By Op-Ed Blogger Quinton Charles 

Published August 2, 2019

Does your pet have allergies?

Once again, it’s time to talk about our favorite family members: our pets. A lot of people don’t know this (and those who do, wish that they didn’t), but dogs and cats can have allergies as well. Just like humans, they can be sensitive to certain allergens in the air (such as pollen or dust); and, like their masters, they can lose out on a lot of life by constantly being burdened by these allergies.

How do pets display allergies?

Allergies in animals work very similar to allergies in humans; symptoms can include itchiness, runny noses, red or inflamed eyes, and sneezing. However, despite these similarities, animals will often have allergy symptoms manifest themselves in the pet’s skin. This is due to the high prevalence of “mast cells” (a type of white blood cell) in the pet’s skin. Normally, these cells help combat germs and infection, but they can become overwhelmed by allergens at times.

How do I know if my pet has allergies?

How can you be expected to know if your animal has allergies if you didn’t even know that they could have them? It’s simple. Here are some common symptoms of allergies to look for in your furry best friend:

• Is your pet constantly scratching themselves? This is a tell-tale sign of allergies, especially if it seems to get worse after you have been outside.
• Your pets can chew and lick areas with allergies.  Paws are one of the areas you will see them lick.
•  Maybe they’re breaking out in rashes and hives? This can occur when they are exposed to an allergen.
• They can also display inflammation in areas. Look on their belly and feet, particularly in-between the toes, as these are the parts of their body that touch the things like grass or pollen the most. Ears can be another area that gets inflamed due to allergies.
• Rubbing on furniture, the floor, or any other surface might also be a sign of allergies. Some pets will try and rub their entire body across a surface to alleviate the itchiness caused by an allergy.
• If your pet’s ears are being bothered by allergies, your animal will shake his head often, due to the irritation. They may also not want you to touch their head.
• Allergies will also give animals red skin near their mouth, chin and paws. In some circumstances, the anus will also become red and inflamed.
• Just like humans, pets with allergies often get puffy, red eyes.

So your pet has allergies. Now what?

If your pet displays any or all of the above-listed symptoms, it is likely that he or she has allergies. Now, don’t panic yet. Think of all the times that you had a runny nose in the springtime; this is no different. In fact, you may be experiencing similar symptoms to your animal. Many of the allergens that affect humans are those which cause responses in animals. Since this is the case, the first step in helping your canine companion is exactly like what you would do for yourself: locate the allergen! I acknowledge that this is easier said than done. But think for a moment about what could be causing your pet’s reactions. Is it the indoor cleaners, solvents, or scented oils in the house? What about chemicals used outdoors, like pesticides & herbicides? Animals can even have reactions to medicated pet shampoos and highly concentrated chemicals in flea & tick collars. Are any of these things replaceable at home? Before adding anything to your pet’s diet and life, think about what you could take out that would improve its health.

Are there things that can’t be taken out, or things that are out of your control? No worries, that’s where CBD comes in.

CBD? For my animal?

Yes, CBD can work in animals. Just like humans, animals do have an endocannabinoid system (ECS for short. Check out my prior blog about it). This system helps the cells regulate their function, and can give a boost to the immune system, while also working to reduce inflammation! So if you can’t get rid of an allergen, and your pet is still experiencing the symptoms of allergies, it is a good idea to think about adding some CBD into their daily routine. I know that I wouldn’t want my pet to go on suffering from allergies.

What should I give them?

The other aspect of helping out your pet with CBD is deciding how to give them it. Unfortunately, most animals are unlikely to just swallow a pill or capsule with a glass of water in the morning after breakfast. But capsules and pills aren’t the only way to get CBD into your pet! A very popular option with pets and their owners is, yes, you guessed it, treats. These things are great. Tasty, with plenty of CBD, they make giving your animal what it needs easy. After all, what pet is going to say no to a tasty treat?

