You may be loyal to certain CBD products, but could you answer this question…
What does CBD stand for?
Even people in the industry sometimes trip up on this simple question. After all, we use acronyms to avoid long, complicated phrases and compound names.
So sometimes, we forget what the acronym stood for in the first place!
CBD this, CBD that… alright, we’ll cut to the chase and answer the question upfront: CBD stands for cannabidiol.
We could end the blog post there, but there’s a whole lot more to unpack. What does CBD stand for, as an acronym, in the industry, and for consumers?
Let’s take a closer look.
What Do the Letters C-B-D Stand For?
As we just mentioned, CBD is the acronym for cannabidiol, a type of non-psychoactive compound. Cannabidiol is more than 100 known cannabinoids, a specific type of compound found in the cannabis family of plants.
Each type of cannabinoid has slightly different effects on the body. For cannabidiol (CBD) the compound is known for its therapeutic benefits and interactions with the endocannabinoid system.
Another famous cannabinoid, tetrahydrocannabinol, is known as THC (another three-letter acronym!). THC is most famous for its psychoactive effects because it causes the “high” feeling that many people associate with marijuana.
Both CBD and THC are found in marijuana and hemp, the two most well-known strains of the cannabis plant. However, the plants differ in their concentration of each compound. Hemp plants contain no more than 0.3% THC, and marijuana plants, by comparison, may have more than 30% THC.
This difference explains why CBD products almost exclusively use hemp-derived CBD rather than marijuana CBD.
What Does CBD Stand For In The Cannabis Industry?
Within the cannabis industry, the significance of CBD has grown over time.
Hemp has been grown by different civilizations for centuries. For a long time, because hemp was one of the strongest natural fibers that could be grown, it was used to make everything from clothing to rope.
However, in the twentieth century, hemp was classified alongside marijuana as an illegal substance. Laws like the Controlled Substance Act of 1970 prohibited the production of hemp, making hemp-derived products illegal as well.
However, the 2018 Farm Bill changed the cannabis industry, legalizing the agricultural production of hemp. Hemp-derived CBD products became legal in all 50 states.
As a result, manufacturing and sales of hemp-derived products skyrocketed, growing into an exciting new industry. Nielsen, a global marketing research firm, reports, “by 2025, the market for hemp-derived CBD products will generate $6.9 billion – a threefold increase over five years.”
Overall, the rise of CBD represents an enormous development for the cannabis industry. As CBD has grown more popularity, it’s impacted laws and regulations surrounding other cannabis products across the country.
CBD research and clinical trials are starting to reveal new insights and fueling further growth in products. And because CBD is now well-recognized by consumers, there is a broader understanding of the potential benefits of CBD and other cannabinoids.
What’s In CBD Oil?
Want to know what’s in your CBD oil?
It depends on what kind of product you choose because CBD oil products may contain more than just cannabidiol.
As mentioned above, the hemp plant contains more than 100 different types of cannabinoid compounds. The most famous cannabinoids, like CBD and THC, get the most attention.
However, many other compounds found in the hemp plant provide beneficial effects as well, or at the very least, support the existing therapeutic benefits from CBD.
CBD oil can come in many different forms, depending on how it is processed.
Full-spectrum CBD oil is the least processed CBD oil, containing the CBD, other cannabinoids, terpenes (molecules that give fragrance to plants), and essential oils. Because it is the oil from a hemp plant, full-spectrum CBD oil also contains the trace amounts of THC (less than 0.3%) naturally found in hemp.
However, since this amount of THC is nearly untraceable, hemp-derived CBD oil does not produce any psychoactive effects.
Many people choose products made with full-spectrum CBD oil because of the entourage effect that comes with it. The entourage effect refers to all the natural compounds found in hemp plants, present in full-spectrum oil.
The natural mix of compounds complements each other when interacting with our endocannabinoid system, working together to produce enhanced therapeutic effects.
However, full-spectrum CBD oil is not the right fit for everyone. First, since it still contains all the natural cannabinoids and terpenes, some people who don’t dig the smell of hemp find that the flavor and aroma of full spectrum products are too strong for their taste.
More importantly, for some people, because full-spectrum oil contains trace amounts of THC, there is always the possibility that the tiny amounts of THC trigger a false positive on a drug test.
If full-spectrum oil isn’t an option for you, other types of CBD oil are processed to provide a different makeup.
Broad-spectrum CBD oil removes trace amounts of THC from the product, leaving other cannabinoids and terpenes. This is one of the primary reasons broad-spectrum pet owners choose this THC-free option for their pets.
CBD isolate goes one step further—composed of up to 99% pure CBD for those looking for a quick way to feel the effects of CBD.
Because the industry has grown so rapidly, you’ll see you have many different options for whatever you’re looking for.
Adding CBD into Your Routine
When you think about what CBD stands for, the final area you should consider is what role CBD plays in your wellness routine.
Ask yourself: why are you taking CBD? Is there a specific benefit you are looking for?
Are there particular times of the day when you think the effects of CBD could help you? Answering these questions will help you understand what CBD can mean for your daily routine.
The therapeutic effects of CBD can help support your health and wellness goals. While you can choose a simple tincture or vape, other products can add to the benefits of CBD.
For instance, you may want to take CBD in the morning to help you maintain your focus during the day and handle any stressful moments. Something like multivitamin CBD gummies with key vitamins and minerals can help you take care of your overall health with beneficial supplements while still delivering the same effects of CBD.
Or, if you are looking to use CBD to help you get a better night’s sleep, something like a sleep-inducing gummy contains calming ingredients like chamomile or melatonin. Combined with CBD, these ingredients can work together to encourage a good night’s rest.
Whatever CBD stands for in your routine, you can find a product that is the right fit. It can feel like a long journey to choosing the right product, but with all your new background knowledge about CBD, you’re ready to start exploring.
Want to figure out what CBD stands for in your life?
Start with our collection of CBD gummies to find out the right fit for you!