All of the important things to know about CBD oil

The world of cannabidiol (CBD) may feel a little convoluted when first faced with it. There are so many terms and acronyms and things to know about CBD oil. It can feel genuinely intimidating. To make things easier, we wanted to give you a quick guide on the main things that you should know about CBD oil.  

Things to Know About CBD Oil | What is CBD

All cannabis plants, including hemp and marijuana, contain specific kinds of chemical compounds known as cannabinoids. Each cannabis plant has over 100 different cannabinoids in it. One is, of course, CBD. There is another cannabinoid that you may have potentially heard of before. That would be tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). 

THC is so incredibly famous because it can have a particular effect on those who use it. That is, it is psychoactive. This means that it creates the intoxication, more generally referred to as a ‘high,’ that is often associated with marijuana. It’s not uncommon for people to then assume that CBD can also cause a high. After all, they are both cannabinoids. However, this is a flawed way of thinking. CBD is not psychoactive and does not cause any sort of intoxication. If that’s something that’s been keeping you from giving CBD a try, then there is no need to worry about it. 

Research on CBD has found many different, exciting potential benefits associated with its use. Some of these studies have concluded that CBD may help fight acne. There have been many studies that have found that CBD could help with anxiety. One particularly popular area of research has led to many studies finding that CBD could help deal with joint health.  

Different CBD Extracts 

The extraction process that hemp plants go through to make CBD extract means that the CBD rarely comes out alone. Other cannabinoids and compounds are usually in the extract with CBD. However, not all CBD products contain these extras. Some extracts are filtered to exclude certain or all other cannabinoids. That defines the differences between different CBD extracts. So, when shopping for a CBD product, you will likely see the following terms on the labels. Let’s go over what these terms are and what they mean together. 

Things to Know About CBD Oil | Full spectrum 

Full spectrum is the least processed form of CBD extract. This extract has every single cannabinoid that you can find in the hemp plant. This includes THC. However, if the CBD has been extracted from hemp, then the THC level will be no more than 0.3%. This is such a low THC content that there’s no way that it can get you high. 

Broad spectrum 

Broad spectrum is very similar to full spectrum. But it has one significant difference; it does not contain any THC. All of that particular cannabinoid has been completely filtered out. The appeal of products made with full or broad spectrum is because they may provide the entourage effect. This is when compounds work together to create a more substantial effect. Broad spectrum provides that without the worry of THC. 

Things to Know About CBD Oil | Isolated CBD

CBD isolate is exactly what you may have already guessed. It is a CBD extract that contains only CBD. In this extract, there are absolutely no other compounds or cannabinoids. CBD isolate’s effects may not be as strong as some of the other cannabinoids. However, the effect may be clearer without the other cannabinoids and compounds to muddle it. 

Different kinds of CBD products

Now that we have gone over your options for CBD extract let’s talk about the products. There is a lot more than just CBD oils out there, but those are still a very good option. Together, we will talk about some of the broad categories of products to help you narrow down your search for the perfect CBD product.

Things to Know About CBD Oil | Topicals 

CBD topicals are the only kind of CBD product that you do not take orally. These products you use on the surface of your skin. They could be anything from creams to salves, from lotions to patches. There are even CBD hand sanitizers and cooling patches. These products are going to give you more of a localized effect than any oral product. This is because the CBD usually does not reach the bloodstream. It absorbs through the pores and provides the user with a focused effect in the application area. 

Oils

These are the CBD products that you have likely seen before, as they are some of the most common. CBD oils and tinctures are made by combining CBD extract with a carrier oil, like coconut oil. They are rather versatile, offering you a few different ways to take them. There is the more direct way, where you put the drops directly under your tongue. This is the quicker way, as the thin skin under the tongue absorbs the CBD into the bloodstream readily and easily. The other way is by mixing the oil in with food or drink to make your own edible. The one downside of this is that you won’t feel any effect from the CBD until the food has had a chance to digest.

Things to Know About CBD Oil | Tablets & Capsules 

These are a good choice for those who would rather that their CBD be in pill form. Generally, CBD tablets are sublingual. That means that instead of swallowing them like a regular pill, you allow them to dissolve under your tongue. This works in a similar way as the oils that you place under your tongue. CBD capsules usually come as soft gels. They are made with liquid CBD and digest when swallowed much more quickly than hard-packed pills. 

Edibles 

There is a good chance that you already know what edibles are. They are anything that’s edible and has been made with CBD extract. They are probably the most popular CBD product out there. This is because they are easy to take and taste great. But they do take up to an hour to start working because the food needs to digest.

There you have it. A general overview of all things CBD. There is more to know about CBD and its products. However, this is a good base to start your CBD journey off of. This way you know what you are looking at when shopping for a CBD product.