Another way to give your animal some CBD is via a tincture. This can be as simple as a treat by just dropping oil in their food.  If your pet is not a good eater and leaves food in their bowl this can be a bit more challenging but can offer something that a treat can’t: isolation. What I mean by this is that tinctures are relatively pure. If your pet turns out to be allergic to an ingredient that is used to make a treat, it will be a bit moot to give them more treats to try to solve the problem. A tincture, with limited ingredient drops in your pets’ mouth, gets around this problem (although, if the treats work fine, no need to stop!)

When looking for CBD for your pet, always make sure to look for products that are from hemp and have minimal .3% or less THC content. At high doses, THC can be toxic to pets. But don’t let that scare you away from using potentially helpful CBD; our products for pets are all safe (our own furry family members use them – just ask Molly and Mike on the left).

When do I start?

As I’m no veterinarian, I always advise you to talk to your vet before changing anything up with your pet’s diet or lifestyle. I offered all the information that I could, and hope that it’s helpful. No owner wants to see their pet suffer with allergies, and many have found relief with CBD,  but it isn’t always as easy as adding a new treat or tincture. This is why I  advise first looking at what you can take out of your pet’s life that causes allergies before adding something new. I hope that, in no time, your pet can be out enjoying life without any allergies! And try some CBD treats or drops, they’re delectable!

By Op-Ed Blogger Quinton Charles

Published July 18, 2019

There Are Different Types of CBD?

I’m sure that by now you have run into different ingredient listings on your CBD. These names, like “Isolate,” and “Full Spectrum,” and maybe even “Synthetic,” could have made complete sense to you, or could have been no more than words. Maybe you didn’t even notice them. My job in these next few sections is to help you to understand what those words mean when they are on your CBD, and maybe help you make some informed decisions about your next purchases. Ready to dive in? Let’s go!

First, I have to say that, yes, there are different types of CBD. The most common names that you will find are isolate and full-spectrum, but others, such as “Synthetic,” and “Broad-Spectrum,” are out there. Now, unlike in a lot of dietary supplements and health foods these days, those words actually mean something and are not just meant to be exotic or attractive. But not everyone calls them by the same name. And what are they?

Isolate

One of the most common forms of CBD that I come across is labeled “Isolate,” or “CBD Isolate.” In fact, the bottle on my desk right now (our exceptional Select CBD Drops, which are peppermint flavored) is an isolate.  It actually says “CBD Hemp Extract,” on the side. It’s in small lettering, so one could easily miss it, but it is important to know what that is. Bear with me for the science-y sounding words.

There are more than 80 cannabinoids, or compounds, found in the hemp plant. CBD isolate is simply telling you that the CBD has been isolated, and is the only one of those 80+ compounds that is included as an active ingredient in the product in your cabinet. It’s purified CBD that has been extracted from the hemp plant and separated from the other cannabinoids. Not too hard to remember, right?

A hemp plant contains lots of different parts (like CBD, THC & terpenes), and an isolate removes everything that isn’t the CBD oil from the mixture. This can be useful for people who are looking for pure CBD oil and want to ensure that their product does not contain even a trace amount of THC (which the hemp plant does, though it is only a trace amount of .3% or less on a dry weight basis.) There are CBD isolate products in nearly every category, from capsules to tinctures to e-liquids and edibles. Isolated CBD is flavorless. That fact and the lack of THC make it appealing to both consumers and manufacturers. We hear great results from customers looking for benefits like mood-stabilization and inflammation relief from CBD isolates.

