If you’ve somehow never heard about CBD, then you’re probably not aware of the many benefits they bring us. The CBD industry is huge. CBD products are many and can help alleviate all kinds of ailments and diseases. But what exactly is CBD and what’s all the fuss around it?

In this article, we will talk about that and give you an understanding of how to use CBD. So with all that said, let’s jump straight in.

What Exactly Is CBD?

CBD is short for cannabidiol and it is a compound of the hemp plant. Throughout the years, we’ve perfected the methods of how to extract CBD from this plant and turn it into products. But CBD is only one compound of hemp. Another notable compound includes THC. Unlike marijuana, where THC is found in greater abundance, hemp contains a lot less THC.

Also unlike THC, CBD is non-psychoactive. This means that CBD cannot get you high. Cannabidiol does affect us in similar ways but in no intoxicating ways. This makes CBD safe and legal in most of the US and Canada.

What Are the Benefits Of Using CBD?

If you know anything about CBD, then you probably know that it can be quite beneficial. CBD is actually very beneficial for both humans and pets. We use CBD to help alleviate stress, anxiety, and depression, use it to sleep better, treat pain and inflammation, eliminate acne and various other skin conditions, use it as an effective way to reduce seizures and epilepsy, and more.

While this is a general rundown of the benefits, do know that we are still doing research on the many claims. Fortunately, there is some proof that CBD does indeed do the things we just mentioned.

Different Types Of CBD

Beginners might not know this, but there are three different types of CBD. Those are full spectrum, broad spectrum, and CBD isolate. All three are different in many ways, including the way they’re made and the way we extract the CBD from hemp.

In the case of full spectrum CBD, it undergoes the least amount of extraction as it includes all the compounds of the hemp plant. This also includes THC, although the THC content in full spectrum CBD cannot surpass 0.3%. This is enough to make CBD legal but not enough to get you high. Instead, full spectrum includes THC so that users can experience the “entourage effect”.

Broad spectrum is very similar to full spectrum CBD. The only notable difference is that broad spectrum doesn’t contain THC, but contains every remaining active compound of hemp. This is a huge selling point to broad spectrum and the reason why some prefer it.

And the last type is CBD isolate. CBD isolate is the purest form of CBD. You will regularly see labels claiming CBD isolate to be 99% pure cannabidiol. During the making of this type, the hemp plant goes through plenty of extraction processes that eliminate all the compounds of the plant and leave only cannabidiol. The end results in CBD in powdery or crystalline form. You can then use the powder or crystals and add them into beverages, foods, and even make your own CBD products.

How To Use CBD? Different Consumption Methods

By using full spectrum, broad spectrum, and CBD isolate, we make all kinds of products. These differ in almost everything, including the method of consumption.

Most CBD is extracted into oil, powder, or crystals. Then we add the oil, powder, or crystals into gummies, tinctures, capsules, pills, vape juices, etc. So many CBD products exist that you’ll quickly get lost while searching for the best one.

One product that we’d like to highlight is CBD cigarettes. The whole point of CBD is to help you experience its benefits, while also providing users with a convenient method of consumption. CBD cigarettes offer users a familiar consumption method as they resemble tobacco cigarettes. However, they are nothing like tobacco cigarettes. They might look similar and come in a similar pack, but they contain no nicotine.

CBD cigarettes are meant to be inhaled, and that provides users with a much more effective and fast-acting consumption method. Since the smoke goes to the lungs and into the bloodstream, the bloodstream quickly distributes it throughout our body including the brain area. This means you’ll experience the effects and benefits of CBD much faster and much longer.

Similar products with a similar consumption method include CBD vapes and buds. 

Other consumption methods include sublingually taking CBD, topically applying it on our skin, consuming it in the form of gummies and edibles, and more. The huge variety means you’ll have no trouble finding a product that fits your needs.

What Should You Look For When Buying CBD Products?

The CBD market is so huge that it can make it difficult to know how to buy the right product. Luckily for you, there are plenty of ways to make sure you’re buying quality.

One of the easiest ways to do that is to ask for third-party lab results whenever buying CBD products. CBD dispensaries and stores must provide their customers with a lab report of the purity of the CBD used in the making of the products. The results for each product tell us what quality the CBD is. Furthermore, each product comes with a label that includes the ingredients of the product. You can do an independent Google search if you’re unfamiliar with certain ingredients to make sure you’re buying organic.

Even if you’re not sure after all that, do know that certain standards exist. Both the US and Canada have laws in place that make sure CBD farmers provide dispensaries with the highest-quality CBD possible.