Interest in cannabidiol (CBD) has gone up quite a bit in recent years. Many people have started to include it in their daily routines. Some of those people do not mind a product that has a bit more than just CBD. However, that is not for everyone. Some would prefer oil in which the CBD extract is only CBD.
If that is you, then this is your guide to understanding what exactly “pure” means in the context of CBD and what to look for in a CBD company.
Starting at the beginning: what is CBD?
There is a chance that you already know exactly what CBD is and what it can do. However, even if you do not know, a refresher can be very helpful.
Cannabidiol is what is known as a cannabinoid, chemical compounds that are found in Cannabis plants. Not all Cannabis plants are the same. Marijuana and hemp are variations of Cannabis, whose differences we will get into later. For now, just know that there are over 113 different cannabinoids, some more well-known than others.
While CBD has risen in notoriety, it is still not as known as its fellow cannabinoid, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). This is because THC has a very specific effect on people. It is the cannabinoid that is psychoactive. That is, THC creates the “high” that is what many tend to think of when cannabis comes up. THC is psychoactive and creates a “high”, but CBD does not. CBD has no psychoactive effects. It is known to promote a greater sense of calm, but no high.
As mentioned before, hemp and marijuana are both Cannabis plants, but they are not the same. The difference between them is the level of specific cannabinoids they have. Hemp is defined as Cannabis, with less than 0.3% THC content and high levels of CBD. Marijuana is Cannabis, with more than 0.3% THC and not as much CBD. As a result, most CBD manufacturers use hemp to make their products. This is why the 2018 Farm bill was so exciting for so many, as it made industrial hemp legal across the United States. This, in effect, made CBD products legal as well, as long as they are hemp-derived and contain less than 0.3% THC.
There have been many studies about CBD over the last couple of decades. Researchers have been interested in seeing what exactly the cannabinoid has to offer. The research has moved in a number of directions, but one, in particular, seems popular and promising. It is looking at the anti-inflammatory properties of CBD. Many of these studies, including this one and this one, have found CBD to be incredibly helpful in reducing inflammation for a number of conditions. Other studies, like this one, have been looking at how CBD may be able to help with diabetes. Another popular area of study is CBD’s calming effect on epileptic seizures. In fact, this has been so closely studied; it has led to the development of the first CBD based medication approved by the FDA, Epidiolex.
CBD comes in a number of different kinds of products. This makes it very easy to take and make it accessible to most people. Many like to take their CBD in an edible form. There are many food products made with CBD that can provide a daily dose. Of course, CBD gummies are a popular choice. There are also CBD tablets and gel capsules that are looking for a way to take CBD that fits easily in with their routine. For more localized use, many people turn to CBD topicals like creams and lotions. Some prefer a more traditional route for their CBD and like using tinctures and oils. These are taken by either dropping some directly under the tongue or mixing some in with food or drink.
With many people starting to use CBD, there are those who are trying to find pure CBD products. While that is a possibility, it is good to understand what exactly “pure” means in the context of the CBD industry.
How pure is “pure?”
There are a few different kinds of CBD. Each of them has their own level of purity. That is, they each have a different number of other compounds within the CBD extract. They are full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and CBD isolate.
Full-spectrum
If you are looking for a pure CBD product that contains no other cannabinoids, you may want to stay away from full-spectrum products. They are what would be considered the furthest from purely CBD. Full-spectrum CBD has everything that comes with the hemp plant when it is extracted. This includes other cannabinoids, like THC. However, as mentioned before, it is less than 0.3%, which is not enough to get someone high.
Broad-spectrum
This is the next one along the purity line. Broad-spectrum is really similar to full-spectrum. It includes pretty much everything that extracted from hemp along with CBD. The one exception is THC. THC is the main thing that is removed during the extraction process. However, as mentioned before, there are 113 cannabinoids that may come in combination along with your CBD. So, if you are looking for pure CBD but are not feeling overly picky, this may be an option to consider. While it does have other compounds, it does not have any THC.
CBD isolate
This is the purest version of strictly the CBD compound only. It is just CBD and nothing else. If you want pure CBD, this is what you are going to want to look for.
Another thing to understand is that most CBD products are going to have ingredients other than the CBD. Oils are going to have carrier oils, things like coconut or palm oil. You are not likely to find a product that is only CBD. The other ingredients do not necessarily mean that the CBD will not work as well. They are just there to make the CBD easier to take and give it more flexibility in bioavailability. For more information on bioavailability, check out our article here.
What should I look for in a CBD manufacturer?
As laid out earlier, the CBD industry has really only been around for about two years. Despite this, it has grown rapidly. As a result, the FDA is still trying to find the best way to regulate it. That does not mean that there are no regulations. However, it does mean that some disreputable companies will try to take advantage of the current situation. This may make CBD a little intimidating. But it should be perfectly safe if you take certain steps to be sure that your CBD is coming from a good company.
The biggest thing to do is to research. Look into the company you want to buy from. Read the reviews of their products, not just on their site, but on third party sites. Do not just read the reviews of the products you are interested in either. See what people have to say about as many of their products as you can. This is a good way to get an idea of the quality of the CBD that they use.
Another way is by researching what their extraction process is. Many trustworthy CBD manufacturers are transparent about their process. If they have a section on their website about their process, that is a good sign. They should also have a third party to test their products for quality. If they do not do that, you may want to consider looking into buying from a different company.
Are there any side effects associated with pure CBD?
CBD does appear to be safe for use overall. However, there are some potential side effects that may come with excessive use. These side effects may include things like dizziness and fatigue. They are not anything too serious, but they are not fun. They mainly happen when too much CBD is taken. They are easy to avoid if you are careful. We have an article that speaks to how much CBD is too much, click here to see.
The best way to figure out how much CBD you need and to avoid unpleasant side effects is by being conservative when you first start taking it. Start out with little amounts, then if those do not bother you but still do not have the desired effect, try upping the amount you take. If you feel side effects, back off the amount and wait for the side effects of passing before trying again.
Some medications do not work well with CBD. If you are interested in trying CBD but are on medications, it is a good idea to talk with a healthcare professional before you start.
If you are looking for a cannabidiol experience without the presence of other compounds and cannabinoids that may distract from the cannabidiol, you may want to look into finding some CBD isolate products. They are what may be considered “pure” CBD. It is a great way to experience the many potential benefits CBD has to offer.
If you have any comments, questions, or concerns about CBD, please contact us. You can get ahold of a member of the Panacea Life Sciences team by either going onto our website or by emailing us at [email protected].
