CBD oils have been a recent topic on this blog. Another intake option that we would definitely like to mention as well is vaporizing CBD. When vaporizing – or “vaping” – the CBD is made available to the body very quickly, without any harmful substances entering the body.
E-liquids are usually used for vaping. These consist of a carrier liquid (glycerine is often used for this purpose) to which active ingredients and sometimes fragrances are added. This liquid is then heated so that the vapor can be inhaled. This form of ingestion has firstly the advantage of a very high “bioavailability” (availability of the active ingredients for the body”) and secondly is free of harmful substances, since no combustion processes start. From our point of view, vaporizing is therefore the better alternative to smoking. Smoking joints, especially those with tobacco, is much less healthy. Pollutants such as tar are produced there during combustion.
For example, vaporizing is a good option if the CBD is to be inhaled pleasurably in order to achieve an effective effect without inhaling the substances produced during smoking. Thus, there are many people who vaporize CBD for smoking cessation. The calming effect of CBD is the perfect support during the uncomfortable withdrawal period. Of course, CBD products do not produce any psychoactive effect even when vaping.
To vaporize CBD you need either a good e-liquid and an e-cigarette, or a vaporizer that contains an herbal chamber that can be filled with solids (e.g. flowers). When choosing an e-cigarette or vaporizer, make sure that the temperature can be regulated precisely. One important note to end on: e-liquids are not the same as CBD oils. While e-liquids should never be swallowed just like that, oils are not suitable for vaporizing. The extremely low smoke point causes the oil to burn, resulting in a foul-smelling and not particularly healthy vapor. In addition, the oil gums up the e-cigarette and this would have to be cleaned extensively.
In the (growing) range of CBD products, there are two terms that come up often: Full-Spectrum and Isolate. Both are hemp extracts: Since only the active ingredients are included, but not the plant fibers and cell structures, they can be taken as a whole. However, the differences between the two products are significant. This article explains these differences, and aims to show why Herba di Berna offers CBD isolates, but only relies on full-spectrum for its oil range.
The ingredients of isolates and full-spectrum extracts differ greatly. While isolate – as the name suggests – contains only CBD, a full-spectrum product is composed of many different cannabinoids, terpenes and other substances. This creates a holistic product with great effectiveness. Due to the entourage effect, the effect is much stronger and more balanced than is the case with an isolate.
The entourage effect is also known as the “plant synergy”. The combination of the substances contained is shown in a synergistic, i.e. mutually reinforcing, manner. The result is an effectiveness that cannot be compared to that of a single substance. A vivid example of such synergetic effects is an orchestra in which all instruments together create a sound world far beyond the capabilities of any single instrument. The same happens with the cannabinoids, terpenes and other phytochemical(phyto = plant) substances of the hemp plant. Since this effect cannot occur in an isolate product, it can be said that full spectrum products are generally more effective than isolates.
If full-spectrum products are more effective, why are so many isolate products offered anyway? Of course, isolates also have their advantages. For example, it is much easier to accurately state and maintain the CBD content of a product, and isolate products are generally less expensive than full-spectrum extracts. Furthermore, isolates definitely do not contain THC. There are situations in which this is desirable – even though the THC content in full-spectrum oils is by no means high enough to trigger a psychoactive reaction. Since all terpenes (flavors) have been removed, isolates also do not have the typical hemp smell.
Based on these differences, it can be said that full-spectrum oils, for example, are the drug of choice when the application is for medical reasons. In general, full spectrum extracts represent a holistic product with a balanced effect. Therefore, it is clear to us that we only sell oils that cover the entire spectrum of the hemp plant – even if we have to make regular control analyses of the CBD content for this. However, if the goal is to mix CBD with other products in precise doses, or if there is zero tolerance to THC, isolates are definitely an option. Further, the question “isolate or full spectrum?” is also simply a question of budget.
To achieve the desired effect when using CBD oils, they must be dosed differently from person to person. All react differently to the active ingredients and factors such as body weight fundamentally influence the effect. So there is no way around determining the perfect dosage for personal use yourself. The endocannabinoid system of the body needs a certain time until the receptors are (re)activated. Accordingly, it is recommended to start slowly and begin with a low dose. It has been proven to accustom the organism to cannabinoids.
The first step is to answer the question of what the oil is taken for in the first place. It depends on whether a low, medium or high dosage is basically sought. Guide values for the various uses can be found in the table below. These guideline values correspond to our empirical values, which we would like to share with you. However, we are not allowed to give specific dosage recommendations. The guideline for a low dosage is 1 milligram of CBD per 4.5 kilograms of body weight. Medium strength corresponds to 3 mg and high to 6 mg per 4.5 kg of body weight. These numbers refer to the amount of CBD, not the amount of oil. More about that later.
Treated condition
Dosage
Improvement of the general health
Deep
Nausea
Low to medium
PMS
Low to medium
Osteoarthritis
Medium
Arthritis
Medium
Chronic pain
Medium to High
Sleep disorders
Medium to High
Anxiety
Medium to High
Gout
High
Epilepsy
High to pharmaceutical grade
Cancer
High to pharmaceutical grade
Migraine
Low to high
Strength of dosage for different uses. Low dosage equals 1 mg per 4.5 kg body weight, medium 3 mg and high 6 mg.
In order to determine a specific dosage from this information on the desired strength, a simple calculation must be carried out. The body weight (kg) is divided by 4.5. This number is then multiplied by the desired strength (mg/kg) to give an indication of the dose in milligrams of CBD.
