The more we learn about the CBD oil industry, the more we realize how simple this little, life-changing supplement can be. But it’s really not simple until you understand the more complicated elements. Because CBD is mysterious and has been kept away from the general population for so long, it leaves us curious about how it works and whether it’s all just placebo effects.

To truly understand CBD, it’s actually easier to stand back and look at it from the top down. In this article, we are going to give you an overview of the different kinds of CBD you can buy, specifically diving into full-spectrum hemp oil, its contents, and other powerful compounds like CBD.

Let’s explore these topics:

What is hemp?
What can be extracted from hemp?
What is CBD?
What is full-spectrum hemp extract?
What is the Entourage Effect?
How do I choose a full-spectrum CBD product?
Considerations for buying a great product

What is hemp?

Hemp is not as mysterious and dangerous as we’ve been lead to believe. In fact, hemp is simply a plant.

Plants are classified according to various characteristics. Plants are assigned different families based on the scientific study of their root structure, leaves, and compounds, among other things.

Both hemp plants and marijuana plants have been classified and placed in the Cannabis plant family. That means they have similar characteristics. But that doesn’t mean they aren’t very different as well. In fact, other members of the Cannabis plant family include Humulus (hops), the blue sandalwood tree, a vine in South America, and a tropical evergreen tree.

So to assume hemp and marijuana are the same would be an error. However, it’s an easy mistake to make.

That’s because they do have a number of things in common. They both have medicinal qualities. They both contain cannabinoids; chemical compounds that can be extracted to be used as dietary supplements.

What can be extracted from hemp?

Like lavender, vanilla, or mint plants, a variety of oils can be extracted from the hemp plant. You’ll see many of these extracted oils sold in health food and grocery stores. But hemp seed oil or hemp oil are not the same as CBD oil. Hemp oils are similar in nature to other vegetable oils; they can be nourishing to the skin and used as carrier oils, but don’t offer medicinal qualities.

The cannabinoid CBD, on the other hand, is a chemical compound that is found in abundance inside the hemp plant. Also knows as cannabidiol, CBD has medicinal qualities that can positively affect a variety of body systems and processes, such as:

• Appetite and digestive system support
• Metabolism
• Chronic pain and headaches
• Inflammation and other immune system responses
• Mood
• Neuropathic pain
• Learning and memory
• Motor control
• Sleep cycles
• Cardiovascular system function
• Muscle formation
• Bone remodeling and growth
• Liver function
• Reproductive system function
• Stress
• Skin and nerve function
• and more

And while CBD is the Queen Bee, it isn’t the only valuable extract from the hemp plant. In fact, the hemp plant contains plenty of valuable chemical compounds.

Fatty acids, chlorophyll, proteins, proteins, as well as a wide range of cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids can all be extracted from the hemp plant. Here’s a look at a few of the most useful.

Other Cannabinoids

A wide range of cannabinoids – at least 120 – can be extracted from the hemp plant. While they may all have therapeutic properties, some have been more extensively studied.

THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is the compound found in the marijuana plant responsible for its psychoactive effects. It’s also found in hemp oil, but in much smaller quantities; not nearly enough to make you high.

CBG, or cannabigerol, is found only in small quantities in the cannabis family. However, it is incredibly powerful; so much so that growers are experimenting with plant cross-breeding to grow varieties that contain larger quantities of CBG.

Some of the known and studied therapeutic benefits of CBG:

• Decrease in intra-eye pressure caused by glaucoma
• Decrease in inflammation symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease
• Potential ability to inhibit cancer cell growth
• Antibacterial and antimicrobial potential
• Ability to control involuntary muscle contractions and neuropathic pain

CBN, or cannabinol, is synthesized when THC ages and breaks down. This degraded THC loses its psychoactive effects, but many of its other properties seem to be enhanced. Some of these include:

• Ability to be a strong antibacterial agent – it was used on antibiotic-resistant MRSA and was effective at fighting the strain
• Tested as a treatment on ALS-positive rats and effectively warded off symptoms, leading scientists to believe it could be a treatment for many neurodegenerative conditions and neuropathic pain
• CBN retains many of the properties THC is loved for; its appetite stimulation, its ability to make us sleepy, among others

CBC is a lesser-known cannabinoid. Cannabichromene isn’t as popular as its cousins, but it’s gaining attention, especially for its analgesic capabilities. It’s being studied for its ability to affect the health of the digestive tract, and remedy chronic pain and migraines, and even aid in neurogenesis.

