Since industrial hemp was legalized by the 2018 Farm Bill, sales of CBD products have exploded online and in retail stores, gyms and fitness centers, convenience gas stations, smoke shops, flea markets, and specialty stores, about everywhere it seems.
Many peer-reviewed medical studies show the promise of CBD to help millions of people with general health issues and chronic medical conditions.
Unfortunately, there is a lot of misinformation being spread via social media and other communication channels about CBD products.
Cannabidiol (CBD) oil is a non-intoxicating compound found in both the hemp plant and the marijuana plant. As a dietary supplement, it’s not regulated by the FDA. CBD oil products derived from the hemp plant are legal in all 50 states, contain less than 0.03% THC, and are generally considered safe.
Not all CBD oil products are created equal. So how can you be sure you are using a high quality CBD oil product?
If you are interested in learning about how CBD oil products might be right for you and worth giving a try, the following will give you the basic information you will need to become a savvy consumer and know what you are buying.
THREE MAJOR TYPES OF CBD OIL PRODUCTS
There are three major types of cannabidiol, or CBD oil products:
- Full spectrum
- Broad spectrum
- Isolate.
All three types provide potential therapeutic benefits.
Full spectrum contains less than 0.03% THC while broad spectrum and isolate contain no THC.
Users of full spectrum and broad spectrum products are believed to experience the entourage effect.
The Entourage Effect is a theory that all the phytocannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids found in hemp-derived CBD oil products work together to produce stronger therapeutic effects than just CBD taken by itself (isolate).
| TYPE OF CBD OIL | THC CONTENT | ENTOURAGE EFFECT |
| FULL SPECTRUM | LESS THAN .03% THC | YES |
| BROAD SPECTRUM | NO THC | YES |
| ISOLATE | NO THC | NO |
FULL SPECTRUM CBD. Full spectrum hemp-derived CBD products contain numerous other compounds that work together to create the entourage effect:
- Phytocannabinoids. Besides containing high levels of CBD and trace amounts of THC (less than 0.03%), there are over a hundred other cannabinoids found in cannabis, including the newly touted cannabinoids CBA, CBG, and CBN.
- Terpenes. There are more than 150 identified aromatic compounds in cannabis plants called terpenes. They give cannabis plants their distinguishing scents and tastes and provide therapeutic benefits such as a calming effect.
- Flavonoids. Flavonoids are powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents found in the cannabis plant. Like terpenes, scientific studies have shown flavonoids to provide therapeutic benefits, including reducing inflammation and lowering high blood pressure.
BROAD SPECTRUM CBD. Broad spectrum hemp-derived CBD oil products contain the same cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids found in full spectrum products. The difference is that broad spectrum products contain zero THC. Broad spectrum products are a great alternative for athletes, first responders, truck drivers, and other professionals that are concerned about passing drug tests.
ISOLATE CBD. Isolate CBD products are just CBD only. Manufacturers remove all the THC, terpenes, and flavonoids. Studies have shown isolate CBD products to provide therapeutic benefits. While most CBD experts recommend consumers use full spectrum and broad spectrum products to get the entourage effect, studies have shown isolate CBD products still provide therapeutic benefits and are great alternatives for consumers who are subject to regular drug testing.
HOW CBD OIL WORKS WITH THE HUMAN BODY’S ENDOCANNABINOID SYSTEM
During the 1990’s, medical researchers discovered that humans and animals possess a biological network of neurotransmitter receptors which they ended up labeling as the endocannabinoid system (ECS). They discovered that our bodies produce naturally occurring cannabinoids, called endocannabinoids.
These medical researchers determined that our bodies naturally produced endocannabinoids interact with CB1 and CB2 receptors to promote homeostasis within our bodies and those of our beloved pets.
When a deficiency occurs in the number of endocannabinoids that our bodies produce or not enough cannabinoids are synthesized by our bodies, we and our beloved animals can experience a medical condition that has been labeled by medical researchers as Clinical Endocannabinoid Deficiency (CED).
In a 1998 government-funded study at the St. Louis University School of Medicine, Allyn Howlett and William Devine discovered that neurotransmitter receptors in the brains of humans and animals also react with phytocannabinoids found in the cannabis plant.
Further clinical medical studies have proven phytocannabinoids such as cannabidiol (CBD) can stimulate and support our bodies endocannabinoid system to restore itself to its proper function in promoting a healthy homeostasis in our bodies, and thus provide relief and healing to a multitude of physical and mental health issues.
| Endocannabinoids are cannabinoids that are naturally produced within our bodies. They are broken down by an abundance of enzymes in our bodies. Ingesting certain foods and medications can also disrupt the endocannabinoid system. Phytocannabinoids are cannabinoids that are found in various plants including cannabis. In fact, scientists have identified over 100 cannabinoids in the cannabis plant. Medical researchers have found that phytocannabinoids interact with CB1 and CB2 receptors just like endocannabinoids. CB1 receptors exist throughout the whole human body but are most heavily present in the brain. They contribute to many physical functions including our movements, pain thresholds, and appetites and to cognitive functions such emotions, moods, thinking, and memories. CB2 receptors exist within the immune system of our bodies. They predominantly exist in our bones and in organs such as the liver and the spleen. These receptors circulate through the brain and our body’s immune cells via the bloodstream and help fight inflammation in our bodies. Clinical Endocannabinoid Deficiency (CED) is a medical condition that results when human and animal bodies experience a deficiency in the production of endocannabinoids. This deficiency throws a person or animal’s homeostasis out of a healthy balance and contributes to many chronic health conditions. |
4 COMMON FORMS OF CBD OIL PRODUCTS AND HOW TO CONSUME THEM
There are four common forms of CBD oil products. Tinctures, edibles, and vape oil deliver CBD into the bloodstream directly. With topicals, CBD is absorbed into the skin but does not enter into the bloodstream. Each form offers remedies for specific conditions.
