It seems like CBD oil is suddenly everywhere, and there’s a reason for that! The 2018 Farm Bill passed by the United States Congress decriminalized the production and sale of industrial hemp and removed products made with the plant from the list of Schedule I controlled substances. The legalization paved the way for companies to legally create and sell products made from hemp, including CBD.
While there is certainly no shortage of CBD products on the market, there is a shortage of accurate and up-to-date information about it, both on the web and in real life.
If you’re wondering about the benefits and uses of CBD or the different types of available products, our buying guide is here to help. Read each section carefully to learn all of the ins and outs of CBD education, and decide if CBD is the right choice for you.
Understand the Basics of CBD
What is CBD?
CBD is short for cannabidiol, one of over 100 cannabinoids found in cannabis plants. There are two species of cannabis sativa plants: hemp and marijuana, and cannabidiol is found in both. The tradeoff is that hemp plants don’t have nearly as much of the chemical tetrahydrocannabidiol (THC), the psychoactive ingredient that creates a euphoric feeling, such as marijuana.
How Does CBD Work?
There are two types of cannabinoids: endogenous cannabinoids (cannabinoids from outside the body), and endocannabinoids (naturally occurring cannabinoids). These two terms probably mean nothing now, but they’re both important to understanding how CBD works in the body.There are two types of cannabinoids: endogenous cannabinoids (cannabinoids from outside the body), and endocannabinoids (naturally occurring cannabinoids). These two terms probably mean nothing now, but they’re both important to understanding how CBD works in the body.
Back in the 1990s, scientists conducting research into the effects of marijuana found that receptors in animal brains had a strong reaction to it. This led to the discovery of THC and, eventually, the endocannabinoid system (ECS).
The endocannabinoid system is designed to help the body stay in homeostasis (a consistent internal environment) and is a regulator of various bodily functions, including:
- Body temperature
- Blood pressure
- Memory
- Mood
Receptors in the ECS—called cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1) and cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CB2)—help to regulate a number of processes in the body. CB1 receptors are mostly found in the brain and affect everything, from mood to appetite to alertness. These receptors are compatible with THC, which is why marijuana is known for having an impact on those functions. CB2 receptors are located outside the brain (mostly in the immune system, digestive system, and major organs) and impacts the body’s response to pain and inflammation.
The body also produces a natural cannabinoid, known as anandamide, that binds to CB1 and CB2 receptors to help the body reduce anxiety and regulate pain, among others. This is similar to effects CBD is shown to have on the body and, as a result, CBD can potentially work with anandamide to amplify the effects.
Learn more about the endocannabinoid system and how it interacts with CBD in this guide.
Different Types of CBD
While CBD is usually lumped together under one label, there are actually different types of CBD that you can take.
Hemp CBD vs. Marijuana CBD
Most of the CBD oil you’ll find for sale, including at Frontier Jackson, is hemp based. First, hemp has much higher concentrations of CBD than marijuana. And second, it has low amounts of THC—usually less than 0.3%. Marijuana, on the other hand, contains higher concentrations of THC than hemp, but less CBD.
However, you can buy marijuana-based CBD that’s essentially the same as hemp-based CBD, but it contains a lot more THC. This can create unwanted side effects like a “high feeling” and legal issues, since marijuana is still illegal in most U.S. states. Hemp-based CBD is legal almost everywhere.
Learn more about the differences between hemp CBD and marijuana CBD.
Full Spectrum CBD Oil & Broad Spectrum CBD Oil vs. CBD Isolate
We mentioned earlier that there are over 100 different cannabinoids inside the cannabis plant, including CBD and THC. Full spectrum CBD keeps all of the them, along with all the terpenes, flavonoids, vitamins, and fatty acids found in hemp to give you the biggest benefits possible.
Get more in-depth details on full spectrum CBD oil on our blog.
Broad spectrum CBD oil is a bit different. Though it still has all of the same terpenes, fatty acids, and nutrients, the THC is completely stripped out.
Learn more about broad spectrum CBD oil.
CBD isolate is completely different than both full spectrum and broad spectrum CBD oil, as CBD isolate contains only CBD. The CBD oil is extracted from the hemp plant and is then distilled to remove all of the other components, leaving up to 99% pure CBD. It’s usually sold in powder form.
