As interest and question about CBD grow, so does the availability of CBD products spread like a wildfire. A frequently asked question is: Is CBD extracted from the hemp or cannabis?
There’s been a lot of buzz and confusion lately about hemp plant products and especially cannabidiol (CBD) hemp extract, given changing laws surrounding the production and research of both.
Most people ask if they will derive the same benefits if they consume cannabis-derived CBD. While hemp CBD products have dominated the market today, the question is whether cannabis CBD products are as effective as hemp CBD.
In this article, we are going to discuss what is the difference between hemp-derived CBD and cannabis-derived CBD. Keep reading to find more about CBD.
CBD: Why it is Popular
Cannabidiol or commonly referred to as CBD was first discovered in 1940. It is a phytocannabinoid and one of the 100identified cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. It takes up to 40% of the cannabis plant extract and the second most abundant besides most abundant THC.
Due to its promising and potential health benefits, the demand for CBD has grown over the past years. The mushrooming of so many CBD brands has also led to its popularity. CBD uses are limitless, from being used in the medical arena to the cosmetic world.
People use CBD for very many reasons like: as a sleeping aid, helps with a wide variety of physical and mental issues that include stress, anxiety, nausea, addiction, and depression. These are just a few uses of CBD.
Though scientific studies haven’t yet confirmed CBD usefulness for all these conditions, existing and available evidence suggests that CBD can interact with our bodies to help improve such conditions.
CBD VS THC
THC is the chemical compound that causes mind-altering effects. When you think of THC and CBD, chemically speaking, these two phytocannabinoids have a similar structure, but they react very differently to the endocannabinoid system. CBD is non-intoxicating and has no psychoactive effects like THC.
How it Works
CBD comes in so many forms that you can take. Today, you can browse online and find a CBD product from several reputable brands. CBD products include tinctures, edibles, oils, and edibles, etc. It can be taken sublingually, topically, and orally.
The human body has a biological system known as the endocannabinoid system. It was discovered by medical researchers in 1990, however much is still unknown about how it works and its interactions. It is associated with so many vital bodily processes such as sleep, mood, memory, appetite, reproduction, and so many more.
The Endocannabinoid System comprises three components namely; Receptors, enzymes, and endocannabinoids. It is important to note that whether you take CBD or not this system still functions.
Receptors exist throughout the body and are a substance to which endocannabinoids bind. Enzymes appear in many forms, but only two types of enzymes break down endocannabinoids. Endocannabinoids complement the body by keeping internal functions running smoothly.
There are two types of receptors: CB1 and CB2. CB1 receptors are primarily in the central nervous system and are responsible for governing coordination, movement, pain, appetite, memory, mood, and other functions. The CB2 receptors are in the peripheral nervous system, influencing pain, and inflammation.
After the enzymes break down the cannabinoids, the endocannabinoids look to bind with receptors. Researchers believe that CBD does not directly attach itself to the receptor but influences it in some way. Activating these receptors is what allows for many of the health benefits that people associate with the compound.
Studies also reveal that CBD after interacting with the Endocannabinoid system has a way of helping the system to adjust and regulate bodily functions by creating a balance through the homeostasis process and supports overall wellbeing.
Hemp
What is Hemp?
The hemp plant has a very long history and was one of the first plants to be spun into usable fiber 50,000 years ago. The plant is quite famous and even the third president of the US, Thomas Jefferson grew it in Monticello and Poplar Forest, his plantation in Bedford County, Virginia.
To this day, the hemp plant is often confused with its more famous cousin-Marijuana. It is a variety of Cannabis Sativa L and is a dioecious plant meaning it has male and female parts.
Industrial hemp is grown specifically for several reasons namely:
Uses
The leaves, stalks, and flowers of the hemp plant are used for CBD extraction. Hemp-derived CBD is considered the best because it has low concentrations of THC. CBD oil is good for boosting our health.