Terpenes

Hemp plants also contain over 200 beneficial terpenes! Terpenes are organic compounds that are found in all kinds of plants. While you might not know what terpenes are, you’ve probably experienced many of their effects, especially if you are a fan of essential oils. Terpenes give oranges their distinct fragrance and are responsible for giving you that energetic and uplifting mood boost when you smell them. The sweet and calming aroma of lavender on your pillow originates from a terpene in the lavender plant and has a soothing effect on your nervous system. Terpenes have their own therapeutic qualities and they are found in almost every plant.

Flavonoids

Flavonoids give plants their color, help plants prevent disease, and even attract pollinators. While they’re incredibly beneficial to the life of plants, they also have plenty of benefits to pass onto humans. Among the 100+ flavonoids found in hemp oil are Linalool, Limonene, and Caryophyllene.

Linalool is also found in lavender and cinnamon, and provides comforting, relaxing effects. It’s been used to successfully reduce the symptoms of anxiety, ease stress, and provide symptomatic relief to patients suffering from depression, arthritis, seizures, and insomnia.

Limonene can also be extracted from lemons and other citrus fruits and give them their lemony aroma. Limonene is an antibacterial agent and is even being studied for its potential to shrink tumors.

Caryophyllene is also in black pepper and cloves and has analgesic and anti-anxiety properties. It is sometimes used in topical anti-inflammatory creams, and is being studied for its potential ability to treat alcoholism.

What is CBD?

Among the 120+ cannabinoids already discovered, CBD is the most abundant in the hemp plant. CBD is actually a plant-based version of our bodies’ naturally occurring endocannabinoids. That’s why CBD offers our body so many benefits.

CBD affects the endocannabinoid system by binding to CB1 and CB2 receptors. These receptors work like a control board, helping to fine tune our body’s processes and maintain homeostasis, or balance.

CBD, like any plant extract, is naturally occurring and isn’t synthetically synthesized. At this time, the FDA (the U.S. Food and Drug Administration) hasn’t approved CBD as a medical treatment or drug, and no company or manufacturer is authorized to claim it can prevent, treat, or diagnose any condition or replace a prescription medication.

At this stage, much research is being conducted on how CBD affects our bodies and what dosages and combinations of extracts are best for different people. The majority of evidence for the positive effects of CBD is anecdotal, and many feel confident trying CBD products for themselves because their friends or relatives had positive experiences, or they’ve read reviews about high-quality products.

Tinctures, gummies, roll-ons, balms, lotions, capsules, wax, suppositories, and even infused into coffee and other food and beverages – CBD is easy to access and comes in many forms, making it suitable for almost everyone.

But not all CBD is created equal. Beyond just the delivery method, there are other important things to consider before making your purchase.

CBD is considered a dietary aid, similar to the vitamins and minerals you take to supplement your diet. The production and sale of CBD is completely legal in the United States and while parts of the cannabis plants are still regulated under the Controlled Substances Act, the FDA believes the study of CBD is considered safe and worthwhile. But at this time, they do not regulate the quality of products.

Learning a few facts about how CBD is sold will help you become a more informed consumer, and it will also help you understand more about what you are putting in your body – something we think is very important!

You may see many of these terms when purchasing your CBD:

Full-spectrum CBD oil (or full spectrum CBD oil)
Full-spectrum oil
Full-spectrum hemp oil
Broad-spectrum hemp oil
Full-spectrum CBD
Hemp seed oil
Full-spectrum hemp extract
CBD isolate product
Whole plant
and other terms

Let’s explore how to understand each of these terms.

What is full-spectrum hemp extract?

Sometimes, companies (especially in advertising) will call CBD oil ‘hemp extract’ or ‘hemp extract’. This is typically because of advertising regulations. So it’s important to be discerning and read the contents of the product to make sure it actually contains CBD oil. Hemp extract could simply be oil with no active compounds. So read your labels to be sure.

To fully understand what you’re buying when you make a CBD product purchase, there are three key terms to understand.

• CBD Isolate
• Broad-Spectrum CBD
• Full-Spectrum CBD

Earlier in this article, we talked about the many compounds that can be extracted from the hemp plant. Essential fatty acids, amino acids, omega-6, terpenes, flavonoids, other cannabinoids, etc. But each of these compounds can be isolated and used on its own in vitamins and supplements.

