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If someone has suggested that you try CBD for sleep, everyday aches, or as a mood-booster, then you want to know what products will work best for you. CBD stands for cannabidiol, a naturally occurring chemical component in cannabis plants. CBD is now a popular addition to your wellness regimen, but the information can definitely be overwhelming!
We're here to make things simple. Let's break down some CBD product jargon so you can better understand what it all means. Then, if you decide to try out CBD products, you'll be better equipped to pick which one is right for your specific needs.
Before going into the terminology associated with CBD products, the most important thing you need to determine is that the products you are looking into have a Certificate of Analysis (COA) and are 3rd party lab-tested. You'll be looking for a batch number or a URL marked somewhere on the package that will lead you to a COA. A QR code is ideal so you can scan it to immediately get the lab results. The lab tests are to make sure it is safe and not contaminated with heavy metals or other dangerous substances, like mold.
Over 300 terpenes have been discovered in cannabis! Terpenes are natural chemical compounds in plants that produce aroma. Terpenes will affect the smell and taste, but also have a functional component; they can affect the efficacy and strength of cannabinoids like THC or CBD due to modulation of receptor sites.
The entourage effect is a term to describe the synergistic way the many terpenes and cannabinoids all come together to create the best user experience. In other words, some cannabinoids on their own may not be as effective, but utilizing multiple leads to increased efficacy. You will most likely achieve the "entourage effect" with products that use more than two cannabinoids.
The flower is the bud of the plant. This is what most people think of when someone mentions "weed". The flower comes from hemp or regular cannabis plants. The flower is an unprocessed part of the plant that you can use in different ways. CBD flower is available in pre-rolled joints or in their original flower form to smoke.
Refined oil is created by extraction from flower using CO2. The procedure is intended to highlight specific effects produced by CBD or THC. The oil would be more concentrated than raw oil, but some of the fatty lipids and odors have been stripped out. Refined oils are most commonly used in vape pens.
CBD distillate is a highly concentrated oil. The oil has been extracted to get the individual cannabinoids and terpenes; then, these are recombined into either a full spectrum or broad spectrum oil. The neat thing about distillate is that it can be infused into many different products: edibles like gummies or candies and even topicals.
CBD isolate is pure CBD. It is "isolated" from the rest of the cannabinoids and terpenes. There will be nothing else present–no other cannabinoids or terpenes. Isolate is essentially distillate that has been extracted further, creating an extremely pure form. Isolate isn't actually an oil either; it is usually a solid with a crystalline structure. Isolate also has no taste or smell.
Broad spectrum and full spectrum are the two types of distillate oil you can choose from. Both will achieve the entourage effect, but have different compounds. Let's go over some of the key differences between the two.
Full spectrum CBD includes everything that is found in the plant. Terpenes, cannabinoids, and THC (for hemp-based CBD products, legally the THC cannot exceed 0.3%). The full spectrum will have the strongest "entourage effect." With full spectrum, you need to be mindful that there are trace amounts of THC in the plant, which can build up over time and may show up in your system if you're tested.
The broad spectrum is similar to full spectrum but lacks THC. You'll still achieve the entourage effect, but it will be less intense. If you want CBD with terpenes and cannabinoids like CBN and CBG, but also don't want any THC in your product, broad-spectrum CBD might be for you.
All hemp-based Full Spectrum products are required to not exceed 0.3% THC–that small amount of THC will not make you high. Currently, South Tip only carries Full Spectrum products because we feel the juice is worth the squeeze!
There are tons of companies out there that make CBD products, so why should you choose South Tip?
