CBD is growing in popularity thanks to its therapeutic properties. Studies continue to show promising evidence that CBD can help improve our overall wellbeing.
This ever-growing demand is causing all kinds of brands to jump on the bandwagon and push products like CBD oils to the market just to grab a slice of the pie. And the endless options make it hard to understand exactly what it is you’re buying.
But don’t worry. If you are asking yourself “Are all CBD oils the same,” we’re here to tell you that they’re not!
In this article, we will discuss the important differences between CBD oils and how to find one that’s right for you.
What Exactly Is CBD?
Cannabidiol is a phytocannabinoid discovered in the cannabis plant back in 1940. There are over 100 other identified cannabinoids, but CBD is uniquely special.
It offers a range of benefits for people of all different situations. Studies show that it can help with different things like seizures, pain management, sleep problems, anxiety, and stress.
It does this by interacting with the human body’s endocannabinoid system. This system plays a huge role in managing the things mentioned above (and lots more).
The endocannabinoid system naturally produces its own cannabinoids which bind to certain brain receptors to do their jobs. Phytocannabinoids (the cannabinoids made by plants) can enter this system and help it do a good job.
CBD does this without causing any intoxicating effects and does not have a risk of dependence or abuse.
How Is CBD Oil Made?
CBD oil gets made through a complex process of cultivation and extraction. Once extracted, it gets refined a bit further to make it ready for consumption.
To be legal, CBD must come from the industrial hemp version of the cannabis plant family. The hemp must contain less than .3% THC. The better the hemp is grown, the better the CBD can be. So sourcing hemp from quality locations is an essential part of making a high-quality CBD oil.
Yummy CBD oils contain CBD extracted from U.S. grown industrial hemp. We exclusively use non-genetically modified (GMO-free) organic hemp grown by our partner farms here in the USA. To produce the cleanest, most pure CBD products, we maintain very high extraction and purification standards. The hemp is processed using clean, environmentally friendly methods, and production is done at our FDA-registered facility. As a result, our products are guaranteed free of impurities and contaminants; they contain NO pesticides, chemical fertilizers, solvents, or fungus.
Differences In Extract Types
One of the main differences in CBD oils is what type of extract they contain.
Some products are full-spectrum, meaning they contain all of the other cannabinoids and compounds that grow naturally in the hemp plant, alongside CBD.
Some are broad-spectrum. These oils contain the other cannabinoids found in hemp as well, but they limit THC.
And lastly, CBD isolate is the pure form of CBD. There are no other cannabinoids in the product.
Let’s break each one down and look at the details.
Full-Spectrum Oil
Full-spectrum CBD oil is known as a whole plant extract. That is because it has all of the other cannabinoids and chemical compounds found in the hemp plant.
There are other cannabinoids – like THC, CBC, and CBN – that all have their own unique properties. There are also flavonoids and terpenes. These compounds contribute to the flavor, aroma, and overall experience of the oil.
Full-spectrum CBD oil goes through a filtration system after its extraction. But all of the natural compounds from the plant get left in the oil. Even though full-spectrum products leave the THC, it is not in a high enough concentration to cause any intoxicating effects. Full-spectrum oils must contain less than .3% THC to be legal. And the inclusion of the very low level of THC is a good thing.
This is a good thing because studies suggest that when the compounds in hemp work together, they produce better effects. This is known as the entourage effect. For example, terpenes play a part in impacting flavor and they have anti-inflammatory properties. CBN may also have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. And the presence of the trace amount of THC enhanced the overall effect of the CBD product. So with a full-spectrum oil, you get to enjoy the benefits of all the compounds working together. But without any psychoactive side effects.
Broad-Spectrum Oil
Broad-spectrum CBD oil is similar to full-spectrum oil as it contains other cannabinoids from cannabis. But there is one big difference. Broad Spectrum oil does not contain any measurable amount of THC.
So you are likely to benefit from a mild entourage effect but not as powerful as it could be with a full-spectrum oil. This is why broad-spectrum products may not be as effective as full-spectrum ones.
A benefit to broad-spectrum oil is that people can take it in places where even a trace amount of THC is illegal and not have to worry about breaking any laws. But, this may not be an issue for where you live because the trace amount of THC found in full-spectrum CBD products was made legal at the Federal level with the 2018 Farm Bill, U.S. Controlled Substance Act (US CSA). So, if you have the options between a broad spectrum and a full spectrum product, it is generally recommended to go with the full spectrum version.
Isolate Oil
CBD Isolate is a pure form of cannabidiol (the CBD compound). It does not contain other cannabinoids or terpenes from the hemp plant, even in trace amounts. It doesn’t have any plant-produced fatty acids either.
Isolate gets made with the same extraction process as other oils. But once the cannabinoids are extracted, the CBD is completely filtered out. The way this is done is through a process called winterization which – just like it sounds – chills the CBD. As this process cools the CBD down, it removes all of the other chemical compounds.
