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If you’re like many people, you have heard a lot about the benefits of CBD. What you may not have heard about is how other compounds found in CBD oil can also boost your health.
CBD is extracted from the stalks, stems, and leaves of the hemp plant. Like other plants, hemp contains a variety of minerals, nutrients, and phytochemicals. Each of these chemicals may bolster the effects of CBD — producing something known as the entourage effect.
To understand how this works, you first need to learn about CBD — what it is, how it is extracted, and what nutrients are also found in this oil. Read on to learn the basics, before making a decision about whether (and what kind of) CBD is right for you.
What Is CBD?
CBD, or cannabidiol, is a naturally occurring compound found in the cannabis plant. There are more than 60 of these compounds, known as cannabinoids, in cannabis. Another well-known cannabinoid is tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC — the psychoactive component of marijuana.
Cannabinoids interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system, or ECS, to produce a variety of effects. Research has shown that CBD may help to neutralize the system and provide a variety of benefits:
While research on the benefits of CBD is still in its early stages, early results are promising.
CBD is extracted from the cannabis plant. Cannabis is a genus of plants that has three species: indica, sativa, and ruderalis. Hemp is a sativa species of cannabis, while cannabis can be any of the three species.
In the United States, CBD is predominantly made from industrial hemp, which is a type of cannabis. By law, this hemp can contain no more than .03% THC. In some states where marijuana is legal, you may be able to purchase CBD that is made from cannabis. This CBD may contain greater than .03% THC.
The extraction process can take several forms, including using carbon dioxide, liquid solvents, steam, or an oil infusion. Each of these methods separates the CBD from the plant material, leaving behind a CBD oil. The purity and concentration of the CBD oil may vary based on the extraction method used.
What Nutrients Are Found in CBD Oil?
After CBD is extracted, the result is known as a “full spectrum” CBD oil (unless isolate CBD is extracted via the cold CO2 method). This means that other cannabinoids are present in the oil beyond CBD, including CBDA (cannabidiolic acid), CBDV (cannabidivarin), and THC.
Beyond cannabinoids, full spectrum CBD oils contain other nutrients and beneficial elements, including terpenes and amino acids. Terpenes are aromatic compounds that are made by many plants, including hemp. Depending on the plant that the CBD was extracted from, different terpenes can be found in CBD oil, giving it a unique scent.
Terpenes may also have beneficial properties. The terpene caryophyllene has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties. The terpene linalool may reverse some symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. Terpenes may also boost mood or have other effects, much like essential oils.
CBD also contains all 20 amino acids, which are organic compounds that your body needs to grow and function properly. 9 amino acids are classified as essential, and cannot be made by the body. Instead, these amino acids must be obtained through diet.
In addition to amino acids and terpenes, CBD oil contains a number of minerals and nutrients. They include:
- Thiamine (vitamin B1)
- Riboflavin (vitamin B2)
- Niacin (vitamin B3)
- Pyridoxine (vitamin B6)
- Folate (vitamin B9)
- Vitamin E
- Calcium
- Potassium
- Phosphorus
- Magnesium
- Copper
- Iron
- Zinc
- Manganese
CBD also contains healthy fats, such as Omega 6 fatty acid.
There are three forms of CBD oil: full spectrum, broad spectrum, and isolate. Full spectrum CBD extracts contain all of the phytochemicals that naturally occur in the plant. Broad spectrum contains all of these phytochemicals, minus the THC (0% THC). Finally, CBD isolate only contains CBD. Both full and broad spectrum CBD offer something known as the entourage effect.
What Is the Entourage Effect?
Taking full spectrum CBD oil may produce something known as the entourage effect. This is a theory that when all of the compounds in cannabis work together, they produce a better effect as compared to when they are taken alone, or in isolation.
A number of studies have found that the entourage effect is real and can produce substantial benefits. In a 2011 review, scientists found that taking terpenes and phytocannabinoids together may help relieve pain, anxiety and inflammation, and may alleviate the symptoms of epilepsy, cancer, and even fungal infections.
Other studies have found that certain flavonoids and terpenes — present in CBD — may have both neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects. By taking a full or broad spectrum CBD product, you may be able to take advantage of both these effects as well as the benefits of CBD itself.
More research is needed on how these compounds may work together to produce a better result for people who use CBD. While there may be substantial benefits to taking a full or broad spectrum CBD, there are reasons to avoid these products — such as if you want to avoid consuming any THC. In these situations, a CBD isolate may be the best choice for you.
How to Buy High Quality CBD Oil
If you would like to take advantage of the potential health and wellness benefits of CBD, you may be curious about how to buy a good brand that will work for you. After all, CBD oil is available almost everywhere now. How can you know that you are getting what you are paying for with CBD?
The answer lies in only buying CBD products that have been tested by a third party laboratory, with results available for your review. At Green Wellness Life, we only offer CBD oils that are independently tested and that are made from industrial hemp grown in the United States. You can rest assured that when you buy a product from our site, you are getting the highest quality CBD available.
We aren’t doctors, and cannot diagnose or treat any medical condition. We can offer you the latest research and information for you to make an informed decision about using CBD. To learn more, reach out to us today by pressing the live chat button, calling (888) 772-7875 , or emailing us at any time.
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