What is CBD and what does CBD mean?

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a natural chemical compound found in cannabis plants such as hemp. Scientific research has long demonstrated CBD's anti-inflammatory and muscle-relaxing effects, as well as other overall wellness benefits. Given the healing powers of the hemp plant and the ever-growing research on CBD, it's no surprise that this chemical compound has found its way into health clinics, wellness centers, and homes around the world.

CBD stands for cannabidiol. It comes from the female hemp plant and belongs to a family of 100 natural compounds called cannabinoids. You've probably heard of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a cannabinoid that causes the psychoactive effects of cannabis. Aside from THC, CBD is one of the most dominant cannabinoids, known for inducing an overall sense of well-being without the "high."

The hemp plant has long been known for its healing properties. With the growing popularity of CBD oil, new breeding methods have produced cannabis strains with increased CBD concentrations and minimal THC levels. High-quality CBD extracts, often added to organic hemp seed oil, come from the leaves, flowers, and seeds of these hemp plants.

What is the difference between THC and CBD?

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) are the two most dominant active ingredients in cannabis. Although the two cannabinoids share the same chemical formula, their molecular structures are different—and this slight variation causes drastically different effects on the body. THC is psychoactive and can cause a feeling of "high," while CBD does not produce any intoxicating or psychoactive effects.

THC is currently gaining attention in the medical world, with research being conducted into its benefits, risks, and potential side effects of psychological dependence. Unlike THC, CBD offers many positive properties and a host of other health benefits—without causing mind-altering effects. The World Health Organization has stated that CBD "shows no effects suggesting a potential for abuse or dependence." Instead of feeling "high," many CBD users report increased relaxation or a sense of well-being.

What makes CBD oil good?

Given the explosive growth of the CBD oil market, it can be overwhelming to determine which products and brands you can trust and which to avoid. Low-quality CBD oil often doesn't provide the same benefits as high-quality varieties, making choosing a good CBD oil all the more important. High-quality CBD oils contain no additives or additional chemicals. Where the hemp is grown and the method used to extract it can also be an indicator of quality. CBD-Effekt by Dr. König, for example, develops products made from 100% German-grown CBD oils.

Most reputable companies can provide recent lab test results to assure the quality and properties of their CBD. If these aren't readily available, don't hesitate to ask. Another sign of quality CBD oil is the use of the whole plant during production, as this allows for more natural compounds to be preserved. Unlike CBD isolates, full-spectrum CBDs contain flavonoids, terpenes, and other cannabinoids that work in conjunction with the CBD to enhance a product's wellness benefits.

Where can I buy CBD?

Hemp derivatives such as CBD oils and extracts are legal in Germany. As a result, CBD products can be purchased online and in stores without a prescription. However, be aware that the quality of CBD products can vary greatly. Therefore, it's important to purchase CBD from a reputable company that provides transparent information about sources, production methods, concentration, and any additives or chemicals contained in its products.

CBD Effect by Dr. König is managed by a leading European team of experts.

Dr. Harry König has worked at the forefront of both conventional and natural medicine for decades, helping thousands of patients discover the healing powers of CBD. When he recognized the lack of high-quality CBD products on the market, he launched CBD Effect: a brand that provides people across Europe with high-quality products.

Why are CBD products so expensive?

When purchasing CBD products, you'll notice that prices can vary widely. Various factors influence the price of CBD products, including how and where it's produced, the quality of the CBD itself, its potency, and whether the product was manufactured under good conditions. In general, products with higher CBD concentrations are more expensive.

When calculating the value of a CBD product, quality must be considered. Lower-quality CBD won't produce the same effects as a high-quality extract, and additives can compromise the safety and overall benefits of a CBD oil. Just like anything else you put into your body, it's important to understand where your CBD comes from and how it's produced. The best brands offer transparent information about potency, quality, and origin, so you can rest assured that you're getting the best value for your money.

How do you store CBD?

It's best to store CBD in a cool, dry place to ensure maximum potency and the longest shelf life of your CBD product. As with all natural products, CBD decomposes over time, and when this happens, the effects of your CBD product will diminish.

Factors that can cause CBD to deteriorate more quickly include sunlight, high temperatures, and humidity—all of which should be avoided when storing your product. Sunlight's UV rays can break the chemical bonds that hold the CBD product together, so it's important to store it somewhere away from direct sunlight. Cannabinoids can also be degraded by heat; the optimal temperature for storing your CBD product is around 20 degrees Celsius. You can also refrigerate your CBD product, but this may cause it to solidify. (If this happens, hold the sealed bottle under warm running water for about a minute.)

Most CBD products have an expiration date. The shelf life of CBD products, when stored properly, is approximately two years.

What is the difference between 5% and 10% CBD oil?

CBD oils are available in various concentrations. While some products measure this concentration in milligrams, others specify percentages, such as 5% CBD, 10% CBD, and 25% CBD. The higher the percentage, the higher the concentration.

