What is CBD & Why You Should Use It
For months I’ve been hearing about the latest trend in wellness: CBD oil.
Now, I’ll admit I was hesitant at first. I've never done drugs and I did have that preconceived notion of CBD oil being like a drug. I’m here to tell you today that I wrongly misjudged CBD oil and its positive benefits.
Luckily, I was able to hear from Dan Wain, the founder of Palette, to better understand CBD oil. He graciously answered the questions we’ve all been wondering when it comes to this booming trend.
1) Let’s start simple: What is CBD?
The hemp plant creates over 400 different molecular compounds within its plant structure. While there are various organic elements inside the hemp plant, the specific alkaloids that make cannabis unique are its cannabinoids. With over 100 of these plant-specific alkaloids, only a few have gained mainstream attention in the media and marketplace.
The one particular cannabinoid that has gained popularity over the past few years is cannabidiol—also known as CBD. This molecule is found throughout various products on shelves today. Cosmetics, lotions, tinctures, capsules, and pet treats are but a few of the available merchandise to offer that profound ingredient to consumers.
There are a lot of products to choose from when buying goods made with CBD. To make the matter more complex, there are various formulas associated with CBD to consider when purchasing those items. The most common extracts you’ll find in the industry are either a full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, or CBD isolate formulation of the cannabinoid materials.
Full-spectrum, Broad-spectrum, and CBD Isolate
Whenever people decide to purchase their first CBD tincture, they soon become overwhelmed at the options surrounding the event. The various formats of the CBD oil leave one confused at which one would be more beneficial to their particular case.
Here at Palette, we offer three separate formulas for you to choose from. We provide the choice between “Full Spectrum,” “Broad Spectrum,” and “Isolate” products. While the three CBD solutions are similar, they also tout distinctive properties that differentiate them from one another.
We’ll go through each one of them individually, so you will be able to make an educated decision when making your purchase. We want you to get the benefits you desire. And we want you to get the product that fits your requirements in life.
Full-spectrum CBD Oil
Full-spectrum CBD oil is an extraction of industrial hemp in its most unadulterated state. All the active compounds are present in the mixture whenever you purchase this product. From a scientific position, it’s the most advantageous for the user, as it produces what is known as the entourage effect.
This “entourage effect” is the interactive synergy present from combining all of hemp’s cannabinoids. In laymen’s terms, they strengthen the effects of each of the properties of the compound to function more efficiently within our bodies.
That means all of the cannabinoids are present within full-spectrum oil. That includes THC. While all of Palette’s products are derived from industrial hemp—meaning the THC component of the plant has less than 0.3% of THC, some people are nervous about its inclusion.
Drug tests are a commonplace requirement at some places of employment. And there is a risk of failing a drug test after taking Full Spectrum CBD Oil. However minuscule the risk might be that’s associated with taking full-spectrum products, it’s a chance some aren’t willing to gamble with. And for those individuals, there’s always another option.
Broad Spectrum Oil
Broad-spectrum CBD oil is very similar to its full-spectrum counterpart, except for the fact only one cannabinoid is absent from its formula. The particular cannabinoid that’s excluded from this solution is THC.
This type of oil still gives the user the benefits of the main components that contribute to the entourage effect, but it takes out any of the risks associated with testing positive for THC during a urinary analysis. So it’s the best of both worlds for anyone whose work incorporates random drug tests into the mix.
Palette’s Broad Spectrum CBD Oil gives you the advantage of synergistic cooperation of chemical compounds found in hemp while not having to worry about any undue consequences from having minute traces of THC in your system.
Nevertheless, some consumers only want to solely purchase the CBD compound and none of the other cannabinoids. And Palette carries a product for them, too.
CBD Isolate
The last version of the compound is CBD isolate. It’s the purest form of CBD on the market today, boasting a percentage rate as high as 99% pure. To get the CBD isolated from the other compounds, the solution is chemically synthesized to extract the compound from the others.
While CBD isolate doesn’t produce the entourage effect, it has its unique benefits as well. One, in particular, is that it contains absolutely no THC at all. Also, you know the exact dosage of the product you’re taking.
