Cannabidiol, also known as CBD, is a natural compound found within the industrial hemp plant that has steadily gained popularity due to its many potential health benefits.

Once sold only in health-food stores, CBD can now be found in various places, including natural-food stores, health-food sections of chain supermarkets, and even gas stations.

This cannabis extract also comes in a massive variety and methods to take, such as gummies, oils, and even CBD coffee!

We all know that Cannabidiol (CBD) is a natural chemical compound found in the cannabis plant, but what exactly is CBD?

CBD does not get users high in the way that THC does. For this reason, it is often used for medicinal or therapeutic purposes.

CBD is obtained from the cannabis flower as an oil. The oil can be placed in a vaporizer and inhaled.

There are numerous different kinds of CBD, and it is essential to recognize the diversity to make an educated choice on which one to use.

What is CBD?

Cannabidiol (CBD) oil is an extract from cannabis that has many uses. The active compounds found in CBD are called cannabinoids, which are responsible for the health benefits of CBD and interact with the receptors in the endocannabinoid system.

CBD is considered to have a broad scope of potential medical applications due to its lack of side effects and minimal, non-existent psychoactive effects.

It has been acknowledged that CBD is advantageous to your health, reducing the symptoms of:

• Anxiety, depression, and stress
• Neurodegenerative disorders
• Chronic pain
• Intoxicant withdrawal symptoms
• Acne
• Improves heart health (alleged)

What is the Difference Between CBD and THC?

When they first start looking into cannabis, many people get confused by the difference between CBD and THC.

CBD has been shown to have a few distinct differences from THC. According to most medical professionals, CBD is the lowest causing potent psychoactive substance in cannabis.

The main difference between CBD and THC lies in how it affects the brain’s “reward pathway”.

The primary function of this pathway is to provide the experience of pleasure to feel good about ourselves.CBD doesn’t stimulate this reward pathway, so it doesn’t offer the “high” associated with cannabis.

Besides helping people who have insomnia, CBD can have some very positive medical benefits.

In essence, CBD contains none of the intoxicating properties of THC but all of the purported beneficial effects.

Understanding the Main Types

There are three types of CBD that include:

1. Isolate: This contains only the active CBD compound and nothing else.
2. Full-spectrum: This is similar to the isolate, except that it also consists of every other cannabinoid occurring naturally in the plant.
3. Broad-spectrum: Basically, it contains everything that you will find in a cannabis plant, not including THC.

These are the makeup of CBD, but there are also a variety of ways that you can ingest or inhale the product.

Methods of Intake

There are two different types of CBD products, namely, extracts and concentrates.

Extracts

Extracted CBD is derived from cannabis via a cold-press method, whereas concentrates come from a cold-pressing process.

When looking at CBD extracts, one thing to note is that it always contains a small amount of Cannabidiol. This is why it’s essential to read labels carefully and make sure you’re purchasing an all-natural product.

It’s always necessary to read labels and understand the potency levels of the ingredients included in a CBD product.

Always ask for certifications from qualified professionals like pharmaceutical or botanical manufacturers.

Concentrates

There are also several types of concentrates, including tinctures, which are taken orally once a day.

Tinctures are incredibly concentrated and should not be consumed regularly. Tinctures are often used for specific ailments like glaucoma, seizures, nausea, etc.

This form of CBD is absorbed faster by the body than tincture because it has quicker absorption through the bloodstream, and they also have a faster duration of action.

In addition to helping people experiencing the effects of medical conditions, there are three main types of CBD available on the market today.

These include:

• Cannabis sativa
• Cannabis indica
• Hemp oil

Each one contains different CBD types that are known for their strengths when it comes to effect. It is essential to realize that no two individuals respond the same way to the same treatment.

To better understand the different types of CBD, it is best to look at the Cannabinoid Profile, which is the chemical composition of the cannabis plant.

All three profiles contain similar amounts of CBD, and it is only the ratios of each ingredient that vary from one product to the next.

Pharmaceutical Grade

Some of the different CBD types are being sold as pharmaceutical grade, which means that they have been filtered and purified to ensure the highest possible quality. Some companies produce their oil by using a cold-press method.

The endocannabinoid system in the raw plant is destroyed during the pressing process. It is the endocannabinoid system that is thought to be responsible for marijuana’s pain relief.

Removing the critical chemicals in the cannabis plant makes the oil much less likely to result in side effects.

What’s The Best Method Of Taking CBD?

There are four ways that you can take CBD.

Orally

This includes the various novelty methods such as gummies and candies, but also includes:

• Capsules
• Oils
• Liquids

Under the Tongue

Also known as sublingual, this path involves placing the CBD underneath your tongue. This method speeds up the absorption remarkably quickly.

It is one of the fastest methods, and many people opt for this method if they need the effects fast, for example, for pain relief.

Topically

CBD creams have become more popular over the years for issues such as acne. For most people, topical application is the least preferred method.

Inhalation

This method is the fastest and much faster than even sublingual applications. It is usually inhaled as a vapor made from heating the oil.

Although it has rapid effects, some people don’t enjoy the deep feeling in their lungs.

Summary

The rapid rise of CBD over the years is not only due to anecdotal evidence; it has been studied academically and, as a result, has gained popularity across vast swathes of society.

If you are interested in trying it, you can decide on which method works best for you. However, please make sure to discuss this with your doctor beforehand.