What is CBD Isolate

When CBD is isolated, it is sold as an isolate product – meaning all that exists in the product is cannabidiol and any carrier oils or excipients.

What is Broad-Spectrum CBD

These products will contain many or all of the compounds found in the hemp plant except for THC.

Full-Spectrum CBD

These products will contain the full range of cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, and other compounds. Full-spectrum is sometimes called ‘whole plant.’

While there is evidence that each of the three types of CBD products can be effective, more research is proving that full-spectrum CBD oil has the greatest potential to be used as a therapeutic agent in the future.

This is because of a phenomenon known as the Entourage Effect.

What is the Entourage Effect?

You know that full-spectrum hemp oil is the same as full-spectrum CBD (as long as your products clearly list CBD in the ingredients). And in order to take full advantage of the Entourage Effect, keep in mind, you MUST be taking these full-spectrum CBD products.

You’re probably a pretty nice, pretty cool person. And when you are alone, you’re probably perfectly content. Just like an isolate product, when cannabidiol is alone it’s ok.

But like many people, when you’re with your friend group, your crew, your posse, your entourage, you’re probably more confident, and your group brings out parts of your personality that are more difficult to access when you’re alone.

Maybe you feel more confident in a group. Maybe you feel funnier. Maybe you’ll even bust a move when you’re out on the dance floor with your friends.

That’s the Entourage Effect at work.

And CBD products work the same way.

Broad-spectrum products have all the components of full-spectrum except for THC. This option may be good for someone who wants to avoid THC altogether, however, the trace amounts of THC found in full-spectrum CBD rarely warrant the need for this.

Full-spectrum products are brimming with all the goodness hemp plants offer us. And just like when you’re confidently tearing up the floor at the discotheque, those compounds bring out the best in one another.

Instead of getting the benefits of only CBD oil, you get the benefit of the entire group. On its own, it has therapeutic properties, but, for example, the relaxing properties of CBD are heightened when used in conjunction with CBG’s power to help us chill (remember it is degraded THC, after all).

While cannabidiol provides some support for chronic pain sufferers, the inflammatory system support provided by the flavonoid caryophyllene would be missed with an isolate product.

And while you may only ingest a trace amount of THC, full-spectrum CBD provides you the digestive and anxiety support you would otherwise miss.

Because each cannabinoid, flavonoid, terpene, fatty acid, etc (the list goes on) has its own therapeutic properties, you get the compounded benefits of each one.

Using the full range of compounds also has a holistic benefit that many of us don’t consider when we take supplements. Our cannabinoid receptors (part of our endocannabinoid system) love the influx of cannabinoids. Remember that our ECS works like a control board, keeping our systems in balance. The more we flood that system with healthy chemicals, the better it will function. When you take full-spectrum CBD you’re promoting whole-body health. And that is a very good thing.

That is why we recommend full-spectrum CBD.

Considerations for buying a great product

To buy the most effective CBD product that has the best chance of giving you the results you want, here are some considerations:

1.  Consider the recommended dose. Most people begin with a 25 ml a day dose. If your CB bottle contains 1000 ml of full-spectrum CBD, it will last you 40 days. (1000 ml / 25 ml = 40 doses). Some companies may recommend more or fewer milliliters per dose, so read carefully so you can make a smart economical choice.

    

2.  Flavor. The natural flavor of CBD is what you might imagine if you chewed on a stalk of industrial hemp. Woody, earthy, leafy, but actually not terrible. However, if you want something gentler on the palate, CBD oil products can be purchased flavored. Be wary of additives like sugar, dyes, or unnatural flavorings.

    

3.  Method of Ingestion. Certainly, you can buy edibles like gummies or beverages like coffee or water. But the most effective methods of getting your product into your bloodstream fast are tinctures. Tinctures are a liquid form of oil, typically sold in an opaque glass bottle with a dropper. You measure your dosage into the dropper and place it beneath your tongue. Your sublingual glands begin to absorb the product immediately. After one minute, simply swallow the remaining product and you’re done. Tinctures can also be added to food or drinks, but you will experience a slower release of action.

    

4.  Side effects. There are very few side effects reported with any hemp oil products. But if you should feel nauseous, groggy, or otherwise unwell after taking CBD oil, discontinue use and contact your doctor.

In Conclusion

We encourage you to learn all you can about full-spectrum hemp oil and to explore how CBD oil can benefit your well-being. Always speak to your doctor about implementing any new supplement routine, especially if you are taking any medications.