How to Choose the Best Type of CBD For You
Deciding whether full spectrum, broad spectrum, or isolate is the best choice for you depends on what kind of results you’re looking for when taking CBD. There is still a lot of research going into the effects of CBD, but the current research does show that there are different benefits depending on which kind of CBD you take.
Full Spectrum CBD
Full spectrum CBD — like all the CBD products sold by Frontier Jackson — is shown to offer a wide variety of benefits.
Full spectrum CBD is the best option if you:
- Want full benefits of CBD. Certain studies show that the combination of all the cannabinoids and terpenes in full spectrum CBD can work together, creating what’s known as the “entourage effect.” You can learn everything you need to know about it in this in-depth guide, but it’s essentially a phenomenon where everything in the cannabis plant (the cannabinoids like CBD, flavonoids, and terpenes) work together within the endocannabinoid system to increase any of the benefits you get from CBD products.
- Don’t mind a little bit of THC in your CBD oil. Again, most full spectrum CBD oils will have no more than 0.3% THC to keep under legal limits in most states.
- Prefer to stay as all natural as possible. While there is some processing that goes into the creation of CBD products, full spectrum CBD doesn’t involve as much as isolate and broad spectrum CBD.
CBD Isolate
As we mentioned, CBD isolate is the opposite of full spectrum CBD. While much of the research shows that full spectrum is the best option to get a wide range of health benefits, CBD isolate still provides benefits.
CBD isolate is the best choice if you:
- Have an allergy or sensitivity to one or more of the components of full spectrum CBD, like THC or coconut oil.
- Live in a state with strict laws on marijuana and don’t want to risk getting into legal trouble.
- Undergo regular drug testing at your employment. CBD likely won’t cause you to fail a drug test (unless you’re taking ultra-high doses,) but taking CBD isolate ensures you won’t have any THC in your system.
Broad Spectrum CBD
Broad spectrum CBD falls in the middle. It contains all of the same terpenes, flavonoids, and fatty acids of full spectrum CBD. The only thing it doesn’t have? The THC.
Overall, broad spectrum CBD is a good choice if you:
- Want to experience the full benefits of CBD, including the entourage effect.
- Don’t want the exposure to THC, even in small amounts.
The downside to broad spectrum CBD is that it requires some amount of processing to remove the THC, so it won’t have the same all-natural appeal of full spectrum CBD.
How CBD Makes You Feel
The short answer: CBD won’t make you feel high like THC can.
The long answer: CBD and THC are both cannabinoids extracted from cannabis plants, but they’re different in one big way: THC can bind directly to the CB1 receptors in the endocannabinoid system. This binding process is what creates the high feeling that THC is famous for creating.
CBD doesn’t connect to the CB1 receptors in the same way.
What CBD actually feels like can differ from person to person. Many people who use Frontier Jackson full spectrum CBD products report that it makes them feel:
“If I do a hike and take CBD, I don’t feel nearly as sore, especially the next day.”—Camila N.
How CBD will make you feel will depend on a number of factors, but you can get a more in-depth look at how CBD affects others here.
Laws Concerning CBD
Hemp-derived CBD is essentially legal — or at least decriminalized — in most states, as long as it contains less than 0.3% THC.
You can learn everything about CBD laws in our in-depth guide.
Who Can Take CBD
In 2018, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Epidiolex, a CBD-based drug, to treat seizures in children as young as two suffering from certain rare diseases. While there is some evidence that CBD might be an effective treatment for some young people, there is still a lot of research to be done on the potential benefits for children.
Continuing research into the effects of CBD does demonstrate possible health benefits for:
- Adults of all ages, including senior adults.
- Dogs.
Potential Health Benefits of CBD
CBD-based products — as a whole — have not been evaluated by the FDA for effectiveness. However, there is a growing body of research that shows promise in the ability of CBD to provide real benefits to health and wellness.
Anxiety and Stress
While there are multiple ways to alleviate anxiety and stress, there’s evidence that shows that CBD can be an all-natural way to experience some relief.
