Learn
What is CBD?
CBD, short for cannabidiol, is one of over 100 naturally occurring chemical compounds found in the cannabis plant. These chemical compounds are called “cannabinoids''. Each cannabinoid produces a different effect in the body.
CBD is non-psychoactive meaning it does not get a person "high", unlike another compound from the marijuana plant, known as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
Many people use CBD products to seek relief from symptoms relating to
Pain and Inflammation
Insomnia
Anxiety
Seizures and Epilepsy
Stress
CBD works with your body’s endocannabinoid systems to produce different effects depending on dose and how the CBD is consumed.
What is the Endocannabinoid System (ECS)?
Every living thing on earth with a spinal cord has an endocannabinoid system. The endocannabinoid system plays a large role in maintaining homeostasis, or internal regulatory balance in the body. The endocannabinoid system is made up of two types of receptors - CB1 and CB2. These receptors are neurotransmitters involved in physiological processes including sleep, mood, appetite, memory, fertility, and reproduction. Cannabinoid receptors are activated by cannabinoids, generated naturally inside the body or introduced by CBD from cannabis derived products.
Currently, there are two types of cannabinoid receptors that have been identified:
-CB1 receptors which are located in the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system)
-CB2 receptors which are in the nerves of the extremities (peripheral nervous system), digestive system, and certain cells in the immune system
Different Types of CBD Products
CBD products contain an extract from the hemp plant. These extractions are done by ways of CO2 extraction, ethanol extraction, nanotechnology, and cellular deconstruction.
There are 5 different types of CBD extracts and the difference concerns the presence of other naturally occurring cannabinoids in the hemp plant. Having other cannabinoids present in your CBD products is generally seen as a positive thing because together cannabinoids can work better synergistically than CBD can on its own. The synergy created between cannabinoids is called “the entourage effect”. The extracts are rated on a spectrum of having the least amount of naturally occurring cannabinoids to the most.
Nano Technology
The CBD molecule has been shrunk down into a nano size to increase absobility. This is another form of a CBD isolate.
Isolate CBD
CBD is the only cannabinoid contained in that product. No other cannabinoids are included.
Broad Spectrum CBD
The THC has been removed leaving the extract with CBD + most of the other cannabinoids found in the hemp plant. It’s important to know that when the THC is removed other cannabinoids can be removed as well during this process.
Full Spectrum CBD
Contains CBD + the full array of over 100 cannabinoids found in the hemp plant. This includes (<0.3%) of THC.
Whole Spectrum
CBD + All Available Cannabinoids,
More Terpenes, THC Included (<0.3%) and Maximum Entourage Effect
Contains the full array of over 100 cannabinoids found in the hemp plant in their whole form
How To Pick A Quality CBD Product
First and Foremost when picking a CBD product it’s crucial to know that CBD is currently not regulated in the United States. So it’s important for users to be able to discern between a high quality product and snake oil.
We always recommend only to buy products that have been third party tested and grown domestically in the United States. CBD products should always have a QR code or website printed on them where you can find the lab results from product testing. These lab reports will display the results of the product passing quality inspection for mold, pesticides, the presence of heavy metals, and most importantly the lab report will let you know exactly how much CBD is present in the product vs how much is on the label.
Which CBD Spectrum Best Fits Your Lifestyle?
Now that you know the difference between spectrums you can pick which one best suits your needs. As a result of the whole and full spectrum containing trace amounts of THC consumers who are worried about drug testing should avoid these products. Although the THC amount is miniscule over time and frequent use the THC may build in your system resulting in a positive drug test.
However, if this is not a concern for your lifestyle a whole spectrum or full spectrum product would be recommended for better results. Great results can be found using THC products however because they do not contain THC they cannot produce the same entourage effect with the CBD. This means you may need to take a little more of a THC free product to produce the same relief.
Benefits Of THC Free Products.
Never doubt, there are some great benefits to THC free products. Some CBD consumers find they can be highly sensitive to THC even in very small amounts. For those people the presence of THC in their system can cause some slight discomfort. One example is CBD users who deal with mental health symptoms such as bipolar disorder, these people are recommended to stay with THC free products to avoid sensitivity or discomfort.
Another benefit as mentioned earlier is drug testing. Using THC free products means you never have to worry about drug testing!