CBD is a therapeutic cannabinoid present in marijuana. Medical marijuana strains contain very high CBD levels making these strains effective for medical conditions such as pain, stress, anxiety, depression, nausea and so many more. High CBD low THC strains are available as medical marijuana and to understand medical cannabis more, here are 10 CBD-related terms that you must know.
1. Cannabis
Cannabis is a term for a family of plants that may be indica (Cannabis indica) or Sativa (Cannabis sativa). The two types of plants are very much related but have different characteristics and features.
- Cannabis sativa
Sativa plants are also known as marijuana. This type of cannabis plant is tall, stately and has a Christmas tree-like appearance. Sativas have large leaves and the shape and appearance are the inspiration for the iconic marijuana leaf that symbolizes cannabis.
When it comes to effects, cannabis Sativa has stimulating effects. You’ll feel energetic, uplifted and generally happy after taking Sativa strains.
- Cannabis indica
Indica plants are a type of cannabis with a smaller structure and grow bushier compared to Sativa plants. The leaves and stems of this plant are smaller. When it comes to effects, cannabis indica has a relaxing, sleepy effect.
2. Marijuana
The term marijuana is used interchangeably with the words cannabis and weed but actually, this has a different meaning.
Marijuana has a level of THC. Cannabis indica and Sativa plants are mostly the top choices of consumers looking for a euphoric effect. Indica and Sativa strains are widely used for the treatment of a variety of conditions including pain, depression, stress, migraines, arthritis and so many more.
3. Hemp
Also called industrial hemp. These are cannabis plants grown for their stalks and seeds. Compared to marijuana with high THC and high CBD levels, hemp has a very small amount of CBD with no THC. Oils harvested from hemp have no therapeutic properties and are only used as supplements. Hemp oil and products made from hemp are legal to use in the US and in almost all countries.
Hemp is non-intoxicating. The plant is used mainly for its seeds, fiber and a small amount of CBD. Hemp is available as full-spectrum hemp and broad-spectrum hemp.
4. Full-spectrum hemp or full-spectrum hemp oil
Is an oil made from hemp plants. This oil contains the full array of cannabis cannabinoids. This means that this oil has CBD, CBN, CBG and trace amounts of THC. Full-spectrum hemp also has other components including vitamins, minerals, proteins, fatty acids, terpenes, flavonoids, and chlorophyll.
5. Broad-spectrum hemp
This is a kind of hemp oil that does not contain THC. Broad-spectrum hemp comes with all the other components. Having no THC means that this hemp oil will never cause any psychoactive effect.
6. Isolate
An isolate is a term used for pure CBD (product contains 99% CBD). In creating isolates, marijuana is processed to remove THC, terpenes, flavonoids, waxes, chlorophyll, and oils. What’s left is a pure CBD product. There are many ways to create isolates but the most common process uses high tech equipment that’s able to filter even the smallest molecule and produce the purest CBD product. Isolates are mostly used to make different medical marijuana products.
7. Terpenes
Have you ever wondered why cannabis plants have distinct smells and aromas? The terpenes in weed are responsible for these different smells. There is a specific terpene for a particular smell like citrus, pine, fruit, berry, wood, lavender, diesel, and pepper to name a few.
The terpene content of weed also plays a role in deciding if a strain has a relaxing or stimulating effect. Some terpenes help in the therapeutic effects of cannabis too. There are terpenes that promote overall relaxation and the relief of anxiety and stress while some terpenes can boost creativity and energy.
8. Endocannabinoid system (cannabinoid, endocannabinoid)
The endocannabinoid system is a part of the body’s biological system that helps stabilize and balance affected systems. It automatically helps keep the body in homeostasis; normalizes the body when it is too hot, too cold, with too much sugar in the bloodstream or very little sugar in the blood.
Meanwhile, endocannabinoids may refer to any kind of chemical compound that is naturally secreted by the body and binds to the same receptors where cannabinoids bind.
