Cannabidiol - understanding hemp products

Regular cannabis contains more than 120 unique substances with a similar structure, which are called cannabinoids. Of these, cannabidiol (CBD, CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC, THC) account for more than 95%. However, these two substances, although they consist of the same number of atoms, have a fundamentally different structure, which causes completely different effects in the body. But the most important difference is the effect on higher nervous activity: CBD does not have a psychoactive effect, and THC causes a change in consciousness.

Cannabidiol production

In almost all countries, the sale and use of CBD is not regulated. Cannabidiol is considered a new product with beneficial properties. However, legal conflicts in the legal field of each state cause absurd prohibitions. In the United States, Japan, and many EU countries, cannabidiol can be isolated from hemp, but is prohibited from marijuana. At the same time, the gradation between hemp and marijuana is established by law according to the level of psychoactive THC. For example, for the USA, if the plant has more than 0.3% THC, then it is marijuana, if less, then it is hemp.

But it is this gradation that explains the different levels of other cannabinoids in CBD products. Accordingly, there are CBD preparations on the market that are included in the same category, but have a different ratio of additional substances extracted from marijuana.

Since all cannabinoids have a similar structure, they have almost the same physical and chemical properties: solubility, sublimation temperature, interaction with other reagents. Therefore, at the first stage of the production of cannabidiol, the entire amount of soluble substances is extracted from hemp, and then the resulting extract is refined to a certain degree of purity.

Types of CBD preparations

During extraction, all soluble substances are released from marijuana, therefore, in addition to cannabinoids, there are also terpenes, flavonoids and even chlorophyll in the composition. But even with this ratio of components, this substance is considered a CBD-containing product that is supplied to the market.

CBD RAW/CRUDE Extract. Raw CBD Extract

Appearance : Sticky black-green resin, viscosity varies with temperature.

Composition : The sum of all extractable substances of hemp.

In addition to cannabinoids, raw CBD marijuana extract contains aromatic terpenes, flavonoids, vitamins, carbohydrates, and even chlorophyll. It is the presence of chlorophyll that causes such a dark green color. The raw extract contains a perceptibly high amount of tetrahydrocannabinol. But it varies depending on the country of manufacture. For example, in Canada, such marijuana compositions are used for recreational purposes, and in the European Union already for medical reasons.

It should be borne in mind that hemp is taken for extraction, with a deliberately low percentage of tetrahydrocannabinol, unlike marijuana. Therefore, a pronounced psychoactive effect from raw CBD extract is not observed. Although in testing it can give a positive result (this is influenced by the biological characteristics of the organism).

Usage scenarios: Raw cannabidiol extract is recommended for smoking/vaping only. The fact is that all hemp substances are in an inactivated form. To get their biological activity, they need to be decarboxylated. This reaction occurs during heating and sublimation.

Information : It should be remembered that some forms of cannabinoids, when consumed through electronic cigarettes and vaporizers, undergo thermochemical transformation into psychoactive forms. With the inept use of electronic smoking devices and incorrect temperature settings, more than 50% of CBD is converted into Δ9-THC and Δ8-THC.

Purpose : Although this composition is considered a CBD extract, the relatively high content of other cannabinoids, and in particular the residual THC, makes it possible to use CBD RAW Extract to relieve pain syndromes of various origins: headache, PMS, myalgia, rheumatism.

Some manufacturers increase the concentration of certain components, which expands the scope of the medical use of raw CBD extract. But the general vector of application of this group of CBD drugs is aimed at the treatment of chronic diseases.

CBD Full Spectrum oil. Full spectrum CBD oil.

To obtain this product, the raw CBD extract is subjected to decarboxylation followed by the removal of hemp fiber.

Ingredients : Full spectrum of cannabinoids in activated form, terpenes and other substances responsible for the taste and aroma of cannabis. However, due to the fact that the raw materials are different varieties of hemp, the percentage of full spectrum CBD oil differs in the preparations of different manufacturers.

Use Cases: The ingredients are already in a bioactive form, so CBD Full Spectrum oil can be used for both vaping/smoking and adding to food.