While the exact mechanisms of how it works isn’t completely understood yet, it’s believed that CBD’s mild adherence to CB1 receptors can help control the release of serotonin and stop some feelings of OCD.
Pain and Inflammation
About 50 million Americans battle chronic pain, according to the U.S. Centers For Disease Control and Prevention. CBD shows promise in relieving pain from chronic conditions like fibromyalgia, arthritis, and multiple sclerosis.
Even more of us experience minor aches, pains, and inflammation at least occasionally, leading to a reliance on pain relievers like ibuprofen. However, recent research shows that CBD can also work as an all-natural alternative to traditional pain relievers like NSAIDs for:
Skin Health
The amount of research into how CBD can help skin is limited, but it is shown to be rich in antioxidants, fatty acids, and other ingredients that can potentially help soothe the skin and reduce inflammation for conditions like:
- Acne
- Psoriasis
- Shingles
The effects of CBD on skin is likely enhanced due to the entourage effect of all the ingredients in full spectrum CBD, especially the terpenes. CBD is also shown to help reduce oxidative stress within cells, which can also help skin stay healthy.
Sleep
How CBD helps with sleep also isn’t entirely clear, though research suggests it might help you relax because it helps alleviate some of the reasons you’re not able to sleep (like those mentioned here).
For some people, CBD might have the opposite effect and promote wakefulness. Studies published in 2014 and 2017 also showed that CBD might be helpful in treating people with sleeping disorders associated with REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD) and excessive daytime sleepiness.
Ways to Take CBD
While there is a lot of buzz about CBD oil, you can experience the positive effects of hemp-based CBD in a number of different ways.
Tinctures
CBD tinctures are a liquid form of CBD comprised of hemp extract mixed with a base. Frontier Jackson CBD tinctures are made with coconut MCT oil, though you can find other tinctures made with alcohol, glycerin, and other plant-based oils.
Edibles
CBD edibles are just what they sound like: foods infused with CBD. Hemp-based CBD oil infused into gummy bears or drops is one of the most popular types of CBD edibles. The dose in each edible is a set amount, usually anywhere from 5mg to 30mg or more, depending on the brand.
Gum
While CBD gum is technically another type of edible, it’s meant to provide more of a longer-lasting effect than other types of edibles.
Topicals
Topicals are not CBD products you ingest, but creams, lotions, and salves that provide targeted relief for minor aches, pains, and other inflammation. It’s believed that CBD topicals are better able to deliver the cannabinoids directly to the receptors in order to provide relief.
Capsules
Like tinctures, capsules are made with full spectrum CBD mixed with coconut MCT oil in a pre-set dose. Many CBD capsules are also formulated with other all-natural ingredients shown to boost health benefits, like lions mane, capsaicin, and d-ribose.
Check out the CBD capsules from Frontier Jackson.
Vapes
Unlike other CBD delivery methods, vaping CBD requires you to use a specialized device in order to experience the benefits. It’s one of the most cost-effective ways to use CBD because you’ll only need a couple of inhales to get an effective dose of CBD that’ll last for hours.
How to Choose the Right CBD Delivery Method for You
Choosing the right CBD delivery method for you depends on a number of factors, including:
- Your comfort level with CBD. Consuming capsules or edibles is an easy way to start your CBD journey because the dosages are already set.
- How fast you want it to work. Vaping CBD is the fastest delivery system for CBD because its absorbed into the bloodstream through lung tissue instead of the digestive system. Taking CBD oil sublingually (under the tongue) is another way to feel the effects quickly because it enters the bloodstream directly. The same goes with CBD gum: The CBD can quickly enter the bloodstream through oral tissues, leading to faster-acting results.
- Your need for flexibility. CBD oil allows you to adjust the dosage depending on your needs, making it one of the most flexible — and economical — ways to take CBD.
- How long you want the effects to last. It’ll take longer to feel the effects of CBD when you ingest it in edible or capsule form because it has to go through the digestive system before it’s absorbed into the bloodstream.
- Where you want it to work. Ingesting full spectrum CBD gives full-body benefits, but if you only want to feel relief in a small area (like on your knee) then topicals are the better option.
