Cannabidiol, usually known as CBD, is an oil that originated from cannabis or hemp plant. Nowadays, CBD is creating a buzz by offering numerous potential health benefits, including reducing chronic pain, depression, cancer, insomnia, inflammation, stress, and much more. However, CBD is not legal in many states. Thus, it is advisable to use it under the permission of federal law.
The cannabis plant contains around 101 compounds, with different effects and uses. However, some of the compounds are not useful. Likewise, some forms are legal in some countries.
In this article, you will know what CBD is, the health benefits of CBD, how to use it, and the main categories of CBD Products and subcategories.
About CBD
As mentioned above, CBD is one of the cannabinoids or compounds found in cannabis or hemp plant. The two popular cannabinoids are THC and CBD. THC contains psychoactive properties, so it could get you “high.” This means that you can lose control of what you do because of the entourage effect of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). However, researchers are still searching for the therapeutic uses of CBD.
On the other hand, CBD is a non-psychoactive compound. So it doesn’t contain mind-altering properties. CBD is quite versatile and safe to use. However, it might produce significant changes in a person’s body. In addition to this, it can also give some significant health benefits.
Where Does CBD come from?
Basically, CBD is extracted from the cannabis plant. CBD users can opt for either hemp or marijuana plant, depending on how much THC they want to consume. People can easily buy CBD online from any reputable and well-established CBD brand. Often CBD companies are offering a plethora of CBD products, but before making a purchase, it is crucial to read the label.
CBD products that contain more than 0.3% THC is considered illegal under federal law. On the contrary, CBD that contains less than 0.3% THC is legal under federal law.
In the past few years, marijuana agriculturists have selectively farmed their plants to contain a high concentration of THC and other compounds suitable according to their preferences. However, hemp agriculturists rarely brought alterations in farming. Typically, CBD oil comes from the hemp plant, which is legal in many states.
How to Utilize CBD?
There is an array of methods to use CBD oil. Since CBD oil is the most common type of CBD, so it is available worldwide. Unlike rolling joints and smoking bongs, CBD oil is utilized in different ways. Still, it is advisable to consult with your doctor or healthcare provider to know about the various CBD uses suitable for you.
The most popular ways of using CBD include:
- Adding CBD oil into coffee, tea, or other food items
- Taking CBD oil in the form of CBD-infused gummies
- Using CBD-based Dermal patches
- Applying CBD topicals such as lotions, balms, and creams.
- Placing CBD drops under the tongue (Sublingual Administration)
- Swallowing CBD capsules or supplements
- Using CBD with added essential oils
Medical Benefits of CBD
Incorporating CBD can offer multiple health benefits. According to research, reasons for consuming CBD oil is to deal with the following health conditions:
- Insomnia
- Chronic pain
- Arthritis or joint pain
- Mental disorder (anxiety and depression)
- Migraine and other severe headaches
- Inflammation
- Redness, itchiness, and rashes
- Eczema
- Psoriasis
- Lung conditions
- Blood pressure
- Heart issues
- Nausea
- Cancer
- Obesity
- Epilepsy and other seizer disorders
- Asthma and other allergies
Main Categories of CBD Products
There are three leading categories of CBD products:
- Full Spectrum CBD
- Broad Spectrum CBD
- CBD isolate
Full Spectrum CBD products
This classification of CBD is made from whole-plant extract. All the compounds of the cannabis plant are present, including cannabinoids and terpenes, etc.
Broad Spectrum CBD products
This category of CBD is also made from whole-plant extract but without THC. Hence, the final product is the same as full-spectrum, with removed THC and fear to fail a drug test.
CBD Isolate Products
As the name recommends, this type of CBD product is the purest form of CBD. Thus, CBD is isolated from all other compounds that are present in the hemp or cannabis plant.
As mentioned above, these are the main three forms of CBD. Several in-stores and online CBD brands incorporate these main CBD products in a variety of products as ingredients or sell them solely as a final product.
CBD extracts contain a full spectrum or broad-spectrum, while CBD isolate comes in a powder or crystal form.
