With the ever-increasing demand of the CBD Oils, there is also an increasing speculation regarding the components of it and whether or not, the ingredients present in CBD oils are safe for consumption. This article will examine each of the components that constitute CBD oils and attempt to educate its readers of its benefits and that any misunderstanding that might have been present is cleared. Furthermore, there is a general confusion regarding the different variations of CBD and their differences which will also be addressed

Ingredients of CBD Oils

There are three ingredients or components that are present in every CBD oils are Phytocannabinoids, Terpenes and Flavonoids. All of them are found in cannabis and are pharmacologically active. Each of them plays a vital role in the cannabis development and has medicinal benefits which we have only just begun to understand. The consumption of these three together maximizes their benefits. We will further examine each of them separately below:

Phytocannabinoids:

These are the naturally occurring compounds that are found in the cannabis plant and are also called cannabinoids.

Terpenes:

Terpenes are the naturally created compounds that are responsible for the unique aroma that is present in every cannabis plant. They provide benefits such as pain relief and possess anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties. In addition, terpenes are found to be helpful in managing depression, anxiety, insomnia and stress and it can also help in regulating the cannabinoid consumption. Apart from this, terpenes are actually used by cannabis plants themselves to protect them against herbivores and to attract pollinators.

Flavonoids:

They are the compounds which are present in the cannabis and are responsible for giving the cannabis their unique flavor as well as smell. They make up the 10% of the naturally occurring compounds in cannabis. There are about 20 flavonoids present in a cannabis and possess anti-cancer, anti-allergic and antioxidant properties. They are a key compound in the ‘entourage effect’ which basically is responsible for the holistic benefits that are produced when the different compounds present in cannabis synergistically work together.

Variations of CBD Oils

At present, there are three types of CBD oils available for consumption, Isolate, Full-spectrum and broad-spectrum. They can be differentiated on the basis of the compounds that are present in them.

CBD Isolate:

CBD isolate is the truest and simplest form of CBD as it only contains and is free from any healthy fatty acids, terpenes and THC. It is made through the same process as any CBD oil, the distinction being when the cannabinoids are extracted, the THC is filtered out. Then, all the other chemical compounds are removed through a process which is regarded as winterization. 

CBD Full Spectrum:

 CBD full spectrum is often called as the whole plant extract as it contains all the terpenes, fatty acids and THC. In this type of CBD, the cannabinoids are extracted and filter, but no winterization process occurs as no chemical compounds are removed.

CBD Broad Spectrum:

A CBD broad spectrum has all of the plant’s naturally occurring chemical compounds except for the THC.  In broad spectrum CBD, all the other chemical compounds as well as the cannabinoids are present and extracted from the plant except for the THC which is filtered out and removed.