The Different Types of CBD & CBD Products [Complete Guide]

CBD has grown to become one of the most popular products in the nation. But, since its inception is so new to most consumers, many feel overwhelmed or confused by all the products out there. What types of CBD are there? What does CBD really do? How does it work? Is it 100% legal? How do I take it, and what's the best method? Don't worry. We are here to answer all your questions, making the CBD purchasing experience much more pleasurable and efficient.

Why Do People Use CBD & How Does It Work?

Consumers have been wary about THC, the most commercially popular cannabinoid in cannabis, because of its psychoactive properties. While both THC and CBD have benefits, consumers can take the latter without worrying about getting a "high." Cannabinoids interact with your endocannabinoid system(ECS). Consumers use CBD for a number of reasons, because of the way it interacts with the ECS. All mammals have an ECS. The ECS helps regulate a number of important bodily functions such as sleep, mood, stress, digestive process, inflammation, soreness, appetite, and much more. The ECS is complicated, but essentially, it is supported by two receptors: CB1 receptors and CB2 receptors. CB1 receptors are located primarily in your brain, although they exist in other places as well. CB2 receptors are mostly stationed in the gut, where the bulk of the immune system is. CBD interacts with your CB2 receptors. Unlike THC, which binds to receptors, CBD stimulates them differently. Instead of binding with them, CBD encourages and empowers your own receptors to help maintain homeostasis and promote overall wellness.

What Types of CBD Are There?

If you are wondering what types of CBD products there are you came to the right place. There are three different CBD types available for consumers: full spectrum, broad-spectrum, and isolates. These variations offer consumers options when it comes to choosing their CBD or CBD oil products. Each type of CBD has its benefits, so it’s good for consumers to know about the different kinds of CBD before making a purchase. Additionally, each type of CBD is used to make various forms of CBD products.

Full Spectrum CBD

Full Spectrum CBD oils contain all of the cannabinoids found in the hemp plant. This includes THC. According to the 2018 Farm Bill, federally legal CBD oil must contain less than 0.3% THC. This is nowhere near enough THC to give consumers any psychoactive effects. So what is the point of having THC in Full Spectrum products? Well, when all the cannabinoids in hemp work together it creates something called the Entourage Effect. The Entourage Effect gives consumers the highest level of benefits. Full Spectrum CBD is known to give consumers the best Entourage Effect.

Broad Spectrum CBD

Broad-spectrum CBD oils contain all of the cannabinoids founds in hemp, excluding THC. This is best for consumers in the military or that have jobs that require drug tests. Although Full Spectrum CBD oils may not contain enough THC to show up on a drug test, repeated use may cause THC to build up in your body over time. The good thing about Broad Spectrum CBD oil is that although the THC is removed, consumers can still enjoy a partial Entourage Effect from the other cannabinoids in the oil.

Isolates

CBD Isolate is the purest form of Cannabidiol. It does not contain any of the other cannabinoids found in the hemp plant. This is best for consumers who are looking to only take pure CBD. CBD isolate does not offer an Entourage Effect but it gives consumers the most purified form of the compound. Like CBD oil, CBD isolate is very versatile and it can be used in many ways. For instance, you can make your own CBD vape juice or increase the potency of your CBD oil by adding isolate.

Want to learn more about CBD Isolate? Check out this article next: How to Use CBD Isolate <7 Different Methods>

What Types of CBD Products Are There?

Ever since the 2018 Farm Bill passed, companies have been stretching themselves thin to try and break into the CBD industry. Since CBD is relatively new to the market it is not yet fully regulated. This has led to some shady companies selling low-grade CBD products with little to no CBD content. When shopping for CBD it wise for consumers to opt for an established brand that offers up to date COAs on each product and it's well-reviewed. Another thing to think about is what type of product is right for your specific preferences or needs. This new booming industry has led manufacturers to add CBD to everything from CBD bath bombs that fizz to CBD bedsheets. So where should a consumer start? Luckily, there are some common types of CBD products that cover a variety of needs. Below we will discuss the most common CBD products, which are typically the most trustworthy. Keep in mind that consumers can find these products made from the 3 different types of CBD (Full Spectrum, Broad Spectrum, and Isolate). This way you can get a CBD product that caters to your personal preference.

Edible Types of CBD Products

Many CBD companies manufacture edible products like CBD gummies or CBD chocolates. CBD infused edibles are very popular and probably the most prevalent at convenience stores across the nation. The rule of thumb for CBD products is that the longer it takes to take effect, the longer the effects last. Because edibles take quite a while to kick in (they need to be broken down in your digestive system before making it to your ECS), they aren't the best for immediate benefits. They are great for prolonged benefits though. It may take 1-2 hours to kick in, but the effects will typically last much longer than other CBD products.