TINCTURES. Tinctures are a mixture of CBD oil extract and an edible oil such as MCT oil, hempseed oil, or olive oil. You ingest CBD oil tinctures by placing the suggested dropperful underneath your tongue for 30 to 90 seconds. After you swallow the tincture, it will bypass the liver and absorb directly into your bloodstream within 15 to 30 minutes, and the benefits you experience usually last from 3 to 6 hours.
INGESTIBLES/EDIBLES. Capsules, softgels, and gummies are common ways to orally ingest CBD oil. Edibles come in many delicious and creative forms such as brownies, cookies, sauces, even CBD-infused beverages.
These forms of consumption take longer for CBD to be absorbed into the bloodstream because they must go through a first-pass metabolism which means that the CBD oil is metabolized by the liver before entering the bloodstream. Ingestibles and edibles typically begin to provide benefits within 30 to 60 minutes but could take up to 90 minutes or longer.
On the plus side, the benefits usually last from 6 to 8 hours.
VAPE OIL. Inhaling CBD vape oil is the fastest acting of the four product forms. By inhaling CBD directly into the lungs, your body absorbs CBD directly into the bloodstream almost immediately.
However, the trade off for the quick results is that the benefits you experience will typically last up to only 2 to 3 hours.
| FORM OF CBD PRODUCT | TIME TO RESULTS | LENGTH OF RESULTS |
| TINCTURES | 15 to 30 minutes | 3 to 6 hours |
| INGESTIBLES/EDIBLES | 30 to 90 minutes | 6 to 8 hours |
| VAPE OIL | Immediate | 2 to 3 hours |
| TOPICALS | 15 to 20 minutes | 5+ hours |
WHICH TYPE OF CBD OIL PRODUCT IS RIGHT FOR YOU
Just as not all CBD oil products are not created equal and the same, neither are human beings and animals, who share some obvious traits common to all beings yet are also so vastly different individually.
A particular type or brand of CBD oil product that works well for a friend, family, co-worker, or acquaintance may not work for you. The product they are using may not work for you at all or the dosage level that they consume may not be the same level of intake you will need to experience therapeutic benefits for yourself.
Learning which types of CBD oil product is best for you and how much dosage to take for your particular condition is very subjective. Currently, no federally recognized guidelines exist on how much you should take for a particular medical condition.
The only way to find out what dosage of CBD oil is right for you is through experimentation. However, CBD experts within the industry have determined some suggested dosage levels per feedback from clinical studies and consumer feedback.
As a general rule, start with the suggested dosage on a product’s label for 30 days. Based on your results, slowly increase or decrease your dosage. Depending on your condition, your needs could range from 5mg to 100mg. The only way to find the right dosage for you is through experimentation.
CONSUMER TIPS TO BUYING CBD OIL PRODUCTS
For consumers that are considering using CBD for the first time, it can be quite confusing and even scary with all the misinformation and snake oil hype that bombards us online and everywhere else. Consumers have questions:
- How do you know if you are buying a high quality CBD product?
- How can you know it is a safe and reputable brand?
- Is it “hot”, meaning it contains more than the legal limit of 0.03% THC?
As a general rule, use your common sense when evaluating a CBD oil product. As the old saying goes, if something sounds too good to be true then it probably is. You can also protect yourself by purchasing from a reputable dealer.
To protect yourself from unscrupulous peddlers and dishonest marketers, practice due diligence by adhering to the following suggestions:
Buy from a reputable company and brand such as CBDMD or Total CBD. Avoid buying CBD oil products in gas stations.
Always ask for and view third party lab results. Most reputable companies will have a QR code on their product label that will take you directly to the third party lab reports on their website for that specific batch of products.
If a company does not provide third party lab results, walk away.
If a company refuses to provide third party lab results, you could end up buying a CBD oil product that is “hot”, meaning it could contain more than the legal limit of 0.03% THC. Aside from being against the law, any “hot” product could produce intoxicating, psychoactive effects and cause a user to flunk a drug test for marijuana.
Read product reviews, listen to podcasts, or browse forums. Knowledge is power!
RECOMMENDED BRANDS
TOTAL CBD SHOP INDIANAPOLIS – Total CBD Shop products are among the best CBD oil products made from 100% Kentucky hemp. They are very honest and transparent and offer third party lab reports directly on their website. People from all over America order their products directly from their website. If you are ever in Indianapolis for any reason, feel free to stop by their retail location.
CBDMD – CBDMD is a very reputable brand sold online and in gyms and fitness centers as well as in some CBD retail specialty shops. Their broad spectrum THC-FREE products are perfect for athletes, professionals, first responders, truck drivers and anyone in any profession in which they may have to take a drug test. One of the best things about them is that they offer steep discounts for military and first responders, those with disabilities, and students.
Interested in opening your own CBD retail store? Total CBD Shop offers affiliate retail specialty store opportunities.