It may be hard to believe, but a third of the people in the United States alone have used CBD products at some point in their lives. CBD products have been getting more and more popular in recent years, most likely due to their various uses and potential health benefits. But if you’ve never tried CBD before, you may be wondering what all the hype is about and where you should start on your CBD journey.
Full-spectrum CBD is always a good place to start, but what is it exactly, where does it come from, and what does it do? If you’re asking yourself these questions, you’ve clicked on the right article to find your answers. By the end of this article, you’ll know all about full-spectrum CBD oil, gummies, and more, so you’ll be able to choose the best CBD products for you.
To start off, let’s take a closer look at what CBD is exactly, what forms it can come in, and how it can affect the body.
What Is CBD
CBD is also known as cannabidiol and it is one of the many cannabinoids that one can find in the hemp and cannabis plants. CBD is not psychoactive and does not produce a high. This is in great contrast to its sister cannabinoid, THC, which is also found in hemp and cannabis plants but does produce a high.
You might be wondering what the point of CBD is if it can’t get you high. Many people want to avoid getting high because they may have busy schedules that include going to work or school. CBD is a great choice because even though it does not produce a high, it can still offer many health benefits that are similar to the benefits of THC.
Most CBD manufacturers get the majority of their CBD from hemp plants. This is because hemp plants produce large amounts of CBD and very low amounts of THC. On the other hand, cannabis plants produce large amounts of THC and meager amounts of CBD.
It is simply easier and more economical to get CBD from hemp plants for this reason. You should also keep in mind that CBD refers to the cannabinoid rather than any specific product. Because of this, you can find CBD in many different shapes, forms, and sizes.
Because of its variety, there is a CBD product for everyone regardless of taste or expectations. For example, there are CBD gummies, candies, tinctures, vapes, topicals, and CBD oil. The possibilities are endless when it comes to CBD.
The only downside is that because there are so many options, it can be difficult for a beginner to decide where to start. There are also different potencies of CBD to consider. First, however, let’s take a better look at different CBD forms before we consider CBD products.
What Is CBD Isolate
If you are new to the world of CBD, you might have never heard of CBD isolate before. This is because it tends to not be as popular as the other two forms of CBD: broad and full-spectrum CBD. However, just because CBD isolate may not be as widespread does not mean that it’s a bad form of CBD.
In fact, CBD isolate has its own unique benefits compared to any other type of CBD you can find. But what is it exactly? CBD isolate is an ultra-filtered form of CBD.
It is so filtered that it’s impossible to find any other type of CBD that is purer. CBD isolate only contains CBD and it excludes any plant compounds that may have originally been in the hemp plant such as oils and terpenes. In the same vein, CBD isolate lacks any other cannabinoids except for CBD.
Because CBD isolate is so pure, it may be of use to those who have an upcoming drug test. This is because there is no THC whatsoever that could show up in a drug test. But more than that, CBD isolate is perfect for those who want to experience the true form of CBD with nothing else getting in the way.
Because CBD isolate is so filtered, it usually comes in a powdery or crystalline form. If you’ve never handled CBD isolate before, you may wonder what you can do with the powder. Fortunately, CBD isolate is as versatile as any other form of CBD.
Many people like to mix the powder with oils, lotions, or vape juices. This way, you can use your CBD isolate in any way you feel most comfortable. Some people even like to throw it into their drinks or meals like a supplement.
What Is Broad Spectrum CBD
You can think of broad-spectrum CBD as the intermediary between CBD isolate and full-spectrum CBD. This is because broad-spectrum CBD is not quite as filtered as CBD isolate but a little more filtered than full-spectrum CBD. Some people prefer broad and full-spectrum CBD products over CBD isolate because they believe they are more beneficial to one’s health.
This may be because of something known as the entourage effect. Broad and full-spectrum CBD products have compounds other than CBD such as hemp oils, terpenes, and other cannabinoids. Because of this, some scientists believe that all of these different compounds work together to create a final product that is more beneficial to one’s health than CBD alone.
After all, terpenes and other cannabinoids all have their individual benefits. It would only make sense for there to be more health benefits when you take them altogether. However, you should not abandon the idea of CBD isolate altogether because of the entourage effect since more research is necessary to discover the details of how it all works.
As mentioned before, broad-spectrum CBD contains some hemp compounds and other cannabinoids, but it usually contains no THC. However, if you intend to buy broad-spectrum CBD, you should always double-check the label since some brands allow trace amounts of THC. Trace amounts of THC are not enough to produce a high, but they may show up in a drug test.
