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Here is the CBD lowdown

What Type of CBD Should You Take?

The popularity of cannabidiol (CBD) as a health and wellness product has led to a surge in the number of CBD manufacturers, brands, and retailers — all flooding the market with their take on CBD.  In 2020, the UK’s CBD industry was estimated to be worth over £300 million — a number expected to more than triple by 2025, bringing it to a total value of £1 billion. According to the Centre for Medicinal Cannabis (CMC), approximately 6 million adults in the UK have used CBD at some point, with 11% of the population using a CBD product in 2018/19. CBD now comes in a wide range of product types and potencies, from oils and tinctures to topicals and edibles. However, this same variety can be confusing to consumers new to CBD or even CBD users who want to try new products.

Primary Types of CBD

The lack of regulation in the CBD industry means many of the terms surrounding CBD products can be used interchangeably. However, it’s generally agreed that there are three types of CBD extracts.

CBD Isolate

Products with CBD isolate only contain pure CBD from hemp. The CBD is isolated from other cannabinoids, such as THC. These products are ideal for consumers who have concerns about having THC in their product or want to measure the effectiveness of CBD without interference from other compounds. However, there may be a downside to CBD isolate. Research suggests that cannabinoids other than THC work together to engage the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS) — a network of enzymes, receptors, and cannabinoids native to the body responsible for modulating internal balance. This theoretical process, called the “entourage effect,” could mean that CBD is best taken together with other cannabinoids rather than alone. 

Broad-Spectrum CBD

As the name suggests, broad-spectrum CBD products have a wide variety of cannabinoids, including CBD, cannabigerol, cannabinol and terpenes like pinene, limonene or myrcene.  Most broad-spectrum CBD extracts will have no THC. However, because not all CBD is extracted and refined the same way, some products may have minimal traces of CBD. 

Full spectrum CBD

Finally, full-spectrum CBD extract has the full range of cannabinoids, including low quantities of THC — typically below 0.2%. However, this amount of CBD is simply not enough to produce the intoxicating effects associated with cannabis. Full-spectrum CBD also takes full advantage of the “entourage effect,” making it more potent.

Primary Examples of CBD Products

Another factor to consider when buying CBD is the type of product to choose. Depending on your preference, you may want to use CBD oils and tinctures, topicals, or edibles. 

CBD oils & tinctures

CBD is commonly sold online and in high street stores in the form of oils and tinctures.  A CBD oil is typically produced by combining CBD extract with a carrier oil like medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil (sourced from coconut oil).

Eedibles

Edibles such as gummies, soft gel capsules, drinks, teas and even chocolate provide a convenient way for people to consume CBD. CBD edibles come in various flavours and strengths and are ideal for consumers who want a more familiar method of taking CBD. 

Topicals

CBD can also be produced in the form of creams, lotions and balms. These products allow the CBD to combine with botanicals and chemicals for skin problems like acne and sunburn.

What CBD Product Should You Try?

Ultimately, there is no single best way of using or taking CBD. Different people will respond differently to CBD products, so what works best for someone may not necessarily be the same for you. You can start by asking yourself why you want to use CBD in the first place. For instance, if you want to use CBD for general aches and pains, a topical may be what you’re looking for. If you want a product to support your vegan diet, you can use high-quality, full-spectrum CBD oil. We recommend first trying a product at the lowest possible dose and using it for a few weeks to see if you get the results you want.