When hemp flower was completely legalized in 2018, many new, innovative products began to flood the market– so many that it can be challenging to make sense of them all! Today, we’re going to talk about some of the types of CBD products you might come across, what they are, how they are used, and what they could do for your life.
How Cannabinoids Work
You might think that CBD products are all the same, but every product interacts differently with your endocannabinoid system. Two types of cannabinoid receptors exist: CB1 and CB2. CB1 receptors are found in the nervous system and brain, while CB2 receptors are located in the immune system and other areas of the body.
How the different compounds bind to different receptors helps to determine the potential benefits you can get from each type of cannabinoid. Areas of the body with both CB1 and CB2 receptors, like the pancreas, will respond to different types of products depending on which receptor is activated. When choosing a product, you need to know what each type of cannabinoid does and how it can help to ensure you make the right selection.
Broad-Spectrum CBD
Broad-spectrum CBD contains all naturally occurring compounds found in the cannabis plant minus THC. To legally be recognized as CBD, CBD products must contain less than 0.3% THC, which is the cannabinoid responsible for creating the “high” associated with marijuana. Full-spectrum CBD contains all naturally occurring compounds including up to 0.3% THC, but broad-spectrum CBD has had all remnants of THC removed.
Users choose broad-spectrum CBD over CBD isolate (CBD which contains no other cannabinoids or organic compounds) for the entourage effect, which describes what occurs when multiple cannabinoids interact. Broad-spectrum CBD gives you the benefits of whole-plant health, even if you want/have to avoid THC and can’t use full-spectrum CBD.
Notable for its sedating effects, broad-spectrum CBD has even been studied for its potential for pancreatic health, since the pancreas contains both CB1 and CB2 receptors. Relatedly, broad-spectrum CBD may have anti-cancer properties and could be used for the treatment of pancreatic cancer pending more research.
Broad-spectrum CBD has also shown promising results in studies looking at its efficacy for mental health. In 2019, a study found that out of 11 patients with PTSD, 91% experienced reduced symptoms after taking CBD. Another study that same year treated people struggling with anxiety and sleep with CBD. About 80% of people said that their anxiety improved, and almost 70% reported improved sleep in the first month! There is also strong evidence that suggests CBD could help with generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and PTSD.
When choosing a broad-spectrum CBD, as with any product, it’s important to choose one that has been lab-tested, like our Essential Tincture. Lab testing ensures that your product contains exactly what it says it does so you are able to get the best results possible.
CBG
Cannabigerol, or CBG, is a compound found in young hemp plants that bind to both types of cannabinoid receptors. CBG is sometimes called the “mother compound” because it can be used to synthesize other types of cannabinoids. Because CBG binds directly with both types of cannabinoid receptors, it has a more direct pathway to impacting our bodily functions than compounds like CBD that only react indirectly.
Some CBG benefits are that it is known to have anti-inflammatory properties and may help with conditions like inflammatory bowel disease and colitis. It is antibacterial and can help combat MRSA infections, and it can relieve eye pressure from glaucoma. It also enhances the function of a neurotransmitter that enhances pleasure and motivation, regulates appetite and sleep, and alleviates pain. The benefits of CBG seem to be endless.
CBN
CBN is produced when THC breaks down after exposure to heat and light. Like THC, it binds with the CB1 receptors, but at only about one-tenth of the strength. This means that it has many of the benefits of THC without the strong psychoactive effects.
CBN is often used in topical applications for pain relief, and like many other cannabinoids, it offers users the benefits of the entourage effect. Specifically, the combination of CBN and CBD together can offer users myofascial and arthritic pain relief. CBN oil on its own can be used to help regulate sleep, act as an anticonvulsant, and stimulate the appetite. CBN is also known to have neuroprotective effects and has delayed the onset of ALS symptoms in mouse trials.
Delta-8
Delta 8 is one of the newest, hottest hemp-based wellness products on the market today. While rather new to the American market, Delta-8 has been popular for years in the rest of the world. Unlike many other new CBD products, Delta-8 is THC- sort of. Delta-8 is very similar to THC, but unlike THC, delta-8 is found in other species of hemp. It binds to CB1 receptors, but not as strongly as THC does, so its psychoactive effects are less potent.
Major benefits of Delta-8 include:
- Increasing acetylcholine production, a neurotransmitter that is responsible for cognition, neuroplasticity, arousal, and memory
- Antiemetic and helps control nausea
- May stimulate the appetite– combined with its anti-nausea properties, this makes delta-8 a popular supplement for chemotherapy patients, and it’s even safe enough to use in pediatric oncology
- Promotes homeostasis, or chemical balance throughout the body, which means that it can help relieve pain, particularly neuropathic or inflammatory pain
- Because Delta-8 binds with CB1 receptors in the brain, it can have a soothing, anti-anxiety effect. Many users say that it’s energizing and less intense than regular THC
RSO
RSO oil is short for Rick Simpson Oil, named for the Canadian cannabis activist and this oil’s original formulator. Unlike many CBD products, RSO does contain THC– the psychoactive compound present in the hemp plant. There is evidence that cannabis oils containing THC can help control nausea and vomiting for people going through chemotherapy, and certain types of cancerous tumors may be reduced by a combination of CBD and THC oil. However, much of this evidence is anecdotal, though RSO does contain compounds that are known to have positive effects like THC, CBD, and other cannabinoids.
The Future Of CBD
When choosing CBD products, remember that in the United States CBD has only been federally legal since 2018. That means that there is a backlog of new products that are being tested and released, and new research is coming out weekly regarding how these vital compounds could affect our health. Whether you are looking for pain relief, a sleep regulator, an appetite stimulant, or just something to help you relax, it’s likely that there’s a CBD product out there for you!