About CBD
WHAT IS CBD
These days, everyone and their dog has heard about Cannabis – but what is it exactly? Cannabis is a flowering plant family with several different species, one being Cannabis Sativa, and has been used since ancient times for its medicinal benefits. Just like several plant varieties, Cannabis Sativa contains active compounds called cannabinoids. While the plant contains over a hundred different cannabinoids, two of the most common are Cannabidiol (CBD) and Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) – more about THC later.
CBD is one of the most prominent + popular compounds found in the Cannabis Sativa plant and contains powerful, beneficial properties for a plethora of health + skin concerns – all without the psychoactive side effects that are experienced from THC (but more about that later!). Those mind-altering side effects seem to be a concern for several people, so simply put, CBD infuses the skin and body with nutrient-dense goodness but without any worries of getting high.
THE METHOD MATTERS
Because of its rich medicinal and therapeutic benefits, you want to make sure you’re getting the most out of your CBD Oil. Just like with any natural skincare ingredient, the way it’s grown, sourced, and processed impacts the efficacy of the final product. So we’re about to explain why the method of extraction can make or break your CBD experience.
The majority of extraction methods for CBD Oil use high temperatures for long periods of time. What’s the problem with that process? For the same reasons we want to drink cold-pressed juices and why we don’t want to cook with EVOO. More heat means more breakdown of delicate molecules – and less goodness on your skin + in your body. It completely strips the plant of its potent compounds and significantly diminishes its effectiveness.
Not only do these industrial methods incorporate high heat, they often use solvents (such as propane, butane and ethanol – yikes) which are dangerous, highly flammable and risk leaving behind residual chemicals and contaminating the purity of the CBD Oil. No, thanks.
Another downside to many CBD products on the market (in our personal skincare opinion!) is that they include CBD Isolate. With a more transparent, thinner consistency, CBD Isolate is exactly what it sounds like: isolating CBD from the rest of the plant compounds – it’s refined until only pure CBD remains. Sure, pure CBD oil sounds great, but ultimately, your skin is missing out on all of the other beneficial properties found in the plant.
So what exactly are these potent compounds in CBD oil that we want to protect?
- Terpenes: You might be familiar with terpenes if you’ve ever used essential oils! There are hundreds of these naturally occurring compounds found in Cannabis and they’re what gives the plant its unique scent + specific effects and helps to boost absorption of other beneficial components of the plant.
- Flavonoids: Found in various foods + flowers, flavonoids are what create their vivid colors (think: raspberries, roses and yes, wine!). They are rich in anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and when partnered with terpenes + cannabinoids, the therapeutic properties are seriously enhanced.
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Cannabinoids: While cannabinoids can be found in several plant species, there are over 100 of these beneficial compounds found in the Cannabis Sativa plant specifically that bind to receptors in the body. Our favorite cannabinoid and the one we’re focusing on today, CBD, primarily impacts the immune system and skin (unlike THC, which binds to receptors in the brain – hence, it’s mind-altering effects) to powerfully support health + homeostasis.
So what if there was a way to extract CBD oil in a natural way that keeps its powerful, terpene-rich profile intact? Well, there is (and it’s how our CBD Oil in our soon-to-be-released Soothing Serum is extracted!).
Before we dive into this unique, natural distillation process, we need to talk plant quality which is something we really care about at Primally Pure. Organically grown hemp is the only way to go. We want to stay far away from pesticides on our plate and in our skincare products. Our CBD Oil is sourced from hemp grown on organic farms in the U.S. and the quality control is taken a step further as it’s triple tested for any traces of toxins, harmful pesticides, and heavy metals.
Once the organic hemp plants are harvested + tested, it’s time to extract the CBD oil.
Using only heated air for a few, short seconds (no chemicals or solvents needed), vapor distillation is the only method in the world – yup, in the whole wide world – that ensures there are no traces of toxic chemicals (i.e. hexane, butane, propane), protects the fragile plant material and maintains the full-spectrum of beneficial compounds (like cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, etc).
They call this: flash activation + flash extraction.
The quick burst of heat (instead of hours exposed to high temperatures) captures all of the delicate, beneficial compounds of the plant without damaging or compromising the CBD in any way.
With a greenish/brownish hue + thicker consistency, this hemp-derived, full-spectrum oil is something experts like to refer to as the Entourage Effect. It contains the broadest + most beneficial variety of plant compounds in their specific ratios to optimize the effects of CBD oil. Studies have even shown that the synergy of phytonutrients has a greater capacity to contribute to skin health, homeostasis + your overall sense of wellness. When it comes to CBD and its compounds, they’re better together.
To sum it all up, why is the CBD extraction process such a big deal? You get more of the good stuff and less of the bad. The full plant profile is in the final product and your skin will reap the benefits.
THE TRUTH ABOUT THC
So by now, you may be thinking, “Okay cool, the full plant profile – I’m all about it. But that must mean THC is still present?” Yup, it’s time to talk THC.
One of the most common questions + concerns about CBD Oil is: “Will it make me high?” Short answer: Nope.
THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is another naturally occurring cannabinoid found in the Cannabis Sativa plant and is most famous for its psychoactive properties (aka that “stoned” feeling). Part of the controversy with THC, and even CBD, is due to the confusion surrounding the verbiage being used about the topic: weed, hemp, marijuana, cannabis, CBD… what’s what?
While we’re not going to get into the nitty-gritty of ganja, here’s a simple guideline to help explain. Not to be confused as the exact same plant, think of Hemp and Marijuana more like cousins. While they’re in the same Cannabis family, their functions are slightly different.
One of the main differences between the two is their THC content. Marijuana is higher in THC and lower in CBD, while Hemp is higher in CBD but lower in THC. To keep things legal (and sober), distributors extract CBD oil from Hemp – not Marijuana – so there are only trace amounts of THC (staying well below the less than .3% guidelines set for CBD Oil products).
But while THC may have a bad rap, there is actually some good that comes from this cannabinoid. In minimal amounts, THC helps to contribute to that Entourage Effect we explained earlier. By maintaining the full plant profile, instead of isolating a specific component of the plant (like with CBD Isolate), your skin is fed the full range of benefits found in that ingredient.
All full-spectrum CBD Oils are going to have trace amounts of THC – keeping the synergistic benefits intact but without altering your state of mind or leaving you with the munchies.It simply creates a more potent, transformative CBD oil and offers significantly more therapeutic + medicinal support for skin and overall wellness.