CBD oil is a very useful compound found in hemp plants that has many important healing qualities. Like many cannabinoids, it works best when combined with other compounds found in cannabis in what is referred to as the full-spectrum effect. The different compounds combine and help each other work better than they would if they were used individually when they are consumed in full-spectrum CBD oil products.
But there are some patients who cannot take THC. It causes the user to get “high” and may cause people to fail drug tests that can get them into all kinds of trouble with their employer. Even though there is just a trace of THC (less than 0.3 percent) in most full-spectrum CBD oils, using it over time can lead to a false positive on a drug test.
Because some people are averse to taking full-spectrum CBD oil products for that reason, many manufacturers of CBD oil products have made products like CBD gummies made with isolate. CBD isolate is pure CBD with no THC and no other cannabinoids present in the mix. There are also no terpenes which means that isolates are flavorless and odorless.
Some other producers have made CBD formulas that specifically remove the THC but still contain a broad spectrum of other cannabinoids and terpenes.
What is the Difference Between THC and CBD?
While CBD and THC are both cannabinoids, studies have shown they have a very different effect on the brain. THC binds directly to the CB1 receptor in your brain. That affects the central nervous system and this is why you have the “high” feeling along with feelings of joy and euphoria after taking it.
THC also has a calming effect, although if you take too much THC, you can get a case of temporary anxiety. That won’t happen with CBD oil which prevents the negative response that takes place when there’s too much THC in your system.
CBD oil will not make you feel high, as most oils—even full-spectrum formulas—do not contain a substantial amount of THC. It does have several valuable therapeutic uses, however. CBD can be used to treat a variety of ailments and illnesses including anxiety and depression because it has a calming effect on the brain.
It can also be used to treat rashes and eczema if applied topically to the affected area because of its anti-inflammatory properties. Those same properties can also be used to treat muscle aches and pains when the CBD oil is integrated into creams that are applied topically to a muscle or the affected region of the skin. After a hard-fought game or an intense workout, CBD oil can help your muscles recover faster and feel better.
Studies have shown CBD oil can also help improve concentration and focus because it causes the body to slow down and that allows the mind to stop racing with a stream of rapid, unconnected thoughts that make it difficult to keep yourself on one idea or topic at a time.
CBD oil also helps regulate appetite and can be used to treat insomnia because it causes the brain to feel more relaxed and the body to feel less stress and anxiety. Patients who used CBD oil products found that they fell asleep quicker and slept longer and more soundly when they used them. They also report fewer instances of involuntary body movement while sleeping and fewer instances of nightmares and other disturbing dreams.
Scientists are still exploring additional medical uses for CBD oil and in the future, it may have a number of additional uses that can benefit patients with several different ailments and conditions.
How is THC Removed?
There are several steps involved in removing THC from a CBD oil compound, says Penguin CBD. The THC is usually removed using supercritical carbon dioxide extraction. This is a clean and environmentally-friendly process that keeps the CBD oil potent while not adding potentially toxic substances like other extraction methods. This keeps CBD as a natural product which is one reason many patients prefer it to medications that contain several artificial ingredients.
Additional steps are used to remove any excess plant material from the compound and then the CBD is separated from the other materials by a short-path distillation process. Eventually, the solution contains no traces of THC but still has a substantial amount of CBD. This is why it is called CBD isolate.
Do CBD Products Work Without THC?
Again, we turn to the idea of the entourage effect, which states that cannabinoids work better when they are combined in a compound than they do if they are used alone. That means that even a very small amount of THC inside CBD oil can improve the way it works. It won’t make you high, but it will help your body process the CBD more efficiently than if you only had the CBD.
One area where the difference is noticeable is in the anti-inflammatory properties of CBD. If THC is also present, even in trace amounts, the anti-inflammatory properties of CBD are amplified. However, if all of the THC is removed from the product during its creation, the anti-inflammatory properties are lessened. This often requires the dose amount to be increased in order to achieve the desired effects.
However, there are still many benefits to CBD oil or gummies that do not contain THC. It can help your body heal itself and recover faster from exertion, exercise, and irritation. And if you’re trying to make sure that you don’t fail a drug test and get into trouble at work, then CBD isolate or broad-spectrum products may be the best way to go.
The most important thing is to research the products that you are using and make sure you choose the one that will provide you with the maximum benefits for your situation. And if you have any questions, make sure to ask your doctor about the best way to proceed.
