hemp 101
cbd: stands for cannabidiol and is the second most abundant active ingredient in the hemp plant, right after thc (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol). there are about 540 chemical substances in all. while cbd is a component of the plant (hemp contains about 540 chemical substances in all), it does not cause a “high”. according to a report from the world health organization, “in humans, cbd exhibits no effects indicative of any abuse or dependence potential…. to date, there is no evidence of public health related problems associated with the use of pure cbd.” and its benefits are seemingly endless. cbd users report that it relieves pain, reduces anxiety and depression, even helps alleviate cancer related symptoms, among many other things.
cannabinoids: a group of substances found in the cannabis plant. there are over a hundred identified cannabinoids, but the most common are thc, cbd and cbg.
decarboxylation: in simple terms: heat, which activates the cannabinoids. in chemical terms: thc and cbd as they exist in the hemp plant are acidic (specifically with a carboxylic acid), thus they are abbreviated thca and cbda. heating them to approximately 250 F for about an hour causes a release of carbon dioxide, leaving behind a hydroxyl (-OH) group and bringing the effects of the plant to life.
full-spectrum: cbd that contains multiple naturally-occurring hemp chemicals, including essential oils, terpenes, and other cannabinoids, such as cannabinol. side note: full-spectrum cbd products may legally contain up to 0.3% of tetrahydrocannabinol (thc) although ours averages around 0.1%.
hemp: the scientific name for hemp is cannabis. a native plant to china, hemp has spread to temperate climates all over the world. two of the major varieties are cannabis sativa and cannabis indica. there are over one thousand different cultivars or strains of cannabis. the plant can vary from a bush a few feet high to a bamboo-looking plant that can grow to fifteen feet tall. each of the major parts of the plant are useful to humans. the flowers and leaves close to the flowers are covered with trichomes, which is where the essential oils are.
mct oil: a supplement made from a type of fat called medium-chain triglycerides. we use mct oil in our tinctures because it’s easy to digest and absorbs in the bloodstream quickly. derived from coconut oil, our mct is a triglyceride containing only C8 chains (meaning chains 8 carbons long). mct is especially good at supplying energy to the brain.
terpenes: natural compounds in the trichomes on the flower or bud of the hemp plant. they are responsible for the distinctive aromatic and flavor qualities, as well as a host of therapeutic effects.
trichomes: tiny (we use a jeweler’s loupe to see them), mushroom-looking growths on the surface of the flowers and neighboring leaves close that contain cannabinoids and terpenes. they look like small crystals. in our cbd plants, they turn from clear to amber in color as the plant reaches maturity and harvest. the extract from trichomes is what gives DROPS it’s unique golden hue.
references
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