Concentrated cannabidiol (CBD) is growing in popularity, with new CBD companies springing up regularly in the United States. But what is it exactly, and why has it gained so much interest over the past few years?
Learn everything you need to know about concentrated cannabidiol, including its potential uses, effects & benefits and where to buy CBD concentrate products that comply with the FDA rules and regulations.
What does CBD stand for?
The letters CBD form the abbreviation of the word cannabidiol.
Cannabidiol is one of the numerous chemical compounds (cannabinoids) found in hemp and marijuana, two subspecies of the Cannabis sativa plant.
Those cannabinoids, including CBD, interact with our bodies’ endocannabinoid system (ECS), which is dispersed throughout multiple regions of our brains.
The ECS is involved in the regulation of various functions such as sleep, appetite, pain and immune system response.
Research suggests that the interaction between CBD and the ECS could potentially benefit multiple physical and mental health conditions.
However, more scientific evidence is needed to support the use of concentrated cannabidiol for such purposes.
What does CBD look like?
People looking for CBD products typically encounter the following three most common presentations:
CBD Oil
CBD oil is the compound’s most common form sold by U.S. manufacturers.
When comparing the different CBD oil products available on the market, consumers find various bottle sizes and potency options.
Several factors such as the chosen carrier oil, extraction method and additional ingredients also impact the products’ color, ranging from golden green to black.
In order to meet high-quality standards in the U.S., a CBD oil product must:
- Be third-party tested by an ISO/IEC 17025-compliant lab;
- Be made with organic locally-grown hemp.
To ensure you purchase from one of the best CBD oil brands and that the product meets all regulations and quality standards, expect access to the lab results of their products on their official websites.
CBD Gummies
CBD gummies are gaining interest for their taste, discretion and portability.
CBD products sold in a chewable gummy form come in various shapes, sizes, flavors and potency options to suit consumer preferences and reduce the impression of ingesting a medicine.
However, their edible form makes the absorption of CBD by the human body slower compared to CBD oil taken sublingually since CBD gummies are absorbed through the digestive system.
CBD gummies also offer different dosage options ranging from 5mg to 100mg per piece.
CBD Flower
Some people prefer to smoke CBD hemp flower, which contains higher concentrations of cannabidiol than other varieties of cannabis, including marijuana’s THC-rich flower.
CBD flowers are classified as hemp under the 2018 US Farm Bill and contain less than 0.3% THC, meaning they are federally legal.
This form of CBD is appreciated by those who enjoy the ritual of smoking and smokers looking to stop smoking nicotine cigarettes. CBD could help reduce cravings for tobacco under certain medical conditions.
Does CBD get you high?
Contrary to THC, CBD doesn’t cause any intoxicating effect.
In other words: you don’t get high on CBD.
As we mentioned before, cannabidiol is one of over 113 natural compounds found in cannabis plant species.
Among them, THC is the most important cannabinoid, responsible for marijuana’s well-known psychotropic effects aggregated under the expression: “feeling high”.
Let’s have a look at what differentiates THC and CBD.
THC vs. CBD
Besides the fact that CBD is federally legal, unlike THC, both compounds interact differently with your endocannabinoid system.
Experts study the potential benefits of the THC cannabinoid on numerous medical conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, Crohn’s disease, HIV/AIDS and multiple sclerosis.
In parallel, research suggests that CBD can potentially help patients dealing with pain, nausea, anxiety, sleep & eating disorders and other symptoms linked to physical or mental conditions, such as cancer symptoms or the effects of cancer treatment.
When comparing the different CBD concentrate products available, we find what we call broad-spectrum CBD, full-spectrum CBD and CBD isolate (pure CBD).
- Broad-spectrum CBD contains the vast majority of the multiple compounds found in the cannabis plant, except for one key cannabinoid: THC.
- Full-spectrum CBD contains a slight amount of THC (less than 0.3% according to the FDA rules and regulations).
One could choose to turn to broad-spectrum or pure CBD (isolate) because of their absence of THC.
However, experts suggest that combining CBD with cannabis’ other compounds, including a very low presence of THC, could maximize the potential benefits of CBD while curbing the unwanted psychotropic effects. This synergy between cannabinoids is what we call the entourage effect.
For this reason, full-spectrum CBD oil products may be a better choice than broad-spectrum CBD and isolate if you’re looking to maximize the potential therapeutic effects.
How long does CBD stay in your system?
Several factors may influence the effectiveness and persistence of CBD from one person to another, as each body is different.
Typically, CBD will remain in your system for 2 to 5 days, depending on your dosage/form and frequency of use.
How long do the effects of CBD last?
It also depends on your body, the potency & type of CBD you are using, and your dosage.
The effects of CBD concentrates generally last from 2 to 6 hours.
Can I use CBD for anxiety?
American consumers have reported using CBD for anxiety, stress and depression.
Clinical trials and studies are ongoing to analyze if CBD can reduce anxiety.
Can I use CBD for sleep?
Studies suggest that CBD concentrates can help people with sleep disorders, including insomnia, narcolepsy and RBD.
There are numerous CBD oil reviews where consumers report using CBD for sleep (falling asleep and staying asleep).
Can I use CBD for pain?
More scientific evidence is needed to confirm the potential benefits of CBD concentrates on chronic, inflammatory and neuropathic pain.
However, consumers have reported using CBD for pain relief related to arthritis and osteoporosis.
Where to buy CBD concentrate
If you’re looking to buy concentrated cannabidiol in the United States, whether in the form of CBD oil or CBD gummies, you’ll notice quality, safety and transparency levels vary considerably.
A growing number of companies offer CBD concentrate products on the web and comparison can be overwhelming.
For this reason, we invite you to explore the following articles where we listed some of the best CBD concentrates based on significant indicators:
- Third-party tested by an ISO/IEC 17025-compliant lab
- Made with organic US-grown hemp
- Contains no more than 0.3 percent THC
Full-spectrum CBD Oil
CBD Oil for Anxiety
CBD Gummies for Anxiety
CBD Oil for Pain
CBD for Sleep
CBD for Dogs
CBDistillery Review
CBDfx Review
Koi CBD Review
Talk with a medical professional before taking concentrated cannabidiol or cannabis, especially if you take any medications or supplements.
