Understand and Compare CBD Oils
Most of us interested in maintaining wellness with Cannabinoids are familiar with the what’s available. However, it’s still confusing for those who are new to exploring the benefits of CBD. We’ve learned over the last few years that there are distinct advantages and applications for each type. There are some drawbacks as well. Join us as we compare CBD Oils. We will help you understand the differences, and the relative advantages of, Full Spectrum CBD Oil, Broad Spectrum CBD Oil, and CBD Isolate.
Review: What is CBD?
First and foremost, CBD is the most well known cannabinoid present in, and derived from, the Cannabis (or Hemp) plant along with THC. THC is the component that gets people ‘high’ or as it is known in the literature, provides the ‘psychoactive’ effect. CBD, or cannabidiol, is the secondary cannabinoid that is sought after from Cannabis and it is known to be a muscle relaxant, an anti-inflammatory agent, has a calming effect and is also widely considered as a pain reliever or mild analgesic.
A quick note on Cannabis vs Hemp – Hemp is simply the same plant with a much lower THC content. Historically all Cannabis was Hemp, it was just grown and bred to contain much higher amounts of THC including CBD in order to produce the psychoactive effect. You can think of Hemp as the original wild Cannabis plant before it was hybridized and bred for THC potency. Hemp is still used today for industrial uses. It has extremely strong fibre and the zero THC formulations of CBD (typically for pets or for those who insist on no psychoactive effects) are still derived from Hemp.
CBG – the Mother of all Cannabinoids
There are a number of other Cannabinoids that are derived from Cannabis which have come into the fore, based on specific advantages. These include Cannabigerol, Cannabiniol or CBG and CBN. CBG is sometimes called the ‘mother of all Cannabinoids because as it oxidizes it degrades into the other cannabinoids, specifically THC, CBD, and CBN. All of the cannabinoids that have been identified and isolated are derived from CBG. CBG is specifically known for having enhanced anti-inflammatory and some anti-bacterial properties.
Main Types of CBD Oil
Once you understand the origin of the different cannabinoids and their relative strengths you are better able to understand what’s available commercially. This will allow you to select the one that best suits your needs.
Full Spectrum CBD: The Power of the Entourage Effect
OK let’s compare CBD Oils. Full Spectrum CBD is extracted, ideally in as natural a process as possible. It retains all the cannabinoids, terpenes and trace amounts of THC. There’s always trace amounts of THC in Full Spectrum CBD products, typically (< 0.3%), but not enough to get you high. This is the benchmark for quality Full Spectrum CBD. In high enough doses you will notice a mild psychoactive effect but generally not too pronounced. However, this could be an issue for someone who wants the benefit but is concerned about failing a drug test for example.
Full Spectrum is considered the strongest and most beneficial because it contains all the cannabinoids including the most calming ones, in some form along with ‘terpenes’ which are additional non cannabinoid compounds that have a pronounced taste and aroma. Full Spectrum CBD Oils can maximize the ability to enhance relaxation, reduce inflammation, and facilitate sleep. It is frequently combined with CBN which is considered to facilitate sleep.
The synergistic effect of cannabinoids acting in concert together to produce a stronger effect than they would do in isolation is called the ‘Entourage Effect’. It enhances relaxation and In some ways there is a parallel to nutrition where healthy vitamin and nutrient rich foods have a greater nutritional bioavailability than just vitamin supplements in isolation. This is a well known phenomenon, despite the full reasons for it not yet being fully understood.
Broad Spectrum CBD – The Benefits of CBD with No Detectable THC
Broad Spectrum CBD contains multiple cannabinoids and terpenes but no detectable THC.
It is otherwise similar in composition to Full Spectrum CBD. Its uses and primary benefits are the same as Full Spectrum – to reduce anxiety and enhance relaxation. It, too, has anti-inflammatory and relaxant properties. Users can still obtain the Entourage Effect with no THC. It does so with no psychoactive effect. The only drawback is that it’s slightly less potent than Full Spectrum CBD due to the absence of THC.
CBD Isolate: Pure and Versatile
For some users, CBD Isolate is the best choice. This is pure CBD with zero THC and no other cannabinoids or terpenes present. It is derived using CO2 extraction and is able to ensure 99% pure CBD. This provides the full benefit of just CBD and its ability to relax for those sensitive to other cannabinoids. Isolate ensures there is no intoxication, therefore providing a mild, relaxing effect. It is also a good choice for those who wish to flavour foods and other topical products for localized relief.
The lack of terpenes and other cannabinoids means it will impart virtually now flavour for methods of oral ingestion while still providing the benefits specific to CBD. The only drawback is that there is no entourage effect making it less potent than the other choices of Full or Broad Spectrum CBD. An advantage of this however, is that it makes dosage and application much simpler. Users can be sure of exactly what their dosage is and adjust accordingly.
Pet-Specific CBD Blends: Safe and Effective for Animals
One of the interesting and coolest things about CBD and cannabinoids is that there’s a surge of interest in using it with pets. Dogs and cats are known to respond positively to CBD and for similar reasons and applications as in people. To compare cbd oils for pets, remember that CBD formulations for pets are often hemp derived and contain zero detectable THC. They are typically a blend of CBD Isolate and Broad Spectrum that is confirmed to be free of THC.
Pet specific CBD blends are used to calm anxious pets during travel or when there are loud and frightening noises. Many users find that CBD helps with joint pain and arthritis in pets which affect them as much or sometimes even more than people. Separation anxiety is another area where CBD can calm pets. This is an area of active research, there is not enough established literature but the results to date are promising and many anecdotal cases where users attest to strong benefits for their pets.
