CBD has become the topic of many discussions in recent times. Not only that, it has also become a trending product. Considering that this is an entirely new industry still in its infancy, there are limited sources where you can turn to for knowledge about CBD products. Here in this article, we’re going to explore what CBD is and all the different types of CBD products available on the market today – from oils and tinctures to topicals and vaporizers.
What is Cannabidiol (CBD)?
There’s a significant difference between using medical marijuana vs using hemp-derived CBD products. While they both come from cannabis plants, marijuana has high amounts of THC or tetrahydrocannabinol, which is responsible for making you high and has a high rate of abuse. On the other hand, CBD products sold in all 50 states and over 40 countries worldwide come from industrial hemp plants that hardly contain any THC (less than 0.3%) and thus don’t make one high even if ingested in large quantities.
What is CBD used for? Some people have been confused between marijuana’s psychoactive compound known as THC and non-psychoactive cannabidiol found in hemp extracts. In layman terms, THC causes the “high” feeling while CBD does not, hence its legal status compared to marijuana which remains illegal on a federal level even though some state laws have legalized it for recreational or medical purposes.
There are many proven benefits that CBD has shown in various scientific studies and is thus considered as a whole new category of cannabinoids. Scientists found that among the 100+ identified compounds found in cannabis, CBD has the following medical benefits:
Lowers stress and anxiety Neutralizes damage from free radicals Relieves pain Slows bacterial growth Controls muscle spasms Combats psychosis disorders Reduces inflammation Suppresses seizures Acts as a neuroprotectant
What is Hemp Oil?
Unlike most other plant-based oils like coconut oil, hemp seed oil does not contain cannabidiol (CBD) – the non-psychoactive cannabinoid compound that is present in marijuana and industrial hemp plants. Instead, it contains tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which causes the “high” feeling in marijuana, but not in hemp products.