Are you looking to take advantage of the many potential benefits CBD can offer, but you are unsure of where to start? Let’s explore the different types of CBD and what could be best for you.

The cannabidiol (CBD) market could reach $13.4 billion by 2028, and for good reason. More and more people are turning to CBD products for their anti-inflammatory, stress-alleviating, and pain-relieving properties. But not all CBD products are made equal. What are the different types of CBD? How is CBD best consumed? What should you be aware of before trying just any CBD product you see?

Keep reading to learn everything you need to know! In this guide, we’ll review the different CBD forms, products, and carriers available. Then, you can make an informed decision before purchasing CBD for the first time. Discover everything you need to know with this comprehensive, in-depth guide into the various CBD options on the market today!

What is CBD?

Hemp and the cannabis sativa are some of the longest cultivated plants in the earth’s history. The cannabis plant contains over 104 different cannabinoids, or natural chemical compounds. Other compounds found in cannabis include:

  • Terpenoids
  • Flavonoids
  • Nitrogenous compounds
  • Common plant molecules

These cannabinoids include tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD), and delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta-8-THC). While THC and Delta-8-THC have psychoactive properties, CBD (cannabidiol) does not, so you won’t get the “high” feeling often associated with THC. You can find more differences between CBD vs Delta-8 here. These compounds all interact directly with human body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS) in a variety of ways. The ECS is made up of endocannabinoids, receptors, and enzymes. Cannabinoids interact with ECS by signaling and blocking receptors that are responsible for transmitting messages to and from the brain.

Endocannabinoids are also known as indigenous cannabinoids as they are found throughout the body. Cannabinoids found in plants, however, are known as phyto-cannabinoids. Endocannabinoids are naturally produced by the body to make sure various functions run smoothly, in other words to help maintain homeostasis. Your ECS is largely responsible for regulating functions such as:

  • Sleep
  • Pain and inflammation
  • Metabolism
  • Mood
  • Appetite and digestion
  • Memory and learning
  • Reproductive system function
  • Immune responses
  • Stress
  • Liver function
  • Skin and nerve function
  • Motor control
  • Cardiovascular system function
  • Muscle formation
  • Bone remodeling and growth

Your body produces endocannabinoids naturally when an internal or external factor causes your body to move out of homeostasis. Homeostasis is a state of complete balance. Endocannabinoids help you maintain this balance. For example, if you’re injured by an outside force, your ECS will kick in to help your body return to homeostasis.

Endocannabinoids bind to receptors to signal the ECS to promote specific actions or reactions. There are two main endocannabinoid receptors, the CB1 and CB2. These receptors are located throughout the central and peripheral nervous systems.

Phyto-cannabinoids, like CBD and THC, can interact and influence the ECS in a number of ways. For example, THC can bind to your CB1 and CB2 receptors. This interaction could get you high or cause nausea. CBD, on the other hand, doesn’t bind to these receptors the same way THC does. Instead, CBD keeps the body from breaking down endocannabinoids. This allows CBD to provide possible health benefits like pain or nausea relief.

Enzymes break down endocannabinoids once they’re no longer needed. This ensures the endocannabinoids don’t do more than they’re instructed to.

Types of CBD:

CBD Concentrates

As you explore the different types of CBD, you’ll come across different forms and concentrations.

For example, CBD concentrates are extracts containing high concentrations of CBD. Concentrates are often available as:

  • CBD oil (extract)
  • Shatter
  • Distillate
  • Crystals
  • Isolate
  • Crumble
  • Wax

Make sure to look at the potency for each of these products. When using concentrates with a high milligram amount of CBD per dose, make sure to take a smaller dose to start. While all CBD extracts are concentrates, not all concentrates are extracts.

Raw CBD Oil

You might consider looking into types of CBD that are labeled as raw CBD oil. These CBD products are created without using heat or solvents to extract the CBD. Instead, raw oil is usually made using CO2 extraction. CO2 extraction ensures most of the original plant remains intact throughout the entire process. The CBD product usually contains the plant’s full spectrum of cannabinoids as a result. In addition to cannabinoids, the CBD product will also contain pigments, terpenes, and flavonoids.