Since broad-spectrum CBD is not as filtered as CBD isolate, it tends to be in oil or tincture form. However, you may find other broad-spectrum CBD products such as gummies, topicals, and more. As with CBD isolate, you can try experimenting with broad-spectrum CBD and add it to meals or create your own CBD products.
What Is Full-Spectrum CBD
Along with broad-spectrum CBD, full-spectrum CBD is one of the most popular forms of this cannabinoid. Full-spectrum CBD is also one of the least filtered types of CBD. However, as mentioned before regarding the entourage effect, less filtered CBD may not be such a bad thing.
As with broad-spectrum CBD, full-spectrum CBD also contains plant products and other cannabinoids such as CBC. However, unlike broad-spectrum CBD, full-spectrum CBD always has very small amounts of THC. The amount of THC in full-spectrum CBD should never surpass 0.3% which is the legal limit.
This amount of THC is too small to produce a high, but it can still give you the unique benefits of THC. Full-spectrum CBD usually comes in the form of an oil or tincture. You can also find it in the form of full-spectrum CBD gummies, chocolate, vape juices, salves, and more.
Some people might use full-spectrum CBD oil in place of olive oil when cooking stir-fries or other meals. However, since the molecular structure of CBD tends to break up under high temperatures, it is recommended that you should add CBD to your food only after it has cooled slightly if you want to reap all of its benefits.
So, now that you know all about the three main types of CBD, you may be wondering what the filtration process consists of. After all, it’s hard to imagine what needs to be done to turn a hemp plant into a smooth oil or powder. There are actually different ways to extract CBD from hemp plants.
And, as you already know, not all CBD needs to be filtered to the same extent. One of the most popular ways to extract CBD is through the CO2 extraction method.
The CO2 Extraction Method for CBD
This method of extraction involves a special chamber in which the hemp plant will be placed inside. Once the hemp plant enters the chamber, the chamber closes tightly so the hemp can be completely isolated from any outside contamination. At this point, the chamber fills with carbon dioxide, also known as supercritical carbon dioxide.
The chamber is also put under pressure. The application of pressure is important because it allows carbon dioxide to become a liquid instead of a gas which is how it exists in its natural form. Once the carbon dioxide turns into a liquid, it has the opportunity to mingle with the hemp plant.
By doing this, the carbon dioxide can soak up the hemp plant’s oils, aromas, and flavors. This is the point at which the carbon dioxide is able to suck the CBD out of the hemp’s plant tissues. At a certain point during this process, the chamber will consist of a liquid mix of CBD and carbon dioxide.
Of course, since no one wants to consume carbon dioxide along with their CBD, the next part of the extraction process is to get rid of the CO2. This is done when the mixture in the chamber is pumped into another chamber. The pressure in the new chamber allows the carbon dioxide to return to its gaseous state while the CBD remains as a liquid.
The process doesn’t end there, however. Using CO2 alone isn’t usually enough to purify and refine the CBD. In order to create CBD isolate or distillate, adding an alcoholic solvent is necessary. This is a safe process and most of the alcohol evaporates away from the CBD, but the downside is that there may be some trace amounts of alcohol left over after the filtration process.
The Alcohol Extraction Method for CBD
Speaking of alcoholic solvents, the other way to extract CBD from hemp plants is to use the alcohol extraction method. This method is simpler than the CO2 extraction method. However, it tends to not be as popular as the CO2 extraction method due to a few minor downsides.
To start this extraction process, instead of pumping carbon dioxide into a chamber, a liquid alcoholic solvent is necessary. Most prefer to use ethanol or isopropyl alcohol for this method. The hemp plant that will be extracted will be placed in a chamber and soaked with the alcoholic solvent.
Using high-proof alcohol is very important because it will prevent any cannabinoids from sustaining damage. If you use lower-quality alcohol, you are likely going to end up with a lower-quality product, which, of course, potential buyers will not be happy with. Along with the CBD and other cannabinoids, the alcoholic solvent will also draw out oils and terpenes from the hemp plant.
Once all the desirable components of the hemp plant are leached out of the plant tissues, the result will be a mixture of the plant compounds and alcohol. At this point, it is very important to filter out the alcohol. Otherwise, the alcohol will create a CBD product with a very unpleasant taste.
The mixture will go through a long filtration process which will mainly involve the evaporation of the alcohol. After this filtration process, you will end up with potent CBD. The downside of this method is that some alcoholic residue may remain with the CBD which might give it a bad flavor compared to CBD extracted with carbon dioxide.
