Key takeaways:
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CBD stands for cannabidiol.
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The three main types of CBD are full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and isolate.
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CBD interacts with your body’s endocannabinoid system, a network of receptors responsible for regulating things like mood, inflammatory response and pain, sleep, and memory.
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CBD has the potential to alleviate everyday aches and pains, reduce mild anxiety, and promote restful sleep.
The cannabis and hemp industry is filled with technical terms that can be difficult or overwhelming to sort through. If you’re new to the world of CBD, you may be wondering, "what does CBD stand for?"
Below, our guide provides basic information about CBD including what CBD stands for and other key terms, how it works, and the potential benefits.
What Does CBD Stand For? CBD 101
CBD stands for cannabidiol—it’s one of the primary naturally-occurring compounds, or cannabinoids, found in hemp and cannabis plants. As researchers and CBD experts continue to discover more evidence of its potential benefits, CBD’s popularity and use in self-care routines continue to grow rapidly.
Key Terminology
Before we jump into how CBD works, let’s introduce a few key terms you’re likely to come across in the world of CBD.
Cannabis vs. Hemp
Cannabis plants and hemp plants are often lumped together and are sometimes used interchangeably because they’re two varieties of the same plant species, Cannabis sativa. Hemp plants are simply cannabis plants specially grown to have less than 0.3% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Cannabis plants on the other hand average around 17% THC.
CBD vs. THC
CBD and THC are both cannabinoids found in hemp plants. While CBD and THC often receive the most attention, they’re only two of more than 100 naturally-occurring cannabinoids that you’ll find in hemp plants. CBD works throughout the brain and body to encourage a range of potential benefits.
While CBD targets similar parts of the brain as THC, CBD elicits a different response by potentially providing a sense of clear-headedness. CBD may even target additional parts of the brain that THC doesn’t.
Full-Spectrum, Broad-Spectrum, and Isolate
The three main types of CBD you’ll come across are full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and isolated CBD. The main difference between the three depends on which cannabinoids are retained during the extraction process. Here is the difference between them:
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Full-Spectrum CBD preserves all naturally-occurring compounds found in the hemp plants. For federally legal full-spectrum CBD products, this includes a very small amount of THC (<0.3%).
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Broad-spectrum CBD is nearly identical to full-spectrum but is further refined to remove the THC, though trace amounts are possible.
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CBD isolate is exactly what you’d think—it’s pure, isolated CBD and does not retain any additional cannabinoids.
How Does CBD Work?
CBD, as well as other cannabinoids, interact with your body’s endocannabinoid system, a cell-signaling system of receptors that plays a vital role in regulating mood, inflammatory response and pain, sleep, and memory.
Our bodies produce their own chemicals, called endocannabinoids, that can activate receptors in the endocannabinoid system to keep internal functions running smoothly. This system performs a variety of tasks at many different locations in the body to help it maintain homeostasis. In other words, the endocannabinoid system works to keep our bodies in balance.
Potential Benefits of CBD
The interaction between the endocannabinoid system and CBD is believed to be the main source of CBD’s potential benefits. Many people use CBD to alleviate mild anxiety, promote restful sleep, and reduce everyday aches and pains, though potential other benefits have yet to be unlocked.
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At Feals, we’re committed to your health and wellness journey. We’re not only dedicated to providing you with the highest quality CBD products possible but also offer education, guidance, and support along the way. You deserve a better way to feel better and we’re here to help you find that.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This article is for informational purposes only. It is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and should never be relied upon for specific medical advice.
