cannabinoid receptors found in certain tissues and cells in our bodies. We have (at least) two types of cannabinoid receptors that we know of right now, some studies suggest we have a 3rd system:
Let’s take a look at all of the things our ECS helps to regulate *https://www.hindawi.com/journals/bmri/2019/5468954/
When things get wonky, your body calls to ECS to kick in. The ECS works like a fin- toothed comb, it only kicks ass where and when it needs to. For example, if your serotonin levels are out of whack, it will work to regulate it without interfering with your immune system or cardiac function (4) . When your adrenal glands are squirting out too much cortisol, the ECS will help it slow down without affecting your sleep pattern. Once the cannabinoids have done their job of getting everything back in balance (homeostasis), certain enzymes come strolling along to help break the CBD’s down and prevent them from disrupting the balance. It's a precise response. This is very different from marijuana. If someone smokes a doobie, the MJ floods their bodies with THC cannabinoids which impacts the psychogenic receptors-while THC does have beneficial properties, it causes a ‘high’ that CBD does not.
Bottom line, homeostasis is essential to your wellbeing and health, when it’s out of whack, it can cause a lot of problems for you.
What can cause a disruption in homeostasis or endocannabinoid deficiency? Oh honey, everything!! Viruses, germs, bacteria, environmental factors, hormones, stress, genetically modified foods, prescription medications, pollution, certain immunizations (my opinion only), basically anything that isn’t supposed to be in our bodies (5)
Endocannabinoid deficiency has been linked to fibromyalgia, irritable bowl syndrome, migraines, chronic pain, chronic fatigue. As we know, these conditions don’t respond well to traditional treatment (prescriptions) and often you’ll hear things like, “it’s all in your head” or “well, let’s add this medication and see what happens.” This is where CBD has been a Godsend for many people.
How do I take CBD and how do I know how much to take?
First, before adding CBD oil to your health care regimen, be sure to discuss it with your health care provider. There are certain medications that it can interact with. We always suggest started low and slow, you will know when you have found your correct dose. Our staff is always available to answer any questions you may have. Our staff can not provide any medical advice. The Pretty Hot Mess LLC will not be held responsible for any claims or testimonials regarding medical efficacy of any of our products. The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has not evaluated any of these statements, nor have the claims been confirmed by FDA-acknowledged research. Neither our staff nor our products are intended to diagnose, cure, prevent, or treat any disease or medical condition. Please consult your physician before including any of our products in your wellness plan.
Can you get high from CBD oil?No. THC is the psychoactive cannabinoid that gives you the high; CBD does not attach to the psychoactive receptors in the brain. Think of it like a puzzle piece-CBD doesn’t ‘fit’ into those receptors. Our Full Spectrum CBD does contain trace amounts of THC (<0.3%), it is not enough to make you high.
If you are at a risk for random drug tests, you may want to choose one of our THC free products.
Are there side effects from taking CBD oil?CBD oil is generally considered to be safe for most people, and few people do experience side effects~ typically associated with incorrect dosing. A 2017 literature review (1), noted that CBD oil could be linked to the following side effects in some cases:
If you experience fatigue from CBD, you are more than likely taking too much at one time.
How do I know if I’m buying good CBD? Due to the increased popularity of CBD, every Tom, Dick, and Harry is selling it. The FDA has not stepped in yet to regulate CBD production, so as a consumer, that’s scary AF. Bob at the gas station can slap a label on a bottle and market it beautifully and tell you it’s the best CBD in the world. We encourage our customers to ask for Certificate of Analysis (COA) !! If they can’t provide lab reports, don’t buy their CBD. Know what you’re putting in your body. According to WebMD (4), 7 out of 10 CBD products did not truthfully contain the amount of CBD that is listed on the label. There are concerns about the quality of many CBD oils being sold on the internet. Due to the lack of regulations, anyone can extract CBD out of hemp and claim it is full spectrum. In order for CBD oil to be deemed Full Spectrum, it has to be specially extracted via super critical CO2 extraction and will contain <0.3% THC. We have had several customers bring in bottles of oil that they bought from Amazon or some super fancy internet company claiming to be legit Full Spectrum but when we investigate, there are no lab reports available or it is mislabled. Our CBD products are all tested in third party FDA approved labs for potency, as well as to make sure they’re free of any harmful pesticides, herbicides, or molds. You can view all of our Certificate of Analysishere.
What is the difference between THC free Broad Spectrum CBD oil and whole plant/full spectrum CBD oil?
