Exploring the world of hemp products is an exciting journey, but it’s crucial to understand which product suits your individual needs. While this step is important, it can be one of the most challenging aspects for many people. Gaining a solid understanding of the differences between hemp-derived cannabinoids and the products they are used in can significantly influence your overall experience with these products.
What is a Cannabinoid?
Before we dive into CBD or THC, it’s essential to first understand what a cannabinoid actually is. According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, there is some evidence suggesting that cannabis or cannabinoids can offer modest benefits for conditions like chronic pain and symptoms of multiple sclerosis.
Currently, more than 100 cannabinoids have been identified in the hemp plant, with CBD and Delta 8 THC being among the most prevalent. However, the specific cannabinoid content in hemp can vary based on factors such as the plant’s genetics, the conditions in which it’s grown, and the methods used during the curing process.
What is CBD?
Cannabidiol, more commonly known as CBD, is one of the primary cannabinoids naturally produced by the hemp plant. Over the years, extensive cultivation and selective breeding have made it the most prevalent cannabinoid found in hemp. CBD has gained popularity for its soothing effects and potential to reduce inflammation. But beyond its relaxing qualities, continued research has revealed some truly compelling insights.
Scientific Backing
CBD is often associated with a wide range of wellness benefits, but its most well-supported use comes from its impact on specific forms of childhood epilepsy. Harvard Health Publishing highlights that the most convincing evidence surrounds CBD’s ability to help manage severe epilepsy syndromes like Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome—conditions that typically do not respond to traditional seizure medications.
What is Delta 8?
While Delta 8 is a common cannabinoid present within the hemp plant, it is found in much smaller quantities than CDB. Once again, this is thanks to hundreds of years of selective breeding for specific traits. Delta 8 is most commonly known to produce similar effects as Delta 9, though much milder.
The Journal of Cannabis Research states, “Most delta-8-THC users experienced a lot or a great deal of relaxation (71%); euphoria (68%) and pain relief (55%)”.
Types of Products
There are dozens of different types of products that can be made from hemp-derived cannabinoids. Each one has its own unique benefits and uses. Some of the most common popular products made from hemp-derived CBD and Delta 8 include (but are not limited to);
- Smokable hemp flower
- Vapes/cartridges
- Tinctures
- Gummies
- Topicals
How to Choose the Best Product for Your Needs
Choosing the best product for your needs starts with a very important question – what goals are you trying to achieve? Do you want something that promotes hemp’s anti-inflammatory properties? Or maybe one that showcases calming or sleep-promoting properties?
Once you know the goal you are trying to achieve, the next step is to determine the type of product you want. For example, if you want to focus on a specific part of your body like a shoulder or knee, you would want to use a topical rather than a tincture. A topical will give you more target results whereas a tincture will give you a more all-over effect.
But before you buy just any hemp-derived product, you also need to make sure it is a good one. Shoppers can verify a brand and a product’s quality in several different ways. Some of the most common ways to check if a brand produces high quality products include the following;
- Contact information for the brand (usually multiple options)
- Certificate of Analysis (or COA for short) is available for shoppers to read
- An emphasis on educational content
- Transparency surrounding the products and how they are made.
Sometimes finding the right hemp product for your needs can feel like a daunting task. However, with the right information, shopping for hemp products can be a fun experience. Understanding the different types of cannabinoids and what makes them unique is the first step to expanding your knowledge about the wonderful plant we call hemp.