ABC’s of CBD

By Op-Ed Blogger Quinton Charles

A = Ask Us!

We know that there is a ton of “hempful” (see what we did there?) information on the internet today about cannabis. One of the most common questions we get is, “what makes them different?” And, “I just don’t know what all these words mean.” Cannabis requires a whole new dictionary for sure. We’re here to help with the ABC’s of CBD!

B, C & D =CBD

We know it’s a “C”, but it’s where the conversation begins. We’ll do better with our alphabetization later. We promise. Cannabidiol (CBD) is the phytocannabinoid (phyto = plant, cannabinoid = compound) that naturally occurs within the cannabis plant and is mimicked by your own body. It is a chemical that facilitates the Endocannabinoid system (don’t worry, we will cover this term) in its job. While your body does produce some on its own, supplementing your body with CBD from other sources (like the hemp plant) better enables your Endocannabinoid system to do its job. CBD is also fully legal on a federal level in the United States, unlike its cousin, THC.

B=Broad Spectrum

Similar to a Full Spectrum CBD (reference below), Broad Spectrum contains all of the Cannabinoids, Terpenes, and Flavonoids, but does not contain any of the THC. It is a good choice for people who are unable to take Full Spectrum CBD due to drug testing, but still want the full benefits of the cannabis plant.

C=Cannabis Sativa

This is one species of the Cannabis plant. Containing all of the cannabinoids as Cannabis Indica, Cannabis Sativa is often associated with a more mellow or cerebral psychoactive effect when used. It is often commercially harvested for fiber and cannabinoids (such as CBD) on an industrial scale.

C=Cannabis Indica

Another species of Cannabis, Indica is more often used for recreational smoking or to produce a psychoactive effect that leaves one sedate when found in the Marijuana. Because of this, it is often used in the evening or night as a sleep aid. Just like Cannabis Sativa, it can be harvested for its fiber and cannabinoids on an industrial scale.

C=Certificate of Analysis (COA)

A Certificate of Analysis is proof that your CBD has been tested by a reliable third-party and has had all of the details regarding its chemical contents published. It is always wise to ask to see these results in order to verify if your batch is free of pesticides, chemicals or toxins. Most companies freely offer these COAs on their websites, and you can search for your test results by looking at the batch number printed on the side of your product label.

D=Decarboxylated

This term refers to a specific way of processing Cannabis in such a way that its cannabinoids become chemically available for use by the body. While I won’t go into the details of the chemistry, I will make it clear that most cannabinoids are inaccessible by the body due to how the chemical chain is arranged. Decarboxylation, by way of heat (and sometimes catalyst) removes the part of this chemical chain that inhibits the use of the cannabinoid, leaving an end product that is useable by the body.

D=Dose

We do not diagnose, prescribe or treat at Green Wellness Life.

E=Endocannabinoid system

The system that is spread throughout your body’s nervous system and is used to regulate cognitive processes, mood, pain-sensation, appetite, and memory. This system also uses CBD as the primary chemical for its function, which is to keep your body in homeostasis. While these sound like amazing discoveries, what’s even more exciting is that there is still a lot to learn about this system, as it was only discovered within the past forty years.

E=Entourage Effect

Referring to the synergistic interplay of cannabinoids and terpenes within a Full Spectrum or Broad Spectrum product, the Entourage Effect is a recently understood phenomena. When studied, the Entourage Effect appears to be the complementary effects of multiple chemicals found within cannabis on the body. When taking an isolate (definition below) there is not an Entourage Effect as you are only taking one compound, rather than a groups of them. So the short version is that the compounds, like the Turtles song from the 1960’s, are “happy together.”

F=Flavonoids

Flavonoids are additional chemicals found within plants that offer beneficial effects. Flavonoids, specifically, are compounds in plants which give plants their pigmentation (color), filter out UV rays, attract pollinators, and prevent plant diseases. Like Terpenes (see below), they can have such benefits as helping to stem inflammation, acting as antioxidants, and are anti-bacterial.

F=Full Spectrum

This term is often found on CBD products, but not a lot of people know what it means. It refers to the contents of a CBD product. Specifically, a “Full Spectrum” CBD product will contain all of the chemicals and natural elements of the cannabis plant. Within Full Spectrum products one can find CBD, THC, Terpenes, and other natural plant elements. So, everything growing in that plant in the ground makes it into the bottle. While great for inducing what is known as the Entourage Effect (definition above), the THC could be a problem for people who face drug tests, or one of the plant compounds could be an allergen. We always recommend talking to us and a doctor before deciding which CBD is best suited to your needs.

I=Isolate

An Isolate is the purest form of CBD out of the three forms thus mentioned. Unlike the other two, an Isolate is almost pure CBD, without any Terpenes, Flavonoids, or THC (there are still carrier oils and sometimes flavors). While an Isolate wouldn’t offer the benefits of the Entourage Effect, it does allow someone who has mood or anxiety issues or needs to avoid THC to get the CBD that they require. Often to see some of the same benefits, one would need to take more Isolated than Full Spectrum CBD for those balancing benefits.

T= Terpenes

Similar to CBD, Terpenes are found within various plants and can offer health benefits when used. They do not occur naturally within the human body, but are found within the oils and cells of plants. One example of a Terpene is what is called Pinene. Commonly found in pine needles, citrus peels, and even in cannabis, this Terpene may offer such benefits as asthma relief (due to its natural ability to open the airway), inflammation reduction, and it also has antibacterial qualities. Terpenes are often combined with CBD in tinctures for added benefits.

T=THC

THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol), like CBD, is a phytocannabinoid (definition above as part of CBD explanation). These are chemical compounds found naturally within the cannabis plant. However, unlike CBD, THC is not created within the human body. It also has a mind-altering effect when used that is typically known as the “high” that one receives when they consume THC in high volume. Unlike CBD, THC is a scheduled drug and is illegal in most U.S. states and is fully illegal federally. The THC found in the hemp plant is legal because it is .3% or less, making it too low for a psychoactive impact.

A-Z= ALL Terms

Now that we have gone through some of the more frequently used terms in the world of CBD, you are better equipped to understand your products and how they can help you to thrive! However, no list can ever be exhaustive, and if you have any questions at all, feel free to call us, email us, or message us at one of our many social media accounts. We love to chat!