Education

CBD stands for cannabidiol. It is the second most prevalent of the active ingredients of cannabis (marijuana). While CBD is an essential component of medical marijuana, it is derived directly from the hemp plant, which is a cousin of the marijuana plant. While CBD is a component of marijuana (one of hundreds), by itself it does not cause a “high.”

CBD is readily obtainable in most parts of the United States, though its exact legal status is in flux. All 50 states have laws legalizing CBD with varying degrees of restriction, and while the federal government still considers CBD in the same class as marijuana, it doesn’t habitually enforce against it.

CBD has been touted for a wide variety of health issues, but the strongest scientific evidence is for its effectiveness in treating some of the cruelest childhood epilepsy syndromes, such as Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS), which typically don’t respond to antiseizure medications. In numerous studies, CBD was able to reduce the number of seizures, and in some cases it was able to stop them altogether.

CBD is commonly used to address anxiety, and for patients who suffer through the misery of insomnia, studies suggest that CBD may help with both falling asleep and staying asleep.

CBD has three different cannabinoid spectrum options to choose from.
Full-spectrum, broad-spectrum and isolates.

Full- Spectrum CBD
Contains all phytochemicals naturally found in the plant, including CBD, trace cannabinoids, terpenes, and essential oils. Full-spectrum oils from hemp also come with a negligible THC content — below 0.3%

The full spectrum of the active compounds extracted from hemp work together to amplify the health benefits of each individual cannabinoid. This phenomenon is referred to as the entourage effect, explained later.

Although non-psychoactive, full-spectrum CBD can give you a false positive during a drug test, especially if you consume high doses of CBD oil daily.

That’s when the broad-spectrum CBD comes in.

Broad- Spectrum CBD
Broad-spectrum CBD contains cannabidiol and all the other compounds within the plant, save for THC, which is completely removed after the initial extraction.

Because broad-spectrum oils contain multiple cannabinoids, they also produce the “entourage effect,” but without the THC.

In a very simplified manner, broad-spectrum CBD is like a mix between full-spectrum CBD and CBD isolate.

Isolate CBD
CBD isolate is the purest form of this compound, made by pulling it from its natural environment and removing it from all other ingredients.

The advantage of using CBD isolate over other formats is the highest concentration of CBD per serving. Isolates are usually 99% pure, meaning that one gram of isolate powder carries about 990 mg of CBD.

There’s no entourage effect, though — you can benefit solely from the effects of cannabidiol, hence the lower price of such oils and lower demand than full-spectrum or broad-spectrum CBD.

Pros & Cons of each CBD Spectrum

Full Spectrum

Pros

• Allows the user to benefit from the “Entourage Effect”

• The least processed form of CBD

• Contains terpenes and flavonoids for additional health benefits

Cons

• May show up on a drug screening

• THC content may cause problems with the local law

• Taste the natural flavor and smell the strong aroma of hemp

Best Uses

• CBD users who want to benefit from the trace amounts of THC in their oils

• Individuals with more severe symptoms that CBD isolate and broad-spectrum

extracts fail to help with

• Individuals living in states with a legal cannabis market

Broad Spectrum

Pros

• Offers the full benefits of the “Entourage Effect”

• Less processed than isolate

• No risk of psychoactive effects

Cons

• Less researched

• Less available than full-spectrum or isolates

• May carry a strong, natural hemp flavor

Best Uses

• CBD users with conditions that the Isolate spectrum alone can’t help with

• Individuals sensitive to THC

• Individuals living in places with harsh THC regulations

• First-time CBD users afraid of THC

Isolate

Pros

• The most concentrated form of CBD

• No risk of getting high

• Highly versatile

• Safe for all types of CBD users

• Odorless and flavorless

• You can pass a drug test with CBD isolate

Cons

• Doesn’t offer all the benefits of the entourage effect

Best Uses

• CBD users who were recommended to take very high doses of CBD

• Individuals sensitive to THC or other cannabinoids

• Individuals afraid of failing a drug test

• CBD users who prefer flavorless extracts

• People living in states with harsh THC laws

• New CBD users afraid of other cannabinoids

Entourage Effect and Terpenes

Entourage Effect

It refers to the synergy achieved by all the components in cannabis. These components work together to enhance the potential benefits of the plant. Each compound can amplify the therapeutic properties of the others while mitigating their potential side effects. This effect is produced in the Full-spectrum and Broad-spectrum options only.

