Hemp 101 + so much more…
What is CBD?
The flower of the female cannabis plant creates chemical compounds called cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids. These compounds have naturally occurring properties that may create balance within the body, alleviating anxiety, pain, insomnia, etc…
Two of the most dominant and well-known compounds are THC and CBD. Marijuana has levels of THC in the 10-15% range, and low levels of CBD. Hemp flower extract is commonly referred to as “CBD” and has very low levels of THC (below 0.3%) and does not cause a ‘high’.
CBD is the catch-all term for the oil extracted from flowers in the hemp plant. CBD was the main element of early hemp products, and it’s much easier to say “CBD” than “whole flower” or “Full Spectrum Hemp Extract”. Confusingly, many people say CBD when they refer to Full Spectrum or Broad Spectrum Hemp Extract, even though those products contain far more complex ingredients.
However, CBD is just one piece of the puzzle. Whole flower Hemp Extract includes many other cannabinoids and terpenes. Our products are considered “Full Spectrum”, while some brands have “Broad Spectrum” products containing fewer cannabinoids and terpenes, and some products, called isolates, are “CBD-only”.
In summary- CBD is one of over 100 compounds found in the hemp flower. CBD, along with other compounds, may help to create homeostasis, or balance, within the body. CBD is also the industry term for “Full Spectrum” or “Broad Spectrum” Hemp Extract, even though the term CBD is only one compound, so it’s important to know what you are buying.
Cannabinoids (e.g., THC and CBD) are the chemical compounds secreted by cannabis flowers that provide relief to an array of symptoms. To put a complex system simply, they mediate communication between cells, and when there is a deficiency or problem with our endocannabinoid system, unpleasant symptoms and physical complications occur.
Terpenes are fragrant oils that give cannabis its aromatic diversity. These oils are secreted in the flower’s sticky resin glands, the same ones that produce THC, CBD, and other cannabinoids. Terpenes are by no means unique to cannabis; they can be found in many other herbs, fruits, and plants as well. Like cannabinoids, terpenes bind to receptors in the brain and give rise to various effects.
(from leafly.com)
| Common Terpenes in Hemp Flowers | ||||||
| Terpene | Effects | Proposed Medical Benefits | ||||
| Limonene | Stress Relief | Elevated Mood | Anti-Depressant | Anti-Anxiety | ||
| Humulene | Appetite Suppressant | Anti-Inflammatory | Anti-Bacterial | Pain Relief | ||
| Pinene | Memory Retention | Alertness | Anti-Inflammatory | Anti-Asthmatic | ||
| Linalool | Calming | Anti-Depressant | Anti-Anxiety | Stress Relief | ||
| Caryophyllene | Anti-Inflammatory | Antioxidant | Pain Relief | |||
| Myrcene | Sedating | Enhances THC | Anti-Inflammatory | Anti-Bacterial | Anti-Bacterial | Antiseptic |
Each compound in Full Spectrum Hemp Extract has a slightly different function, which is why we encourage using Full Spectrum products rather than CBD Isolate products.
How Does CBD Work?
Mammals have an Endocannabinoid System (ECS) made up of thousands of receptors in both the central and peripheral nervous systems and the brain.
Full Spectrum Hemp Extract is made up of cannabinoids and terpenes that bind to the receptors and fortify the body’s ECS, repairing where it’s necessary. It it what’s called an ‘adaptogen’ – meaning that it will identify and regulate the imbalances that are specific to your body.
Over 20 years of research has revealed that human brain cells and nerve cells have two types of cannabinoid receptors, or special molecules that grab cannabinoids. When a cannabinoid meets a receptor, it can cause an effect to occur within the cell, similar to the way a locked door will not open until a particular key (cannabinoid) is inserted and turned in the lock (receptor).
The cannabinoid receptors are found in the parts of the brain that handle cognition, memory, psychomotor skills, feelings of rewards, and pain perception. When certain cannabinoids, such as THC, meet the receptors, the individual may feel a “high” effect. However, other cannabinoids, such as CBD, interact with the receptors to reduce feelings of pain or anxiety.
The fact that the human body contains these receptors suggests that cannabinoids play a natural role within the immune system. This theory is further supported by the existence of the endocannabinoid system, which includes naturally occurring chemicals with the human body that stimulate the cannabinoid receptors.