Full-Spectrum

Another popular form of CBD is known as “Full-Spectrum.”  In my experience, these are some of the most advertised and lauded in the market. So why is that? I think that a lot of it has to do with the potency and “naturalness” of the product. In order to produce an isolate, the hemp plant has to be heavily processed – those additional natural compounds are stripped away. Full-Spectrum means that everything that grew in that plant in the ground has made it to the bottle on your shelf. Full-Spectrum CBD contains a variety of essential vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, protein, chlorophyll, terpenes, flavonoids [1], and fiber along with those cannabinoid compounds. When referring to CBD in the hemp plant, it’s important to understand that hemp contains a large number of cannabinoids (in trace amounts), but the main compound is cannabidiolic acid (CBDa). As CBDa is more abundant in the hemp plant, manufacturers must decarboxylate the oil. The decarboxylation process heats and filters the oil, converting that natural CBDa into CBD. Wow. Let’s unpack that.

In full-spectrum CBD, you’re getting a lot of natural oils and compounds that you otherwise would lose in an “Isolate.” Many of these are just parts of the plant, such as chlorophyll and fiber, while some have a direct effect on your body and the CBD, such as terpenes (I wrote a blog a little while ago on terpenes. Check it out if you haven’t already!) A major result of this abundance of compounds is that full-spectrum CBD is less processed than an Isolate.  It’s heated and filtered, which can increase the concentration while retaining all that plant matter.  It’s often stated to be more potent than an isolate.  All these compounds(cannabinoids) working together creates a synergistic effect known as the “Entourage effect.”  That’s it. Pretty easy, right?

Many people report whole plant extract not only providing faster and better relief [2] , but the effects also lasting longer. This is why an increasing number of companies in the CBD industry are selling full-spectrum CBD oil as a rule.  Do keep in mind, though, that the trace amount of THC will remain in a full-spectrum extract as well.  If you’re subject to drug testing or have a sensitivity to THC, this may be something that you want to avoid.  We hear great feedback specific to full-spectrum products for customers living with chronic pain.

Broad-Spectrum

So we’ve covered isolate and full-spectrum. Another popular option is broad-spectrum. It’s sort of a hybrid if you will.  Rather than isolating and using only the CBD, it’s the THC that’s isolated and removed. This results in a 0 THC product that still retains the other compounds and plant matter. This is the newest option in processing methodology.  Some manufacturers are able to simply extract the THC, while others are separating all of the compounds to an isolated state and then adding them all back into the product on your shelf. We expect to see this option continue to grow in popularity.

A Word on “Organic”

In the United States – all products labeled “organic” should be derived from organically certified hemp grown in the United States. Hemp grown in the European Union (EU) is grown in accordance with EU standards, which can prove the lack of pesticides, mold, and heavy metals through current test results.  Hemp is a porous plant and it’s important to work with a company that lab tests to ensure that there are no harmful agents in the soil making it into that end product. This is less of a concern with a more processed CBD isolate that’s further removed from the plant growing in the ground.

Synthetic

This is the newest and most controversial form of CBD. Just like any other beneficial product that grows naturally, it’s human nature to try to make it better/faster/cheaper. How often, though, does better/faster/cheaper equal healthier?  Not often, in our opinion. We do not carry any synthetic CBD products on our website. But why? The short answer is simply that we don’t trust it. A lot of research points to CBD from the hemp plant as being healthier and more beneficial, yet the race is on for medical biotech companies to create a version of CBD that’s cooked in a lab rather than grown in a field.  Synthetic CBD (and synthetic pretty much anything) is lower cost and easier to mass-produce.  We don’t have to rely on pesky things like sunshine and rainfall. That certainly doesn’t make them better.

As a nation, we’re returning to whole foods and natural products. This is evident in the resurgence of farm to table restaurants. We firmly believe that this should hold true for supplements in our bodies as well. If you need documentation [3], leading international medical cannabis researchers in Israel have documented that CBD extracts made from the whole cannabis plant display superior medicinal properties compared to synthetic single-molecule cannabidiol (CBD.)

So if the plant-based is better for you, more potent and is the safer option, why wouldn’t we only offer natural CBD? Enough said. I’ll get off that soapbox now.

So what should I look for when buying?

