CBD Lingo 101
Have you been looking into cannabidiol (CBD) either as a business venture or something that you can take in order to experience what this cannabinoid has to offer? Well, you’ve almost definitely noticed that there’s a whole universe of terminology to know. CBD has come a long way, and with that amount of mileage already, comes lingo that separates the beginners from the experts. The thing is that without knowing the right lingo, you’re gonna be missing out on a lot of potential benefits that this compound has to offer. How come? Simple, because knowing the terminology related to cannabidiol, allows you to better determine which type of CBD product is right for you.
Lingo to Know
We’ve created a list of the most widely used terminology related to CBD, and we’ve thoroughly explained what each term means. By studying this list, you’ll be able to better zero in on what it is that you need from this cannabinoid, and what you should be looking for when you’re ready to make CBD a part of you daily life:
- Hemp: A variety of the Cannabis sativa plant species that is grown primarily for the industrial uses of its derived products. It’s one of the fastest-growing plants and was one of the first plants to be spun into usable fiber 10,000 years ago.
- Extraction: Many CBD companies share their extraction method with consumers, and you need to know why this is so important. There are many different ways to extract compounds from the hemp plant, but not all of these methods yield high-quality concentrates. It’s widely believed that the CO2 extraction method is superior because of the way in which it preserves the chemical integrity of the plant material. There are other methods that are less popular because they are more likely to harm the chemical compounds, such as the solvent method. At Kingdom Harvest, our original Whole-Spectrum Hemp extract formula maximizes the strength of the product by utilizing over 480+ of the natural phytonutrients from the hemp plant.
- Full Spectrum: The hemp plant is naturally rich in a wide variety of plant compounds that each have the potential to benefit the human body. When the hemp plant is turned into a highly concentrated extract, this extract is also rich in these potentially beneficial compounds. However, once the extract has been created, chemists are capable of isolating unique hemp compounds and removing them. There are three types of hemp extracts: full spectrum, broad spectrum and CBD isolate. Each name refers to the spectrum of compounds present in that extract. So, full spectrum, as you would imagine, contains all of the compounds that are naturally in the hemp plant. This includes THC and other cannabinoids that are unique to this plant.
- Broad Spectrum: Another type of extract, and it contains every plant compound present in hemp with the exception of THC. Although the amount of THC present in the hemp plant is too low to get a person high, some people still prefer to not consume any at all.
- Isolate: The last type of hemp extract, and it contains nothing but CBD. CBD is just one of many cannabinoids, and it’s the one that’s most abundant in the hemp plant. It’s also the most widely studied besides THC. As you can imagine, CBD isolate is far more expensive than broad spectrum or full spectrum CBD, because it requires more plant material to create a single milliliter. While most people prefer full spectrum CBD, others find that CBD isolate gives them exactly the type of relief that they need.
- The Entourage Effect: Refers to the effect that takes place when a person consumes full spectrum CBD. Researchers believe that when all of the plant compounds natural to the hemp plant are taken together, they multiply each other’s potential benefits.
- Decarboxylated: Once a hemp extract has been created, it usually goes through a process known as decarboxylation. This involves applying a controlled amount of heat to the extract in order to activate its compounds. Many of the plant compounds found in the hemp plant are not nearly as potent until they have been decarboxylated.
- Raw: Raw CBD is CBD that has not been given decarboxylation treatment. It’s not nearly as popular as CBD that has been decarboxylated, but some users swear by it because they believe that certain plant compounds found in hemp are more beneficial when they have not been heated.
- Cannabinoid: There are many cannabinoids found in the hemp plant, including CBD and THC. Cannabinoids are plant compounds that are highly unique in that they only exist in cannabis. Cannabinoids feed the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS) – a system consisting of cannabinoid receptors throughout the body. Scientists believe that CBD products can provide so much relief because of how these plant cannabinoids work with the body’s ECS.
- Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC): One of the cannabinoids found in the hemp plant, and it’s also found in the marijuana plant. In marijuana, tetrahydrocannabinol is very abundant, but in the hemp plant, there’s only about 0.3 percent. THC is known for being psychoactive, but because of its low concentration in the hemp plant, a hemp extract cannot get you high. This is also why hemp-based products are legal on a federal level, while the other type of products are not.
- Terpene: The other popular compounds found in the hemp plant. Terpenes, in fact, exist in the essential oils of every plant. They are known for being beneficial in different ways, with many having antifungal, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Each hemp plant has its own unique composition of terpenes, and many advanced users seek out specific terpenes for their unique benefits.
- Strains: The strain of a hemp plant is determined by its terpene profile. For instance, some strains are known for making a person feel sleepy, while others are great for providing some natural energy. These effects come from the unique composition of terpenes. There are lots of strains out there, but only a few are commonly used by CBD product manufacturers.
- Indica: There are three categories of hemp strains, and Indica is one of them. Indica strains are known for being more calming, and they are felt more in the body. Those who prefer Indica strains tend to be people seeking relief from anxiety, insomnia and pain.
- Sativa: Are sort of the opposite of Indica strains. Sativa strains are more uplifting and can provide a gentle boost of energy. They can also help with pain, although they are known for providing more mental effects than physical. Many people prefer taking sativa strains during the daytime so that they don’t have to worry about feeling sleepy, which is what Indica strains are known for.
- Hybrid: Are a hybrid between Indica and sativa strains. These are great for those who wish to enjoy the unique benefits of both strains, without feeling too much of one or the other.
- Edibles: CBD-infused products meant to be eaten, like gummies, chocolates, and beverages. These must be digested and metabolized, leading to delayed onset of effects.
- Tinctures: A popular form of CBD oil taken by placing drops under the tongue for quick absorption into the bloodstream.
- Topicals: CBD-infused products applied directly to the skin, such as creams, balms, and lotions, typically used for localized relief.
- Vapes: This is the act of vaping CBD (inhalation). It has the fastest onset time/effects, and can be found in a bottled form, pre-filled cartridge form, or an All-In-One (AIO) disposable vape pen form.
- Carrier Oil: Oils used to dilute CBD to make it easier to consume and absorb. Common carrier oils include coconut oil, MCT oil, and hemp seed oil.
- Bioavailability: Refers to the rate and extent to which CBD is absorbed into the bloodstream. Different forms of CBD (i.e., edibles, oils, capsules, and vapes) have different levels of bioavailability.