What is CBD oil? A beginner’s guide to cannabidiol extracts

What exactly is CBD (cannabidiol) oil and what can it do? What it doesn’t it does? You’re probably here because someone told you to try CBD oil for pain, insomnia, anxiety, cancer, or some other medical condition. Or maybe you’re interested in trying it for daily wellness, as a daily supplement.

We’re glad you’re here, arming yourself with information before you dive headlong into the world of CBD, where misinformation and doubtful statements swarm around unregulated products. CBD products can offer excellent relief, but one essential aspect is this: Not all CBD oils are the same.

In this guide, you will understand the many forms of CBD oil and their differences. In the end, you should feel equipped and prepared to find a clean CBD oil with reliable potency.

What is CBD Oil?

CBD, or cannabidiol, is one of the many chemical compounds (also called cannabidiol) cannabinoids) produced by cannabis. CBD oil simply refers to a cannabis or hemp extract that is formulated to contain high levels of CBD and can capture different levels of other plant compounds.

Products that only contain CBD are not intoxicating, unlike THC-rich products that cause the high that is commonly associated with cannabis.

Products that only contain CBD are not intoxicating, unlike THC-rich products that cause the high that is commonly associated with cannabis. This makes CBD a popular remedy among consumers looking for a clear relief of their symptoms. (What are the symptoms, you ask? More information below).

“CBD oil” is actually a general term that is used to describe CBD extracts more generally. When you buy CBD oil, you are likely to find many different forms. The following products are some of the most popular forms of CBD oil.

• CBD tinctures they are liquid extracts that are applied under the tongue, where CBD is absorbed and enters the bloodstream. They usually come in a glass bottle with a dropper for dosing built into the lid.
• CBD capsules they are filled with oil and swallowed like a traditional supplement. They are packaged as bottles of vitamins or supplements, which contain gel caps full of golden oil.
  
• CBD Oil Rick Simpson (RSO) refers to an alcohol-based extract that can be ingested or applied to the skin. It is usually packaged in a plastic plunger or applicator.
  
• CBD vapor oil can refer to any pre-filled oil cartridges which attach to vape batteries or vape juice used in electronic cigarettes.
  
• CBD oil is drinkable includes CBD-rich butane hashish oil, living resins, rosin and other forms used for a slightly elaborate flash vaporization process known as “buffering. ” We don’t suggest beginners start here, but we mention it so you can understand what you’re buying (or not!) On your next visit to the cannabis store.

For more information on which forms of CBD most reliably provide your advertised dose, see the results of Leafly CBD research.

What are the effects and benefits of CBD oil?

The first question you have right now might be: Will CBD oil make me drugged? The short answer is no, most won’t. But this may depend on where you buy your CBD oil.

By itself, CBD is a non-harmful compound. Any CBD product you buy online or in grocery stores and drugstores must contain less than 0.3% THC; this trace amount of THC will not result in detectable euphoric effects.

However, when shopping at your local cannabis store, it is important to consider the amount of CBD and THC in a product. Products that contain both CBD and THC are becoming more common in cannabis retailers and are tailored to the needs of many consumers. But if you want to avoid a noticeable high, consult your buyer and read the label of the product you have selected: In general, products with less than 1% THC (or less than 2 mg of THC) will not get you. stoned, but really varies from person to person.

CBD oil may not increase you, but that doesn’t mean it’s completely undetectable in your body. Depending on your dose, your unique biology, and how you consume it (e.g., tincture, lotion, vaporized oil, etc.), CBD oil can have a number of subtle effects, such as physical relaxation. , stress relief or a little alert or sedative. effect (more on that here).

The most obvious effects of CBD oil should come in the form of symptom relief. Although research has yet to explore the full range of the usefulness of CBD, most people use CBD oil to manage the symptoms related to:

But how effective is CBD oil in treating these conditions? Early studies and anecdotal reports are promising, but due to strict federal cannabis laws, controlled clinical trials are lacking. So far, the safety profile of CBD seems to be very high, but it is also important that consumers be careful with possible pharmacological interactions or products with questionable ingredients.

Find the best CBD oil for you

Because CBD oil is not yet regulated, it is up to the consumer to discern between high quality concentrates and snake oil. As a general rule, we recommend buying organic oils, tested by third parties, from domestically grown cannabis.

The wide variety of therapeutic compounds found in full spectrum CBD oils makes them popular among consumers who want all the useful ingredients they can get.

First, there are three different types of CBD oil that you should know about:

• Full spectrum CBD oil contains the full range of compounds produced by its source plant (CBD, THC and others cannabinoids i terpens).
• Broad spectrum CBD oil it contains a wide range of compounds produced by its source plant, but THC is removed.
• CBD isolated contains only CBD; all other compounds have been removed.

The wide variety of therapeutic compounds found in full spectrum CBD oils makes them popular among consumers who want all the useful ingredients they can get. Broad-spectrum CBD oil or CBD isolate, however, would be a good choice for those who want to avoid even small amounts of THC due to, say, an upcoming drug test.

CBD oil can be made from hemp or traditional cannabis (think of dry shoots that can be smoked), as both produce CBD in their resinous glands. There are some key differences and features that are worth noting:

• Due to differences in legality, hemp-derived products are much more affordable and widely available for purchase online. Cannabis-derived CBD oil and similar products are only available at cannabis stores in areas with legal cannabis.
• Hemp expresses fewer resin glands than traditional cannabis with a higher THC content, so more plant material is needed to process hemp-derived CBD oil. Because hemp absorbs soil pollutants more easily in a process called bioaccumulation, its extracts are more likely to concentrate. residual heavy metals.
• Hemp is too more limited in its chemical diversity, which could potential outcome in a less therapeutically potent product.

This is not to say that there are no CBD oils and other high quality, organic, reliable and clean products derived from hemp, even in an unregulated era. We are beginning to see an increase in producers dedicated to creating safe, effective and reliable CBD oils derived from hemp.

So how do you get your hands on good things? The leaf ones complete guide Buying reliable CBD products is a good place to start.

Bailey Rahn

Bailey is a senior Leafly content manager specializing in strains and health. He has spent more than 7 years researching cannabis products, disseminating patient stories and exploring healthy ways to integrate cannabis into daily life.

View articles by Bailey Rahn