Studies discovered that people treated with full-spectrum CBD reported higher levels of relief when compared to people that used CBD isolate.

Scientists also concluded that full spectrum CBD provided better results with higher doses, while the results of isolated CBD maintained consistent with increased intake.

Terpenes

When browsing through full-spectrum extracts, you may have noticed they boast the health benefits of the original plant terpenes.

Terpenes are volatile molecules that are responsible for a unique aroma profile of plants, fruits, vegetables, and spices. Aromatherapists have used these terpenes for centuries.

There are more than 200 terpenes in cannabis which, like cannabinoids, also bind to different receptors in the body to provide an array of potential health benefits.

For example, one of the signature terpenes in cannabis plants is beta-caryophyllene, a gastroprotective compound found in oregano, black pepper, and leafy greens. That’s why certain cannabis strains are recommended to patients with gastrointestinal issues; these strains also tend to carry a spicy herbal scent.

Health Benefits of CBD

Pain Relief

The human body contains a specialized system called the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which is involved in regulating a variety of functions including sleep, appetite, pain and immune system response.

The body produces endocannabinoids, which are neurotransmitters that bind to cannabinoid receptors in your nervous system.

Studies have shown that CBD may help reduce chronic pain by impacting endocannabinoid receptor activity, reducing inflammation and interacting with neurotransmitters.+

Reduce Anxiety and Depression

Anxiety and depression are common mental health disorders that can have devastating impacts on health and well-being.

According to the World Health Organization, depression is the single largest contributor to disability worldwide, while anxiety disorders are ranked sixth.

Anxiety and depression are usually treated with pharmaceutical drugs, which can cause a number of side effects including drowsiness, agitation, insomnia, sexual dysfunction and headache.

What’s more, medications like benzodiazepines can be addictive and may lead to substance abuse.

CBD oil has shown promise as a treatment for both depression and anxiety, leading many who live with these disorders to become interested in this natural approach.

Alleviate Cancer related symptoms

CBD may help reduce symptoms related to cancer and side effects related to cancer treatment, like nausea, vomiting and pain.

One study looked at the effects of CBD and THC in 177 people with cancer-related pain who did not experience relief from pain medication.

Those treated with an extract containing both compounds experienced a significant reduction in pain compared to those who received only THC extract.

CBD may also help reduce chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, which are among the most common chemotherapy-related side effects for those with cancer.

Though there are drugs that help with these distressing symptoms, they are sometimes ineffective, leading some people to seek alternatives.

A study of 16 people undergoing chemotherapy found that a one-to-one combination of CBD and THC administered via mouth spray reduced chemotherapy-related nausea and vomiting better than standard treatment alone.

Some test-tube and animal studies have even shown that CBD may have anticancer properties. For example, one test-tube study found that concentrated CBD induced cell death in human breast cancer cells.

Another study showed that CBD inhibited the spread of aggressive breast cancer cells in mice.

However, these are test-tube and animal studies, so they can only suggest what might work in people. More studies in humans are needed before conclusions can be made.

Reduce Acne

Acne is a common skin condition that affects more than 9% of the population.

It is thought to be caused by a number of factors, including genetics, bacteria, underlying inflammation and the overproduction of sebum, an oily secretion made by sebaceous glands in the skin.

Based on recent scientific studies, CBD oil may help treat acne due to its anti-inflammatory properties and ability to reduce sebum production.

One test-tube study found that CBD oil prevented sebaceous gland cells from secreting excessive sebum, exerted anti-inflammatory actions and prevented the activation of “pro-acne” agents like inflammatory cytokines.

Another study had similar findings, concluding that CBD may be an efficient and safe way to treat acne, thanks in part to its remarkable anti-inflammatory qualities.

Though these results are promising, human studies exploring the effects of CBD on acne are needed.