CBD Oil is a great product for treating all sorts of ailments and issues. Anyone who has taken an objective look into how CBD oil works will tell you that there is obvious medical benefits without the recreational side effects associated with THC, the psychoactive sister to CBD. We wanted to break down CBD oil and define exactly what does CBD oil do.
How is CBD Different than THC?
While both CBD and THC come from the same plant and have a wide range of medicinal uses, CBD and THC are two very different components of the cannabis plant. CBD is extracted from the hemp (stalk) portion of the cannabis plant, which THC comes from the flower. Trace amounts of THC can be found in hemp, but not enough to provide any psychoactive effects that the flower might produce.
THC has a tendency to bind to receptors in the brain, whereas CBD does not. Both THC and CBD bind to receptors in the body, however. At a molecular level, CBD and THC are identical with the exception of a single hydrogen atom.
How is CBD Oil Made?
There are a few methods for making CBD oil. CBD oil comes from hemp, and the two most common way to extract CBD oil from hemp are ethanol and CO2 extraction.
Ethanol Extraction vs CO2 Extraction
Ethanol extraction was the first way we were able to product CBD oil, and it involves soaking the hemp plant in alcohol. The mixture is then heated, and the solvent is evaporated and only the CBD oil remains. CO2 extraction is different in that it is much more complex. Through a series of chambers, CO2 is forced through the hemp plant. Within each chamber, varying pressure and temperatures separate the unique cannabinoids.Those cannabinoids can then be added to oils and products.
CBD Full Spectrum vs CBD Isolate
When deciding between brands of CBD oil, you might come across two formulas of CBD: CBD full spectrum vs CBD isolate. CBD full spectrum products contain all the cannabinoids from the plant, including trace amounts of THC, as well as other important compounds like cannabinol and Cannabicyclol. CBD isolate is purely isolated CBD oil from the hemp plant.
When deciding which product is right for you, it’s important to understand that CBD is most effective when combined with the full spectrum of cannabinoids, making CBD full spectrum the preferred choice.
Health Benefits of CBD Oil?
Whether from oil or cream, vapor or gummy, CBD oil has a wide range of health benefits. One of the most important factors when asking “what does CBD oil do” is understanding that you can find tremendous relief from just a small amount of CBD oil. CBD oil relieves pain, has anti-seizure properties, fights anxiety and sleeplessness, reduces the risk of diabetes, and some studies have even shown that it has cancer fighting properties.
The effects of CBD oil only take a short amount of time to begin taking effect, with patients reporting relief from their symptoms in a matter of days after beginning to take CBD oil. With no risk of interfering with any other medications, CBD oil is a great choice to add as a daily supplement, but it is advised to always consult a doctor before beginning use.
