If you haven’t yet heard of CBD, we can safely assume you’ve lived under a rock for the past several years. CBD has quickly become a popular remedy for countless ailments and conditions and an even more popular topic of discussion. While most people are generally aware of CBD, their knowledge of what exactly it is, how it works, and why it’s effective remains limited.
There’s no question that CBD is all the buzz and can be found in what feels like just about any form nowadays. From CBD lattes to gummies to lotions and everything in between, it’s a hot commodity. But there is more to CBD than the trend that made it popular. And while we’re here to tell you no, it doesn’t get you high, we’re also here to discuss what exactly CBD is and how its different forms can affect the body.
CBD is short for cannabidiol, which is a chemical compound from the cannabis sativa plant, also known as marijuana or hemp. Cannabidiol is a naturally occurring substance that can trigger a feeling of relaxation, amongst many other benefits. Because of its origins, many people assume that CBD causes a similar high feeling that marijuana does, but unlike delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is the primary active ingredient in marijuana, CBD is not psychoactive.
Health Benefits
While research is still developing, CBD has been known to have several positive health benefits on the body, including a reduction in muscular pain, a decrease in anxiety, and even alleviation of cancer-related symptoms. So, how exactly does one utilize these benefits?
CBD comes in two main forms, including CBD isolate, which is, quite literally an isolated and pure form of cannabidiol, and full-spectrum CBD, which is an extract that contains additional and valuable compounds of the cannabis plant. Full-spectrum CBD can contain components like terpenes and other cannabinoids that boost the effectiveness of CBD. Additionally, this form can also contain up to 0.3% of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), but this is still not a high enough concentration to cause psychoactive effects.
While both forms of CBD come from the same source, they come with their differences too.
CBD Isolate vs. Full-Spectrum
CBD isolate is a more pure form of CBD but does not offer the same benefits that full-spectrum CBD provides.
While CBD isolate can offer certain health benefits and is a positive step into the CBD world, the effects are less notable and effective than full-spectrum CBD. Full-spectrum CBD offers a more holistic approach as it contains other useful compounds. This is known as the “entourage effect” on the body, working more effectively in combination with other cannabinoids and terpenes found in the hemp plant. Research also suggests that CBD isolate’s effect against pain and inflammation may only occur at a specific dose, lowering its effectiveness. This is in contrast to full-spectrum CBD products, where it’s safe to claim that the effects increase as the dosage does.
While both forms of CBD present their benefits, it’s agreed that full-spectrum CBD will deliver more prominent effects and can be measured more accurately as doses vary. Thanks to the entourage effect, full-spectrum CBD can leave a lasting and stronger impact in the areas you’re looking to target.