Cannabis is creating a whole lot of buzz, and not for the reasons you may think. Sure, medical and recreational marijuana is becoming legal in more states, but the excitement is for another type of bud.
Sure, this bud looks the same, smells the same, can be rolled into a joint, vaped, or turned into an edible—but it’s not your traditional Mary Jane.
We’re talking about CBD. Keep reading to learn what you need to know about CBD and the CBD types of products and strains on the market today.
CBD Information 101
So, if CBD is just like marijuana, but different, what exactly is it?
CBD is short for Cannabidiol. Cannabidiol is one of the many phytocannabinoids found within the Cannabis Sativa plant. THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) is also a phytocannabinoid found in the Cannabis plant.
Both phytocannabinoids have therapeutic and pharmacological benefits. However, unlike THC, CBD will not get you high. This has to do with how each phytocannabinoid interacts with our bodies. THC is considered a psychoactive compound because of how it binds with the receptors in our brains. What it does is cause a disruption between neuron transmissions, which results in its well-known euphoric “high”.
CBD, on the other hand, is considered non-psychoactive. CBD works by stimulating our Endocannabinoid System (ECS) to interact with the receptors throughout our body’s systems to promote balance. By doing so, CBD is able to provide pain relief and treat a laundry list of conditions such as:
- Anxiety
- Alzheimer’s Disease
- Arthritis
- Autoimmune diseases and conditions
- Chronic pain and inflammation
- Depression
- Epilepsy
- Fibromyalgia and chronic migraines
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
- Huntington’s Disease
The list doesn’t end there. CBD is even being studied and put under clinical trials as a potential form of cancer treatment. CBD products are quickly becoming the favored alternative to toxic pharmaceuticals. Not only is CBD 100% natural, but it’s essentially risk-free.
In very rare cases, first-time CBD users may experience mild side effects including a change in appetite, drowsiness, nausea, diarrhea, or slight anxiety, but it’s very unlikely. Besides, compared to most of the terrible and sometimes life-threatening side effects that come with prescription medications, little diarrhea doesn’t seem so bad.
Wait, is CBD Legal?
THC isn’t entirely legal on a federal level, so, is CBD legal? The short answer is yes, but with a few caveats.
First and foremost it’s important to understand that there are quite a few varieties of the Cannabis plant. Without getting into semantics, all you need to understand is that the hemp variety produces the highest levels of CBD as well as the lowest levels of THC.
Thanks to the 2018 Federal Farm Bill that has been passed, the hemp variety itself is no longer considered a Schedule I controlled substance by the DEA. However, THC still is. This is because regulations have designated that any CBD products containing 0.03% THC or less are perfectly legal.
These trace amounts are not nearly enough to produce any intoxicating effects or show up on a drug test. In states where medical and/or recreational THC is legal, you can find CBD products with much higher amounts of THC which can pose a legal problem in states where THC hasn’t been legalized.
The laws may be a bit confusing, so the rule of thumb is: If you can walk into any store—barring any type of marijuana dispensary—and buy CBD products, then it’s perfectly legal. This includes online stores, which require proof of a medical marijuana card or proof of residency for any products exceeding the maximum 0.03% of THC.
Which CBD Types of Products Are Out There?
As mentioned earlier, there is a wide variety of CBD types of products and strains on the market today.
Here’s the breakdown of CBD types:
- Full Spectrum CBD
- Broad Spectrum CBD
- CBD Isolates
- Nano CBD
It goes like this—Full-spectrum CBD is a whole-plant extract. That means you’re getting CBD and its entourage. You get THC, terpenes, and all the other cannabinoids within the plant. All of these compounds work together synergistically to produce what is known as the entourage effect.
Broad-spectrum CBD is also a whole-plant extract that produces the entourage effect, just without the THC. Many people opt for broad-spectrum products if they can’t have any traces of THC.
CBD isolates are nothing but purified CBD molecules. It comes in a white, powdery form and doesn’t contain any other phytocannabinoids or compounds. There is a great divide between those in favor of CBD isolates vs full-spectrum products.
Nano CBD is the shrunken-down form of CBD molecules that are turned into a water-based form. It’s used in products such as lotions, creams, and balms since its nano-form allows it to absorb into the skin quickly.
You can find CBD products in the following forms:
- CBD oil
- CBD vape cartridges
- CBD capsules
- CBD powders—to add to food and drinks
- Flowers—which look and smell just like marijuana and can be rolled into a joint
- Edibles
- Lotions, creams, salves, and balms
- Wax, shatter, rosin, etc. These are made with CBD isolates and can be consumed by using a Dab rig.
- Cosmetic and skincare products
If you’re new to the CBD game, one thing that’s important to understand is that CBD oil and Hemp oil are not the same things. Hemp oil, or hemp seed oil, is the cold-pressed oil from the hemp seeds. While it has nutritional value, such as essential fatty acids, it does not contain any CBD or other phytocannabinoids.
Especially beauty product manufacturers will market their products to appear as if they were CBD-infused when in fact they just contain hemp seed oil. They do this so they can charge more money for a lesser product.
Lastly, when searching for a CBD product it’s important to read the labels. Only buy products from transparent companies that offer US-grown, organic, non-GMO, additive-free CBD products. You also want to make sure that they undergo third-party lab testing and that this is clearly stated on the label.
Which CBD Types Are Right For You?
If you’re trying to figure out which CBD types are right for you, it’s best to assess what your overall needs are. CBD can be taken as an overall health supplement or to treat certain conditions, but works for someone else may not work for you. It’s also best to consult with your doctor before adding CBD to your daily regimen, especially if you’re taking other medications.
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