We say it over and over again, but truly there is no one size fits all. If you need to avoid even a trace amount of THC, stick with an isolate or broad-spectrum. An isolate is also a great fit if you have concerns about plant terpene allergies.  If you’re looking for the most holistic option, definitely look to full-spectrum.  You’ll generally pay a little more per milligram of active ingredient, but you should be able to see a benefit with a lower serving size.  Keep in mind, though, that full-spectrum is the whole plant – including that trace amount of THC that naturally occurs in the hemp plant.

I would advise you to steer clear of any “Synthetic” CBD. There is still a lot to learn about it, and the research that we have points to it not being as safe or effective as natural CBD.

As always, we at Green Wellness Life are willing to help and answer any questions that you have. Shoot us an email, call, or message us on any of our social media accounts. We’re always here to help!

Resources

1. https://www.marijuanabreak.com/what-are-flavonoids
2. https://www.marijuanabreak.com/entourage-effect-thoroughly-explained
3. https://www.endoca.com/blog/cbd-extract-vs-synthetic-cbd

By op-ed blogger Quinton Charles

Athletes use CBD?

While many people know of the beneficial effects of CBD, and use it daily, many are unaware that it can be immensely helpful for athletes. Now, I’m not talking about just Olympic-level athletes here. Anyone who leads an active life, or wants to start leading an active life, could benefit.

Anti-inflammatory properties

One of the main reasons that CBD is so complementary to exercise and why athletes are switching from other anti-inflammatory drugs (such as ibuprofen) is CBD’s purported anti-inflammatory properties [1]. Several studies have even shown that CBD can effectively regulate swelling in some inflammatory and autoimmune diseases [2]. Swelling is a natural part of athletics, but to be able to neutralize that response can shorten recovery time.

So why the switch?

Chronic use of over-the-counter pain relievers (i.e. NSAIDs like ibuprofen and naproxen sodium) poses greater health risk than previously known, and we are in the midst of an epidemic of opioid addiction and overdoses that kill tens of thousands of Americans annually. In such a landscape, athletes are rightly curious about and eager for cannabidiols’ (CBD) promises of pain relief and reduced inflammation without the risks associated with NSAIDs or opioids [3]. The option and availability of safe, alternative, and often affordable CBD is leading to many athletes switching over to CBD as a supplement to alleviate their pain.

Is it legal?

I can already hear the question: “but what about anti-doping rules and rules against performance-enhancing drugs?” CBD is not prohibited under either. Starting at the beginning of 2018, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) removed CBD from the list of prohibited substances – in or out of competition [4]. This means that, even if you’re a competitive athlete, you don’t have to worry about using CBD to treat those sore muscles!  It is key to look for CBD products that are THC free if you are having to undergo drug testing as it is possible to test positive for THC when using products that have that small percentage of THC in them.  This can either be an isolate or a Broad spectrum product.  We would recommend a broad spectrum over an isolate because it has more of the components present in the plant and can be beneficial with inflammation.

CBD and running

Anyone who regularly reads these blogs knows that I like to talk about my active lifestyle in relation to how I use CBD. I thought that it would be pertinent to bring up what I know about CBD and how it relates to my running.

First, a fun fact that I love sharing is that your body already uses CBD when you run. Well, sort of. It uses a chemical known as “anandamide,” which is a part of your Endocannabinoid system. What this chemical does is induce a euphoria, also known as “runner’s high.”

So what happens when you take CBD? Well, While CBD doesn’t activate cannabinoid receptors in the brain (like the anandamide does), it has shown to moderately inhibit the degradation of anandamide by working against the enzyme responsible for breaking down the bliss molecule. This means a prolongation of the “runner’s high” that makes running such an enjoyable activity (at least for me) [5].

But that’s not why most people, most runners, use it. It all goes back to the anti-inflammatory properties. Running is constant stress on your joints, and that can lead to swelling if you’re not careful. I’ve found that, with my daily CBD supplements and proper stretching, I never suffer from swelling or pain in my joints after running. All I feel is that sweet burn and satisfaction of having sweat it out!