CBD Dosages
Finding the right CBD dosage for you isn’t straightforward because there isn’t a standard one-size-fits-all amount that’s right for everyone. While most studies conducted on humans used CBD dosages between 20 and 1,5000 mg per day to measure the effects, the actual amount you should take depends on:
- The potency of the CBD. For example, a tincture made with 4000mg of CBD in the bottle is more robust than another tincture formulated with 1000mg of CBD.
- Someone who weighs 200 lbs. will likely need more CBD than someone who weighs 150 lbs. in order to feel the same effects.
- The reason for using CBD.
- Your body’s unique chemistry.
In general, it’s best to start with a small dose and work your way up. Our starter level products contain between 10 and 25mg of CBD per serving.
Where to Buy CBD
It seems like every retailer — both online and off — is selling CBD. You can find CBD for sale at large national retailers, at small specialty stores and vape shops, and even convenience stores. Retailers even claim to sell CBD oil on Amazon (more on that in a second).
But just because CBD is for sale somewhere doesn’t mean you should buy it.
Why You Should Buy CBD Products Online
It’s still the Wild West out there when it comes to CBD. While the 2018 Farm Bill decriminalized the sale of hemp products, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration doesn’t regulate it. That means anyone can sell a product and claim it’s CBD — even if it doesn’t have any in it.
A good example is the CBD products for sale on Amazon. The company expressly prohibits the sale of anything CBD related, including products labeled as full spectrum hemp oil or rich hemp oil. However, searching for the term on the website results in dozens of listings of tinctures, gummies, and more. What gives?
If you look closely at the label, most of these products are listed as hemp oil or hemp seed oil. While it might seem like it’s the same, it’s not. You won’t find significant amounts of CBD in any of these products, despite many reviewers claiming the product they bought is “the real deal.”
What to Look for When Buying CBD Oil Online
But don’t break out your wallet until you’ve conducted a little research. At a minimum, you should only buy CBD products that are:
- Sold by the manufacturer. There are other e-retailers selling CBD tinctures, edibles, and topicals on their websites. Most of these are third-party resellers, meaning they aren’t involved in the production process of the CBD products they sell. At best, these products might not contain as much CBD as advertised on the label. At worst, these CBD products could contain potentially harmful contaminants. You can avoid most problems by buying directly from a company that manufactures its own products, like Frontier Jackson.
- Lab tested.Companies should be able to provide a Certificate of Analysis (COA) for their CBD products. A COA is proof that testing was conducted on the product to prove it has everything it’s supposed to contain. Learn more about Frontier Jackson’s commitment to lab testing.
- Easy to understand.Take a look at the ingredients list. Does it clearly list CBD hemp oil as the main ingredient? If not, keep looking. Hemp oil and CBD oil are terms sometimes used interchangeable, but they’re different products with different uses. When purchasing a CBD product, check to see if the label directly lists the MG content of either CBD or hemp extract to make sure you’re getting a product containing significant amounts of CBD. Same goes for the rest of the ingredients. Make sure you understand what you’re putting in your body. For example, the Frontier Jackson CBD tinctures clearly list full spectrum CBD oil on the label, along with the potency. The other ingredients, including coconut MCT oil, are also clearly listed.
- Provide information on extraction methods. There are numerous ways that CBD is extracted from hemp. Dry ice, olive oil, and solvents made with ethanol and butane are all cheap methods of extraction you should avoid. High-quality CBD companies will be forthcoming about the extraction method used (CO2, hydrocarbon, ethanol). Your best bet: Look for oil extracted using the CO2 extraction process, which is safe and creates the purest product. Learn more about the extraction methods we use at Frontier Jackson.
You can also avoid being scammed by fly-by-night CBD sellers by never buying CBD oil or products sold only through ads posted on social media. Reputable CBD companies do advertise on these websites, but it’s a big red flag if the seller is selling directly from social media without a full website.
Also, be sure to look out for offers for “free” CBD products where you only have to pay shipping costs. It might seem like a good way to try CBD for a low price, but in reality, you’ll likely be charged over and over for a subscription you don’t want — and these subscriptions are almost impossible to cancel.
Buying CBD doesn’t need to be complicated—there’s an option for everyone. Try a variety of high-quality, all-natural CBD products from Frontier Jackson and start living a more comfortable, healthier life.