The seeds of hemp are also very crucial to the human body. They contain vital essential fatty acids that help keep numerous diseases and conditions at bay.
Hemp fibers are primarily used for textiles, paper, building materials, and other industrial products. Raw materials such as hurds, or shives, are short woody fibers typically found inside the stalk. They’re used for making bedding materials, absorbents, ceiling panels, compost, and other industrial products.
Does Hemp Contain CBD?
Yes, hemp contains CBD and in very large amounts. Hemp produces a broad range of cannabinoids such as THC and CBD. However, when hemp is consumed it does not produce enough THC to create psychoactive effects.
Why industrial and legalization of industrial hemp has been embraced is the fact that hemp is capable of producing the non-intoxicating and medicinally rich CBD in high concentrations. Hemp-derived CBD is the best for the production of CBD products legal in the market today.
In many countries, Marijuana is illegal. So to differentiate between hemp and Marijuana the level of THC produced per weight of the dry plant is used. In the U.S all the levels should be less than 0.3 % while in the European Union the set limit is 0.2% and in Great Britain, the limit is zero or less than 0.2%.
How are hemp varieties chosen?
Hemp takes about 3- 4 months before it matures fully. Depending on the desired final product, hemp cultivars are chosen based on these factors, namely:
- Stem quality
- Cannabinoid content
- Resistance to disease
- Time to harvest
- Hemp oil content
- Seed production per acre
The cultivation and harvesting of the hemp plant is different from cannabis. Male plant flowers mature faster than the female parts and do not produce much fiber. Hemp plants can be planted densely and cultivated outdoors. Planting techniques such as crop rotation are used in hemp cultivation thus allowing nutrients to return to the soil. It is also used as a rotational crop at farms where it is not the main agricultural product.
The 2018 Farm Bill, signed by President Donald Trump, the Hemp Farming Act of 2018 reclassified hemp (with less than 0.3% THC) legalized industrial production of the plant leading to massive cultivation and distribution as a legal agricultural product.
Cannabis
What is Cannabis?
Cannabis plants have three standard varieties namely: Cannabis Indica, Cannabis Sativa, and Cannabis Ruderalis. All these varieties contain a very high concentration of THC compared to hemp plants. Besides, they contain low concentrations of CBD compared to hemp plants.
A 2016 analysis found that the average potency of cannabis plants rose from about 4% in 1995 to 12% in 2014. Average CBD levels decreased from 0.28% in 2001 to less than 0.15% in 2014.
Cannabis CBD vs Hemp CBD
There are some differences between hemp CBD derived and Cannabis CBD derived products that include:
Availability
Hemp CBD products are numerous and browsing online you will be spoilt for choice. So many alternatives are available since hemp is legal compared to cannabis CBD products that are still federally illegal. However, you can still purchase them legally in licensed dispensaries.
Product Type
Common hemp CBD products include oils, tinctures, capsules, salves, topicals, edibles, sprays, and vapes that are available online and in local stores. Cannabis CBD products include vape pens, flowers, concentrates, and edibles.
Effects
Hemp CBD products when consumed will produce the entourage effect and zero psychoactive effects depending on the type of CBD mainly the full-spectrum and broad-spectrum. CBD is not intoxicating so consuming the products will not produce any mind-altering effects.
Cannabis CBD products bring psychoactive effects and once consumed you will experience the ‘high’ feeling since the levels of THC are very high.
Efficacy and Safety
There are very strict rules governing all cannabis products and they are subjected to a lot of testing processes before being cleared. Using Cannabis CBD products you know exactly what you’re getting into.
Though Hemp is still legal, the FDA is still trying to regulate CBD. It is clear the set of testing, labeling, or licensing requirements so it can be more challenging to determine the efficacy and safety of CBD products you buy online or from a retailer.
Conclusion
Whether you choose Cannabis CBD or hemp CBD products, what is more, important is what is legal in your state. With the information above, be on the lookout to buy from trusted vendors and enjoy the wonders of CBD.
