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Different Types of CBD: A Complete Guide

Different Types of CBD: A Complete Guide

The world of cannabidiol (CBD) is just as bountiful as its purposed benefits—CBD oil, gummies, and even bath bombs can help users feel more relaxed and blissful with daily use. That said, your CBD product—whether you’re soaking them in with a warm bath or ending your day with a fruity gummy—will contain one of three types of CBD: full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and THC-free isolate. 

With the legalization of CBD in 2018 and the discovery of cannabidiol in US-grown orange peels, CBD has gone from niche to mainstream.1 But how can you choose the right type of CBD for your specific needs?

No reason to stress, CBD is in your future—and we’re peeling back the layers on the three types of CBD, their makeup, and their specific uses to ensure your days are spritzed with mental focus, vitality, and overall well-being.

What is CBD?

CBD is short for cannabidiol, a chemical compound derived from cannabis sativa—a versatile cannabis plant that’s been used for cultural and wellness practices in Central Asia for centuries. Cannabis positively flourishes with phytochemicals; CBD is just one of them.

CBD is typically derived from mature hemp plants, an industrial, multi-use plant that’s also part of the cannabis plant family. When harvested, CBD undergoes extraction processes to ensure that, per FDA regulations, products contain less than 0.3% of THC—the psychoactive, intoxicating ingredient in hemp’s popular cousin, marijuana. 

However, CBD can also be extracted from the peels of US-grown oranges, and it’s structurally identical to the CBD found in hemp plants. More specifically, CBD is derived from the orange’s terpenes, the compounds that give oranges their sweet and tangy smell. This type of CBD is entirely THC-free, much like isolate CBD. 

CBD consumption or CBD being topically applied may help support full-body health, including:2

  • Easing physical tension
  • Encouraging more restful sleep
  • Calming the mind
Upgrade your wellness routine. Order citrus derived CBD gummies now!

What are the 3 Types of CBD?

When shopping for your next soothing CBD products, there’s more to consider than gummies and oils. You’ll also want to factor in the three types of CBD, their uses, and their effects. 

So let’s dive in—manufacturers use different extraction methods to create three distinct types of CBD.

#1 Full-Spectrum CBD

Full-spectrum CBD products are as their name suggests: They contain all of the constituents of the plant, including terpenes, essential oils, flavonoids, and over 100 other cannabinoids, in addition to CBD. 

These cannabinoids can include CBN, which may help to support restful sleep; THCA, which may tout anti-inflammatory effects; and up to 0.3% of THC, which can promote relaxation.3

Full-spectrum CBD is often believed to be a highly effective form of cannabidiol because of its relation to the entourage effect. While a 2020 review found little clinical evidence to support it, experts theorize that the interaction between all of the components of the hemp plant may enhance CBD’s effects and may help to:4,5

  • Relieve physical aches or discomfort
  • Promote mind and body relaxation
  • Improve appetite
  • Support sleep

Full-spectrum CBD is available in a variety of products, including a full-spectrum CBD oil, CBD capsules, CBD gummies, and CBD topical cream.

#2 Broad-Spectrum CBD

Broad-spectrum CBD products, on the other hand, use all of the components of cannabis except for THC. Extraction processes are used to remove THC while keeping the other parts of the hemp plant—such as terpenes and flavonoids—intact. 

Anecdotal evidence suggests that broad-spectrum CBD may:6

  • Improve moods
  • Reduce blemishes
  • Relieve soreness and tension
  • Support heart health

Similar to full-spectrum CBD, it’s available in a wide variety of products including a broad-spectrum CBD oil, CBD capsule, CBD gummy, and CBD topical cream.

#3 CBD Isolate

CBD isolate isolates cannabidiols to deliver pure CBD. Most manufacturers rely on either ethanol extraction or CO2 extraction to create this product. This is followed by what’s called “winterization,” which removes the other terpenes and cannabinoids from the plant. 

Generally, isolate CBD may be an ideal option for those who have an adverse reaction to other cannabinoids or those who are looking to find a pure CBD product. Orange-derived CBD can also be categorized as CBD isolate since it’s free from THC and hemp. 

CBD isolate may provide relief from everyday aches or tension and support a relaxed mind and body. It’s available in oils, topicals, and edibles.

How Does CBD Work?

You may be asking, how does CBD work without THC?

Good question. CBD may interact with the receptors in your body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS), which helps harmonize the nervous system and create a state of homeostasis (or equilibrium) within the body.7 These receptors—CB1 and CB2—have a hand in several physical functions associated with the central nervous system, peripheral nervous system, and digestive system, including: 

  • Mood
  • Metabolism
  • Sleep 
  • Appetite
  • Immunity

CBD doesn’t bind to these receptors, nor alter them. Rather, cannabinoids like CBD may give these receptors a slight push of encouragement to foster better functional performance.

In theory, broad and full-spectrum CBD products work through what’s known as the “entourage effect.” Other constituents of the plant, including those aforementioned organic compounds such as flavonoids and terpenes, work in concert with CBD and may help with tension, stress, and sleep.8 

Types of CBD Products

From CBD-rich coffee to shampoos and conditioners, one of the beauties of the thriving CBD scene is the sheer variety of products available. They’re normally consumed orally, topically, or through inhalation (such as in a vaporizer).

Here are its most popular iterations:

  • CBD gummies and other edibles – CBD has practically become synonymous with gummies, accounting for an enormous part of the market. Flavorful and simple to consume—and that’s putting it lightly—it’s often recommended to take CBD gummies on a daily basis to feel their full effects. Their immediate effects usually kick in within an hour, and they may help stimulate a calm, healthy mood.9 Other CBD edibles include an array of options, like lollipops, lozenges, cakes, brownies, and cookies. If you are specifically wanting gummies, learn more about the difference between hemp gummies vs CBD gummies to see which would better benefit you.

