We see CBD everywhere. From online websites to local stores, CBD products are dominating the drug market. From vapes to capsules to topicals, the available options are numerous. Cannabis users love CBD for its pain-relieving, anxiolytic, and several other benefits.
CBD is popular because it is natural and is as effective as prescription medicines in managing certain medical conditions. People try to understand CBD’s effects and benefits before buying. But what about CBD’s origin? Where does CBD come from? How do we derive the different forms of CBD?
What is CBD?
CBD or cannabidiol is one of the many chemical entities present in the cannabis plant. Unlike its psychoactive cousin THC, CBD is not as psychoactive to get the user high. According to WHO, CBD is safe for humans and does not cause any severe side effects. Its anti-inflammatory and anti-pain properties have been helping users get rid of chronic pain.
CBD comes from hemp, a plant native to eastern Europe and parts of Asia. The cannabidiol compounds interact with cannabinoid receptors in the central nervous system and produce mind-altering effects.
CBD’s effects are a result of the interaction between endocannabinoids and their receptors. CB1 and CB2 are the two types of receptors present in our central and peripheral nervous systems. While the CB1 receptors control coordination and movement, the latter influences pain and inflammation. CBD works by activating these receptors. This way, it benefits users in many ways.
Health benefits of CBD
As we can see, there are many health benefits that one can enjoy by using CBD. From treating normal body pain to managing cancer-related symptoms, CBD has several notable uses.
If you suffer from frequent muscle or inflammation-related pains, taking CBD can help. It interacts with endocannabinoid receptors in our body and alters specific signals. Many people claim that CBD can help in managing pain due to certain medical conditions.
For instance, cancer-related pain is mainly due to inflammation and internal pressure on nerves. It can cause nerve damage. CBD can provide relief from neuropathic pain. Also, as it has anti-inflammatory properties, it can provide relief from pain due to inflammation. Another thing is that CBD is antiemetic. Meaning it helps with nausea and vomiting. As people undergoing chemotherapy feel it more often, taking CBD along with prescription medicines can do wonders.
With its therapeutic effects, CBD can help in fixing normal muscle pain. Consuming CBD after a long day at work can relax your muscles and make you feel at ease.
Being anxiolytic, CBD is ideal for people suffering from frequent anxiety attacks and mental stress. Many users have reported that CBD helped them deal with social anxiety and stress disorders.
When taken in regulated amounts, CBD can help in inducing sleep as well. As sleeplessness is one of the causes of stress, CBD can be ideal for people suffering from sleeplessness.
Apart from these, CBD has many other potential benefits. It can help in managing self-withdrawal from addiction to drugs. Animal studies have found that CBD can help in regulating blood sugar levels and can help with diabetes.
The relaxant effects of CBD can help in reducing high blood pressure. Reports say that CBD can significantly reduce the risks of heart diseases.
How do we get CBD?
We do know that CBD comes from the cannabis plant. Within the same, we can derive both hemp and weed CBD. The only difference between the two is the amount of THC they contain. The federal law allows markets to sell CBD products that contain less than 0.3% THC. The level of THC does not affect the effectiveness of either type. As hemp contains more CBD and comparatively less THC, hemp CBD products are safer.
Many of the states have legalized hemp products. We can find capsules, gummies, vapes, and topicals in our local stores.
Let us now look at the forms of CBD and how we get them. There are three forms of CBD: Full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and CBD isolate.
Full-spectrum CBD:
One among the three forms, full-spectrum CBD contains many other natural compounds apart from CBD. All the other natural compounds like terpenes and cannabinoids come from the cannabis plant. It does contain THC but in small amounts.
The therapeutic effects of full-spectrum CBD are much stronger than that of the other two forms. It is because of the presence of flavonoids and other cannabinoids apart from CBD. The THC content of full-spectrum CBD is not potent enough to have psychoactive effects on the user.
Broad-spectrum CBD:
It is similar to full-spectrum CBD. It contains natural compounds of the cannabis plant. The only thing that makes broad-spectrum CBD different from full-spectrum CBD is the THC content.
Broad-spectrum CBD does not contain THC. Even if it does, it is less than that of what full-spectrum CBD has. Just like the full-spectrum form, the entourage effects of the broad-spectrum are commendable.
CBD isolate:
CBD isolate is CBD at its purest. It contains no amounts of THC. Unlike the other two forms, CBD isolate is odorless and has no taste.
How do we derive CBD?
The extraction of CBD doesn’t differ much for the three forms. But CBD-isolate undergoes more refining than the other two forms.
The extraction process involves CO2 extraction, steam distillation, solvent, and lipid extraction.
CO2 extraction
It involves pulling out CBD using pressurized CO2. Along with CBD, we can derive phytochemicals and other natural compounds from the plant using the CO2 extraction method. The degree of extraction can vary from sub-critical to super-critical processes.
As CO2 is a common additive, we can rely on the CBD derived using the CO2 extraction method. Also, you do not have to worry about contaminants as chlorophyll is flushed out.
Olive oil extraction
The first step in the olive oil extraction method is the decarboxylation of the raw cannabis plant. After that, heating the plant material at higher temperatures separates CBD from the plant material.
This method is safe and effective.
Apart from these methods, there are dry ice and solvent extraction methods. Each of these has its pros and downsides. The result is the concern regardless of the type of extraction method.
Bottom line
Though most companies employ safe and effective extraction methods, safety is still a matter of concern. It is advisable to check the ingredients or go for third-party lab testing before buying CBD products.