Example of a medium dose for a body weight of 60 kg.
To save you some calculating, we have already taken off these calculations for some body weights. You can find the results – broken down by low, medium and high dosage – in the table below. You don’t have to calculate anything yourself if you use our CBD dosage calculator.
Body weight
Deep dosage
Medium dosage
High dosage
55 kg
12.2 mg
36.7 mg
73.3 mg
60 kg
13.3 mg
40 mg
80 mg
65 kg
14.4 mg
43.3 mg
86.7 mg
70 kg
15.6 mg
46.7 mg
93.3 mg
75 kg
16.7 mg
50 mg
100 mg
80 kg
17.8 mg
53.3 mg
106.7 mg
85 kg
18.9 mg
56.7 mg
113.3 mg
90 kg
20 mg
60 mg
120 mg
95 kg
21.1 mg
63.3 mg
126.7 mg
100 kg
22.2 mg
66.7 mg
133.3 mg
With this number in hand, we come to the second part: How much oil does it now take to take the calculated CBD dose? To find out, the strength/concentration of the oil used must be known. Often the CBD content of the whole bottle is indicated. This number must now be calculated down to the content per milliliter or per drop. To do this, simply (really simple 😉) divide the CBD content (in mg) by the number of milliliters or drops of the whole bottle. The result then indicates the strength of the individual milliliter or drop. A small calculation example with an oil from our range:
One 10% CBD oil from our store contains 1000 milligrams of CBD. One bottle contains about 220 drops or 10 ml of oil. With this information, the CBD content per drop (left) or per milliliter (right) can be calculated.
So now, if we want 40 milligrams of CBD (see example above), all that remains is for us to figure out how many drops of oil are called for. The dose (e.g. 40 mg) divided by the concentration (e.g. 4.55 mg per drop) gives the number of drops needed. In the chosen example, it would be 40 [mg] / 4.55 [mg/Tropfen] = 8.8 drops. The same calculation can be done with the concentration in milligrams per milliliter. This will then give the desired amount of oil in milliliters. (In the example: 40 [mg] / 100 [mg/ml] = 0.4 ml)
For the oils from our offer we have also already taken this bill from you. In this table you can find the results:
With this calculation we now have a first reference value available. However, this usually needs to be adjusted to achieve the perfect effect. It should generally be started with a rather low dose to avoid side effects. Various side effects can occur, especially at very high dosages, and at a dosage of 90 mg per 4.5 kg of body weight or more, unpleasant side effects are almost guaranteed to occur. Therefore, before taking it again, a little evaluation is called for: Was the dose strong enough so that an effect occurred? Did the effect turn out to be too strong and undesirable side effects (e.g. increased fatigue) occurred? By answering these questions and making appropriate adjustments, the perfect dosage is soon found. At this point it should be noted that the dosage also depends on the selected oil. Since besides CBD other active ingredients are contained and the amount of these differs from oil to oil, all oils act differently.
After we reported last time that the EU Commission is considering making all hemp extracts – including natural CBD products – subject to narcotics law, a decision by the European Court of Justice now lets us breathe a sigh of relief. The ECJ informed that a member state of the European Union may not prohibit the marketing of cannabidiol (CBD) lawfully produced in another member state if it is extracted from the whole cannabis sativa plant and not only from its fibers and seeds. The court thus follows the WHO recommendation that CBD should not be classified as a drug for the purposes of international narcotics conventions.
However, the really big bang that could make history came from the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) in Vienna on Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2020. UN Commission agrees to re-evaluate cannabis! This can contribute significantly to simplifying the legal handling of cannabis worldwide. The Commission is thus complying with the WHO recommendation that cannabis no longer be classified as a dangerous drug. Under international treaties such as the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, cannabis has previously been listed on Schedule 4 – with the adoption of WHO Recommendation 5.1, cannabis will now be downgraded to Schedule 1.
Decision of the EU Commission could harm the hemp industry
While on the one hand a lot of educational work is happening around the topic of hemp and cannabinoids, new scientific findings on the benefits of hemp and hemp extracts are being obtained, the EU Commission is currently considering including hemp extracts in general in the narcotics law. Cannabiniol (CBD) as well as any other hemp extracts are to be classified – on a par with THC – as an addictive substance if it is extracted from natural hemp plants. Synthetic CBD, ironically, would still be allowed.
“The spokesperson for the EU Commission in Germany has confirmed to us that there are considerations to evaluate CBD as a narcotic in the sense of the 1961 United Nations Single Convention. This is currently called “Preliminary View”. After that, CBD would be a so-called “addictive substance” and could also no longer be used as a dietary supplement in the future.”
Dr. Stefan Meyer, President of the new industry association Cannabiswirtschaft BvCW e. V., according to krautinvest.
Such a decision would have disastrous effects on the hemp industry in Europe:
“Almost the entire CBD industry in Europe would face “extinction.” Hemp farmers, import/export, extractors, producers, distributors, retailers, and many more.”
Dr. Stefan Meyer, president of the new industry association Cannabiswirtschaft BvCW e. V., according to cannatrust.eu
There is still no definitive decision in Brussels. And it is equally uncertain how the federal authorities in Bern will react. Because in this country, the Federal Parliament has just approved a pilot of a new more liberal cannabis regulation of cities, which includes THC hemp – so a development that rather steers towards legalization.
The last words have not yet been spoken in Brussels – and certainly not in Bern.
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