However, you should keep in mind that even though there is a chance that CBD extracted with alcohol may taste bad, it is still safe to consume.
The World of Full Spectrum CBD Products
Now that you understand what CBD is and where it comes from, it’s time to dive into the world of CBD products. As mentioned before, CBD can come in some interesting forms such as candy or vapes, but there are many other CBD forms that you can consider. By knowing more about your options, you can be more confident in choosing the right CBD products for you.
More than that, certain CBD products may affect the way in which CBD affects your mind and body. This is because it may take a longer or shorter period of time for the CBD to affect you depending on how you use it. For example, when you vape CBD, you should be able to feel its effects immediately.
The reason for this is that as soon as you inhale the CBD, it flows through your lungs and diffuses into your bloodstream. Your blood will carry the CBD to your brain where it will interact with particular receptors and produce an effect. The only way CBD can affect you is when your blood brings the CBD to your brain.
On the other hand, if you eat or drink CBD, the same process will occur but it will take much longer. This is because your stomach acid will first have to break down the CBD into molecules that are small enough to absorb through your stomach lining and into your bloodstream. This whole process can take a few hours and since your stomach acid will destroy some of the CBD, the resulting effects may not be as strong.
Of course, you may or may not want to experience very potent CBD effects. Some prefer to use CBD as a supplement while others enjoy experimenting with the more potent forms of CBD.
What Is Full Spectrum CBD Oil
CBD oil is one of the most popular forms of CBD, most likely because there are so many ways you can use it. CBD oil may be broad or full-spectrum CBD, and you may even find some CBD isolate oil on occasion. It usually comes in a small brownish bottle with a handy dropper tool.
Some brands of CBD oil will also give you some advice on dosage and how to use it. CBD oil is defined as CBD extract mixed with some kind of carrier oil. Usually, the carrier oil is coconut oil or another type of mild, fatty oil.
Some CBD brands may put a few drops of essential oils along with their CBD oils. This will give the oil a better flavor and aroma. Other than the carrier and potential essential oils, CBD oil should not have any other added ingredients.
One of the most popular ways to take CBD oil is sublingually. This does not involve swallowing the oil. Instead, as the name suggests, it involves placing the CBD oil directly under the tongue.
Once you do that, you should keep the oil under your tongue for a few minutes. The way this method works is due to the thin membranes that exist under your tongue. Since these membranes are so thin and so filled with blood vessels, the CBD oil will be able to easily absorb into your bloodstream.
The benefit of this method of consumption is that the oil will not need to go through your stomach first. Instead, the oil can travel safely, without being destroyed by your stomach acid, into your blood. When you take CBD oil sublingually, the effects should kick in within half an hour.
More Uses for CBD Oil
Don’t get too caught up in using CBD oil sublingually since there are many other things you can do with it. For example, since it already has carrier oils in it, you can try using CBD oil as a massage oil. Using CBD in a massage has unique benefits since it is a natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory.
Antioxidants are essential for relieving inflammation in the body. Inflammation is often caused by free radicals which are unstable atoms. With time, these free radicals start to build up in the body.
Research has shown that free radicals may accelerate aging, damage cells, and potentially increase the risk of developing certain types of cancers. Antioxidants, on the other hand, act to minimize the damage that free radicals cause throughout the body. By using CBD oil during a body massage, you can not only relax but also be more content knowing that CBD is protecting your body.
If massages aren’t your thing, you can try bringing CBD oil into the kitchen. As mentioned before, you shouldn’t use CBD oil like regular cooking oil since the heat can destroy many of the benefits CBD has to offer. However, this doesn’t mean you can’t expose CBD to heat at all.
Many people can enjoy baking with CBD while also enjoying all of its benefits. For example, if you’re making a brownie, cookie, or cake recipe, why not try adding some CBD oil? CBD oil usually doesn’t have a strong flavor and even if it does, the other ingredients will mask it.
So, even when you’re eating a delicacy like a brownie, you can still reap a few extra health benefits with CBD oil. You can also add it to other foods like salads and soups, although you should wait for the soup to cool slightly.
What Is a CBD Tincture
It’s impossible to read about CBD oil without stumbling across CBD tinctures. CBD tinctures and oils are very similar, but there are some very important differences between them. For example, one of the major differences is that CBD tinctures have alcoholic extracts in them while CBD oils, as you know, only have carrier oils.
