CBD, explained in plain English

What CBD is

CBD (short for cannabidiol) is one of many natural compounds found in the hemp plant. Hemp and marijuana are both cannabis plants, but hemp is grown to contain only very small amounts of THC, the compound that causes a high. CBD itself does not produce that high.

CBD is sold in many forms, from balms you rub on your skin to gummies you chew. People who use it usually make it part of a daily routine, the same way they might keep a favorite lotion by the sink or take a morning walk.

One honest note: CBD products sold in stores, including ours, have not been evaluated by the FDA for safety or effectiveness the way prescription drugs are. That is exactly why lab reports and a conversation with your doctor matter so much.

The main product types

Topicals: balms, sticks and creams

Topicals go on the skin. You massage them into the area you choose, such as shoulders, knees, hands or lower back after a day of activity. Many people like the ritual itself: a few quiet minutes, warm hands, a fresh scent. Balms with no water in them tend to be rich and a little goes a long way.

Gummies

Gummies are eaten, so they are a daily routine product rather than a spot product. Their big advantage is consistency: each piece has the same labeled amount, with no droppers to measure. Edibles take time to work through your system, often 30 to 90 minutes, so patience is part of the plan.

Oils, tinctures and capsules

You will also see oils taken under the tongue and capsules. K61 does not make these, but the same rules apply: check the amount per serving and read the lab report.

Isolate, broad spectrum, full spectrum

These three label terms describe what else comes along with the CBD:

• CBD isolate: purified CBD with no other cannabinoids. K61's two topicals, Recovery Standard and Recovery Concentrate, are made with CBD isolate.
• Broad spectrum: CBD plus other naturally occurring hemp compounds, with the THC removed to trace or non-detectable levels. K61's Resilience Rounds gummies are broad spectrum.
• Full spectrum: CBD plus the plant's other compounds, including a small, legally limited amount of THC.

If you are subject to drug testing, talk to your testing provider before using any CBD product. No seller can honestly guarantee a test result.

How to choose a product

1. Pick the form that fits your day. A stick for your pocket or golf bag, a jar for an at-home massage, or a gummy for a daily routine.
2. Look at the amount of CBD. Labels list total CBD (for example 225mg or 1000mg in a balm) and, for gummies, the amount per piece.
3. Find the lab report. A trustworthy brand publishes a third-party report for every batch. If you cannot find one, keep looking.
4. Read the ingredients. Check for anything you are sensitive to. Test topicals on a small patch of skin first.
5. Start low and go slow. With gummies, half a piece is a fine place to begin. Give it time before deciding anything.
6. Buy from a company you can reach. A real name, a real location and a support email are good signs.

Reading a lab report (COA)

A Certificate of Analysis, or COA, is the lab's report on a specific batch. In two minutes you can check four things:

• The batch or lot number on the report matches the one on your package.
• The report comes from an independent, third-party lab, not the brand itself.
• The CBD amount is close to what the label says.
• The THC results match the product type you chose.

Our full walkthrough explains every section, including what "ND" and "LOQ" mean: How to read a CBD lab report, step by step. You can see K61's reports on the K61 Lab Results page.

Talk to your doctor, especially if you take medications

This is the most important section on this page. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, CBD can affect how other drugs you take work, and other drugs can affect CBD. The FDA also notes that using CBD with alcohol or other drugs that cause drowsiness increases the risk of feeling sleepy.

Before you try any CBD product:

• Bring the product label and its lab report to your doctor or pharmacist.
• Bring a current list of your prescriptions, over-the-counter medicines and supplements.
• Ask: "Is there any reason I should not try this with what I already take?"
• Ask what you should watch for, and when to call.

Our free Active Aging Starter Guide includes a printable list of these questions.