Sub Categories of CBD products
You probably have heard about different CBD products such as CBD gummies, CBD lip balms, CBD bath bombs, CBD e-liquids, but did you know in which category do they belong to? Here is a list of sub-categories of CBD products:
- CBD Extracts
- CBD Oils or Tinctures
- CBD Topicals
- CBD Isolate
- CBD Edibles
Let’s dive into the details of each sub-category of CBD product
CBD Extracts
CBD extract is usually an oily substance that is made from hemp or cannabis plant by various extraction methods. CBD extracts contain several cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, and other beneficial substances. Moreover, CBD extracts are available in different colors, from bright yellow to red or emerald green.
CBD Oils or Tinctures
As mentioned above, CBD oil comes from CBD extract (full-spectrum or broad-spectrum) or CBD isolate. Carrier oils are also available out there which contain CBD extract or isolate. Some popular carrier oils are hemp seed oil and MCT oil. However, sunflower, primrose, grape seed, and olive oil are also considered as carrier oils.
CBD oil or tincture comes with a dropper for easier consumption. Also, CBD oil sprays can be found easily. Here is a list of different CBD oil and sprays that the brands are offering:
- CBD oil
- CBD tincture
- CBD spray
- CBD drops
- CBD dropper
- CBD oil spray
- CBD oral spray
CBD Topicals
These days, CBD topicals are gaining immense popularity, as numerous interesting and effective CBD cosmetics and pain creams provide skin benefits. CBD topicals include CBD-infused lip balms, creams, salves, and even face masks. Here is a list of CBD topicals that can be found on the market:
- CBD-infused lip balm
- CBD-infused pain cream
- CBD-infused cellulose fiber mask
- CBD-infused bath bombs
- CBD-infused eye cream
- CBD-infused mascara
- CBD-infused night firming cream
- CBD-infused hair shampoo
- CBD-infused hair conditioner
- CBD-infused deodorants
- CBD-infused acne cream
- CBD-infused hand cream
- CBD-infused salve
- CBD-infused lotion
- CBD-infused body scrub
- CBD-infused Psoriasis cream
- CBD-infused joint and pain cream
- CBD-infused face oil
- CBD-infused massage cream
The list of CBD topicals is vast. Applying CBD topicals on the skin can give you multiple health benefits while healing the wounds and injuries. CBD contains anti-inflammatory properties, which means that it can help relieve and eliminate several skin issues.
CBD topicals do not enter into the bloodstream. Instead, they absorb through the skin and directly work with the body’s endocannabinoid system to deal with different skin conditions, including redness, soreness, itchiness, rashes, psoriasis, eczema, and other allergies.
CBD Isolate
As the name suggests, it is an isolated form of CBD. This is one of the purest CBD products that come in the form of powder or crystal. Often CBD users are incorporating CBD isolate into their favorite meals. And, the best thing about CBD isolate is that it is completely THC free.
How to use CBD isolate?
CBD isolate is typically used as an ingredient in tinctures, beverages, capsules, oils, and edibles. Furthermore, you can even use CBD isolate in smoking and vaping.
Effectiveness of CBD isolate
No doubt, CBD isolate contains numerous benefits. Still, even if you think about its potency due to 99% purity, full-spectrum CBD products are relatively more effective overall because they contain all the essential compounds such as cannabinoids and flavonoids, terpenes, and beneficial minerals. All these compounds combined to give an entourage effect. People who like to have a mind-altering effect can use full-spectrum CBD products.
CBD Edibles
Another popular sub-category of CBD which is widely prominent in many states. However, some countries allow them and make the best use of it, while others don’t. This is why CBD edibles can’t be found as much as CBD oils and topicals.
Although CBD edibles are the most exciting and fun way to take CBD. Often CBD users willing to try different CBD edibles available on the market, including gummy candies, lollipops, CBD brownies, coffee, chocolate bars, mint chews, chewing gums, peanut butter, mustard paste, honey, savory biscuits, cookies, caramels, cheese puffs, jelly beans, hummus and much more. A minor drawback of CBD-infused edibles is that they are usually formulated with CBD isolate, which is not as effective as full-spectrum CBD products.
In conclusion, CBD is a popular topic among many due to its health benefits. However, only a few CBD products are currently approved in some states. Still, it is highly suggested to ask a healthcare professional for sincere advice about which product to use and how much to consume. Further, it is crucial to ensure that the brands selling various CBD products are following regional and local laws.
