You may have heard of the popular and effective substance called cannabidiol or CBD for short. It is one of the hundreds of cannabinoids that you can find in cannabis plants. Keep in mind at this point that there are two types of cannabis plants and they are hemp and marijuana. More on them shortly.

The cannabis plant is a very versatile one and can be used for a variety of purposes. Its best use so far though is medicinal by virtue of the cannabidiol that can be extracted from it. Asides from cannabidiol, cannabis contains several other cannabinoids and compounds. These are flavonoids, terpenes, omega-fatty acid as well as essential oils.

All of these substances help to make the cannabis plant a very useful one. CBD in particular is filled with several essential nutrients that are good for the body. Hemp is the preferred of the cannabis plants when it comes to CBD consumption.

This on one hand is because it contains a higher percentage of cannabidiol than marijuana. Marijuana contains higher levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) than it has of CBD. Moreover, THC is the substance in cannabis that gives it its psychoactive characteristics which essentially causes a user to get high.

For these reasons, cannabidiol from hemp is best suited for medicinal purposes. It is possible to have little quantities of THC in a product as it is also medicinal. Even at this, the THC content must not be more than 0.3% of the product’s content. This is the allowable legal limit in the United States. You can find the differences between the two substances here.

Cannabidiol is available in all parts of the cannabis plant like the leaves, stem and seeds. But it is most abundant in its flowers. It can be extracted by use of olive oil, a solvent or by CO2 extraction and made into different products.

Types of Cannabidiol

When CBD is extracted, it can be produced into three different types. The type to use is essentially based on preference and the purpose that you want to use it for. They are:

Full Spectrum

Full spectrum is a form of CBD oil that carries all the natural substances present in the cannabis plant. This includes THC and all other cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids in the plant. As mentioned earlier, full spectrum products containing THC must only have a maximum of 0.3% of THC present in the product.

Broad Spectrum

This is another form of CBD. It also contains a wide range of naturally occurring compounds that are found in the cannabis plant. The main difference between broad spectrum and full spectrum is the absence of THC.

This makes broad spectrum products the perfect products for medical and recreational use. With them, you can enjoy the full benefits of cannabidiol without having to worry about getting high or breaking the law.

Isolate

Isolate is the third and last type of cannabidiol. It is made up of only CBD and stripped of all other compounds that are extracted from hemp. It is good for people who just want the feel of cannabidiol alone without the thrills of other substances.

The best form of CBD oil to use is solely dependent on the user and not on the product. Isolate can work perfectly for you if you intend to maintain your wellbeing and boost good health.

There is what is referred to as the entourage effect. This is a feeling you experience after using cannabidiol as all the natural substances jointly produce a synergistic effect. You can only get this when you use either full spectrum or broad spectrum.

How CBD Oil is Used

Cannabidiol can be taken into the body in several ways. These are sublingually, topically, via inhalation and through ingestion. The way you choose to use it will depend largely on the kind of product that you have.

CBD oil can be taken sublingually but can also be ingested. Using it sublingually is one of the most effective ways to absorb it into the body. This is because it does not need to be digested before it is available for use by the body.

However this substance needs to be digested and go through different organs before it is available for use when ingested. And it would have lost part of its potency by the time all these are done. To use CBD oil sublingually, put a few drops of the substance underneath the tongue using tinctures.

To ingest CBD oil, you need to mix it with your food or drink. A third way of using it could be adding it to your cosmetics and rubbing it directly on your skin. This is referred to as topical use. You can learn about different ways of using CBD oil here https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-take-cbd.

How Do You Buy CBD?

CBD is meant for consumption and to be taken in therefore, you need to be careful when buying. Avoid buying poor quality and fake products by patronizing trustworthy online sources. When buying, ensure to:

  • Buy a natural and organic product that is free of any additives
  • Avoid cheap products. They are likely adulterated.
  • Ask for the certificate of analysis (COA) to verify the product if you are not sure.

Conclusion

Cannabidiol is a naturally occurring substance in cannabis. It is filled with so many nutrients and it is beneficial for good health. It can be made into several forms when extracted. The type you choose is dependent on what you intend to achieve. You should check that it is legal and of good quality.