by Rosie Hopegood
You’ve no doubt read about some of the amazing benefits of CBD. From aiding sleep to soothing discomfort and softening fine lines, there are many reasons CBD has seen such a boom in the last few years. It’s so popular that one in seven Americans say they now use a CBD product on a daily basis.
But reading labels on some CBD products can feel a little like a crash course in chemistry. Don’t know your broad-spectrum from your full-spectrum hemp oil? And what is nano CBD, anyway? We’re here to guide you along the way so you can make an informed decision when choosing the type of CBD that’s right for you.
The Most Common Types of CBD
These days, CBD products are popping up everywhere. You can drink CBD-infused coffee or snack on CBD beef jerky. You can slather yourself in CBD balm or use hemp shampoo. Whatever you choose, there are three main types of CBD labels that you are likely to come across — full spectrum, broad spectrum, and isolate — each offering different qualities and effects.
Full Spectrum CBD
The term “full spectrum CBD” is a little bit of a misnomer, as CBD is simply a single compound found in the hemp plant that does not exist on a spectrum. Instead, full spectrum CBD refers to pure, unfiltered hemp extract, containing compounds such as terpenes, cannabinoids like CBD, flavonoids and essential oils. Alongside these beneficial elements, full-spectrum CBD also contains tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) — the compound in cannabis associated with feeling high.
Although the amount of THC found in full-spectrum CBD is very low (at most 0.3%), THC is illegal in many states and could even show up on drug tests. For this reason, many people choose to stay away from products containing full-spectrum CBD.
Broad Spectrum CBD
Like full spectrum products, “broad spectrum CBD” also refers to far more than just the CBD compound. Broad-spectrum hemp oils contain all of the same good stuff as full-spectrum CBD minus the THC. Because of this, it offers all the benefits without the risk of side effects from THC. Plus, it’s fully legal in all states.
Be warned, though: not all CBD oil is created equal, and in the last few years, the market has been flooded with inferior products. Our CBD-rich Broad Spectrum Hemp Oil is made from organically sun-grown US hemp and contains 0.0% THC. It’s one of the highest-quality oils you can buy, with a 1-milliliter serving providing 33.34 milligrams of CBD. Benefits include feelings of calm, focus and reduced stress.
CBD Isolate
CBD isolate is the CBD compound with all other elements of the hemp plant removed. This means it has none of those powerful flavonoids, terpenes or cannabinoids and no THC. It’s tasteless and odorless, and there are no risks of side effects from THC.
This type of CBD can be a little confusing. Although it is essentially a very pure form of CBD, manufacturers use extensive techniques to achieve the crystal form of CBD that mean the end result is a highly processed product.
Most importantly of all, there is also evidence that CBD isolate does not have the same benefits as full- or broad-spectrum CBD because the compounds in hemp work together to boost each other’s beneficial effects. This is known as the “entourage effect.” SHEbd products are produced using a patent-pending chromatography process that purifies cannabis to free it of THC while leaving all of the female plant’s 100-plus beneficial compounds intact to preserve the entourage effect. Put simply, you can enjoy all the benefits that CBD has to offer.
Understand Some Common Terms
Aside from “broad spectrum,” “full spectrum” and “isolate,” there are a couple of other terms you’re likely to see coming up when choosing a product. Premium CBD brands may use labels such as “nano CBD” or “water-soluble CBD.”
What Is Nano CBD?
These days, nanotechnology is used to boost the effectiveness of many types of medications, supplements and beauty products at the upper end of the market. Scientists use nanotechnology to break a substance such as CBD down into nanoparticles. These teeny-tiny microparticles are much more easily absorbed into the bloodstream than regular-sized particles, and as a result they are able to permeate to harder-to-reach areas of the body.
A 2017 study showed that CBD produced using nanotechnology was up to 600% more bioavailable than regular CBD in rats, and a similar effect is thought to be had in humans. Rest assured that SHEbd products such as our Broad Spectrum Hemp Comfort Cream are made using an ultra-high tech proprietary nanotechnology process that allows the beneficial compounds to be more readily absorbed by the body so even a small amount goes a long way.
What Is Water-Soluble CBD?
Water-soluble CBD is also made using nanotechnology. Sound waves are used to break down the molecules in CBD into particles that measure one-millionth of a millimeter. As you may know, the human body is made up of around 60% water, so it’s easy to see why these minute particles — now small enough to blend with water molecules — are much more easily absorbed.
The bioavailability of regular, non-water soluble CBD may be as low as 4%, meaning that 96% of it may be flushed away by your body. Think about it: the more easily absorbed your CBD is, the less of it you need to feel the boost of the beneficial effects. Our CBD-rich Broad Spectrum Softgels are made using a water-soluble and nanoemulsified hemp formulation that makes our CBD up to six times more bioavailable than traditional CBD products.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, not all CBD products are created equal. Hopefully now you’ll feel a little more confident when it comes to choosing the CBD product that’s right for you. If you want to experience all the wonderful benefits of CBD, picking products like SHEbd’s that are made using the highest quality hemp and nanotechnology makes all the difference. it’s essential you don’t settle for inferior brands.
Rosie Hopegood is a journalist, editor and content writer based in London. Her work has appeared in publications such as The Guardian, The Telegraph and Vice.
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