You’ve probably seen signs touting ‘CBD SOLD HERE’ in recent years. But what exactly is CBD? CBD stands for cannabidiol, and it is a cannabinoid (i.e., a chemical compound found in the cannabis plant). Most people are quick to associate cannabis with marijuana, the THC-heavy variety of cannabis that makes users inexplicably hungry. However, the stigma of marijuana use still lingers today, and it has cast its shadow over CBD as a result. However, you may be surprised to learn the CBD and marijuana are worlds apart. Today we’re going to dive into the CBD world: what it is and its uses and benefits.
Now let’s get started.
What is CBD?
We’ve already mentioned that CBD is one of the dominant cannabinoids found in cannabis, and it is often confused with marijuana. In reality, though, some CBD products only contain trace amounts of THC, the psychoactive chemical in marijuana. This fact is welcome news for those who want to reap the immense health benefits of CBD without the mind-altering effects of THC. Other kinds of CBD contain THC, which could be an issue depending on your state’s marijuana laws.
CBD can be split into a few different groups: full-spectrum CBD, broad-spectrum CBD, and CBD isolate.
Full-spectrum CBD products include the, well, full spectrum of cannabinoids. These cannabinoids extracted from hemp are transformed into a product ready for consumption, so you won’t have to worry about missing out on any of them. Even though full-spectrum CBD contains THC, federal law requires CBD to be extracted from hemp and not marijuana. Since hemp used for CBD production contains no more than 0.3% THC, its CBD extractions will be quite low. And while these levels of THC are ultimately negligible, it means that using full-spectrum CBD could result in a positive drug test.
In contrast, broad-spectrum CBD is essentially full-spectrum CBD without the THC. This variety is an excellent choice for those who are worried about testing positive on a drug test using full-spectrum CBD. Interestingly, both full-spectrum CBD and broad-spectrum CBD produce something called the ‘entourage effect.’ The entourage effect is when the cannabinoids in these CBD varieties compound each other and enhance the user’s overall experience. Such compounding effects produce tremendous health benefits, which we’ll get into more later.
Last but not least, CBD isolates are precisely what they sound like: pure CBD and no other cannabinoid present. CBD isolates must meet legal requirements of being 99% pure, meaning all other cannabinoids have to be chemically “stripped off” before distribution. Of course, trace amounts of other cannabinoids usually end up getting mixed in, but not enough that the CBD isolate is not legally pure enough to sell. CBD isolates are the most basic variety available, as they only contain one kind of cannabinoid. Its tedious extraction process makes CBD isolates challenging to produce. It is most commonly consumed in the form of a dab, or by vaporizing a dab of CBD oil on a hot rig and inhaling the resultant smoke. However, CBD isolates are now popping up in the forms of edibles and pills, making it the variety with the most varied types of consumption.
What are the benefits of CBD?
For several years, researchers believed that CBD isolates reaped the maximum health benefits. However, things are changing due to the discovery of the entourage effect. Studies discovered that full-spectrum CBD users reported heightened relief compared to those who used CBD isolates.
But that doesn’t mean that CBD isolates aren’t as good as full-spectrum CBD. In essence, it comes down to what kind of benefits the user is after. For example, CBD isolates are a great THC-free variety for non-marijuana smokers. Many use it for a host of health problems as well, like anxiety, depression, inflammation, diabetes, insomnia, chemotherapy effects, and even autism in children. Furthermore, it’s relatively inexpensive compared to other varieties, and it is pretty easy to measure out. Because CBD is so pure, you can be sure of the exact amount of CBD you’re ingesting, making this a great variety to introduce to new users.
Bear in mind, though, that CBD’s effects can be quite strong for new users. Start low and slow, meaning you should initially ingest small amounts and then gradually increase your dosage. It’s better to play it safe when first trying out CBD; you can always take a little more if you’re not feeling the effects too strongly.
If you’re looking to maximize your health benefits, you might want to consider full-spectrum CBD instead. Full-spectrum CBD has proved superior to CBD isolates in the treatment of inflammation. However, most full-spectrum CBD users use it to increase their general sense of wellbeing. It is no surprise that this variety is more popular with marijuana smokers, who are already accustomed to ingesting THC.
Broad-spectrum CBD is a good “middle” choice between full-spectrum CBD and CBD isolates. You reap more health benefits than CBD isolates because of the entourage effect without having to ingest any THC. Like the other CBD varieties, broad-spectrum CBD offers many of the same benefits, such as pain relief, anxiety, and depression relief, to name a couple. Non-marijuana smokers with chronic pain may find this variety to be the best of both worlds.
We hope we’ve cleared up any misconceptions about this new and exciting product. While the jury is still out on whether CBD is here to stay, the results look incredibly promising. As healthcare costs in the U.S. continue to skyrocket, more Americans are looking to holistic alternatives that are much cheaper and perhaps more beneficial to one’s health. For those interested in purchasing a quality CBD Isolate, Buy CBD Oil Online offers an array of CBD Isolate products, ranging from chocolates to oils to topicals. They even have products for pets, which should rest any fears you might have about CBD’s safety. Visit their website today to view all their available products and educate yourself even more on the fantastic benefits of this versatile chemical compound.
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