What is CBD oil? What does it contain? How does hemp differ from marijuana? The questions never stop coming when you’re in the CBD and hemp industry, but that’s part of what makes it so vital we answer them correctly.
CBD and the cannabis plants it is derived from have been at the center of political debate, health discussions, scientific studies, and public inquiry in recent years. But as we learn more about the practical applications of cannabinoids like CBD, with every answer we generate many more questions. To start, let’s discuss what exactly is in CBD oil.
I’ve Heard of CBD, but What Are Cannabinoids?
Cannabinoids are chemical compounds that are naturally found in both the hemp and marijuana plants. The most prevalent cannabinoids are delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). However, there are a whole spectrum of minor cannabinoids that we are still learning about, including CBGa, THCa, CBC, CBDv and more. All of which have the ability to interact with our body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS).
What the Heck is the Endocannabinoid System?
Within our body, we have what is called the endocannabinoid system, composed of naturally-occurring chemicals called endocannabinoids, as well as cannabinoid receptors. When we ingest cannabinoids, they interact with our ECS since phytocannabinoids (cannabinoids in plants) are structurally similar to endocannabinoids (cannabinoids made by the body). Cannabinoids like CBD promote the natural functions of our ECS, which regulates and enhances our sleep, appetite, mood, memory and more.
What’s the Difference Between Cannabinoids?
We’re still learning about the minor cannabinoids, but when you think about the main contenders, CBD and THC, it’s easy to see the difference. THC is what Chong smokes (an obscene amount of) with Cheech when they go “Up in Smoke”. They just wanna get high, man. CBD, on the other hand, is what my insomniac aunt takes when she needs a full night of sleep, or when she’s feeling a little extra anxious (which is often). Basically, THC interacts with your body to create an altered state (or “high”) while CBD promotes the body’s normal functionality without a high.
So What Cannabinoids Are In CBD Oil?
If you’ve been paying attention, the answer is in the question. CBD is a cannabinoid so the primary cannabinoid in our CBD oil is CBD...who would’ve thought! During the extraction process, less than 0.3% of THC ends up in the oil.
One of the most common questions we hear is, “Can I fail a drug test if I use CBD oil with this much THC in it?” While it is possible if enough is taken, with THC levels this low it’s very unlikely to produce psychoactive effects. Sorry to disappoint you stoners out there, but CBD oil is not going to put you on a different planet. It instead helps our endocannabinoid system to make life on this planet run a little smoother.
Our CBD products refresh and rejuvenate your endocannabinoid system without any high. We hope this has helped clear up any confusion, but of course, we know there will be many questions ahead. Stay tuned for our next blog post as we explore cannabinoids further. If you’d like to learn more about our CBD products, browse the collection.
For a deeper diver on what we discussed in this blog, this article is your one-stop source on all things “cannabinoid”.
