What is CBD oil?
CBD (cannabidiol) Oil is the essential oil produced from the leaves, buds, and stem of the hemp plant. Hemp oil can be extracted by both mechanical and chemical means. In the extraction process, the oil retains a range of the cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids found naturally in hemp. Cannabinoids are patented by the US Department of Health & Human Services as “antioxidants and neuroprotectants,” and their antioxidative and neuroprotective properties are retained when the oil is extracted.
CBD is a naturally occurring plant compound that offers a gentle, relaxed feeling, as opposed to the intoxicated “high” of THC. CBD works with your body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS), which is a vast receptor system helping to maintain homeostasis, your overall bodily wellness. The ECS is part of the immune system, vital organs, and the central nervous system. Cannabinoids found in hemp are received by your ECS, and can help maintain optimal balance.
Will CBD products show up on a drug test?
FDA guidelines state that cannabis plants with less than 0.3% THC are considered hemp. This means CBD and hemp oil products may contain trace amounts of THC and may show up on a drug test.
Hemp vs. Marijuana?
Scientifically, industrial Hemp and Marijuana are the same plants, with a genus and species name of Cannabis Sativa. They have a drastically different genetic profile though. Industrial Hemp is always a strain of Cannabis sativa, while marijuana can be Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica, or Cannabis ruderalis. The major difference is how industrial hemp has been bred compared to a marijuana form of Cannabis sativa. Hemp is used for making herbal supplements, food, fiber, rope, paper, bricks, oil, natural plastic, and so much more, whereas marijuana is usually used just recreationally, spiritually, and medicinally.
Typically speaking, industrial hemp is very fibrous, with long strong stalks, and barely has any flowering buds, while a marijuana strain of Cannabis sativa will be smaller, bushier, and full of flowering buds. However, newer industrial hemp varieties in the USA are being bred to have more flowers and higher yields of cannabinoids and terpenes.
How to store CBD products?
Keep your CBD products stored in a cool, dry place. Salves and balms may melt when exposed to heat. With proper storage, CBD products can maintain full potency for up to a year.