CBD Oil Varieties, Choices, and Confusions Cleared Up
What are the differences between all the different kinds of CBD oil?
So you have done your research and decided you want to give CBD oil a shot! Awesome! But did you know there are several varieties and methods of consumption for CBD oil? Well, in case you were unsure of what those differences are or weren’t even aware there were differences at all, this article will help guide you through all the variations in type, packaging, and strengths. All of these differences can affect the CBD in the product and how the CBD reacts with your body, so naturally, these are important details to understand when deciding which CBD oil is right for you.
First, you need to decide if you want Full Spectrum, Broad Spectrum or Isolated CBD.
Full Spectrum CBD contains a trace amount of THC. Hemp-derived full spectrum CBD contains less than 0.3% THC, but it is still detectable in the product. Customers who do not wish to consume THC, should choose a broad spectrum or isolated CBD product. Full spectrum CBD can contain trace amounts of other minor cannabinoids as well such as CBN, CBC and CBG. Generally, full spectrum CBD products will also contain terpenes, lipids, and other molecules present in the original hemp plant. The combination of everything that the hemp plant has to offer is referred to as the “entourage effect.” Some customers find that full spectrum or broad spectrum CBD products tend to give them better results than CBD isolate alone due to the entourage effect.
Broad Spectrum CBD contains all the minor cannabinoids and terpenes that you would find in a full spectrum product. However, with broad spectrum the THC has been removed. More and more people are seeking broad spectrum CBD products because they cannot or do not want to consume THC. Broad spectrum CBD is the best of both worlds since you can experience the entourage effect and all the potential benefits of the hemp plant without any THC.
CBD Isolate products only contain one cannabinoid - CBD. CBD isolate products do not produce the entourage effect, however CBD isolate products are very cost effective. Generally, customers are choosing a CBD isolate product because isolate products typically taste better, have less ingredients and are much cheaper than broad or full spectrum CBD products.
Second, you need to decide on your Method of Consumption. The method of consumption refers to how you are consuming your CBD. Depending on how you consume CBD, this can affect how CBD gets absorbed in your body and how long potential benefits can last. In this next section, we will break down the different methods of consumption, how long they typically last in the body and how to choose a method of consumption that will work best for your daily routine and your issue.
Tinctures and Oils
Due to the high amount of blood vessels under the tongue, products applied sublingually (under the tongue) are absorbed very well and quickly. Hold the tincture or oil under your tongue for 60-90 seconds for best absorption, then swallow the oil. This is one of the quickest ways to get CBD into your bloodstream and typically lasts for 4-6 hours. This is one of the most popular ways to use CBD since it's fast, convenient and lasts a long time.
Capsules/Edibles
Orally ingested products will take around 45 minutes to absorb and will generally last 10-12 hours. This is generally the choice for those looking for a long lasting effect. Active CBD oil Water Soluble tinctures work like a capsule or edible when mixed into a beverage and consumed in this way. Our water soluble CBD will be absorbed by the body much better than an oil based CBD product when ingested.
Topical
These are products that you apply directly to your skin. They are only absorbed in the same area that the product is applied, unlike tinctures, oils or capsules. Generally, topicals are chosen for localized pain areas and skin issues. Topicals work best when rubbed completely into the skin.
Vaporizing
Vaporizing is the quickest way to get CBD into your system, however it is also the quickest to leave your body. Customers typically choose this route of consumption for quick relief. Unlike other methods like tinctures, topicals or capsules, if you are only vaporizing CBD then customers are generally doing it frequently throughout the day. Most customers with high amounts of pain generally do not rely solely on this method of consumption.
The previous descriptions are the most commonly used in the industry. However, you may also hear some other less common terms which we will explain below.
There are three main types of CBD oil that just about all CBD oil products fit into.
- Raw
- Decarboxylated
- Filtered
These three types of CBD oil are common throughout the market of CBD oil, and learning the differences can make for a better CBD oil experience. Let's take a closer look at each of these three types of CBD oil in detail.
Raw
Raw CBD oil is exactly what it sounds like: raw. It has not been processed any further than its original extraction, and will contain other compounds such as microscopically small plant material, lipids or fats, chlorophyll, and terpenes, among other things, as it has not been filtered. The color of this oil will usually be dark green to black and have a very thick consistency. Raw CBD oil will usually be the product of choice for people looking to create their own CBD products. Raw CBD oil still has the ability to have multiple percentages of CBD. In today’s market, Raw CBD oil is harder to find aside from bulk purchases. Most CBD products on the market today, will be decarboxylated and filtered and then mixed into a tincture so that it is easy to consume. Raw CBD oil typically is extremely thick, hard to dispense, very hard to measure and will require heating prior to use.
Decarboxylated
This oil is commonly bought by people who are making their own CBD edibles and have moderate anxiety problems as well as insomnia, arthritis, and migraines. This oil is similar to raw CBD oil, except that it has been decarboxylated. The process of decarboxylation is seen as a way to increase the strength or effectiveness of the CBD oil and offers a faster reaction once it is in your body. According to Wikipedia:
“Decarboxylation is a chemical reaction that removes a carboxyl group and releases carbon dioxide (CO2). Usually, decarboxylation refers to a reaction of carboxylic acids, removing a carbon atom from a carbon chain." Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decarboxylation.