The benefit of CBD tinctures is that since they have alcohol in them, they have a very long shelf life. You’ll never have to worry about your CBD tincture expiring since some tinctures are good for up to 5 years. However, there are some downsides to tinctures that make them slightly less popular than CBD oils.
CBD tinctures can have up to 70 percent alcohol, but they may also contain lower amounts. Since such a high percentage of alcohol can make CBD tinctures taste very bitter, the manufacturers often add various flavorings to make them more palatable. These flavorings may include herbal extracts, sweeteners, and essential oils.
True CBD tinctures are not as common as you might think. In fact, many of the CBD tinctures that you may find in stores or online are not tinctures but oils. As with CBD oils, the best way to take CBD tinctures is by putting a few drops under your tongue until they absorb into your bloodstream.
You won’t be able to taste much of the tincture once you put it under your tongue. You can also swallow the tincture if you can get past the flavor, though this is not recommended if you have a sensitive stomach.
Since CBD tinctures tend to have such a strong flavor, it is recommended that you don’t use them in recipes. However, if you are cooking something very flavorful, you may be able to add some drops of tincture.
What Are Full-Spectrum CBD Gummies
Many people love CBD gummies for one important reason: they taste delicious. There are many varieties of CBD gummies. Some are so full of sugar that the sweetness tends to counteract any benefits of the CBD inside.
Others can be quite natural with only a hint of sweetness and more of the earthy flavors of the CBD within. You may find broad or full-spectrum CBD gummies and you may even find CBD isolate gummies in various online and physical stores. The benefit of gummies is that they can come in a huge variety of different flavors from orange and pineapple to blue raspberry and more.
If you are concerned about your health, however, you should probably steer clear of the CBD gummies that are more like candy than real health supplements. You should also be careful that you don’t eat too many gummies at once. Many people make the mistake of eating too many CBD gummies in one sitting because they taste so good and seem so harmless.
However, while eating too many CBD gummies won’t get you high, you may feel the unpleasant side effects of consuming too much CBD at one time. This is especially true if you happened to buy very potent CBD gummies. If you are afraid of accidentally consuming too much CBD, always be sure to read the dosing instructions that you will usually find on the gummy’s packaging.
To be on the safe side, you should also start with gummies that don’t contain overpowering amounts of CBD. This is especially true if you are a beginner and have never tried CBD before. By starting with weaker and smaller doses of CBD, you can slowly work your way up to the dosage that you prefer.
What Are CBD Topicals
We have seen how you can take CBD by eating it and by putting it under your tongue, but what about putting it on your skin? While putting CBD products on your skin may seem like a waste, it can actually do a lot and be very beneficial to your health. CBD topicals can come in many different forms including lotions, oils, balms, and salves.
As with other CBD products, CBD topicals can be broad or full-spectrum or CBD isolates. Many people also enjoy making their own CBD topicals if they’re not interested in buying the pre-made ones at the store. Topical CBD is ideal if you have some kind of skin problem or if a part of your body is in pain such as your knees.
As mentioned before, CBD is full of antioxidants that are great for reducing inflammation, no matter where it might be on or in the body. If you have a rash somewhere on your skin, don’t hesitate to put some CBD salve on it. The way topical CBD works is by slowly seeping down into your skin cells and muscles.
Many people who have dermatitis, eczema, or other inflammatory skin conditions find that topical CBD can help their issues, although more research is necessary to see how CBD influences these conditions. Topical CBD may also be a great choice if you have achy joints. All you have to do is rub some of the CBD product on your joints and wait.
As the CBD soaks down through your skin and into your muscles and tendons, you may notice less discomfort in the area. If you don’t have any of these problems, you can still use topical CBD as a moisturizing lotion.
What Are CBD Softgels
CBD soft gels are ideal for those who want to treat CBD as more of a supplement than anything else. CBD soft gels are also ideal for those who want to experience the effects of CBD without anything else getting in the way, including the potentially unpleasant taste of CBD. The benefit of soft gels is that they are very easy to swallow and won’t get stuck in your throat like tablets and other pills can.
More than that, many CBD soft gels are made with water-soluble capsules. These capsules make it particularly easy for CBD to absorb into one’s body. As mentioned before, when taking CBD orally, it will take some time before the effects start to kick in.
For some people, it may take several hours before the CBD effects begin. For people who try CBD for the first time and don’t feel any effects, don’t be discouraged. CBD tends to build up in the body over time, so after taking CBD for a few weeks, the effects should become stronger and more noticeable.
As people become more accustomed to CBD products, they can also try products with higher concentrations of CBD. This will allow them to find the perfect CBD dosage for them. When it comes to soft gels, it is recommended to take one every day to reap the maximum benefits.
