What is CBD?
Cannabidiol or commonly known as “CBD” is one of the 113 cannabinoids found in the Cannabis Sativa plant with Hemp and Marijuana being the most common variety. Recent scientific research has shown that CBD provides numerous health benefits by interacting directly with our body’s endocannabinoid system which modulates our brain functions, hormones and immune system. CBD may provide relieve from stress, anxiety, pain and other ailments without getting you “high”.
Marijuana vs Hemp
The Marijuana and Hemp plant come from the same plant, Cannabis sativa which contains over 500 cannabinoids which CBD and THC are the most well-known. Both plants look and smell alike with medicinal benefits. The only difference is the THC amount in each plant. THC or tetrahydrocannabinol, is the psychoactive compound that can get you high.
The cannabis plant, Marijuana, is specifically bred to contain various ratios of CBD and THC.
The Hemp plant on the other hand, is bred to contain very little to no THC. These hemp plants are referred to “industrial hemp”. Therefore, food and products including hemp oil, hemp extract and CBD made from industrialized hemp will not get you high.
The 2018 Farm Bill Act which was passed in 2018, requires that CBD oil contains less than 0.3% THC to be legal. Therefore, CBD oil in the market are mostly derived from the hemp plant. Some brands prefer to undergo additional process to remove the THC completely. However, we chose not to remove the trace amount of the naturally occurring THC in our hemp CBD product, HEMPdrops for 2 reasons.
#1 The entourage effect produces the synergistic interaction of the cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids naturally found in the whole plant which magnifies the therapeutic health benefits. Removing the naturally occurring trace amount of THC will make the product less effective.
#2 Removing THC would require additional processing which could potentially destroy some of the cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids resulting in a less superior product.
Hemp Oil
Hemp Oil is also referred to as Hemp Seed Oil. As the name implies, it is derived from the seeds of the Cannabis Sativa plant which is a good source of Omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids, gamma-linolenic acid, vitamin E and other nutritional antioxidants. Hemp Seed Oil does not contain any CBD or THC. Even if the hemp plants are bred to contain high amounts of CBD, the cannabinoids are not found in the seeds.
Hemp Oil or Hemp Seed Oil is used mainly as an antioxidant-rich, plant-based fat source of omega oils. It can be used in salad dressing as a healthy alternative to olive oil.
Hemp Extract
Hemp extract contains the whole-plant or all components which includes the stalk, seed and flower of the hemp plant. It contains very little CBD, and no THC.
However, CBD extract is derived from hemp plant which are specifically bred for high CBD, terpenes, flavonoids and other cannabinoids content.
CBD was used interchangeably with Hemp Extract on the product labels to get around the legal issues surrounding CBD. At the time, CBD on the label was controversial and sparked legal issues.
After the passing of the 2018 Farm Bill Act in 2018. CBD is legal at the Federal level as long as the THC does not exceed 0.3% and each state has their own sets of regulations with respect to the sale and consumption of CBD. CBD topicals have been approved by the U.S. Federal Drug Administration (FDA) but not CBD as a dietary supplement as of this article.
Therefore, some brands and retailers have changed the label on the bottle from CBD to Hemp Extract in order to sell in-store or on Amazon and other platforms. It is important to note, when you purchase hemp extract, look specifically for the CBD content on the product label. The hemp extract label may show the amount of hemp extract but not necessarily provide the percentage breakdown of CBD.
Example:
#1 HEMPdrops CBD Oil contain 1500 mg of CBD including terpenes and flavonoids.
#2 Competitor brand contains 1500 mg Hemp Extract. Majority of these bottles are labeled as 1500 mg Hemp Extract which may only contain up to 50% CBD and the rest is hemp extract.
If you cannot find the CBD content on the label, the easiest way is to contact the manufacturer and ask for a Certificate of Analysis which should indicate the amount of CBD in the product.
CBD Oil vs CBD Tincture
Hemp CBD Oil is extracted from the hemp plant through an extraction process from the whole plant including seeds, stem, stalk and flower of the hemp plant. CBD oil is the most potent and expensive of all the CBD forms in the market.
CBD oil contains carrier oils to allow the body easily absorb. These carrier oils include MCT oil, coconut oil, hemp seed oil and vegetable glycerin. EatFit Superfoods HEMPdrops CBD Oil is infused with MCT Oil to deliver CBD to the bloodstream, bypassing the normal fat digestion for faster absorption.
Hemp CBD tinctures are not the same as CBD oil although both are derived from the hemp plant. CBD tinctures are easy and inexpensive to prepare at home making it one of the popular ways to consume hemp CBD since passing of the 2018 Farm Bill.
CBD tinctures can be prepared using hemp flowers from hemp plants that are bred for high CBD levels including terpenes and other beneficial cannabinoids. CBD tinctures are highly bioavailable but may contain very little CBD.
3 types of CBD derived from hemp
#1 Full Spectrum CBD contains all the beneficial cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids including trace amounts of THC. The legal amount of THC is 0.3% in order to be legal for sale in all 50 states. This trace amount of THC is not enough to give the “high” effect. Instead, the THC that is naturally occurring in the hemp plant gives it an “entourage effect” where all the cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids along with THC synergistically enhances the potency and effectiveness of the product.
#2 Broad Spectrum CBD is similar to Full-Spectrum CBD except that it involves an additional step in the process to remove the THC. This additional processing to remove the THC could potentially destroy some of the cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids resulting in a less superior product.
#3 CBD Isolate is 99% pure CBD in a crystalline powder form where all the cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids have been removed. Without the entourage effect, CBD isolate is considered less effective. However, it has its place CBD-infused foods and drinks.