What should I do?

Take some CBD supplements and get out there! You don’t have to be sprinting around a track to benefit from the salutary effects of exercise. Take a bike ride, go for a swim, walk the dog, whatever you can do to get outside and move around is good enough. If you’re an athlete, know that there are other, better options than opioids and painkillers and that these options can manage inflammation and swelling, too. If you’re just trying to get or stay fit, or if you’re already a weekend warrior, look into trying out a CBD supplement. As always, keep an open mind and think about what I’ve offered as you search for what works best for you!

Resources

By Brandy Palmer Founder and Owner of Green wellness Life

When I started working in the hemp industry 4 years ago, it was a whole new world for me.  I could name maybe 5 uses for hemp – and none of them had anything to do with balance in our bodies. The CBD industry at that time was still new. I definitely couldn’t spell cannabidiol and my family and friends hassled me with a lot of pot jokes!  Fast forward to 2019 and it seems that CBD is becoming a common household item. It’s everywhere – from your inbox (seriously – I have three emails TODAY inviting me to participate in CBD studies, from companies I can’t pronounce) and Facebook feed, to your local discount shoe store and hair salon. That is awesome and challenging all at the same time. This is a compound that we are putting in and on our bodies. Many of the people hawking CBD today don’t know a thing about it. This is bad for both the people that are buying and selling it. CBD can be confusing especially for someone trying to find the best choice for their unique system and circumstances. Here’s hoping that this article can help you to know what to look for when buying CBD.

Time in the Industry

New companies that manufacture CBD products are popping up daily. The 2014 Farm Bill made it legal to grow and produce a multitude of products with hemp in the United States. This bill also came with a number of restrictions. These restrictions created some barriers for manufacturers. Many of these restrictions were effectively wiped out with the 2018 Farm Bill update, and the floodgates are effectively opening. Some of these new companies offer great products; However we also know that in the US 1 in 3 businesses will fail in the first year. They may have an awesome product, but marketing and managing a team is an entirely different animal to tame. There’s nothing worse than coming to rely on a product for your family and then learning that it’s no longer an option for you! I’m still pretty angry at TGI Friday’s for getting rid of their grilled vegetable sandwich and there was significantly less at stake there, than on the CBD I take daily. So make sure that the company you’re buying from has been in business for a little while.

Product Knowledge

There are a lot of areas that I am not knowledgeable about. Ask me about computers or why your car engine is making a funny sound, and I’ll stare at you blankly. Ask me about CBD, though, and I know some things. You need that knowledge if you’re new to hemp and the compounds it’s made up of.  It’s great to start with a company that you heard about from friends or family, but your needs may be unique from theirs. It is key to call that company and ask them questions. You’ll know pretty quickly if they know what they are talking about or NOT! If it’s the latter, steer clear! You need an knowledgeable company to help you to be an educated consumer.

There’s a tanning salon in my town that’s selling CBD. They have big posters in their window and a cutesy display on their counter. I went in and asked some questions and knew in about 1 minute that the adorable girl working had NO CLUE what she was selling. That’s not only bad business, it’s likely a turn off to people who will try products. It is easy to take CBD but when you do not know which kind or how much you need to take and how to increase in order to see results you can easily get frustrated and deduce that you saw no results…“CBD doesn’t work!” Make sure that the company you’re working with knows the product.

Avoiding Medical Claims

I know I’m a broken record here, but there really is no “one size fits all” with CBD. Can I promise it will heal your <insert problem here>? No, I can’t. No one can. If they promise a specific medical result, that’s not only unethical – it’s potentially predatory. Many people see a real benefit from CBD, once they have determined the right product and serving size and are taking it consistently. “Many” doesn’t mean everyone. I’ve told people directly that I don’t think that they will see what they are looking for from CBD, which is not an easy thing to say. I’ve also told people that I thought they would see a real benefit and they didn’t. At the end of the day, every system is unique and each person will see varying results with CBD. If the company that you are working with tells you anything other than that, find a new company.