"Full spectrum" or "whole plant" CBD oil will contain trace amounts of THC (<0.3%) as well as other beneficial cannabinoids. Full Spectrum CBD allows us to benefit from the "entourage effect" (14) you will often hear me talk about. With a true Full Spectrum CBD oil you will reap the benefits of hundreds of cannabinoids, flavonoids and terpines that come from the whole plant. With Broad Spectrum THC free oil, you will still have all of the benefits of the cannabinoids minus the THC. Broad Spectrum is typically more expensive because of the extra steps taken to extract out the THC.
Some people prefer to consume cannabidiol in conjunction with all other naturally occurring cannabinoids (full-spectrum). Others prefer to only consume cannabidiol by itself, whether it be due to personal preference or to avoid a positive drug test. Some swear that full-spectrum oils perform better for health concerns due to the “entourage effect” of all cannabinoids working together, while others indicate tremendous results from Isolated products. With limited extant medical research, it is a personal preference as to which is best in any individual case.
What is this “entourage effect” I hear about?
The entourage effect is the effect produced from the synergistic interaction of the cannabinoids, flavonoids, terpenes, and fatty acids naturally found in whole plant cannabis (14). The entourage effect refers to the beneficial effect of all these compounds working together in harmony as opposed to just one or two of these compounds working in isolation. This is why products sold on Amazon or at smoke shops "don't work” or help you feel better because most of them are diluted down isolates labeled as CBD oil.
What is the difference between CBD oil and 100% hemp seed oil?
Hemp oil is the name given any ol’ oil derived from the hemp plant. CBD oil is an oil containing high amounts of cannabinoids (CBD), made from either the hemp or the cannabis plant. While a lot of CBD oils contain hemp oil, not all hemp oil is CBD oil; hemp oil made from the seeds of the hemp plant will not contain active CBD. We like to explain hemp seed oil as the “sludge” of the hemp plant-it doesn’t have the medicinal properties of CBD. It is a great oil for other things, but please don’t confuse it as CBD oil-like some people that sell it as such. If you’ve ever bought a CBD oil that contains hemp seed oil, you will have noticed that it is very slow acting, thick, seedy, with a foul taste. It’s a heavy oil and doesn’t get to the receptors like CBD oil that contains MCT oil, I know, too many letters to remember 😂
Is CBD oil legal?
Yes! CBD oil is produced from industrial or CBD rich hemp. Please see our Disclaimer regarding the Farm Bill.
Will you fail a drug test if you take CBD?
The trace amounts of THC in full-spectrum oils could possibly show up on a drug test. The Pretty Hot Mess LLC can not be held responsible for failed drug screens or drug testing. If you are required to have drug testing, we offer several THC Free Products.
Will CBD oil pass security at airports?
Yes… in the US it will, but it might not pass customs! CBD oil is not yet legal in all countries. If you’re traveling internationally, check with that country before flying. To see where CBD oil is legal and where it's not, check out this guide (https://supplementsinreview.com/blog/is-cbd-legal-in-my-country-global-guide-to-cbd-legality/).
I have a million medical problems, can I still take CBD?
We suggest letting your health care provider know that you’ve chosen to add CBD to your health care regimen.
How long does it take to work?
With CBD tincture (drops you put under your tongue) it will enter your vascular system immediately and can start working within 10-15 minutes. Everyone’s body is different, we have different metabolisms, so each person will respond differently. For some, they will begin to notice changes after a day, while others it could take a few weeks. It depends on how off balance your ECS is and what’s going on in your body. It’s not an overnight miracle. You have to give it time to build up in your body so it can what it needs to do. Consistency is the golden rule.
Do I have to put it under my tongue? Can I put it in a drink?
For maximum results, yes you should let it absorb under your tongue. Let it sit under your tongue for 1-3 minutes and then you can take a drink of something after to wash away the taste if you need to. Wait about an hour before brushing your teeth. You canput it in your drinks but keep in mind it will have to go through the digestive system and can take longer to work.
How does it taste?
The first dose you’re like, WHOA this kinda tastes like weed. We assure you, the more often you take it the less it tastes, and after a couple weeks, you don’t even notice the taste anymore. Trust us, the benefits far outweigh the taste. You have to give it a shot, you can’t take one dose and say, yuck I don’t like this and toss it aside.
What if I can’t stand the taste, like at all?
If you truly can’t stand the taste, you can drop your daily dose right into your belly button and lay still for a few minutes. YES, you heard that right, the umbilical method is great for absorption.
Is CBD oil Safe?
Yes, as long as you purchase quality CBD, it is deemed safe (7). CBD doesn’t exhibit effects of abuse or dependence because it doesn’t connect to those receptors. There is no evidence or noted public health related problems associated with pure CBD that has been sourced properly (7). Again, as noted above, make sure you are buying good, quality grade CBD from a trusted source (with lab reports). According to a study done by the National Institute of Health (7) chronic use and high doses (up to 1500mg/day) have been well tolerated in humans. Please beware of CBD vape pens that contain propylene glycol, when they are over heated, the propylene glycol produces formaldehyde, a carcinogenic, according to a 2015 New England Journal of Medicine report, this is why I don’t sell any vape products. Again, know what you are putting in your body, there are a lot of dangerous chemicals being mixed with CBD.
