CBD stands for cannabidiol, and it’s just one of 40 or so cannabinoids found in the hemp plant. CBD products contain only trace amounts of THC. Some contain none at all.
THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is the compound in marijuana responsible for its intoxicating effects. Although both hemp and marijuana plants are closely related, and both belong to the classification called Cannabis Sativa, hemp plants cannot exceed a 0.3 percent THC content. Marijuana plants can have far more. In fact, the average marijuana plant contains around 12 percent THC. However, CBD contains far too little THC to cause intoxication. It cannot make someone feel high.
Full-Spectrum, Broad-Spectrum, or Isolate?
CBD is available in full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and isolate forms. Full-spectrum oils may contain trace amounts of THC, but they also contain all the original plant cannabinoids in their correct proportions. These compounds work together to provide the best therapeutic benefit. This is called the entourage effect. Full-spectrum oils also contain terpenes, which are aromatic compounds present in many types of plants. Terpenes in CBD help all the plant’s beneficial compounds to be absorbed better, fight bacteria and help to escort CBD’s compounds across the blood-brain barrier.
Broad-spectrum CBD products typically don’t contain any THC at all, but this isn’t really much of a benefit because the trace THC amounts in full-spectrum CBD aren’t near high enough to cause intoxication. CBD isolate products contain only pure CBD in concentrations often exceeding 99 percent. They contain no other compounds and have no entourage effect.
Benefits of CBD
CBD has a number of possible health benefits. This includes pain relief, relief of depression and anxiety, as a digestive aid, and to improve symptoms of certain types of colitis like IBD. It may help promote better sleep, may reduce acne, and may help fight certain types of cancer, and also relieve discomfort caused by chemotherapy. CBD may help to fight stress. CBD works by acting on receptors in the human ECS, or endocannabinoid system. This is a network of special cell receptors located throughout the body’s nervous system. There are two basic types of cannabinoid receptors in the body, which are CB1 and CB2. CBD can only completely activate the CB1 receptor, which is not associated with intoxication. THC primarily activates the CB2 receptors, most of which are located in the brain.
Since there are ECS receptors in the skin, topical CBD products can be effective for local pain relief and for certain skin conditions. However, unlike many other substances, such as certain hormones, CBD cannot enter the bloodstream through the skin. For systemic effects, it must be taken orally.
Different Forms of CBD
CBD is available in a wide variety of products. There are oils, tinctures, capsules, and flower. Flower is in the form of small, loose flower buds. It can be smoked, vaped, or added to food products or baked items. However, remember that CBD flower must be heated to activate and release its cannabinoids before consumption. Some people use flower to make luxurious homemade bath bombs, too.
Tinctures are liquid preparations containing CBD oil dissolved in an alcoholic base. They typically come in small bottles with measuring droppers that make it simple to take an exact dose. They are often supplied in flavors like cinnamon, vanilla, orange, lemon, or lime. Tinctures tend to take effect more quickly. CBD oils are very concentrated forms of CBD that also come in small dropper bottles. Sometimes, these are flavored, too. Hemp CBD concentrate is a product that has been filtered through a repetitive clean extraction process, allowing you to enjoy the unique benefits of a cannabinoid without the effects of anything else.
Homemade CBD Products
CBD is also available in the form of gummies, a soft candy that usually comes in fruity flavors, and flexible capsules called softgels. Hemp CBD concentrate is perfect for making edible and topical preparations at home. You can find simple lip balm recipes online and add them to them. Mix it into jojoba oil for a wonderful CBD moisturizer that won’t clog pores. You can make your own CBD candies. Add it to coffee or tea. It’s simple to make CBD bath bombs at home with common ingredients like baking soda, citric acid powder, and cornstarch. You can scent them with essential oils like lavender and chamomile. Citric acid powder is available online or at specialty baking shops.
Hemp CBD concentrate and other CBD products are widely available online and in some retail stores and online CBD store in those states in which it’s legal to sell, possess, and use it.
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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