Sublingual Types of CBD Products.

Sublingual CBD oil is administered by placing a few drops of the oil under your tongue. This is very potent and the effects will kick in very quickly. With that being said, remember our rule of thumb. Although sublingual products work fast, their effects do not last as long as edibles. When you use CBD sublingually you can typically expect the effects to last around 4-6 hours. Sublingual products are great for people who need quick benefits (within 15-30 minutes), although this application is not as quick as inhalation.

Vape and Flower CBD Products

CBD vapes and Flower both need to be inhaled. CBD vapes do not contain regular CBD oil because inhaling oil can be hazardous to health. Instead, they contain CBD vape juice which typically comes in pre-filled cartridges. Consumers can also get CBD vape juice in containers and manually place it in a refillable vaporizer. CBD Flower looks like regular cannabis buds, but they are grown to contain no more than 0.3% THC. These CBD flowers can be rolled in rolling papers, smoked in smoking devices, or vaped. Inhalation is the quickest way to get CBD into your system, which means the effects are almost immediate (within 30-90 seconds). This means that the effects are also short-lived (2-3 hours). Inhalation also gives consumers the most potent method of getting CBD. Other methods go through something called the first-pass metabolism. That means the CBD is metabolized by your liver before being dispersed through your body. This happens with edibles and partially with sublingual methods. Of course, some of the potency is lost in that process. Inhalation gives consumers a method to avoid the first-pass metabolism.

Topical CBD Products

Topical CBD products are applied to the skin and usually come in the form of lotions and cremes. Consumers massage the cream or lotion into their skin to target soreness directly. When you apply CBD topically it interacts with cannabinoid receptors on your skin. This method can take just as long as edibles to kick in, so it is slow but will last longer. The American Academy of Dermatology has implied that utilizing topical CBD products for certain skin irritations has shown promise while other studies point to more topical benefits.

Uncommon Types of CBD Products

Now that we have touched on the most common CBD products, we can discuss the more rare and sometimes confusing products on the market today. There are too many to name here but we will touch on the ones that seem to be appearing at a higher frequency.

CBD Feminine Products

CBD tampons and pads are becoming more common. Sometimes called CBD suppositories, these tampons and pads aim to open a new market in feminine products. These products look to utilize the properties in CBD to help women dealing with negative side effects from their menstrual cycle. Huffington Post spoke to many women about the topic. One consumer says she tried pain pills and topical CBD but neither gave her benefits on the highest level to help deal with her severe symptoms. When she tried CBD Tampons though, it changed her life. “CBD suppositories have definitely taken the place of pain pills for me, which I didn’t think was possible,” she stated.

CBD Suppositories

Outside of feminine products, CBD suppositories are also gaining popularity. These suppositories are inserted into the anus or vagina. By using suppositories in the anus or vagina, the CBD goes directly into the bloodstream. This method is effective for those having difficulty keeping food down. A suppository is basically the most effective way to take almost anything because it gives consumers immediate and potent results. Consumers should wash their hands thoroughly before application to avoid causing any irritation or infection.

CBD Linens

This is a case of companies trying to make a buck off CBD in any form. Since there are tons of consumers who claim CBD has assisted them with sleep, some companies decided to infuse bed sheets and pillowcases with the cannabinoid. There has been no evidence that this method actually works at all but that hasn't stopped people from buying them.

CBD Facemasks and Hand Sanitizer

Covid-19 has made Facemasks and Hand Sanitizer the most sought out items on the planet. So, of course, companies are rushing to infuse these with CBD as well. CBD facemasks claim to give you the same benefits as inhalation (because the facemasks are infused with CBD) while CBD hand sanitizer boasts that it offers the same benefits as topical use. Although there hasn't been much evidence to prove their worth, there hasn't been much to go off of since its so new. In essence, both these things sound reasonable since inhalation and topical use have been proved to work.

Final Thoughts Concerning Different Types of CBD

When shopping for CBD oil products remember that there are 3 different variations of CBD. Each variation comes with a wide range of products to choose from. CBD may improve your life in many ways, but consumers should make sure they are educated on the product and confident in what they need from the product. Inhalation, sublingual use, and suppositories offer the quickest relief, while edibles and topicals take a little longer to kick in. Each method also has its perks for what the consumer is trying to achieve. We believe, that there is a specific type of CBD product for everyone! The statements made regarding these products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The efficacy of these products has not been confirmed by FDA-approved research. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. All information presented here is not meant as a substitute for or alternative to information from health care practitioners. Please consult your health care professional about potential interactions or other possible complications before using any product. The Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act requires this notice.