WHAT IS CBD?
CBD is short for cannabidiol, which is one cannabinoid found in Hemp. Hemp is from the Cannabis Sativa family which is the same family that marijuana is from, this shared characteristic leaves a lot of questions for first time CBD users. Unlike marijuana, which is high in THC, a psychoactive cannabinoid, hemp plant extracts do not produce a “high” or a “buzz”. There are three main categories when it comes to cbd hemp oils which we will cover more later on in this post. Although there is a lot that could be said about CBD, this article will give you the tools you need to get started.
What are Cannabinoids?
There are over a 100 identified cannabinoids naturally found in cannabis plants. Cannabinoids are chemical compounds that are naturally secreted through the flowers of cannabis plants. These cannabinoids, when ingested or used topically, help our bodies’ endocannabinoid system find homeostasis. Although there are over 100 cannabinoids, two cannabinoids in particular tend to get the most attention- THC and CBD.
THC
THC which is short for Tetrahydrocannabinol is predominantly found in marijuana plants, in fact, in the US industrial hemp plants are not allowed to have levels of more than 0.3% THC in their composition. THC is a psychoactive chemical which creates a “high” or a “buzz”. It is popular for a lot of its potential health benefits such as aiding cancer patients reduce symptoms of nausea and vomiting. Many states have introduced medical marijuana which gives legal access to marijuana for people who may benefit from its use.
CBD
CBD, which is short for Cannabidiol, is predominantly found in industrial hemp plants, which as of 2018 is legal to cultivate and use for extraction in the U.S. Unlike THC, CBD has no psychoactive effects. CBD is believed to help people with anxiety, inflammation,pain, and even improve sleep.
As mentioned above, there are over a 100 different identified cannabinoids, each with its own chemical makeup.
What are the main types of CBD?
Now that you understand a little more what a cannabinoid is, you will be able to identify the differences between the three main types of CBD used in products.
Full Spectrum
When CBD is extracted from plant material, so is an entire host of cannabinoids. Full Spectrum oil contains CBD and additional cannabinoids such as CBG, CBN, and small amounts of THC. It is believed that cannabinoids are more effective when working together, this is called the entourage effect.
Broad Spectrum
Broad Spectrum, like Full Spectrum, contains more cannabinoids than CBD. The difference between Broad Spectrum and Full Spectrum is that Broad Spectrum does not contain THC. The benefit of a Broad Spectrum is that you will not fail a drug test by using a product which contains this type of oil.
Isolate
Isolates, unlike the other two types of oil, contain only CBD. There are no additional cannabinoids. Typically products containing CBD Isolate will be less expensive. You lose the entourage effect when you separate out the CBD from the other beneficial cannabinoids.
What forms does CBD come in?
There are a large variety of CBD products on the market. Some of the most common products are cbd tinctures, cbd gummies, and even cbd oil for dogs. Not only is there a wide range of product types, but there is also a large range in potency. Any CBD product being sold is required to be tested by a third-party lab for potency and safety, these lab results are often referred to as a “COA” and are required to be available for consumers.
Conclusion
Whether you are trying to learn more about CBD because you have heard it can help with anxiety or you know someone who has tried it and loves it, there are a lot of options out there. Before you search “CBD near me” and buy the first product you see, make sure to read the product label. Know what type of CBD is in the product whether it is Full Spectrum or Isolate, read the COA, and decide what form you want to take it in.
*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.