These days, with the growing popularity of hemp derived products, there is an abundance of information about CBD. Consumers are hearing about the possible healing benefits of cannabidiol (CBD), but many are confused and find it hard to discern which sources of information to trust.

There is a diverse array of cannabinoids on the market including CBD, CBG, CBN and many others. And you probably wonder what the differences between them are. You may have heard of terms like “Isolate” or “Full Spectrum” or are unsure of whether topical or ingestible products suit you best. In this article, we have you covered. We will delve into the top five things to know when choosing a plant-based CBD product.

1. What is the difference between Isolate, Broad Spectrum and Full Spectrum?

Understanding the difference between Isolate, Broad Spectrum and Full Spectrum CBD is the key to getting the most out of your CBD journey and making a more educated decision on which products to choose for your daily routine

What is CBD Isolate?

CBD Isolate is the purest form of CBD available and has no additives. It is literally CBD that has been isolated from all other chemical compounds that exist in the hemp plant such as CBG, CBN, and THC. All these compounds including CBD occur naturally in the hemp plant, but through an extraction process, CBD can be extracted out of the plant and stand on its own. This form of CBD is suitable for people who want to stay away from trace amounts of THC or have sensitivities to the other compounds.

What is Broad Spectrum CBD?

Broad Spectrum CBD is similar to Isolate CBD but it contains all the other compounds in the hemp plant like CBG, CBN, terpenes, essential oils and flavonoids. Broad Spectrum CBD is favored by people who do not want any traces of THC in their system but do want to use a CBD product that contains all the other naturally occurring compounds. All of our ACTIVE RELEAF products are Broad Spectrum.

What is Full Spectrum CBD?

Full Spectrum CBD contains everything that is in the hemp plant and CBD is just one of over 80 cannabinoids that it contains. Nothing has been removed or isolated. This means they contain the entire spectrum of active compounds found in the hemp plant including THC, CBN, CBG and other beneficial compounds such as terpenes and flavonoids (antioxidants). These compounds work together in perfect synergy to maximize the positive effects. In other words, taking all the compounds together instead of isolating a single chemical will yield the best results.

2. What are the benefits of specific compounds such as CBG, CBN and CBD?

There are so many different cannabinoids on the market currently such as CBD, CBG, CBN, and the list goes on. These cannabinoids have similar names but they promote different health benefits and therefore, it is helpful to understand more about their functions. CBD, or cannabidiol, is one of the most well-known cannabinoids found in the hemp plant so we will start with CBD first.

CBD

Cannabidiol, known as CBD, comes from the leaves of the hemp plant and is popular for promoting all the benefits of hemp without the “high”. It is imperative to note that although hemp and marijuana are close relatives, they are NOT the same. Hemp contains no more than .03% of THC, which is the compound that is found in higher concentrations of marijuana. Hemp has higher levels of CBD, a non-psychoactive compound known for helping human bodies maintain health and overall wellness. Some of the main benefits that our users experience are a sense of calm and focus; relief from everyday stresses; help to recover from exercise-induced inflammation; and support for healthy sleep cycles*.

CBG

CBG, known as cannabigerol, is acknowledged as a minor cannabinoid but it is important since it acts as a building block for other cannabinoids such as CBD, CBN, and CBC. The levels of CBG present in the hemp plant is usually less than 1% so it is very difficult to produce. Similar to CBD, it is non-psychoactive which means you will not become “high” from it. CBG will give you the same experience as CBD.

CBN

Another minor cannabinoid is Cannabinol, known as CBN. Just like CBD and CBG, CBN is non-intoxicating so it will not make you “high”. While CBG is derived from young hemp plants, CBN is produced from older hemp plants and therefore, the more mature the hemp plant, the higher the amount of CBN produced. CBN has a tendency to create a sedative effect for its users and produces a similar experience to CBD.

3. Should I use topical or ingestible products?

If you are new to CBD, you might not know where to start. You have several options on how to take your CBD and it is really dependent upon your personal preferences. Here are the most popular ways to take CBD.

CBD Tinctures

Our Wellness Tincture is our fastest-acting internal remedy. It also happens to be one of our most popular products because they are so versatile and user friendly. The two ways to take our tincture include sublingual, which is to let the drops sit under your tongue for about 20 – 30 seconds or through ingesting it by adding it into a drink or food.

CBD Capsules

Our Wellness Capsules are great for those on the go or looking for an exact measurement of hemp extract with CBD in each serving. For many, 10-20 mg of CBD per day seems to be the amount to see optimal results. It is important to remember that for any dietary supplement to work properly, it must be taken regularly. If days or servings are missed, it can adversely affect the progress you made.

CBD Topicals

A CBD Topical is any form of CBD that goes on your skin’s surface and it can be in lotion. balm, or other types of creams. A true benefit of topicals is that they are very portable and you can target specific parts of your body with CBD. Our Relief Stick or Releaf Balm provides a cooling and relaxing experience. It is an easy and effective way to relieve inflammatory joint pain and muscle soreness.

4. How do I know that I am getting a high quality product?

We have a dedicated quality assurance person on our team who attentively oversees the development and production process to bring you only the highest quality, best performing plant-based products.

5. What type of production site is used in the production process?

From seeds and soil to the meticulous farming methods involved in harvesting the hemp plants, stringent standards must be maintained at the production sites in order to produce the highest quality products. We oversee and check the process every step of the way to ensure that our production site is impeccably clean and organized. Our staff wear sanitized jackets and hats each time they enter the production site and we undertake regular inspections of the site.

Knowing what to look for before you start your journey is the key to getting the most out of each and every encounter you have with CBD oil. Now that you are knowledgeable about the most important five factors when choosing your CBD product, you are on the right track to CBD success. To find out more about our products, visit our product page and FAQ.