Cannabinoids are natural, chemical or bioactive compounds that are found in n cannabis plants including marijuana and hemp. Cannabinoids may also refer to the natural chemicals produced by the body which are similar to those in plants.
9. CBD (Cannabidiol)
CBD is the most plentiful cannabinoid compound in Cannabis sativa plants. CBD is non-psychoactive therefore using CBD-potent plants will never cause psychoactive effects.
When determining the amount of CBD in marijuana plants, you must consider third-party measuring services. Reports regarding the CBD content of strains may be provided by the grower however most don’t and will only be available when you ask.
The counterpart of CBD is THC and usually, the two try to balance each other out.
10. THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol)
THC is the psychoactive component in cannabis. THC is higher in cannabis indica plants.
It is possible to get weed that has higher THC and very little CBD and vice versa. THC is banned in most countries where marijuana use is illegal.
Different forms of CBD
The many terms related to CBD can be quite overwhelming, right? There are many more terms concerning CBD with the most about the different forms of the compound.
When you take into consideration the mode of consumption, flavors and the preference of the consumer, CBD products will fall into different categories:
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CBD oils
Standard CBD oils are the most common way to dose up CBD. The oil is inside a colored bottle with a medicine dropper. The dropper helps you accurately dose up on CBD.
The most common way to dose up is to place the oil under the tongue. The many small capillaries found below the tongue will absorb the compound faster compared to the oil passing through the stomach and intestine. CBD is absorbed and then delivered to the bloodstream. Very little CBD is lost.
CBD oils are used in the treatment of stress, depression, and anxiety. Oils are also beneficial in the fast relief of headaches, inflammation, migraine, seizures and chronic pains. CBD oils are very effective but the taste may not be as tasty.
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CBD vapes
CBD vapes are potent and just like the name suggests, this product is vaporized or vaped using a vape pen or tool. CBD vapes are quite similar to oils but with a finer consistency and have better flavors.
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CBD creams
Creams and lotions made of CBD are applied directly on the skin to relieve pain and inflammation. These products have become a better option in people who don’t want to consume cannabis orally to control pain as well as skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema. You can find creams and lotions containing varying amounts of CBD and usually have additional ingredients to enhance the smell and effects.
Aside from CBD oils, other natural ingredients may also be present in creams and lotions like Aloe Vera and other natural oils.
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CBD capsules and pills
CBD oils may be placed in capsules and pills so the consumer won’t be bothered by its taste. The problem with using CBD capsules and pills is that a part of the CBD may be lost as it needs to be absorbed by the stomach and intestinal lining. But otherwise, it is another popular way to ingest CBD oil without the need to smoke it.
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CBD edibles
CBD edibles are anything that’s ingested orally similar to food and are made from high CBD, low THC strains. Edibles like cookies, candies, pastries, lollipops, gummy bears and butter are among the very common kinds of CBD edibles.
Although consuming edibles is a good way to avoid smoking or vaping cannabis, there is a question as to how to dose up when it comes to using edibles. For instance, a pack of gummy candy has a total CBD amount of 250 grams with a package containing 20 candies. It is easy to compute how much CBD is in one gummy but can you be sure that each gummy is accurately dosed?
Getting too high is common with cannabis edibles as well. Most of the time, it’s hard to resist edibles! Consider resisting a bag of cheese-flavored cannabis chips or a bar of delicious weed chocolates.
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Miscellaneous CBD forms
These are CBD forms that do not belong to other categories such as beverages, teas, and sprays. Lately, a CBD suppository was introduced and this is a small capsule made of CBD oil introduced through the rectum.
Basically, the skin surrounding the rectum has a large network of capillaries that can absorb medication such as suppositories and deliver the compound to the cells.
Still, other miscellaneous forms of cannabis include crumbles, waxes, and dabs. These are substances that are burned using a dab ring as the smoke is inhaled. These waxes are very potent CBD and inhaling this can deliver the cannabinoid to the bloodstream really fast.
