What is CBD Oil?
CBD refers to cannabidiol. It’s one of the many cannabinoids obtained from the hemp plant. In simpler terms, it is an oil extracted from the hemp plant. You could also call it a natural compound derived from the hemp plant. In total, the hemp plant contains over 100 different types of cannabinoids.
The hemp plant has many industrial applications. It is farmed for its fibers which are used in construction, textile, and other industries. However, in recent times the plant is increasingly being farmed for the production of CBD oil. In most cases, the Sativa variety of the Cannabis plant is what is used, and not the Indica which is high in THC (the compound responsible for getting one high).
Note: CBD oil is different from cannabis oil. Cannabis oil is derived from marijuana and contains very high levels of THC. So while CBD oil has virtually negligible levels of THC and cannot get you high, cannabis oil has high levels of THC and can get you high.
What does CBD Oil stand for?
CBD does not stand for anything else apart from cannabidiol. The letters CBD should not be mistaken for some elaborate acronym. And cannabidiol, as mentioned earlier, is simply and oil extract derived from the hemp plant.
Now what is CBD oil by default should refer to the natural oil extracted from the hemp leaves and flowers. However, in some cases, CBD oil can also be used to refer to oil that has been infused with CBD extract, and the extract here could be in different stages of purification and of various concentrations.
What does CBD oil do?
CBD oil is a product in the midst of discovery and exploration. There is information to show that it has been used in the past in ancient Rome, China, Europe, and other parts of Asia. At the moment, CBD oil is undergoing a renaissance of sorts and is enjoying a lot of recognition. And without a doubt, CBD oil is going to have a bright future in the coming years. All this is to say that there is a lot of research going on regarding CBD oil. There is a lot that we still don’t know about its benefits and applications.
Wondering what are the benefits of CBD oil?
At present CBD oil has been shown to have various medical applications that include relieving pain, uplifting one’s mood, helping with sleep, improving appetite, as well as helping with various medical conditions such as arthritis, cancer, seizures, multiple sclerosis, anxiety, and more.
CBD oil also contains other compounds such as other cannabinoids, terpenes, vitamins, THC, and oils which all have various medical benefits. When used together, these compounds can help with various medical conditions as well as general wellness. Different people are drawn to CBD oil due to different needs.
Note: Please consult a medical professional if you intend to use CBD oil for medical use. They are best-placed to offer you precise medical advice on whether the use of CBD oil can help, as well as whether it’s safe to use together with other medicines, or if pregnant.
How does CBD oil work?
Scientists and researchers are still trying to understand CBD (oil) better considering it’s just now being looked into deeply.
That said, at present CBD oil is known to affect various receptors and endocannabinoids in the human body. When this happens, CBD affects the manner in which neurotransmitters in the body can perceive various things such as mood, pain, and other states of being.
How is CBD oil made?
The production of CBD oil starts with the cultivation of the hemp plants. Once mature, the flowers and leaves of these plants are harvested. From here the extraction process begins. Different manufacturers go about the extraction process in different ways. They use different extraction machines, different processes, and different compounds to bring out the CBD oil.
Once extracted, the raw CBD oil is then refined to different stages for different markets. Plant-based oils, fats, and chlorophyll are removed to remain with full-spectrum CBD oil. Full-spectrum CBD oil can be further refined to remove traces of THC. What remains from this process is broad-spectrum CBD that still contains terpenes and other cannabinoids. From here the extract can be further refined to remove the terpenes and cannabinoids. What remains is CBD isolate.
The CBD oil, at different stages of refinery, can then be mixed with other products for various markets. It can be manufactured into vape oil, edibles, capsules, tinctures, and various topical products such as balms and creams.
What is the difference between CBD oil and Hemp oil?
CBD oil is derived from the Hemp plant. In a way, all CBD oil is hemp oil. After all, all forms of CBD oil start out as raw hemp oil extract. However, as explained above, the raw hemp oil undergoes various stages of refinery in order to end up with CBD oil in its various forms. That is, full-spectrum CBD oil, broad-spectrum CBD oil, pure CBD isolate, and CBD-infused oils.
So while Hemp oil is a raw extract that still contains various plant oils, plant vitamins, acids, terpenes, cannabinoids, THC, and other compounds, CBD oil is a more purified form of hemp oil that is already refined for human use.
Where to buy CBD oil?
Since the legalization of CBD oil in the UK, you can buy it all across the country in cities such as London, Birmingham, Leeds, and Glasgow. You do, however, need a prescription. There are local stores that you can walk into and buy CBD oil and there are online stores where you can order your preferred CBD oil straight from the comfort of your home.
All such stores are licensed by the government and the CBD oil must be tested and approved under the existing laws governing the sale and production of CBD oil. In particular, the CBD oil must be manufactured in a manner that is safe for human consumption and the THC levels must be within the set limits (0.2%).
I prefer to buy from companies that give back to the community, and while most CBD companies keep all their profits, some CBD companies donate to multiple charitable causes. While this doesn’t necessarily mean that their product is better than any other, the time that they take to give back makes me feel like these companies are genuine in their intent for good, clean, high quality products and services.