(from CBD Oil Review)
What is the Difference Between Full Spectrum, Broad Spectrum and Isolate?
While “CBD” is the common language for hemp extract, there are many other compounds found in the flowers of the hemp plant that may contribute to wellness when consumed.
Our products are made from Full Spectrum, Whole Flower Hemp Extract which means that through our extraction process, we retain as much of the full spectrum plant profile as possible. This delivers what is known as an ‘ensemble effect’ that may provide more effective results. Using full-spectrum is sort of like eating a salad, while using “CBD only” isolate is like only eating the lettuce.
You can see on the chart below that many other primary cannabinoids have a benefit, and each cannabinoid tends to work more effectively when they are all taken together.
CBD isolate is made by extracting only the CBD compound from the hemp flower. It removes the other important plant parts- the terpenes, flavonoids, and other cannabinoids. This process removes all THC, rather than the 0.3% in full-spectrum products, and also eliminates the ‘ensemble effect’.
Do Salt Creek Hemp products contain THC?
Each product that Salt Creek Hemp sells has below 0.3% THC, which is the legal limit passed by the farm bill in January 2019. We do not sell or distribute any products that are in violation of the United States Controlled Substances Act.
What is the difference between Full Spectrum Hemp Extract and marijuana?
While both part of the Cannabis Sativa plant genus, marijuana and hemp are bred very differently. Marijuana has been bred to be high in THC (10-15%), which is the psychoactive compound. Salt Creek Full Spectrum Hemp Extract has no more than 0.3% THC, meaning no psychoactive properties.
What is the difference between Full Spectrum Hemp Extract and Hemp Seed Oil?
These names are frequently confused with one another. Hemp seed oil is derived from the seeds of the hemp plant, and contains an optimal balance of beneficial Omega Fatty Acids along with other beneficial fats, Vitamin E and proteins. Hemp seed oil is used in our softgels and tinctures to complete our Full Spectrum products, and it is generally found with other vegetable oils in a grocery store.
Full Spectrum Hemp Extract is derived from the flowers and leaves (aerial parts) of the hemp plant. It consists of phytocannabinoids and terpenes- including CBD.
Salt Creek Hemp uses organic hemp seed oil in its softgels and tinctures. This contributes to the true ‘full spectrum’ wellness profile.
Can I give Salt Creek Hemp products to my pet?
Full Spectrum Hemp Extract is safe for animals. We have a pet line that will launch shortly. In the meantime, we would suggest adding our 500 mg tincture to your pet’s food. There is no specific recommended dose. However, start small and increase if you think it’s necessary. You may also want to consult your pet’s veterinarian prior to use.
Will I fail a drug test if I take your product?
Every product that we create is legal for sale under the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (aka The Farm Bill). This bill states that there can be no more than a trace amount of THC (0.3%) in a hemp product. We use third-party verification to ensure we meet this standard.
That being said, each body may absorb and process our products differently.
If you are concerned about drug testing, we strongly advise you to consult your healthcare provider or drug program administrator before ingesting hemp products of any kind.
Important Questions to Ask When Buying CBD?
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Full Spectrum or Isolate?
All of our products are Full Spectrum, Whole Flower Hemp Extract.
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Is it organic?
We have always used organic processes to grow our hemp. Soil health is incredibly important because hemp is a bioaccumulator, meaning that the entire plant absorbs all of the good and bad things in the soil. Our USDA Organic certification is in the works and we hope to have this imminently.
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Where is your hemp grown?
Hemp is grown all over the globe, where standards and conditions vary significantly. The hemp used in Salt Creek Hemp products is grown at the Salt Creek Ranch in organically primed soil. We grow our plants from clones, which ensures quality, potency and consistency year after year. We tend to the entire life cycle, from the moment the plants go into our field, through the summer growing season, until they are hand-harvested each fall. The Western Slope of Colorado offers the altitude, sunshine and isolation from pollen that creates our premium products.
Research + Studies
U.S. Federal Government
In 2003, the U.S. Federal Government granted Patent Number 6630507, recognizing that “Cannabinoids have been found to have antioxidant properties …useful in the treatment… of (a) wide variety of… diseases such as inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.. (and) to have… application as neuroprotectants… in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.”
World Health Organization – Cannabidiol, November 2017
National Center for Biotechnology Information, April 2018
LINKS:
Cannabinoids 101: What Makes Cannabis Medicine?