Taking two every day likely won’t cause any harm, but it’s important to double-check the dosage instructions. You should only take the amount of CBD that you feel comfortable taking. While consuming too much CBD won’t cause any serious problems, it can leave some people with some particularly unpleasant side effects.
Also remember to keep CBD soft gels in a cool, dry area. Otherwise, humidity and warmth may ruin the soft gels.
Using Full-Spectrum CBD for Pets
Many people forget that certain CBD products can also be used for pets. As always, when giving anything to a pet, it is important to check the ingredients. Avoid giving pets any CBD products that contain sweeteners, especially artificial sweeteners, as well as any other ingredients that may interfere with an animal’s digestive system.
Another important thing to consider is the dosage. As with humans, it is not ideal to get a pet too much CBD as it will make them feel unwell. Talking with a veterinarian about using CBD products for a pet might also provide some useful insights.
When being careful with CBD, CBD products can actually be very beneficial for certain pets. This is especially true for pets who are getting older, have painful chronic conditions, or experience seizures. While it may sound surprising, CBD has some important implications when it comes to the treatment and management of seizures.
As it happens, the FDA has recently approved a medication (for humans) designed to treat the symptoms of seizures and CBD is the active ingredient. While researchers are still not sure how CBD can help with seizures, research has shown that it can reduce the frequency of seizures. If a pet suffers from this condition, it wouldn’t hurt to provide it with CBD.
Older pets who have difficulty moving or are often in pain may also benefit from CBD. CBD can reduce inflammation in the bodies of animals just as it can with humans.
To be on the safe side, try buying CBD products that are made specifically with pets in mind rather than humans. This way, one can minimize any possible side effects that a pet may encounter when trying CBD for the first time.
How Does Full Spectrum CBD Affect the Body
People would never be able to experience the effects of CBD without the endocannabinoid system or ECS. While scientists don’t yet completely understand the ECS and how it works, it is understood that it is responsible for letting people experience the effects of CBD, THC, and other cannabinoids. Without introducing cannabinoids to the body, the endocannabinoid system is usually responsible for various aspects such as sleep, appetite, memory, and mood.
Because this system affects so many different functions in the body, it remains important even without introducing cannabinoids to the body. The body naturally produces some cannabinoids of its own: anandamide or AEA and 2-AG. The body does not produce these two endocannabinoids in fixed amounts.
If the body feels that it needs more or less of those endocannabinoids, then they will be produced accordingly. Because the levels of these cannabinoids can fluctuate so widely from moment to moment, researchers don’t know what the limits to these levels are. It is important to keep in mind that these endocannabinoids would never be able to affect the body in any way without endocannabinoid receptors.
There are two endocannabinoid receptors in the body: CB1 and CB2. Most of the CB1 receptors are in the central nervous system and are responsible for the sensation of pain. The CB2 receptors, on the other hand, are in the peripheral nervous system.
The CB2 receptors, instead of regulating pain, are important for regulating certain parts of the immune system. It is believed that these receptors are why CBD seems to be able to influence the severity of pain and inflammation in the body. For the same reason, CBD may be able to have some implications for the management of certain autoimmune conditions.
What Are the Benefits of Full-Spectrum CBD
There are many benefits of CBD, but many of these benefits have not yet been proven by science. One of the proven benefits, as discussed previously, is how CBD can soothe seizures. While more research is necessary, some scientists believe that CBD can help seizures by inhibiting certain parts of the brain where seizures first take place.
Beyond seizures, CBD also is very important for soothing inflammation no matter where it might be in the body. This is due to the antioxidant properties of CBD and how it can affect the receptors responsible for inflammation. By reducing inflammation in the body, people have the chance to be more mobile and experience less severe discomfort in their day-to-day lives.
Since the endocannabinoid system is partially responsible for appetite, it only makes sense that CBD can influence one’s appetite as well. Some people who take CBD notice that they have better appetites. In the same vein, CBD may also be able to act as an antiemetic, although more research is needed to discover how well CBD works for this purpose.
Finally, CBD may be able to help some people relax. Due to how it works on the nervous system, taking CBD may be able to help people unwind after a long day at work or school.
Everything to Know About Full-Spectrum CBD
By knowing what full-spectrum CBD is, where it comes from, and how it works on the body, there’s no reason to feel intimidated by CBD. CBD comes in so many shapes and sizes that there is a product that’s right for everyone.
To learn more about CBD, contact us here.