Industrial hemp is a cannabis plant. Since hemp and marijuana are both members of the same plant species, many people still wonder if hemp-derived CBD might cause the same type of intoxication medical marijuana is known for. You may be pleased to learn that the answer is no. Industrial hemp extract contains high levels of CBD, but only a small amount of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). THC, not CBD, is the plant element responsible for the effects that you might expect from marijuana use.
On the other hand, the oil extracted from marijuana contains varying amounts of CBD and high levels of THC, meaning hemp and marijuana have entirely different CBD to THC ratios. There are also CBD to THC ratios to consider between various hemp-derived products. Once you understand the significance of that CBD to THC ratio, you’ll likely have a much easier time deciding which hemp-derived CBD products might be right for you.
CBD: THC Ratios in Different CBD Products
CBD and THC are cannabinoids, plant elements that function similarly to neurotransmitters.1 While CBD and THC are known to have the same chemical composition, they have an entirely different structure. The structure of THC allows it to bind with specific receptors in your brain like a lock and key. CBD does not bind with these receptors. Instead, it interferes with the binding ability of THC, dampening its effects.2
While industrial hemp plants do not synthesize enough THC to cause intoxication, not all hemp-derived products have the same CBD to THC ratio. Knowing the considerable differences might be just the type of information you need to determine which of the following product types best suits your needs and your lifestyle.
Full-Spectrum
- Full Spectrum CBD contains all the additional cannabinoids, plant terpenes, and flavonoids found naturally in industrial hemp, including trace amounts of THC. To be classified as industrial hemp, (rather than marijuana), the plant extract must contain 0.3 percent THC or less. This small amount of THC is not enough to cause impairment because the CBD: THC ratio is nearly 300:1.
Broad-Spectrum
- Broad-spectrum CBD has a cannabinoid, flavonoid, and terpene profile quite similar to full-spectrum CBD products. But there’s one significant exception; broad-spectrum CBD products do not contain the same amount of THC. A process called chromatography is used to remove the cannabinoid from full-spectrum hemp extract.3 Since Broad-spectrum CBD contains 0% THC*, the CBD to THC ratio is 1:0.
THC-Free Isolate
- Some CBD products are made with a purified version of hemp extract, CBD isolate. All the plant terpenes, flavonoids, additional cannabinoids, and other plant elements are removed during extraction and processing. All that remains is a flavorless, odorless powder containing a single cannabinoid, CBD.
How the CBD: THC Ratio Plays Its Part in the Entourage Effect
CBD is just one of more than 400 potentially beneficial plant elements found in cannabis. Plant extracts also contain numerous additional cannabinoids, plant terpenes, and flavonoids. Researchers believe full-spectrum and broad-spectrum CBD products to be the more potent options because of a fascinating phenomenon known as the entourage effect.5
The entourage effect is a theory used to explain how the inactive plant elements in cannabis combine to form active elements. Once active, the therapeutic potential of individual plant components are magnified and multiplied by the effects of the others. While there’s not enough THC in full-spectrum hemp extract to cause intoxication, that small amount of THC does contribute to the benefit multiplying potential of the entourage effect.
Choosing Products Based on CBD:THC Ratios
Whether you prefer experiencing the benefit-multiplying effects of full-spectrum CBD, or would rather avoid THC entirely, it may be helpful to know you have numerous product options. To find a product best suited to your preferences, consider one of the following suggestions based on CBD: THC ratios:
Minor THC Amounts
Full-Spectrum CBD contains a minor amount of THC. While not enough to cause the type of response you might otherwise expect from cannabis, you’ll find all the potentially beneficial plant elements in the same ratios as the original plant source. If you’re interested in the most potent options, full-spectrum is the way to go. Some of our most popular full-spectrum product include:
Full-Spectrum CBD Oil
- The product, commonly referred to as CBD oil, is a blend of hemp extract and a carrier oil, a tincture. CBDIstillery™ Full-Spectrum Tinctures are blended with fractionated coconut oil, also known as MCT oil. MCT oil is easy to digest, helps with cannabinoid absorption, and is believed to have significant health and wellness potential of its own.6
Full-Spectrum CBD Softgels
- CBD softgels are one of the easiest ways to get your daily serving of CBD. Available in 30 or 60 count bottles, CBDistillery™ Full-spectrum CBD Capsules contains 30 mg of pure, potent hemp extract, an amount of CBD that works well for most people. Since the mixing and measuring are already done, CBD capsules are most often preferred by CBD users who value convenience.