Full-spectrum products allow you to experience more benefits than an isolate, containing the “full-spectrum” of the plant.

PCR Hemp Oil

PCR hemp oil is sometimes also referred to as phyto-cannabinoid-rich or PCR CBD oil. These CBD products contain a large range of cannabinoids. Remember, phyto-cannabinoids are cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. PCR hemp oil is sometimes also called full-spectrum CBD, which often includes some THC from the whole plant being used and the CBD not being isolated.

Product Types

Before choosing a CBD product, consider if it’s an isolate, broad-spectrum, or full-spectrum product.

What’s the difference between these three CBD types? Each has a different chemical compound content. Isolates only contain CBD. Broad-spectrum CBD, on the other hand, contains all phyto-cannabinoids except THC. Full-spectrum products contain all of the available phyto-cannabinoids, including THC. You can learn a little more about each one before deciding which CBD types you prefer.

CBD Isolates

Also known as “true CBD,” CBD isolates only contain cannabidiol. They don’t contain any other healthy fatty acids, phyto-cannabinoids, or terpenes. Though they’re usually available as crystals or powders, you can also find isolate oils. A CBD isolate is made through the same process as other CBD oils but with an isolate, the CBD is filtered out. Then, it completes a process called winterization.

This chilling process ensures all other chemical compounds are removed from the CBD.

CBD isolate is often used for vaping. You can place the powder or crystal form under your tongue as well. Many people choose a CBD isolate when they want to avoid THC.

Without THC and other cannabinoids, however, you can’t experience the entourage effect.

The entourage effect occurs when you combine phyto-cannabinoids and terpenoids. These compounds interact with each other and the brain’s receptors. Though still a theory, the entourage effect indicates taking THC and CBD together is more effective than taking them alone.

Full-Spectrum CBD

Full-spectrum products are also referred to as full- or whole-plant extracts. Full-spectrum CBD products contain all phyto-cannabinoids, including THC. These products also contain the fatty acids, terpenes, and flavonoids that naturally occur in cannabis plants. If you choose a full-spectrum extract, the oil will complete the cannabinoid extraction filtration process. During this process, none of the compounds are removed. Though it contains THC, it’s not enough to get you high.

In fact, only products that contain 0.3% THC are legal for purchase according to the 2018 Farm Bill. Buying a full-spectrum CBD oil allows you to experience health benefits from the cannabis or hemp plant’s phyto-cannabinoids and chemical compounds. Full-spectrum CBD has the potential for greater medicinal properties than CBD isolates do. With a full-spectrum CBD product, you could experience the entourage effect.

Broad-Spectrum CBD

If you want a compromise between CBD isolate and full-spectrum CBD, consider broad-spectrum CBD. Like full-spectrum CBD, broad-spectrum contains other phyto-cannabinoids and chemical compounds. However, it doesn’t contain THC. You might experience a partial entourage effect with broad-spectrum CBD, even without the THC.

Popular CBD Products

Now that you know about the different types of CBD, you can learn how to take CBD. Here are a few different carriers that are available on the market. You can’t ingest CBD without a carrier agent. Different carriers include oils and tinctures. The only difference between an oil and tincture is the carrier. With a tincture, the carrier is liquid-based alcohol. With CBD oil, the carrier is an oil.

CBD Oils

CBD oil carriers include olive, MCT, hemp seed, and coconut oil to deliver the CBD to you. Most CBD oils on the market combine a carrier oil with CBD extract. Most CBD oils are made with a carrier oil that is high in healthy fats, making it easier to absorb by the body. CBD oils can also be consumed sublingually, orally, which can lead to rapid effects.

CBD Tinctures

Tinctures use alcohol as the carrier base instead. To create a tincture, you’ll need to steep cannabis within high-proof grain alcohol. Then, the solution remains on low heat. With time, the alcohol is burned away. The plant compounds infuse within the solution to make a tincture. Tinctures usually last longer than CBD oils. You can take CBD oil or tincture using a tongue dropper. Consider placing the CBD under your tongue. Otherwise, the oral mucosa’s capillaries will absorb the CBD compounds. Oils and tinctures are ideal if you don’t enjoy swallowing capsules.