Appearance : yellow oily liquid with varying intensity of staining. Almost always has a pronounced aroma of marijuana.

Purpose : The level of THC in this type of CBD product does not exceed 0.3%, and you should not expect a psychoactive effect from it, since technical hemp is used to obtain this product, not marijuana. Even if changes in perception of the world are subjectively felt, this is often not reflected in testing if loading doses and concentrations of oils were not used.

Use full spectrum CBD oil for medical purposes, for the same purposes as raw CBD extract. But its use gives more predictable effects, the degree of manifestation of which is conveniently regulated.

CBD Broad Spectrum (Distilate). CBD with a wide spectrum of cannabinoids.

With more scrupulous purification of the decarboxylated hemp extract, and the subsequent removal of the products of thermal decomposition of marijuana ballast substances, manufacturers receive a CBD distillate (CBD Broad Spectrum).

Ingredients : The main requirement for CBD distillate is the complete absence of HPC. In some countries trace amounts of tetrahydrocannabinol (up to 0.03%) are allowed. The content of cannabidiol is not less than 60-80%. This parameter is set by the manufacturer. But on the other hand, the presence of other, non-psychoactive cannabinoids, which have their own individual therapeutic activity, is allowed. For example, cannabichromen has antitumor activity, cannabigerol has established itself as a selective antibiotic, and cannabivarin perfectly relieves nausea.

Use Cases : CBD Distilate is a fully bioactive product. It can be introduced into the body in any available way. In addition to electronic cigarettes and vaping, it can be added to ready-made meals, drinks or instilled into the mouth. In the treatment of certain diseases, CBD Distilate is administered vaginally.

Appearance : thick, oily liquid, different shades of yellow. The aroma of marijuana is almost non-existent, as aromatic terpenes have been removed during refining. But their trace amounts are allowed.

Purpose : CBD distillate is already a hemp product with pronounced therapeutic properties. It is this form of release that doctors prescribe for the treatment of sclerosis, epilepsy, Alzheimer's disease, and neurological diseases of various origins. When used externally, CBD Broad Spectrum well relieves muscle spasms and pain after training, improves the structure of the skin and facial muscles.

CBD Isolate. CBD isolate.

In fact, this is already a product of high chemical technology, because it does not contain any impurities of substances from hemp.

Ingredients : The concentration of cannabidiol is not less than 99%, but some manufacturers set a higher bar, up to 99.95%. In fact, CBD Isolate can be considered chemically pure marijuana.

Uses : As a pure substance, CBD Isolate can serve as a base for creams, ointments, and other home-made medicines. It can be added to food and drinks, smoked in e-cigarettes, and even inhaled "CBD track" intranasally.

Appearance : It is a white crystalline powder. In fact, these are powdered CBD crystals isolated from hemp.

Purpose : This is the most expensive form of release of cannabidiol, so it is universal in purpose. CBD Isolate can be prescribed for all types of diseases that CBD is used to treat.

However, CBD Isolate has a specific drawback - it lacks the entourage effect.

Help : The entourage effect is a manifestation of new therapeutic properties, with the joint use of the amount of cannabinoids that make up marijuana. It can manifest itself in two ways: synergy or potentiation. In the first case, this leads to new effects, in the second case, it enhances the degree of manifestation of already identified properties. For example, the combined use of cannabidiol and THC increases the clearance of the latter, which increases its concentration in the blood, and thereby enhances the specific properties of tetrahydrocannabinol.

But it is the entourage effect that can veil the desired effect of cannabidiol on the body.

Choice of CBD product

If the consumer of cannabidiol does not have practical experience and qualia, then the only way to figure it out is by testing. The fact is that even the effects of a single CBD-containing drug vary depending on the variant of its use.

In addition, it is extremely difficult for CBD to overdose. It is believed that for cannabidiol poisoning, an adult weighing 80 kg should take 33 tablespoons of CBD Isolate. At the same time, a powerful therapeutic effect is felt after taking 50 mg.

This is not to say that pure CBD should be consumed by the spoonful, just that this information will help you experiment more boldly with CBD-containing products.