So, What is CBD?

CBD is one of 113 identified cannabinoids found in the Cannabidiol sativa plant, along with THC, (Tetrahydrocannabinol). It is a naturally occurring substance that is added to oils and edibles to give a feeling of relaxation and calm. Unlike marijuana, which has THC in high levels, as the active ingredient, CBD is non-psychoactive.

You may have heard the terms hemp, cannabis, and marijuana hurled around when talking about CBD. The plant Cannabis sativa has two main species, hemp and marijuana. Both of these contain CBD, but there is a significantly higher percentage present in hemp, which also has nominal (less than 0.3%) levels of THC when compared to marijuana.

CBD can help treat anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, muscle pain and inflammation, inflammatory skin conditions, as well as other medical conditions. Even though it won’t get you high, CBD tends to have an overall soothing effect for many people and has also been used to support sleep.

Full-Spectrum CBD products contain many cannabis plant extracts such as essential oils and vitamins, terpenes, proteins, fatty acids and other naturally occurring elements from the hemp plant. These products may also contain up to 0.3% of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) which is the cannabinoid that produces the ‘high’ feeling in people.

Keep in mind that due to the extremely low levels of THC found in Full-Spectrum CBD, it should not cause you to feel ‘high’ or have any psychoactive effects. *These products are often used to help treat anxiety, depression, muscle pain, inflammation, migraines, and other adverse medical conditions.

Unlike Full-Spectrum CBD, products that are Broad-Spectrum contain no THC. They still contain several cannabis plant compounds including cannabinol (CBN), cannabichromene, and terpenes.

The entourage effect is a term used in the industry in conjunction with Full Spectrum. It refers to all of the naturally occurring cannabinoids and phytonutrients working in harmony to produce the greatest impact possible to a user. Essentially, the numerous compounds in cannabis work together to produce a far better effect than when taken alone. The cannabinoids and terpenoids in cannabis are thought to interact with each other as well as the brain’s receptors.

It is generally accepted that the more cannabinoids that are prevalent in a CBD product’s profile, the more effective that CBD product will be.

Full-Spectrum is the least manipulated form of CBD as it maintains a full range of cannabinoids and terpenes. This results in the desirable entourage effect, in which all of the compounds work together to provide the most significant benefits that CBD can provide.

Also known as the ECS, the main function of this mammalian system is to maintain bodily homeostasis, or to keep the body balanced even as the environment changes. Scientists believe that cannabis is effective, in part, because the phytocannabinoids it contains to mimic the naturally occurring endocannabinoids present in the body. Endocannabinoid receptors are found throughout the entire body. They are present in the brain, organs, connective tissues, glands, and immune cells.

This system plays a major part in many of the body’s psychological and physiological processes which includes appetite, stress, sleep, pain, memory, and immune function. If an outside force like pain from an injury were to throw off your body’s homeostasis, your ECS would kick in to assist your body in returning to its ideal operation.