Cannabidiol, or CBD, is one of the many compounds found in cannabis. These compounds, called cannabinoids, interact with the endocannabinoid system in the human body. Only one compound – THC – is psychoactive. If you are new to CBD products, knowing about basic aspects always helps. In this post, we are sharing details about CBD and buying products.
Knowing CBD
CBD is not psychoactive, which means it wouldn’t cause a “high” that people tend to associate with cannabis. Most of the popular brands, such as Saving Grace CBD, make their products from industry-grade hemp, which is the least processed version of cannabis plant and contains very little of THC. It is important to understand that state laws vary for CBD products, but in majority of states in the US, you can buy CBD oil legally, as long as it contains less than 0.3% of THC.
CBD and hemp seed oil
Contrary to what some people believe, hemp seed oil and CBD oil are not the same. Hemp seed oil comes directly from hemp seeds, derived through the process of cold pressing. On the other hand, CBD oil comes from plant matter like leaves, flowers and stems, and the extraction process is entirely different. Hemp seed oil does have traces of CBD, but that’s negligible to get the desired therapeutic benefits from CBD.
Types of CBD products
There are two broad categories of CBD products – CBD isolate and Full-spectrum CBD. Full-spectrum CBD contains plant matter, such as terpenes, other cannabinoids and flavonoids, except for THC (THC may be present in some products but less than 0.3%). There is a synergized effect of Full-spectrum CBD, which is desirable to some users, and some research shows that Full-spectrum CBD may be better to an extent, especially for treatment of pain, chronic inflammation, anxiety, and insomnia. There is also CBD isolate, which has nothing but just cannabidiol with some traces of other plant matter. A third category – called broad-spectrum CBD – contains all compounds of Full-spectrum CBD, minus THC.
Other things to know
Always go for a known brand for CBD products and make sure that these products have been made through the process of CO2 extraction. For starters, the recommended dosage of CBD is around 20 mg per day, while experienced users can consume more, typically not exceeding 40 mg.
Always use CBD products as recommended by the manufacturer and don’t go overboard with the dosage.