CBDelicious Full-Spectrum CBD Powder
- Using a high-potency powder is one of the best ways to add CBD to your favorite recipes. CBDelicious Formulation Full-Spectrum High Purity Powder contains the same trace amounts of cannabinoids and terpenes found in our full-spectrum tinctures but in isolate form.
0% THC Alternatives
While many people want to use the most potent CBD products available, full-spectrum products are not right for everyone. Many CBD users want to avoid ingesting even trace amounts of THC. Those who do appreciate the option of using broad-spectrum CBD and products made with 0% THC isolate. If Avoiding THC is your priority, you have multiple products to choose from, including:
Broad-Spectrum CBD E-Liquid
- Vaping is one of the fastest ways to experience the effects of high-quality CBD products. That’s because inhaling luscious plumes of CBD-infused vapor allows the cannabinoids to enter your bloodstream without having to be processed through your digestive system. Most people experience the full potential of CBDistillery™ Broad-Spectrum CBD E-Liquids within minutes.
CBD Gummies
- CBD gummies are a fun, flavorful way to treat yourself to the many potential benefits of CBD. Made with broad spectrum CBD, CBDistillery™ 30 mg CBD Gummies are available in two distinctly different formulations, one to be used at any time, the other for nighttime use. CBDistillery™ Nighttime Gummies are enhanced with 2 mg of melatonin per piece, a safe, natural sleep supplement.
CBDelicious Isolate Powder
- CBDistillery™ CBDelicous CBD Isolate Powder is one of the most cost-effective CBD products available. This flavorless, odorless CBD product is specifically formulated to mix easily into your favorite recipes. You also have the option of using our Broad-Spectrum CBD Formulation Powder, an isolate with many of the same additional cannabinoids and terpenes as our broad-spectrum vapes.
0% THC CBD Oils
- Like full-spectrum CBD tinctures, CBDistillery™ THC-Free Pure CBD Oil Tinctures are a blend of hemp extract and MCT oil. The significant difference between the two tincture types is the THC content. Our Pure CBD Tincture is made with CBD isolate, a 0% THC option. CBD tinctures can be blended with foods, mixed with beverages, or used sublingually, held under your tongue for 10-20 seconds before swallowing.
Not to Worry, CBD Products Won’t Get You High
As long as the CBD products you select are sourced from industrial hemp, you’ll never have to worry about getting high. Even if you were to consume an entire 30 ml bottle of a full-spectrum CBD tincture, the CBD: THC ratio remains the same, about 300 to 1. Most people would not experience any significant effects from THC until the CBD to THC ratio hits 2:1, a ratio not possible with industrial hemp.
CBDistillery™ Has Your Perfect CBD to THC Ratio
If you’re leaning towards experiencing the effects of full-spectrum CBD to take advantage of the entourage effect, your perfect CBD to THC ratio is about 300:1. If you want to avoid THC entirely, your ideal CBD to THC ratio is 1:0. For a 1:0 CBD to THC ratio, you’ll want to select CBD products made with broad-spectrum extracts or CBD isolate, products that both contain 0% THC.
At CBDistillery™, we believe everyone should have access to high-quality, reasonably priced CBD products. Whichever CBD to THC ratio you prefer, visit CBDistillery™ to view our assortment of full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and CBD isolate products. All CBDistillery™ CBD and CBD+ CBG products are third-party tested and certified by The US Hemp Authority™.
* Third-party tested to ensure non-detectable levels of THC (less than .05%)
Additional Sources:
- Britanica.com. M O’Brien (2019) Cannabinoids.
- Analytical Cannabis. J Rudd. (2018 February 20) CBD vs THC – What are the Main Differences?
- Encyclopedia of Separation Science. C Poole. (2000) Chromatography.
- British Journal of Pharmacology. E Russo. (2011 August) Taming THC: Potential Cannabis Synergy and Phytocannabinoid-Terpene Entourage Effects.
- Project CBD. (2019) Terpenes and the “Entourage Effect.”
- Medical News Today. L Burgess. (2017 December 06) What are the Possible Benefits of MCT Oil?
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