Dosage Guidelines for Different Types of CBD Oils
To compare CBD oils effectively and use our products optimally, the following general guidelines are recommended:
For Natural Full Spectrum CBD Oil, 5-10 mg 3 times a day.
Sublingual (i.e. drops under the tongue) administration is the most efficient and recommended method of ingestion. It is also possible to use CBD gummies and capsules to consume in edible form. Immediate vs slow release are a consideration. If you’re looking for immediate release, drops under the tongue work very well. If you’re using it to provide longer lasting pain mitigation then a larger, timed, slow release method like edibles (i.e. gummies) is preferred by many. CBD can take from as little as 30 minutes for a direct route (drops on tongue) to 2 hours and the effect can last for 4 to 6 hours.
For pets, the recommendation is 1-2 mg per 10 pounds of body weight. In pets, as in humans, watch carefully for side effects such as dry mouth, drowsiness, fatigue or coordination issues. Side effects are not severe and easy to detect and mitigate by lowering doses. Check out our ‘Beginners Guide to CBD here
Side Effects, Cautions, and Drawbacks
As noted, there are some common side effects associated with CBD.
These include:
- Dry Mouth
- Drowsiness
- Diarrhea
- Reduced appetite.
The other thing to be mindful of is potential interaction with other medications, particularly blood thinners, antidepressants and painkillers. Consulting with a physician, or a vet if you’re caring for a pet, is always recommended. Adjust the dosage downward as necessary and you will likely avoid side effects, at least the ones that don’t involve interaction with other medication. It is important when you compare cbd oils to also ensure that you are getting an established, reputable product that is free from contaminants. Mellow guarantees all their products.
Current Research and Mitigating Potential Risks
Ongoing research is starting to demonstrate specific mechanisms of how CBD and its various components act on the human body. Currently there is only one FDA approved drug containing CBD called Epidiolex which was released to treat two specific types of epilepsy. The two types are Dravet syndrome and Lennox Gastaut syndrome. Seizures were seen to be reduced compared to placebos. Studies are ongoing.
Other studies involve exciting new benefits such as the capacity for CBG to inhibit glioblastoma. Other research addresses potential negative aspects of CBD. However, a recent study sheds light on how some neuronal deficits previously thought to be caused by CBD are actually prevented and that the body is protected from the negative impact by a type of supportive cell in the nervous system called an ‘Astrocyte’. A group of Korean researchers at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) in South Korea developed a system to investigate how these astrocyte cells function to protect neurons from any neurotoxicity thought to be due to CBD ingestion. Their results are published in a journal entry in Advanced Biology.
The researchers had found some harmful effects of HIGH doses of CBD. However throughout the development of an interesting ‘cellular sandwich’ technique they were able to isolate and measure cell interaction as it occurs in different cellular substrates. An interesting conclusion from the study’s authors on their research findings:</p>
“We observed that the liquid in which astrocytes were grown, along with CBD, helps neurons develop faster to some extent,” said Choi. “This suggests the potential of a combination of CBD and the substances secreted by astrocytes in response to CBD as a new therapeutic approach for brain.”
Mellow CBD – Buy CBD online : Our Product Line
Buy Mellow offers a wide range of quality CBD products. We offer different premium oils to provide customers with exactly the formulation an delivery option that suits them best.
Per the overview above, Mellow oils come in the following configurations. Once learn to compare cbd oils you can identify what’s best for you.
- Purity CBD Oil: – Pure CBD Oil and Organic MCT Oil
- Purity PLUS CBD Oil – A Blend of pure CBD and Broad Spectrum CBD Oil
- Full Spectrum – Full Spectrum CBD Oil from whole hemp plant
- Night Drops – Full Spectrum Cannabinoids from the whole hemp plant
- Day Drops – No Detectable THC – Blend of pure and Spectrum Cannabinoids
- Pet CBD – Blend of pure CBD and Broad Spectrum CBD Oil
- Mellow Purity CBD Isolate Powder – 99% CBD Isolate
Choose What’s Right – Full Spectrum CBD Oil or Broad Spectrum CBD Oil
As you can see there are many different blends and formulations of CBD products available to suit your specific application and desired potency.
To recap our goal to compare cbd oils:
Full Spectrum is the strongest and provides the most benefit due to the presence of all Cannabinoids including THC although in trace amounts. Broad Spectrum is similar and considered second most potent, providing the entourage effect with much less THC and slightly diminished potency.
Isolate is the preferred route for those wanting absolutely no THC. It guarantees no psychoactive effect, no or flavour or taste imparted by terpenes. You also get the ability to precisely calibrate their dose, with the understanding that they are getting pure CBD.Isolate or a blend of Isolate and Broad Spectrum are good choices for those seeking to minimize cannabinoid interactions and intoxication. This is good for sensitive users or for managing the wellness of pets. As always, you should research carefully, discuss with your physician or veterinarian and avoid interactions if you’re taking any other medications.
Reference Links:
https://buymellow.com/fr/comparer-les-huiles-de-cbd-nouvelles/
https://www.forbes.com/health/cbd/best-cbd-oil/
https://www.healthline.com/health/thc-free-cbd-oil
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/best-cbd-oil
Reference: Jungnam Kim, et. al., Neutralization of Cannabidiol Neurotoxicity in Neuron-Astrocyte Sandwich Coculture, Advanced Biology (2023). DOI: 10.1002/adbi.202300090
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