Will CBD interact with my other medications?
Discuss your medications and CBD with your medical provider. If you’re on a medication where maintaining certain blood levels is important, like coumadin or anti-seizure meds, talk with your health care provider or pharmacist first. Knowing if your medications will interact with CBD is very important and again, why we also encourage you to purchase CBD from a trusted source that is knowledgeable about CBD and medication interactions (https://www.projectcbd.org/how-to/cbd-drug-interactions).
I heard that I’m “not allowed” to take CBD because of my diabetes, high blood pressure, or another condition?
We are just here to educate you about CBD, you are in charge of your body. No one has the right to tell you what you can and cannot do. If you chose to add CBD to your health care regimen, that’s your decision, speak to your health care provider and explain to them why you are adding CBD to your life and you want them to know. Be open and honest and work with your providers.
Receptor reset—after about 9-12 weeks of CBD you may notice that when you take your normal dose, you don’t feel what you have been feeling, this could mean is that your receptors are full and you need to reset them. Just skip your CBD regimen for 24 hours and start back on the same dose you were taking.
Diabetes https://www.projectcbd.org/cbd-for/diabetes
High Blood Pressure- https://www.projectcbd.org/cbd-for/heart-disease
Pain & Inflammation- https://www.projectcbd.org/cbd-for/inflammation https://www.projectcbd.org/cbd-for/pain https://www.projectcbd.org/cbd-for/fibromyalgia
Immune system- https://www.projectcbd.org/cbd-for/wellness
Auto Immune Conditions- According to Biles, optimum immune function entails a complex balancing act that relies on constant communication between our immune cells, tissues, and organs. With the discovery of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in the 1990s, scientists have found another key piece of the puzzle. The endocannabinoid system comprises two main G protein-coupled receptors (CB1 and CB2), endogenous ligands known as endocannabinoids (anandamide and 2-AG), plus the proteins that transport our endocannabinoids and the enzymes that break them down in the body.The ECS is a homeostatic regulator – continually working to maintain a state of biological balance. Endocannabinoids are produced on demand, travelling backwards across chemical synapses and modulating cell activity. This partly explains why the ECS has been termed a homeostatic regulator – continually working to maintain a state of biological balance. CB2 receptor activation creates an anti-inflammatory effect and is therefore a therapeutic target for autoimmune disorders and neurodegenerative disease.1 However, any ECS immunosuppressant activity is thought to be transient, and can be overridden when necessary in the presence of infection (17). Read more here.
Autism-https://www.projectcbd.org/cbd-for/autism
ADD/ADHD- https://www.projectcbd.org/cbd-for/adhd-and-add
Fibromyalgia:https://www.projectcbd.org/cbd-for/fibromyalgia
Depression: https://www.projectcbd.org/cbd-for/depression
Obesity and Weight Loss: https://www.projectcbd.org/cbd-for/weight-loss
Sleep Disorders: https://www.projectcbd.org/cbd-for/sleep
Cancer:
https://www.projectcbd.org/cbd-cancer
https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/cam/hp/cannabis-pdq
https://www.oncozine.com/how-cannabis-oil-works-to-kill-cancer/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5852356/
Most people come to us because they are seeking natural alternatives to medications because they don’t want to deal with the side effects of prescription meds. A lot of people don’t like the “high” from narcotics or the “fog” from anti-psychotics but they need something to help them live a more comfortable life.
A message from our founder: "I’m always available to help answer questions, both from customers and medical professionals. I am very proud of what I have built and that local, national and international health care providers trust me to help their patients find natural alternatives to Big Pharma. I work very hard to stay on top of the current CBD research and regulations and I only offer products that I 100% trust and use myself."
Additional Information:
The color of hemp extract Hemp oil can vary from batch to batch. The Pretty Hot Mess products are not made with any additives or dyes to standardize the color of our products. That said, you’re left with only 100% natural Hemp oil the way nature intended.
Our extracts contain a unique blend of cannabinoids plus terpenes and flavonoids. Cannabinoids are phyto-compounds that are produced by the hemp plant. One of the most commonly known cannabinoids in hemp is non-psychoactive hemp. Cannabinoids work with the mammalian Endocannabinoid System (ECS) , which is a vast receptor system to support homeostasis and health.*
* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
If you are looking for help with a certain condition, Project CBD . org has a plethora of information, research, scientific studies, and more.
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