Types of CBD Used in CBD Products
Many people are not sure what CBD is, although there’s a bunch of helpful information on the Internet. It refers to cannabidiol, a substance that comes from hemp. It belongs to the same plant species as cannabis and marijuana. That’s what causes all that confusion.
Some people mix up cannabidiol action with weed. As seen on this page, that’s not true. Even though it’s derived from some sort of cannabis, it doesn’t have all the adverse side effects associated with it. Others think that CBD is the same thing as THC. They’re wrong, too. These two belong to the same compound group, but their mechanisms of action differ. CBD doesn’t alter the mind and has fewer side effects.
CBD from hemp is obtained by various manufacturing and extraction techniques. Depending on the degree of content filtration, the output can be an isolate, broad, or full-spectrum derivative. Although they sound similar, it’s good to know the differences between them.
Isolated Form
Let’s start with the purest form of CBD used in the industry. These are isolates, which are completely purified from other substances. They undergo rigorous processes that remove contaminants and inactive ingredients.
If you’re looking for a convenient way to get cannabidiol into your body, isolates may be a good choice. It has the same beneficial effects as other forms but at much lower amounts. That makes it a good option for those who need a higher dose of CBD daily but don’t want to ingest other compounds like THC.
CBD isolate is a content that has over 98% of the active substance. It has a plain appearance, and it’s most often made as crystals and powder. Isolates can be processed into liquids like oils, tinctures, or pills. Also, isolates are often used in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries for making topicals.
The form will depend on the extraction process. Solvents (ethanol or CO2) strips out everything from raw hemp material. These are terpenes, lipids, proteins, and other cannabinoids. The solution moves on to further purification (so-called washing), where everything but CBD is removed. The aroma of isolate should be neutral, although some users describe it as earthy or grassy.
Benefits of Use
Isolates can be used in many different ways, and it’s also suitable for first-time users. The most common methods are sublingually or adding to food or liquid. Products containing an isolate are the easiest to administer and use every day. It has no THC, pollutants, and solvent residues, which can be found in other forms of CBD.
Pure cannabidiol increases the body’s ability to fight infections and chronic pain. Isolates may also help with circulatory system issues, nausea, or motion sickness. But keep in mind that these are effective only at specified dosages. Anything more or less than that might be useless (but not harmful) due to the lack of entourage effect.
Full-Spectrum CBD
To get full-spectrum CBD products, manufacturers extract cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids from hemp and preserve them in the derived solution. Different plant sorts contain these compounds in different proportions. For example, some more aromatic strains are richer in terpenes, while some have a certain THC level. So the cannabinoid profile of the full spectrum depends on the type of cannabis from which it is derived.
The most common method of producing full-spectrum CBD is supercritical CO2 extraction. The result is the form of cannabidiol that has the most benefits of all. Although the percentage of active substance in it is not the highest, other components compensate for that. Scientists have proven the existence of the so-called entourage effect. It means that cannabinoids (and even the notorious THC) and other compounds in hemp achieve better results when they work together.
The research suggests that full-spectrum products reduce the probability of seizures. Due to the presence of terpenes, these will ease nausea, headache and improve blood flow to the brain. That makes full-spectrum products great for treating depression, mood disorders, and even some severe psychotic disorders. Still, their effects may vary depending on the person taking the supplement.
Broad Spectrum CBD
Something between the previous two forms of CBD is the broad spectrum. It has all the same elements as full-spectrum but minus THC. Some brands confuse customers when they label products as THC-free. That doesn’t always mean that this component is not present, but its part doesn’t exceed 0.3%.
If you want to be sure that the broad spectrum product you purchased is entirely THC-free, look for a lab report that confirms this claim. Manufacturers must have it displayed on their websites.
The healing properties of broad-spectrum products don’t come from cannabidiol only. Although it’s the active component and what makes them effective, other substances also play vital roles. For example, terpenes act like cannabinoids. They also have anti-inflammatory and analgesic features. Flavonoids are proven antioxidants, while lipids and fiber help many processes in the body.
Read about the benefits of flavonoids.
People with cancer, glaucoma or chronic inflammation may benefit from using broad-spectrum CBD. It provides them with soothing and sedative effects at the same time. But these are mild enough not to disrupt their minds.
While there are still doubts about cannabidiol, the demand for this compound is growing. It is important to be well informed before buying or trying some of the hemp-based products. That way, you will enjoy the benefits of CBD without any risk.