Customer Service

As the CBD market grows, it can be easy to find multiple companies selling the same products.  When that happens, the key difference will be the service. Look for customer reviews and check out their return policy. If your initial choice isn’t a great fit, make sure that the company you’re working with will, at a minimum, swap it out for another product. Be sure to ask if all sales are individual or if you’re signing up for a monthly subscription program? There’s certainly nothing wrong with subscriptions – I get my vitamins like clockwork and that’s pretty convenient; but they can get us into trouble sometimes. I like those meal subscription services. They do pile up quickly and I tend to forget to cancel a week. This results in lots and lots of cooking and freezing meals. Oops. Make sure that you have some flexibility and are fully aware of the cost if you do go the subscription route.

Product Options

I like to buy as many products as I can from one source. I blame Amazon for spoiling me, but it’s reality. If I can find one source I trust, I stick with them. The same should be true for CBD. I give cannabidiol to my dog and two cats, my son, and my husband. We use a variety of products from tincture to e-liquid and salves and there is a real value in being able to get them from one place. There is no “one size fits all” when it comes to CBD, so when a company has a variety of options, it means that I have a better chance of finding my best fit without having to look to another source.

Clear Labeling & Descriptions

CBD is one of the more than 80 different compounds in hemp and marijuana plants. Many CBD products that you buy contain all of those compounds, while others are strictly the isolated CBD. You should know that from a clear label and product description. We go into greater detail in another blog…see more. The amount of CBD in a product should not be a guessing game. While some manufacturers do call it different things (Hemp Extract, Phytocannabinoid Blend, Phytocannabinoid Rich Oil to name a few,) you should always see the total milligrams of that active CBD on the product label.  You should also know that test data is available and be able receive that detail when you ask for it. That test data will show you that what you want is in there, and what you want to avoid (think high THC, pesticides, heavy metals) is not present. If the label and description aren’t clear, and you can’t get the detail you need from Customer Service, take a pass.

Cost

The old adage “you get what you pay for” is true here to a point.  You want to be looking at the cost per milligram of CBD. That cost per milligram will be higher on things like gummies and chocolate because of the other ingredients. Some manufacturers have a perceived brand value and will charge more per milligram, but you should otherwise see fairly close pricing for the same type of CBD. It’s important to compare apples to apples – a CBD isolate product will not be the same cost as a full-spectrum, but if you’re looking at two 1000 mg bottles of full-spectrum tincture (even if those bottles are different sizes!), they should be fairly close in price.  If not, ask why and steer clear of both overpriced and under priced products.

These are exciting times, where we as consumers have more access to information than anyone who came before us.  We can take control of our own health and well-being and that of our families. Was it Spiderman that said “With great power comes great responsibility?” I may have my superheroes mixed up, but you get the point. Making smart choices about what we put in and on our bodies is definitely a great responsibility – here’s hoping that this article has helped lift that burden, if even a little bit.

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By Cara Oorbeck & Brandy Palmer – The Green Wellness Crew!

Isolate, Full Spectrum or Raw?

Finding the right CBD for your needs and body can be confusing. We answer customer questions all day long and we have found that there is no one size fits all. Each individual is different and finding the right fit for you can be confusing. So let’s take a look at the different forms of CBD: What is the difference between them? Who would use which version, and why?

What exactly is CBD, and where does it come from?

First of all, it’s important to understand that cannabidiol (CBD) is only one of the major compounds that are present in the cannabis plant – both hemp and marijuana. It happens to be one of the most studied compounds by scientists because of its powerful potential and the fact that it occurs in greater quantities in the plant than some of the other more than 80+ compounds. As evidence of its interest to scientists and researchers, CBD has been used in multiple pharmaceutical solutions. One of the most recent to be approved by the FDA is Epidiolex, a CBD-based drug used to treat childhood epilepsy.