  • CBD oil – CBD oil is typically administered sublingually, such as a drop or two under your tongue, or topically, which means it can be added to a carrier oil and used in a massage. CBD oil and CBD tinctures can also be tossed into a beverage like your coffee, tea, or morning smoothie. It may not have the universally mouth-happy appeal of edible CBD products, but it’s a highly flexible method of delivery. What’s more, sublingual applications hit the bloodstream faster, while edible CBD products have to go through the digestive system first.

Like the other CBD products included here, there are different types of CBD oil: broad-spectrum, full-spectrum, and CBD isolate, of course; but oils are also distinct from each other in terms of potency, carrier oils, and flavors (such as lemon and mint).

As for our Peels CBD Oil? Well, it’s tasteless and odorless (and, we might add, has zero calories). It melds the marvels of nature with modern technology for an oil that is also hemp and THC free. Instead, we use the bioidentical terpenes in orange peels for a genuinely refreshing (and restorative) experience.

  • CBD capsules and softgels – Prefer to take your CBD as you would a standard supplement? This may be your solution. However, keep in mind that CBD supplements, like CBD edibles, must be processed by your digestive system before their effect is felt. 

How to Use CBD Safely

Whether you use full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, or CBD isolate, it’s vital to do your research before purchasing—and using—a CBD product:

  • Ensure it has a Certificate of Analysis – A Certificate of Analysis (COA) demonstrates that the product has undergone third-party testing. It also details its components, looks for the amount of THC in the product and assesses it for the inclusion of things like bacteria, mold, and yeast.You’ll also want to search for the product’s batch number, warning label, QR code, licensing number, and manufacturing date. The presence of these details can indicate whether it’s a legitimate product. (And it’s always wise to go with a reputable brand.)

  • Check with your healthcare professional before using – The Mayo Clinic reports that most people tolerate CBD well. However, side effects do exist, including dry mouth, gastrointestinal issues, and fatigue.10 What’s more, CBD can interact with certain medications, such as antidepressants and opioid medications. Your smartest step, then, is to get the green light from your doctor before jumping onto the CBD bandwagon. 

  • Keep in mind the CBD product you choose may have THC – Manufacturers may filter THC from their finished products but some THC, above the FDA’s mark, may find its way into the gummy or oil or vape you just procured. If you are wondering, will CBD show on a drug test, the answer is no if you are using a Non-THC CBD product, but it is important to review the products Certificate of Analysis to confirm. With that being said, over time, THC can accumulate in your body’s fat stores and yield a positive result on a drug test.12  It is important to be aware of what CBD products you are consuming and the ingredients they are made from. 

Unearth Nature’s Potential with Peels

The different types of CBD increase CBD’s overall allure by broadening your options—and this is to say nothing of CBD’s cornucopia of products.

But Peels CBD offers a completely elevated product. We’re clean. We’re also non-GMO and pesticide-free. Most of all, all of our products—gummies, oils, and immunity shots—are 100% THC-free. 

Up your wellness game with Peels.


Sources:

  1. Veriheal. The Future of CBD is Orange: CBD Derived From Orange Peels. https://www.veriheal.com/blog/the-future-of-cbd-is-orange-cbd-derived-from-orange-peels/ 
  2. Current Psychiatry Reports. Cannabis, cannabinoids, and sleep: a review of the literature. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28349316/
  3. Medical News Today. What's the difference between CBD isolate and full-spectrum CBD? https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/cbd-isolate-vs-full-spectrum-cbd 
  4. Expert Review of Clinical Pharmacology. The ‘entourage effect’ or ‘hodge-podge hashish’: the questionable rebranding, marketing, and expectations of cannabis polypharmacy. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/17512433.2020.1721281?journalCode=ierj20
  5. Healthline. The Entourage Effect. https://www.healthline.com/health/the-entourage-effect 
  6. Medical News Today. 7 of the best broad-spectrum CBD products for 2022. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/broad-spectrum-cbd#why-use-cbd-oil 
  7. Pharmacological Reviews. The endocannabinoid system as an emerging target of pharmacotherapy. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2241751
  8. The Permanente Journal. Cannabidiol in anxiety and sleep: a large case series. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30624194/
  9. Cambridge University Press. Cannabinoid signaling in embryonic and adult neurogenesis: possible implications for psychiatric and neurological disorders. https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/acta-neuropsychiatrica/article/cannabinoid-signalling-in-embryonic-and-adult-neurogenesis-possible-implications-for-psychiatric-and-neurological-disorders/E9DE9116DC604D976C9C7B0D2D254674
  10. Mayo Clinic. CBD: safe and effective? https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/consumer-health/expert-answers/is-cbd-safe-and-effective/faq-20446700
  11. FDA. Warning letters and test results for cannabidiol–related products. https://www.fda.gov/news-events/public-health-focus/warning-letters-and-test-results-cannabidiol-related-products
  12. Journal of Analytical Toxicology. Urinary pharmacokinetic profile of cannabinoids: following administration of vaporized and oral cannabidiol and vaporized CBD-dominant cannabis. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31682266/
  13. FDA. Hemp production and 2018 farm bill. https://www.fda.gov/news-events/congressional-testimony/hemp-production-and-2018-farm-bill-07252019
  14. Biomolecules.Cannabidiol: A Potential New Alternative for the Treatment of Anxiety, Depression, and Psychotic Disorders. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7699613/
  15. Frontiers in Plant Science. The case for the entourage effect and conventional breeding of clinical cannabis. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6334252/
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