You can think of decarboxylated CBD oil as getting more bang per mg of CBD. Basically, decarboxylation will turn CBDa into CBD, which is a non-acid molecule that will better fit your CBD receptors and be more active within your body. Decarboxylation is commonly described as activating the CBD, which can leave the impression that CBD that has not been decarboxylated will not have benefits because it is not active, but this is not the case. Undecarboxylated CBD oil will simply be received less easily by your body than decarboxylated CBD. The decarboxylated form of CBD oil will typically be dark green to black with a thick consistency at room temperature. Decarboxylated CBD oil has tended to be middle priced CBD oil as it is processed more than raw oil but is not filtered like the gold oils. We carry only the best full spectrum Active CBD oil decarbed at a percentage of 17%. Get Active CBD oil brand 17% decarbed green oil now!
Filtered
This CBD oil is the most purchased CBD oil on our website, and people are buying this CBD oil for everything from mild anxiety to much worse situations. Gold is commonly the title of choice by CBD oil manufacturers for their filtered gold-colored CBD oil and usually represents their highest concentration CBD product. The filtered or gold varieties will typically be decarboxylated as well as being filtered to remove the smaller plant constituents such as chlorophyll, lipids, and other non-CBD plant parts. Gold CBD oil is available at DiscoverCBD.com. We carry only the best Active CBD oil Gold at a percentage of 25%+!
All of the products on our website are filtered and decarboxylated. If you are interested in purchasing Raw CBD oil, please reach out to our wholesale program.
Dosing and Percentages vs Mgs
When dealing with raw oil or pure oil, you will need to know a little bit about dosing and percentages. At DiscoverCBD.com, one common starting daily dose of Active CBD oil Gold 25% is 1/10 gram twice a day; however, this is not for everyone, and some manufacturers may state different suggestions on their packaging. The right dose really depends on the individual, as well as the reason for taking it in the first place. Because there is no general guideline of milligrams per unit of weight, people often start with 1/10 a gram twice a day, and if that isn’t working, then they increase incrementally from there.
We have also been asked on a number of occasions about how to tell how many milligrams of CBD are in a syringe. In order to figure this out, you need to know that there are 1000 milligrams in each gram, and depending on the percentage, you can then tell how many milligrams of CBD are in the CBD oil syringe you are looking at. For instance, if you have a 1 gram syringe that is 15.9% CBD, then you will have 159mg of CBD in that 1 gram syringe. If the syringe is 25% CBD by volume, then it would have 250mg of CBD in the syringe.
Use the formula as follows:
% x 10 x # of grams = total mgs in syringe.
For example, a 17% 5-gram syringe will have 17 (%) x 10 x 5 (grams) = 850mgs total per syringe.
Packaging
You will also encounter a few different types of packaging when purchasing raw CBD oil, so we wanted to clarify the typical uses for these different packaging options. The first and by far the most common type of packaging is going to be the syringe, but there are also small plastic small jars and silicone containers.
Syringe
The syringe is typically both the easiest way to store and dispense CBD oil. However, there can be a few drawbacks, so we have some pretty good ways to minimize those drawbacks. While a syringe is awesome for accurate dispensing because it has the milligrams written right on the side of the syringe, it can also be tricky when the syringe is cold and the oil is thick. When the syringe is stored somewhere cold like a fridge, the CBD oil can get so thick it becomes nearly impossible to push out of the syringe. This can result in jumpy pushes and inaccurate dispensing, or even worse, a bruised thumb. A quick way to make sure the CBD oil dispenses easily is to warm up the syringe by placing it in some warm tap water or by wrapping the syringe in a towel that has been wet down and placed in the microwave to get warm. Once the syringe is warm, the CBD oil will dispense much easier. Also be aware that the gold varieties of oil typically don’t need to be warmed as much as the decarbed or raw versions, as it has already been filtered and is thinner to start with. You will want to make sure not to warm up the syringe too much, or the cap will pop off from the expanding pressure inside and leak out.
Plastic Jar
You can sometimes still find 1 gram increments of raw and filtered oils in small plastic containers and jars. These plastic jars are more difficult to dose than a syringe given there are no exact increments, making them somewhat more popular for topical application. The small jars were favored by some who preferred the convenience of not having to warm up their syringes before being able to get to the CBD oil inside.
Silicone Jar
Some companies have used silicone no-stick dab containers to store their CBD oil. These jars are easy to open, but they will sometimes open unexpectedly. One advantage of these containers would be that CBD oil sticks very little to silicone, so it is easier to extract every last bit of CBD oil.
Conclusion
While we know it may be confusing at first to decide on the CBD oil you need, it's actually quite simple once you know what the differences are. We hope this article can help those of you who were either on the fence or just weren’t exactly sure about what everything meant to make a good decision that you are happy about.
If you have any more questions, no worries, we are here to help! You can reach us at DiscoverCBD.com, through email at DiscoverCBD@gmail.com, or at 1-844-GO-CBD-NOW anytime with any questions you might have or to place an order if the online storefront isn’t what you are looking for.