CBD oils can vary in potency. How the oil is produced, whether it contains additives, and a variety of other factors can make it difficult to compare a 10% CBD product from one company with that of another. Furthermore, everyone reacts to CBD differently. It's important to note that CBD works with your endocannabinoid system to achieve balance. For this reason, it's best to start with a moderate dose to observe how your body reacts, and then adjust accordingly.

Who discovered CBD?

As early as 2737 BC, Emperor Shen Nung of China prescribed cannabis tea to treat ailments ranging from gout and rheumatism to memory impairment. Cannabis gained popularity throughout Asia and the Middle East, where it was used to relieve pain, stress, and a variety of other conditions. Cannabis is one of the first plants to be used medicinally. However, the discovery of cannabinoids and cannabidiol (CBD) came much later.

In 1839, William B. O'Shaughnessy authored a groundbreaking study on the therapeutic use of cannabis. This study initiated hundreds of years of medical research and led to the discovery of cannabinoids. The first cannabinoid to be isolated was cannabinol (CBN). After British chemist Robert S. Cahn determined the partial structure of CBN, it was fully synthesized in a laboratory by American chemist Roger Adams in 1940. Two years later, Roger Adams discovered cannabidiol (CBD). His work also led to the discovery of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

What is CBD made of?

Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the naturally occurring cannabinoids found in cannabis plants. CBD is extracted directly from the hemp plant, a derivative of the marijuana plant, which contains less than 0.3% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). To produce CBD oil, CBD, an extract from the plant's leaves, flowers, and seeds, is added to an oil such as hemp seed oil.

Pure CBD is safe for most people and leads to a variety of positive health and wellness effects. Unfortunately, many CBD products contain additives or chemicals that can minimize the benefits of this natural wellness booster. For this reason, it's important to choose a CBD product that's free of added chemicals and other ingredients. If a CBD product doesn't clearly state what it contains, you should find one that offers the transparency you deserve.

What are the benefits of taking CBD?

Your body's endocannabinoid system (EC) is responsible for regulating sleep, mood, appetite, memory, pain, the immune system, hormone production, and a host of other processes and functions within the nervous system. The proper interaction of cannabinoids can bring about well-being for both body and mind. Plant-based CBD has been shown to enhance or mimic the effects of endocannabinoids—benefits that have piqued the interest of researchers around the world.

How do you take CBD?

CBD is available in many different forms. The most common is CBD oil, but you can also find CBD gummies and other edibles, CBD lotions, CBD water, CBD capsules, CBD tinctures, and CBD vapes. CBD can be ingested, inhaled, and absorbed through the skin. However, in Germany, only products intended for cosmetic use are permitted for sale, so our products are not suitable for consumption.

However, in some other countries, the use of CBD is permitted.

When you consume a CBD gummy or other CBD-infused food, it must pass through the digestive system before entering the bloodstream. Therefore, one of the most effective methods of taking CBD is sublingually, which allows the CBD to enter the bloodstream more effectively. To take CBD sublingually, place three to five drops of a CBD tincture under your tongue and hold it there for a few minutes without swallowing. This gives your oral mucosa time to fully absorb the CBD.

Can CBD get you high? Is CBD dangerous for me?

Unlike THC, the psychoactive substance in cannabis that creates the feeling of being "high," CBD does not have an intoxicating effect. CBD does not get you high. Instead, many people who use CBD describe a feeling of relaxation and general well-being.

The World Health Organization recently conducted a comprehensive study on CBD to explore its benefits, risks, and public health impacts. It found that CBD does not cause addiction or exhibit characteristics that could lead to abuse. The study also concluded that the use of pure CBD does not pose a threat to a person's health. Simply put, CBD in its pure form is not dangerous, does not cause a "high," and has no documented harmful side effects.

When purchasing a CBD product, make sure you're getting pure CBD. Many products contain additives or chemicals. Unlike the CBD itself, these added chemicals can pose a risk to your health.

Since both THC and CBD are part of the cannabis plant, a certain amount of THC cannot be avoided in CBD products. However, regulatory authorities have set a legal limit of 0.2% THC content in CBD products, which is not enough to produce an intoxicating effect. Our products, of course, adhere to this limit.

Does taking CBD have any side effects?

When you take CBD, levels of anandamide and GABA in the brain increase. This leads to a heightened feeling of relaxation. Although CBD is a naturally occurring chemical compound with no serious side effects, some people who consume CBD report dry mouth, drowsiness, and/or decreased appetite.

Because CBD has no intoxicating effects, it does not impair driving ability in most people. However, in isolated cases, side effects from cannabinoids occur that could impair driving ability, and many countries have zero-tolerance laws for THC levels in the blood. From a legal perspective, the THC content of CBD products cannot exceed the legal limit of 0.2%.