As consumers seek more natural products to add to their wellness routines, CBD oil is becoming a hot topic for beauty brands, pet food companies, and even coffee shops. Celebrities and athletes swear by it, and your friends probably won’t stop talking about it. If you’ve been seeing references to CBD everywhere and you’re feeling a bit left out of the conversation, you’ve come to the right place!
Below, we answer your most pressing questions about what CBD is, how it is different from marijuana, if it’s legal, and how you can ingest it. Once you see how many options there are to explore, you’ll want to jump on this growing trend and take advantage of the many benefits too!
What is CBD?
CBD stands for cannabidiol, a naturally occurring compound extracted from cannabis plants. It is the second most prevalent of the active ingredients of cannabis (marijuana) after THC. It is derived directly from the hemp plant which is the cousin of the marijuana plant.
If your head is spinning with all the technical terms, don’t worry! We’ll explain THC and the difference between marijuana and hemp plants so you understand all of the basics. We promise that you’ll be speaking the language in no time.
Types of CBD
There are many different types of CBD extracts including:
- Full-spectrum CBD
- Broad-spectrum CBD
- CBD isolate
The difference between each extract depends on whether it contains all compounds (or cannabinoids) of the cannabis plant, some compounds, or CBD only.
CBD can be taken in capsules, tinctures, teas, gummies, vape oils, and even chocolates. It is also available in topicals such as body lotions, face creams, lip balms, and roll-on gels.
What's the Difference Between CBD, Hemp, and Marijuana?
As mentioned above, CBD is an extract from cannabis plants. Cannabis plants are often called hemp or marijuana plants and they are technically the same species just with different names. Legally speaking, the only difference between hemp plants and marijuana plants is the amount of THC (or tetrahydrocannabinol) they contain.
Can CBD Get Me High?
In order to understand why CBD cannot get you high or make you feel intoxicated, it is important to first know the difference between THC and CBD. While they both have an impact on receptors in our brain, THC activates the receptors while CBD has a more subtle effect. In other words, THC causes a euphoric effect or “high” while CBD does not. If the psychoactive effect of cannabis is what you’re after, CBD won’t be able to help you out in that department.
Depending on the type of CBD or CBD-infused products you are looking for, THC may be included though typically only in trace amounts. Be sure to ask for a Certificate of Analysis from the supplier if they don’t readily make it available so you know exactly what you’re getting.
Is CBD Oil Legal?
Each state in the US has different restrictions on CBD products, so you will want to check the regulations in your region for cannabis and cannabis-derived products.
At the federal level, cannabis with less than 0.03 percent of THC has been legal since 2018 under the Agricultural Farming Act. In fact, hemp is now considered an agricultural commodity, and full use of the plant is permitted by federal law.
CBD from hemp is also no longer considered a Controlled Substance by the United States Drug Enforcement Agency. Interestingly, pure CBD will not show up on a drug test, but if you are regularly screened for work or another purpose, be extra careful that your CBD products don’t include trace amounts of THC in the formulations to be on the safe side.
Different Ways to Ingest CBD Oil
How you choose to ingest CBD oil is a matter of preference and you will find no shortage of options. Below, we outline some popular ways to consume CBD oil and CBD-infused products. Once you try one product, you’ll want to try them all to see which you love the most!
Tinctures
Tinctures are the most common delivery system thanks to versatility and ease of use. Simply put a serving under your tongue, wait for 30 seconds, and then swallow. You can also add your favorite tincture to water, tea, smoothies or opt to spice up your morning coffee with this CBD cold-brew coffee or iced latte recipe.
Vape Liquid
Vaping is one of the most efficient ways to use CBD and offers the fastest route of absorption into the body. However, it's not the most beginner friendly method if you're unfamiliar with vaping in general. Check out our Beginner's Guide to vaping CBD to learn more.
Edibles
Edibles are also popular because they feel like you’re having a sweet treat without any guilt. CBD edibles come in the form of candies, chocolates, baked goods, and other fun foods. This method of delivery masks the taste of the oil because everything is mixed into the food product. CBD taken through edibles is absorbed through the digestive tract and can take longer to process than tinctures and oral sprays.
If you’re looking for a tasty CBD gummy to get your feet wet, you’ll love these full-spectrum CBD gummies. You can get a pack of 5 for less than $14 which is a great way to test them out at a minimal cost. If you love the taste and the feeling you get from them, you can easily order the full-size pack of 30 next time!
Topicals
Topicals are applied to the skin and come in the form of lotions, balms, creams, and gels. Many people like to apply their CBD topical directly on problem areas to target a particular concern, but you can still realize the benefits by using the moisturizing products as part of your regular routine. We’re obsessed with this Full-Spectrum CBD Body Cream with its smooth application, natural botanicals, and quality hemp extract.
Get Started with CBD Products
Now that you have a better understanding of what CBD is, how it differs from THC, what makes it legal, and the different ways you can ingest it, you can feel more comfortable exploring the many benefits of hemp for wellness.
At Hemplucid, we offer a variety of CBD oils and hemp-infused products. Browse our shop and feel free to reach out if you have any questions about using CBD or the formulations of our products. We’re always happy to help!