The other versions of CBD oil have varying amounts of different cannabinoids present in those formulas. So the specific amount of those compounds might be questionable. CBD isolate takes the guesswork out of the calculation because it’s solely the CBD compound.
And the reason cannabigerol (CBG) is so important is that it’s the mother of all cannabinoids. Whenever cannabigerol is in its purest form—cannabigerolic acid (CBGA)—it is the molecule that other cannabinoids are synthesized from.
2) What’s a cannabinoid?
Cannabinoids are molecular compounds produced by the cannabis plant. More specifically, these oily compounds are produced in the highest abundance in the resinous flowers of the female cannabis plant.
Cannabinoids are highly active compounds that have been shown to provide a host of medicinal benefits. They achieve these benefits by regulating, modulating, and mimicking the effects of cannabinoid compounds produced naturally by our own bodies.
To be precise, the cannabinoids produced in plants such as cannabis are referred to asphytocannabinoids, while the cannabinoids produced by the human body are known as endogenous cannabinoids, or simply endocannabinoids.
Endocannabinoids are produced by the human brain and nervous system in response to various states of health. They are the brain’s way of communicating with the body at a cellular level by relaying instructions to individual cells. Cannabinoids and other types of signaling molecules are categorized asneurotransmitters.
Individual cannabinoids come in a variety of similar structures. For example, we have not only THC, but we also have THCV and THCA, among others. The molecular differences between each form of a particular cannabinoid are subtle, and we won’t go into them here. However, their effects can vary.
For example, while THC is responsible for the high associated with smoking, vaping or cooking marijuana, THCA — the precursor to THC — on the other hand, is non-intoxicating.
Two additional cannabinoids that are worth discussing are cannabinol, aka CBN, andcannabichromene, or CBC.
As with CBD, CBC is nonintoxicating but known for its analgesic and antidepressant properties.
And CBN, although found in trace amounts in cannabis flowers, can increase as the flowers dry and age. As with THC, cannabinol can act as a sedative and pain reducer as well as an anticonvulsant and antiemetic (nausea reducer), although not as powerful as CBD.
The most common uses for CBD include administering it topically to help with aches and pains as an adjunct therapy, and daily use to help with sleep, recovery, and anti anxiety.
3) Who should use CBD?
People under the age of 18 or 21 in some states should not be taking CBD or using cannabis products. You should check your state’s laws and guidelines to understand the age restrictions. CBD and cannabis products should not be taken by women in pregnancy. Like any supplement, you should consult with your doctor before taking CBD.
4) Is CBD like smoking weed? Is it legal?
You can certainly smoke hemp flower, much like you can marijuana. The main difference between Hemp and Marijuana is the level of THC present in the hemp plant. For the cannabis plant to be labeled industrial hemp, it must contain less than .3% THC by dry weight. So, you aren’t going to get the euphoric “high” you might get when smoking or ingesting marijuana, although you might feel relaxed or have other sense heightened after a dose of Hemp oil.
5) What are the best ways to take CBD?
Ingestible products such as tincture (drops), pills, gummies and other edibles including chocolate, flower, creams, ointments, and skincare products are some of the most popular ways consumers are using hemp in their daily routines.
6) Why is CBD gaining popularity right now? What factors are leading to its success?
Now that industrial hemp has been legalized with the passing of the 2018 Farm Bill, hemp is becoming mainstream. CBD is becoming more well researched, with medicines approved for Lennox Gastaut-Syndrome and other forms of childhood epilepsy FDA Approves first Cannabis Derived Drug for Rare Cases of Epilepsy. Ongoing studies are being conducted globally, reviewing CBD and other cannabinoid effectiveness for anti-anxiety, as a neuroprotectant and cancer fighting compound, and as a sleep aid.
I never knew all about CBD and I’m honored to have had this insightful discussion with Dan Wain. After learning about CBD I was so excited to try it! I tried the Palette Original Hemp Extract Oil and the Topical CBD Relief Salve. The salve was incredible post-workout - I had a killer leg day and my hammies needed a little TLC. And although I was a bit scared, I dropped a little extract oil under my tongue one night and calmly went to sleep a little easier than normal. I’m definitely looking forward to implementing these products into my daily life and I’ll keep you updated!