One benefit to isolate oils is that they are typically a bit more affordable. This is because they don’t have any other cannabinoids. However, when using isolate, you are missing out on many potential benefits from the entourage effect. This is why isolates tend to be the least recommended version of CBD products.
Tinctures and Oils: Are They the Same?
Technically a tincture is not the same as oil, even though these descriptions are often used interchangeably. So, just be aware that it is common to buy something listed as a tincture that is technically an oil. This is pretty common since in practice the terms are both used when describing CBD oil products. To be certain, just check the list of ingredients on the product.
The main difference between the two is the type of carrier used for the CBD. A carrier is a base that is used which allows us to ingest CBD. A CBD tincture is a liquid just like CBD oil. But instead of using oil, a tincture uses alcohol as the carrier. So, they may have the same extract with the same levels of cannabinoids but one is oil-based and one is alcohol-based.
Oil extraction is the most popular method of extraction and it often uses coconut oil, hemp seed oil, MCT oil, or olive oil.
A true tincture is not made by extraction but by steeping cannabis or hemp in high-proof grain alcohol. The compounds infuse as this mixture stays on low heat for a long period. After a long enough time the alcohol burns off. Then you are left with a tincture.
Tinctures can have a longer shelf life than an oil. But CBD oils are usually higher in potency and are suitable for oral consumption as well as topical consumption. In contrast, tinctures really aren’t meant for application on the skin.
Differences In Quality
Besides the extraction process and extract type of oil, there are still a lot of factors that influence the quality of a CBD oil. The manufacturing facilities, processes, equipment, and quality standards all play a part in what type of CBD oil you end up with.
Read the Certificate of Analysis
The number one way to find out if a CBD oil is quality or not is to read the third-party lab results for the product, aka the Certificate of Analysis (also called a CoA). Any reputable company selling legitimate products should have one available for what they are selling.
The CoA is a document that serves as evidence that there are no toxins or contaminants and that the product is what it claims to be. This is extremely important for CBD products.
Unscrupulous companies may claim that their products will have certain effects that aren’t substantiated or they may state that a product has a certain level of CBD potency when it really doesn’t. So, checking the CoA is your first line of defense when it comes to buying a product that is what it says it is.
Read the Ingredients List
Another way you can compare differences in quality between CBD oils is to check the ingredients list.
Some oils only contain carrier oil and CBD. Some have additional ingredients for improving absorption, and some have ingredients to affect the smell and flavor. You can even find oils that have added vitamins.
Quality products will have an ingredients list with all their product information available. Look for all-natural and organic ingredients and USA-sourced hemp. Yummy CBD oils are made with all-natural, organic, and vegan-friendly ingredients plus we use natural flavoring to mix with our full-spectrum oils to create a superior oil with an unbeatable flavor.
Hemp grown in the United States is subject to federal agricultural laws. And buying products with organic ingredients means you are avoiding potential contamination by pesticides and chemicals. Our CBD is sourced from USA organic farmers. We create our products in small batches with environmentally friendly methods.
Our Orange Zest Organic CBD Oil has organic MCT oil derived from coconut, organic hemp full-spectrum CBD extract, and organic flavoring.
The Mellow Mint Sleep CBD Oil has organic MCT oil derived from coconut, organic hemp full-spectrum CBD extract, melatonin, and natural flavoring.
Our CBD oils come free of pesticides, chemical fertilizers, solvents, or fungus. And you can be confident about this thanks to our CoAs.
Research the Brand
Another important factor to consider when looking for a great CBD oil is the brand behind the product. Be sure to read a company’s About page to see if they have a mission and values that make sense to you.
Some brands prioritize things like affordability or fashion above everything else. They may spend more on things like marketing and packaging than they do on quality sourced ingredients and full panel third-party lab tests. But when it comes to CBD oil, it may be worth it to spend a little more on a safe product that has the promised potency.
If you can find product reviews from other customers take the time to read through them. This can be a good help in determining if you will likely be pleased with a new product or not. Customers often note things like the flavor, aroma, and effects in their reviews. Sometimes this can give you a better idea of what the CBD oil will be like, even more so than the official product description.
A few other things you can consider are things like return policies, customer service, or if the company has gotten any warning letters from the FDA.
How To Find the Best CBD Oil
Now that you know more about what makes CBD oils different, you can compare them and choose the best products for you. While most oils are made in the same way, the end products can be vastly different depending on the manufacturing process and the company’s standards of practice.
Some companies make it easy to find the information you are looking for. Consider it a red flag if you are looking at a product that does not have an ingredients list or CoA easily available.
Yummy CBD only uses organic hemp and clean ingredients. We list them all on each product so you can easily see what you are trying. And they are flavored to perfection with natural herbs and fruit juices. Try them out today!