How Hemp Extract May Help You And Where To Get The Best Hemp Extract Products
The hemp industry is now over three years old, but some terms are confusing or yet to be understood by everyone. Some of the most asked questions are “what is hemp extract?” and “is it the same as CBD?”. In this article, we answer those and other commonly asked questions to help you understand hemp better. Read on!
There’s no denying the fact that CBD is now everywhere, three years after the 2018 Farm Bill legalized the cultivation of industrial hemp.
Different types of products infused with CBD are on sale everywhere, from your local convenience shops to specific dispensaries. These products may be labeled as CBD, hemp extract, or hemp oil and may be touted as the answer to many health and wellness issues. But what are the differences between different hemp-infused products? And can any of them help with health problems?
One of the main problems that make navigating the world of hemp confusing is that some terms are often used interchangeably, either out of malice or lack of knowledge.
To make the search for the best product easy, we take a deep dive into hemp-related terms hoping we can clear everything up. First, what is hemp?
What is Hemp?
Hemp, or industrial hemp, is a variety of cannabis Sativa used for thousands of years for industrial or medicinal purposes. Historians believe hemp to be one of the earliest plants cultivated for textile fiber after archeologists found hemp cloth remnants dating back to 8000 BC in ancient Mesopotamia.
Like cannabis, hemp plants have unique chemical compositions, but they typically have lower THC concentrations and higher CBD concentrations. This is one of the properties that set it apart from marijuana, which has higher THC and lower CBD concentrations.
However, the legality of hemp varies widely across jurisdictions, mainly based on the concentrations of THC present.
In the United States, the 2018 Farm Bill defines hemp as the plant cannabis Sativa L with a delta-9-THC concentration of not more than 0.3% on a dry weight basis.
Hemp has a myriad of uses; from making paper, ropes and clothing as well as building materials. But it’s the hemp extract that is used to make topicals, tinctures, edibles, etc that have propelled it to national fame. So, what is hemp extract?
What Are Hemp Extracts?
The hemp plant’s leaves, buds, and stems can be pressed, steeped, or processed through several extraction methods to obtain beneficial compounds and essential oils. The resulting substance/liquid is what’s known as hemp extract.
Hemp extract is not to be confused with hemp seed oil/hemp oil. Hemp seed oil is obtained from the seeds and contains no CBD. Hemp oil is still beneficial and contains high amino acids, omega fatty acids, and antioxidant concentrations. On the other hand, Hemp extract is pulled from the leaves, stems, and buds, and it contains CBD and other cannabinoids.
The most popular extraction methods are solvent/ethanol extraction which uses ethanol to remove the cannabinoids from hemp plant materials.
Hemp extracts can be grouped into three types; full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and CBD isolate. But first –
Is Hemp Extract the Same as CBD?
No . CBD is one of the hundreds of cannabinoids present naturally in the hemp plant and, therefore, in the hemp extract. The hemp extract is what you get after extracting the essential oils out of plant materials. It contains CBD, other cannabinoids, terpenes, and numerous plant compounds.
So no, hemp extract is not the same as CBD, but it contains CBD. But how much CBD is in hemp extract? This depends on the strain and the part of the plant used for extraction. Generally, hemp flowers contain anything from 10% to 20% CBD.
What is Full-spectrum Hemp Extract?
The hemp plant contains hundreds of beneficial compounds, including cannabinoids and terpenes. Full-spectrum implies that the extract contains CBD and other cannabinoids, terpenes, and compounds occurring naturally in the hemp plant.
Full-spectrum CBD contains the complete “full plant” profile, meaning it also contains traces of THC. Legally, the products must not have more than 0.3% THC. These traces of THC aren’t enough to get you high but may show up in drug tests.
Among the full-spectrum hemp extract benefits, the entourage effect is what CBD users seek. The entourage effect is a mechanism in which cannabis compounds – terpenes, cannabinoids, etc., interact synergistically; modulating, supporting, and enhancing each other to provide unique therapeutic effects.
What is Broad-spectrum Hemp Extract?
Broad-spectrum hemp extract is essentially full-spectrum CBD but with the THC traces removed. It still contains other cannabinoids, including CBD, terpenes, and other beneficial cannabis compounds.
This means it can deliver almost the same benefits as whole-plant extracts but does not include the efficiency of the entourage effect. This makes it an excellent choice if you can’t have or don’t want THC traces in your system.
What is CBD Isolate?
However, if you are looking for pure CBD, your best option is the isolate extracts. This is the product for CBD purists. It has all the terpenes, THC, other cannabinoids, and compounds removed during the extraction process so that all that remains is pure CBD.
Isolate extracts, however, don’t deliver the same level of benefits as full/broad-spectrum hemp extracts.
What is Hemp Extract Used For? The Benefits of Hemp
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Hemp extracts may help manage chronic pain and inflammation
Pain relief is one of the most researched uses of hemp extracts. Several studies have found evidence that hemp extracts may help relieve chronic pain and reduce inflammation.
One study found that a CBD and THC-based medicine, Sativex, significantly reduced pain and disease activity for those suffering from rheumatoid arthritis.
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May reduce anxiety
Seekers of natural alternatives suggest that CBD may help reduce anxiety and depression. But can it?
According to a 2019 study, hemp extracts show promise in the treatment of anxiety. The study followed the treatment of 72 adult patients, 47 with anxiety concerns and 25 with sleeping problems. The researchers found that anxiety scores decreased in 57 patients (79.2%) within the first month and stayed low during the entire study period.
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Hemp extracts may help improve sleep
Are you one of the 70 million Americans suffering from chronic sleep problems? Studies suggest that hemp extracts may help you catch some Zs. One large case study published in The Permanente Journal found that CBD may help reduce anxiety and improve sleep.
Hemp extracts may help you sleep better in several ways. It may help you relax and calm down your thoughts, which is essential to falling asleep faster. It can also improve sleep by tackling the root cause of your insomnia, including pain, inflammation, or anxiety.
The Best Hemp Extracts
Trium Botanicals Full Spectrum Hemp Extract
Looking for the best natural full-spectrum extract? Our whole plant CBD tincture is designed to provide full-body relief at an affordable price. In line with our minimal ingredients with maximum benefits approach, this extract is handcrafted using only organic MCT oil and premium full-spectrum hemp extract
Each 30ml bottle contains 750mg CBD and delivers 25 mg per serving. The bottle is also equipped with a dropper to ease dosing.
Our tincture is recommended for full-body benefits, including stress, insomnia, anxiety, etc.
Pick this naturally flavored hemp extract and enjoy all the benefits of premium hemp.
Hemp Extract Vs. CBD, Which is Better?
Now you know what hemp extract is, but is it better? As we mentioned earlier, CBD is one cannabinoid, while hemp extract is a combination of all cannabinoids, terpenes, and other cannabis compounds.
Research suggests that due to the entourage effect, full-spectrum extract is more effective than CBD alone If you’re ready to experience the benefits of full-spectrum hemp extracts, check out our premium 750mg CBD tincture.
Our goal is to provide more natural solutions. That’s why our products contain minimal natural ingredients and no added preservatives or artificial flavors. Buy one today and enjoy the relaxing benefits of hemp.
