Cannabidiol 101: The Benefits of CBD Oil

Austin Greenawalt is a cannabis enthusiast, blogger, and social media writer who hopes to make cannabis feel more approachable for newcomers.

Alongside other popular CBD products, CBD oil tinctures have earned a following for their fast-acting effects and customizable CBD dosing. Many CBD companies add other health-boosting ingredients, like adaptogenic mushrooms, melatonin, and assorted terpene blends, to complement CBD’s health benefits. But finding the right CBD tincture can be tricky, especially in this crowded marketplace.

Today, we’ll glimpse into the science behind cannabidiol (CBD), explain how CBD oil products work, show you how to use them, and introduce you to one of our favorite CBD tincture products.

First, let’s define some important terms: most notably, cannabis.

CBD Hemp Oils vs. CBD Cannabis Oils

The CBD products in this article contain CBD derived from hemp. As a cannabis plant, hemp has a unique chemical composition. The main difference between hemp and other cannabis plants, like marijuana, is its THC concentration. THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is the cannabinoid responsible for cannabis’ infamous “high” sensation. Cannabis marijuana plants have upwards of 30% THC. Cannabis hemp, on the other hand, has less than 0.3% THC—a drastic difference from marijuana.

The 2018 Farm Bill defined this distinction between cannabis marijuana plants and federally legalized low-THC hemp. So, if a CBD tincture is classified as “hemp-derived,” it’s not “cannabis oil” or “weed oil,” but legal CBD hemp oils manufactured from full-spectrum hemp extract. 

Finding the Best CBD Oil Products

How do you find the right CBD oil products? We recommend finding a reliable, respected CBD brand for newcomers and seasoned CBD users. Since the 2018 Farm Bill, many CBD brands have entered the market, vying for a piece of this cannabinoid pie. While some CBD brands manufacture high-quality products, many cut corners in their cultivation methods, creating unsafe, shoddy CBD products. 

When shopping for the best CBD tincture brands, we grade companies on this list of criteria:

1. Does the CBD brand use USDA-approved organic cannabis hemp?
2. Does the CBD brand use all-natural ingredients and sweeteners?
3. Does the CBD brand use third-party lab testing for its products?
4. Does the CBD brand make those lab test results (Certificates of Analysis) accessible to the customer?

One CBD brand that answers “yes” to all these questions (and makes top-tier CBD oil) is CBD.co. As an online retailer, CBD.co offers a long list of CBD products from some of the most trusted companies, including CBDfx, NuLeaf Naturals, and Medterra.

The Essential Co. Ultra Full Spectrum CBD Oil Tinctures have quickly gained a spot on our short list of favorite CBD oil products. 

The Essential Co. Ultra Full Spectrum CBD Oil Tincture

The Essential Co. Ultra Full Spectrum CBD Oil Tincture is made with full-spectrum CBD to bring all the plant’s rich, organic compounds front and center. The Essential Co. formulates these daily CBD drops with coconut-derived MCT oil for improved absorption. CBD.co offers these CBD drops in 1500mg CBD, 3000mg CBD, and 6000mg CBD bottles, each offering 50mg CBD per serving. 

What Is Cannabidiol?

Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the most abundant cannabinoids native to all cannabis plants, and recently, it’s become a staple ingredient in many health and wellness products. When you take a CBD tincture, the cannabinoids filter through your body and travel on to interact with your endocannabinoid system. 

This system is a network of sensory receptors uniquely equipped to maintain balance within your mind and body. The cannabinoids from CBD products engage these receptors and boost the system’s functions, promoting wellness benefits. 

But, when talking about CBD products, not all are made with the same chemical composition. 

Full-Spectrum CBD vs. Broad Spectrum CBD vs. CBD Isolate

When companies extract CBD from hemp, they are left with full-spectrum CBD. This type of CBD carries the plant’s complete chemical profile, including less than 0.3% THC. Companies can then take this full-spectrum CBD extract a step further and filter the plant’s THC content to undetectable levels, producing a type of CBD called broad-spectrum CBD. These CBD oils still contain cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, and healthy fatty acids, but with an undetectable amount of THC. 

Still, companies can take that type of CBD a step further and strip away all the non-CBD elements to make CBD isolate. This type of CBD is 99% cannabidiol, perfect for those who’d like to exclusively experience the benefits of CBD. 

What Is a CBD Tincture?

While Essential Co Daily CBD Oil Drops contain full-spectrum CBD, other companies use all three types of CBD to make their CBD tinctures. A dropper, attached to the tincture’s lid, allows you to customize your CBD dose. 

How to Take a Sublingual Tincture

To take a CBD tincture, first, measure out your preferred dose. Then, hold the oil under your tongue for around a minute. The cells in your mouth will absorb the cannabidiol oil and filter the cannabinoids directly into your bloodstream, leading to a quick onset of effects.

How Long to Feel the Effects of Sublingual Tinctures

CBD oil tinctures absorb into the body much quicker than CBD edibles, like CBD gummies. Edible CBD products pass through the digestive system before absorbing into the body, taking longer to produce wellness benefits. CBD tinctures travel the sublingual route, avoiding the digestive tract and producing calming effects in usually 15–30 minutes. But, these effects don’t last as long as edible CBD health supplements. 

Parting Thoughts

If you’re new to CBD or a cultured CBD connoisseur, we recommend starting your CBD journey with a brand that checks all the boxes and follows the list of best practices outlined above, like CBD.co. We wish you all the best on your path to improved health and wellness!

Members of the editorial and news staff of Mediaite were not involved in the creation of this content.