Capsules and Pills

If you prefer, you can swallow a pill or capsule to ingest CBD instead. Unfortunately, capsules take time to ingest. You might not experience the benefits of CBD right away. The Food and Drug Administration approved Epidiolex, which is a CBD capsule. This high-potency CBD drug also contains THC, it is used to treat seizure disorders like epilepsy. Compare some high quality CBD capsules backed by lab test results here.

Creams and Lotions

You can also use lotions and creams as your carrier agent or form of application. There are many CBD-infused topicals available on the market. Topicals are ideal if you’re treating a specific area, such as a joint or muscle.

You can also use lotions and creams to treat severe skin conditions. CBD contains anti-inflammatory properties that could help relieve acne, eczema, or psoriasis symptoms. It could help reduce symptoms like itchiness and redness, too.

Edibles

CBD is also available in edible forms, including gummies. Gummies are easy to consume, you can even take a CBD gummy in a public environment without drawing attention to yourself. If you don’t like the taste of CBD oils or tinctures, you might prefer edibles instead. You won’t have to worry about determining a dose either as most edibles are perfected dosed and packaged for consumption. Compare some high-quality CBD edibles backed by independent lab test results here.

CBD Vapes

Vaping is becoming a more popular method of using CBD as well. You can inhale vaporized CBD oil using a vape pen. In fact, you can experience the benefits of CBD fasting through vaping. Instead of ingesting CBD, vaping allows you to inhale and absorb the compounds directly into your lungs and bloodstream. You should remain cautious when vaping, though. Vaping could damage delicate lung tissue, especially with prolonged use.

Shopping for CBD

Before you start shopping for these different types of CBD, it helps to know what to look for. Why are you purchasing CBD in the first place? About 68% of people use CBD for pain relief. Another 62% use it for sleep, while 38% use it for fatigue. Over 17% of people who use CBD were able to stop using prescription medication.

Before using CBD for the first time, talk to your doctor. Make sure CBD is safe for you to use based on your health. If you’re taking any medications, let your doctor know. Speaking with your doctor could help you avoid a potential interaction. Are you using CBD for sleep? Consider getting an oil or tincture. If you’re using it for pain relief, however, consider where you’re experiencing pain. If it’s a specific area, consider a cream or lotion. If you experience full-body aches and pains, consider an oil or edible instead.

Certificates of Analysis (COAs)

When shopping for CBD products, make sure to look for the certificate of analysis (COA). The COA indicates the product contains the amount of CBD the manufacturer claims it does. Looking for the COA is a form of quality control. Make sure the COA is from a third-party source. Otherwise, you might come across biased or inaccurate results. Remember, you also need to look for CBD products that contain less than 0.3% THC. Otherwise, they’re not legal for purchase.  The COA will indicate how much CBD and other phyto-cannabinoids the product contains, along with its potency. Confirm that the product doesn’t contain any contaminants as well. Otherwise, products might contain heavy metals, chemicals, or pesticides.

Potency

When using CBD for the first time, start low and go slow. There’s no standard dosage for CBD. In fact, how much you need can vary based on your weight and health. Your metabolism and tolerance levels can impact the product’s effects, too. Start with a low dose. Do you notice a change in your symptoms? Did you experience any side effects? If you don’t experience any benefits, slowly increase the dose.

Side Effects

CBD is safe to use. However, you might experience fatigue or an upset stomach. Reduce your dose and speak with a doctor if you experience any side effects. Remember not to start taking CBD if you’re taking any prescription medications prior to talking to your doctor or healthcare provider. Otherwise, CBD might interact with the medication you’re taking.

Considering Cannabidiol: Understand the Different Types of CBD

Are you thinking of using CBD for the first time? Consider these different types of CBD before you do. With this guide, you can choose the CBD types that are right for you! Searching for more useful tips and tricks? We have plenty! Check out our latest CBD guides today for more helpful advice.

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