Despite its fame, CBD is not the only major component in cannabis sativa. There are a range of other compounds that make up the plant, though CBD garners most mainstream attention these days.

Full Spectrum CBD Oil: A Rainbow of Compounds

This is a lot like it sounds: full spectrum CBD oil means that manufacturers use the whole plant and all the cannabinoids found therein instead of just the CBD.

Full-spectrum is unique in that it can introduce the user to the possible positive effects of the other components of cannabis working together, often referred to as the entourage effect. Though there are many different cannabinoids in the plant, here are a few of the better-known ones included in full spectrum products.

1. THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol)

Full-spectrum CBD from the hemp plant does include trace amounts of THC, which is well-known as the psychoactive element of cannabis – or the part that makes you high. It’s can’t be more a .3% concentration when coming from a hemp plant, so it has no psychoactive effect. There is technology that is isolating the THC out of some full spectrum products making it what is now being referred to as a “broad spectrum.” This means that it started as a full spectrum, but the THC was isolated and removed from the other cannabinoids. These products will usually specify 0 THC. Examples of this are KOI Tincture and Natural Leaf softgels

2. CBN (Cannabinol)
This component of cannabis does not occur in as great a quantity, so we don’t know quite enough about it yet. What science is finding is exciting, though. Some early studies are showing that there may be real benefits for people struggling with sleep issues.

3. CBG (Cannabigerol)
Interestingly, CBG has been shown to stimulate growth of new brain cells and stimulates bone growth. These unusual properties make it a fascinating compound for researchers to study.

4. THCV (Tetrahydrocannabivarin)
THCV has a similar molecular structure to THC and is also psychoactive. Research is finding that it’s very similar to CBD as well, in working to balance and neutralize cells.

All of these compounds—and far more—interact in a full-spectrum product. Who would this form of CBD work for? A full-spectrum CBD oil would work great for someone who wants to work with all the elements of the cannabis plant for a holistic approach. It would be very useful for those who are interested in other compounds, like CBG and THCV, and their effects. It’s important to keep in mind that unless clearly stated to be a 0% THC product (ie broad spectrum,) full spectrum products will likely contain a trace amount of THC. That legal limit, if coming from hemp, is 0.3%.

CBD Isolate: Pure CBD Oil

In a CBD Isolate, only one compound is present—CBD. It’s been individually extracted from the plant without any of the other cannabinoids, terpenes or plant matter. Some might say that the isolate is missing some of the other compounds that make full-spectrum oil special. While this is true to an extent, there are plenty of reasons why someone might want just pure CBD oil.

For one, maybe they’re only interested in specific CBD oil effects. If a user has discovered that CBD works best alone to treat their particular disorder or ease their symptoms, then they would definitely want to stick with what works. Other users might feel uncomfortable with even trace amounts of the psychoactive compound THC in full spectrum; in this case isolate CBD is a perfect solution.

Others may actually be allergic or have had bad reactions to other cannabinoids. In this case, a CBD isolate would be the best choice to make sure he or she only consumes a product that’s pure with no trace of other compounds.

Raw CBDA-CBD

“Cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) is a chemical compound found in the resin glands (trichomes) of raw cannabis plants.” In this case, raw means unheated and uncured. Many of the conditions that respond with CBD also respond well to CBDA but there is a growing body of information that is talking about the benefits of raw or CBDA having a greater affect on people living with chronic pain. There is also a patent pending by GW Parmaceuticals using CBDA in conjunction with CBD for anxiety and psychotic disorders.

Whatever your choice when it comes to CBD, it’s important to make sure you’re thinking with a comprehensive view of what you body needs at a given time. If you don’t have any allergies or issues with compounds in a full spectrum product, maybe compare its effects in your body to pure CBD isolate and see what makes you feel better. Every system is unique. We know it’s heard to hear, but there is no one size fits all. At the end of the day, the best CBD for you is the one that you will reap benefit from!