Explaining The Different Types Of CBD: A Comprehensive Guide
CBD

Explaining The Different Types Of CBD: A Comprehensive Guide

By now, most people have heard about cannabidiol (CBD) products and the potential benefits of using them. They may not have heard enough about CBD, however, to walk into a store (or to shop online) and make sense of the many types and forms of CBD they encounter.

Full-spectrum CBD. Broad-spectrum CBD. CBD isolate. What does that all mean?

CBD oil. CBD tinctures. CBD capsules. CBD gummies and other edibles. Topical CBD products like creams and lotions. CBD for vaping. How do you choose?

That’s why we’re here. Our goal is to give you the comfort level you need to shop for CBD products without getting frustrated (or throwing up your hands and just firing up a joint).

Our comprehensive guide to CBD will have several sections, examining the types of cannabidiol you can choose from and the many forms that CBD products can take. We’ll start, though, with a quick look at exactly what CBD is, and how it differs from THC (the compound in marijuana that gets you high).

What You Need to Know About CBD Before Shopping

Cannabidiol is one of more than 100 cannabinoids, chemical compounds that occur naturally in both the cannabis plant (also known as cannabis sativa) and the hemp plant.

Those two plants are close relatives, and the only substantial difference between them is that the cannabis plant contains high levels of the cannabinoid THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) while hemp contains very low levels.

That’s an important distinction, of course, because large amounts of THC trigger the psychoactive effects of marijuana when the cannabinoid interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system receptors.

Cannabidiol can be sourced from cannabis, but the plant compound is sourced from hemp to produce CBD products sold at retail. And since it comes from low-THC plants, CBD has extremely low THC levels and can’t get you high.

In fact, CBD products sold legally in the UK cannot contain more than one mg of cannabidiol, a concentration of about 0.2%. (The upper limit set by the US Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, is 0.3%, and it’s the same in most European nations.)

You may notice those numbers on a product label, along with CBD dosage recommendations; proper dosing can be complicated, so it’s a good idea to follow the label instructions. There will be more information about dosage and administration later in this article.

That label should also specify what type of cannabidiol is contained in the product, so let’s discuss the three CBD types you’re likely to encounter.

What’s In Your CBD?

Cannabidiol can be removed from the hemp plant with a variety of extraction methods. What’s more important than the way your CBD is extracted, however, is whether the other plant compounds that come with it are found in the CBD product you purchase. That defines which of the three types of CBD you’re using.

Full-Spectrum CBD

Full-spectrum CBD contains all of the plant compounds found in hemp. That includes the full range of cannabinoids that occur naturally in the plant, including non-psychoactive amounts of THC, as well as others like CBD, CBN, and CBG. The latter may provide some wellness benefits on their own, but CBD and THC are the key cannabinoids to be aware of.*

Full-spectrum cannabidiol also contains key compounds like terpenes and flavonoids, which are responsible for the flavor, aroma, and color of the hemp plant and may provide additional benefits.*

Why would you want non-psychoactive levels of THC plus other cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids in your CBD? It’s because all of the plant’s components work together in what’s known as the “entourage effect” to boost each other’s effectiveness, increasing the potential benefits of CBD use.

Full-spectrum CBD products contain the highest levels of the other plant compounds we’ve listed, making them the most potent of the three types of CBD.

There are two other options, however, for those who want to avoid THC or limit the amount they ingest even further.

Broad-Spectrum CBD

Broad-spectrum CBD products theoretically contain all of hemp’s plant compounds except THC.

“Theoretically” is an important word in that sentence. Although producers make every effort to remove all of the CBD’s psychoactive THC content, it’s still possible that trace amounts of THC remain. Additionally, broad-spectrum products often contain lower amounts of terpenes, flavonoids, and other cannabinoids that are found in their full-spectrum counterparts.

The advantage of choosing broad-spectrum CBD is that it contains virtually no THC, eliminating the possibility of unwanted side effects for users who are allergic to or respond badly to the cannabinoid. And while positive drug tests are extremely rare when using full-spectrum CBD, using broad-spectrum products makes failing a drug test even more unlikely.

The disadvantage involves the entourage effect we’ve described. The absence of some of the plant’s components lessens that effect and makes broad-spectrum products less effective than full-spectrum ones.

CBD Isolate

As the name implies, CBD isolate is pure CBD with all of the other plant compounds removed. It’s the only type of cannabidiol that can honestly be guaranteed to be “THC free,” although you might also see that phrase on the label of some broad-spectrum products.

