cbd 101
Full-spectrum CBD is an extract from cannabis-hemp that contains all of the naturally occurring cannabinoids and terpenes found within the plant.
It can help alleviate a variety of health conditions—like pain, anxiety, inflammation, gut health, dermatological conditions, and epilepsy (along with many more). The benefits of CBD have been realized for generations, and hemp was a major US crop prior to changes in farming law in the early 1900’s that made hemp an illegal crop in the US (a 1937 law is what finally killed off the crop). It wasn’t until the 2018 Farm Bill that hemp was again allowed back into American farming & production, and that was when a resurgence of craft producers emerged across the Country and World, growing and processing amazing products from hemp.
What is CBD?
Before exploring full-spectrum CBD, it’s helpful to understand what CBD is to begin with. CBD—short for cannabidiol—is what’s known as a cannabinoid, one of more than 100 compounds found in the Cannabis sativa plant.
The two most well-known cannabinoids are CBD and THC:
- Cannabidiol (CBD) is often derived from hemp and doesn’t usually cause a “high” on its own.
- Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the psychoactive compound that causes the euphoric “high” feeling associated with marijuana.
The Cannabis Plant
Both hemp and marijuana are species of the cannabis plant, and both contain CBD — but hemp plants and hemp derived products contain less than 0.3% THC (to be legally classified as hemp, and not cannabis). All Harmony Harvest products have been lab tested and have under the 0.3% legal maximum ratio of THC. See our certificates of analysis for the cannabinoid profiles of each of our products.
Types of CBD
Full-spectrum CBD is one of three main types of CBD available. It's important to understand the differences between the most common types;
- Full-spectrum CBD contains CBD and all other cannabinoids, including trace amounts of THC (0.3% or less) (think of full-spectrum CBD as unprocessed raw sugar pressed directly from sugarcane)
- Isolate CBD contains just CBD as the other cannabinoids have been removed through lab processing (think as refined sugar)
- Broad-spectrum CBD contains CBD and multiple other cannabinoids, but no THC. (think of it as light brown sugar)
Full-spectrum CBD products are more effective than the other forms, because they include all of the cannabis plant’s compounds including up-to 0.3% THC. That combination produces what researchers have dubbed the “entourage effect,” meaning that all of the elements in full-spectrum CBD work better together than a single cannabinoid used alone. Harmony Harvest products are all made with Full-Spectrum CBD as we believe it has the best therapeutic properties available from the plant.
How CBD works
The major cannabinoids found in full-spectrum CBD—CBD and THC—work on different areas of the brain. Researchers are still studying their full effects on the body, but what they have found is that cannabinoids help regulate the body’s endocannabinoid system.
That system is responsible for nervous and immune system function, along with mood, sleep cycle, and inflammation response regulation, and more. Basically, the endocannabinoid system helps correct many different imbalances within the body via activated receptors found throughout our central and peripheral nervous systems.
The Risks and legality of taking Full-Spectrum CBD
The amounts of THC found in full-spectrum CBD are at low quantities of less than 0.3%, which is considered to be pretty low, but not insignificant. Many experts agree that such a small amount isn’t strong enough to have significant psychoactive effects, and likely wouldn’t register on a drug test, but you shouldn’t rule out those possibilities. Also, consuming more than the recommended dosage could cause effects that could register on a THC test, and could be dangerous if consumed prior to operating machinery or driving a vehicle. If you have any adverse reactions to Harmony Harvest products, stop consumption immediately.
The decision to try full-spectrum CBD may depend on whether you are OK with consuming THC in any amount.
Harmony Harvest CBD is derived from certified hemp plants that have been tested by the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources prior to harvest, every crop has a certificate that follows it through processing to authenticate its legality and attest to it containing less than 0.3% THC.
