Cannabidiol (CBD) comes in so many different forms. The therapeutic, non-intoxicating constituent of the hemp and cannabis plants is being used as a natural solution to a variety of illnesses, and the popularity of CBD is only set to grow further in the next few years.
In this post, we are going to take you through the myriad types of CBD product, and show you the benefits that certain ingredients have when added.
CBD-isolate products
Basic CBD products are made with CBD-isolate, a type of extract that only contains CBD. These are increasingly made by a process known as supercritical CO2 extraction. Isolate extracts are used to make all kinds of CBD product, including CBD vape oil wholesale, concentrates, edibles and tincture oils.
With a CBD-isolate extract, you can be sure that you’re getting a pure blend of CBD, that delivers consistent results. Say you have anxiety, for example. There is plenty of research indicating that CBD can be beneficial for the condition, but the effects of other compounds in the hemp and cannabis plants are less certain. Separating out the CBD and making a product with just that cannabinoid may work better for anxiety patients than whole-plant products.
CBD-isolate products are also recommended for athletes who have to be careful about World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) regulations, as well as employees for companies that conduct random drug testing. A test looks for a series of intoxicating substances, including tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) which is naturally found in the hemp and cannabis plants.
While hemp-based CBD products naturally have low amounts of THC and cannot be taken for recreational reasons, consuming them will cause THC to accumulate in the body, creating a slim risk of a failed test. You can make sure this doesn’t become a problem, and take CBD until your heart’s content with CBD-isolate products.
Full-spectrum CBD products
These are sometimes known as broad-spectrum or whole-plant products, and are made to give you the full benefits of hemp. The hemp plant is not just about CBD, and is loaded with hundreds of compounds that may have health benefits. Scientists have only studied a few of the cannabinoids in hemp in much detail, but have picked up on the wider fact that whole-plant extracts are more therapeutic than isolate extracts.
This is because of the ‘entourage effect’, which takes place between the cannabinoids. A type of synergy, the entourage effect makes the CBD more beneficial when consumed in whole-plant form, as opposed to when taken as an isolate. This appears to be thanks to cannabinoids having moderating effects on each other, such as with CBD and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
Full-spectrum products, however, are not for everybody because they contain a small amount of THC. This is a psychoactive chemical that will get you “high” when taken in large quantities. Not that this is a problem with hemp-derived CBD products, since they are not permitted to have more than 0.3% THC. However, the low THC concentration could still present an issue for people concerned about drug tests.
Terpenes
Terpenes are a type of compound that you’ll find in full-spectrum products. In some cases, terpenes are added to CBD-isolate products to boost the therapeutic effects. These compounds are not exclusive to hemp, but they are what gives the plant its powerful taste and memorable smell. These aroma molecules are found in pretty much every plant, and all terpenes are non-psychoactive.
If you want to get the full-spectrum benefits of a product, but don’t want to take any THC, then look out for wholesale CBD products which are made with isolate extracts and have a terpene profile added later.
MCT oil
The one drawback of CBD is that it is really inefficient as a form of medicine. The bioavailability of the cannabinoid is naturally very low, and it’s not uncommon for only 10 to 20% of a dose to become active in the bloodstream after consumption. The huge, cumbersome molecules are a nightmare for the body to metabolize.
Medium-chained triglyceride (MCT) oil is the answer to this problem, and is being used increasingly as an ingredient in premium CBD products, and especially tincture oils and e-liquids. MCT oil contains high levels of fatty acids that CBD binds to, becoming more bioavailable in the process. While CBD products rich in MCT oil may be more expensive than those without, the effects go much further. You can take a smaller dose of CBD, and still get the same benefits.