Even though isolate is the purest form of CBD, it generally provides fewer of cannabidiol’s potential benefits for wellness because no entourage effect is possible.*

Other Information on Types of CBD

Two more important tips to know before deciding on a type of CBD product to purchase:

  • The type of CBD has no bearing on whether the product contains high-quality cannabidiol. The best CBD products are all manufactured with full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and isolate CBD; their quality depends only on the manufacturer, the quality of their hemp sources, and the extraction and production processes they use.
  • Any trustworthy company will provide a certificate of analysis (COA) with its CBD products. The COA is produced by a third-party laboratory and details the amounts of each cannabinoid contained in the product, information on terpene and flavonoid content — and any contaminants that have been found. You can see the COA on the producer’s website by entering the batch number found on the product label.

Forms of CBD Products

We mentioned at the start that the number of CBD products available, and the forms they can take, can be overwhelming to beginners. Let’s demystify the array of products you may find displayed in a store or on a website.

CBD Products for Ingestion

CBD Oil

This is the granddaddy of them all since the CBD found in other edible products is generally CBD oil as well.

Whether you choose full-spectrum CBD oil, broad-spectrum CBD oil, or isolate oil, it’s administered with an eye dropper under your tongue. (Some companies produce CBD oil sublingual sprays, too.)You can also add the oil to food, beverages, or recipes.

CBD tinctures are very similar products; many people and manufacturers use the terms “oil” and “tincture” interchangeably. The only real difference is that a tincture has the cannabidiol extract suspended in alcohol instead of an MCT (medium-chain triglyceride) oil.

It’s much easier to find CBD oils than to find tinctures, and oils are a better choice for those who might be sensitive to alcohol. CBD oil also generally contains fewer non-plant ingredients than tinctures.

Dosage amounts for these products can be tricky to calculate on your own. A proper dose will depend on the number of milligrams of cannabidiol in the oil (or tincture) and the size of the container.

CBD products usually have recommended dosage information on their labels, but it’s always smartest to consult your healthcare professional before using cannabidiol (or any other drug, herb, or over-the-counter supplement). If you’re doing it on your own, though, it’s best to start with a low dose and progress from there if warranted.

CBD Capsules

These dissolvable capsules contain a dose of CBD oil, and they’re a common choice for users who don’t want to bother with liquids, droppers, and dosage calculations. Some CBD capsules may also contain added nutrients or vitamins. They’re a more convenient way to ingest cannabidiol, but don’t take effect as quickly as oil administered sublingually.

Well-stocked vendors will carry a wide range of capsules with different concentrations designed for different purposes; always check labels for dosage suggestions. Vegans and vegetarians need to know that, as with any other medication or supplement product, capsules are often made from animal products. They should look for vegan options when shopping.

Edibles

CBD gummies have become extremely popular over the last few years because they combine a beloved candy product with the apparent benefits of cannabidiol (in the form of CBD oil). As with capsules, consumers can choose from a number of dosage options when purchasing CBD gummies — and perhaps just as important, a wide selection of delicious flavors.

Many other forms of CBD edibles have been introduced since the widespread legalization of cannabidiol products. CBD lozenges, hard candies, chocolates, baked goods, snacks, and beverages have all hit the market, and they’re another simple way to consume CBD.

The same advice we’ve given for capsule use applies to CBD edibles. Check the dosages before purchasing, consult the instructions for suggested amounts to take, and always talk to a medical professional beforehand if you’re unsure about CBD use.

CBD Products for Vaping or Smoking

CBD vape juice and oils for vaping are readily available in a variety of strengths and flavors, and they can be used to self-administer cannabidiol with the same methods used to vaporize nicotine and cannabis products. Pre-filled vapes are sometimes found for sale as well.

Smoking CBD is more problematic in the UK. Raw CBD flower can be smoked with the same methods used to smoke tobacco or marijuana, but the sale and use of CBD flower is currently illegal in Britain. Recent court decisions may eventually lead to a reversal of UK laws governing CBD flower, but as of now, caveat emptor.

CBD vaping and smoking take effect quickly, much like CBD oil ingestion, although they’re not an option for people who prefer not to inhale foreign vapor or smoke of any sort.

CBD Products for Topical Use

Topical CBD does not provide the purported full-body benefits that you receive when ingesting cannabidiol. The topical products are often applied to the areas of the skin where users are experiencing aches or pain, particularly muscles and joints.

There are many forms of topical CBD products, including creams, balms, lotions, tinctures, and salves. Most contain other ingredients that may be beneficial for some conditions, but could also create allergy problems for those who use a topical simply for the cannabidiol it contains. Be sure to check the ingredient list before choosing any topical CBD product.

One final word: none of the information in this article is intended to be medical advice of any sort. Always check with a doctor or health professional before deciding to use CBD to treat any medical condition.

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