By now, most people know that CBD is a natural component of the cannabis plant. Manufacturers can obtain the non-intoxicating CBD compound from either hemp or marijuana, but of course, oils made from the latter often contain higher quantities of THC - meaning they're not legal in all states.
Of course, some CBD oils that are derived from hemp will still contain trace amounts of THC. What does this mean? Is it bad? Will it affect you negatively in some way?
For obvious reasons (i.e. generations of negative stigma), some consumers are concerned about using CBD oils with THC. In today’s guide, we teach you all you need to know about using CBD with THC, including what the two compounds are, what they do, and how you can go about finding the product that's best for you.
CBD Oil with THC: Defining the Two Different Compounds
We often receive basic questions along the lines of, 'what is CBD?' Or, 'what is THC?' Despite CBD’s increasing popularity, there are still lots of people who know very little about this plant-based compound.
Both CBD and THC are cannabinoids, meaning they are active compounds found in cannabis plants. The two are relatively similar in this sense, but they have plenty of differences.
For one, THC (full name tetrahydrocannabinol) is psychoactive and intoxicating. It is responsible for the high that people get from using marijuana. THC alters the mental state, and causes users to experience a range of euphoric feelings. And most of the time, it makes them hungry! However, too much THC can sometimes lead to bouts of anxiety and paranoia.
CBD is technically psychoactive, too, but this is simply based on the definition of the word 'psychoactive' - which means something that "affects the mind." CBD may, for example, produces positive changes in thoughts or moods.
However, CBD is completely non-intoxicating in the sense that it does not produce any kind of a high. This is the primary difference between the two cannabinoids. Unfortunately, a lot of folks out there think that any CBD oil with THC will result in a mind-altering experience. This is simply not true.
Many people use CBD daily in the hopes of boosting general health and well-being. People often consume CBD products in small milligram amounts, two or three times a day. When taking any kind of CBD (i.e. whether it's an oil, edible, capsule, etc), it's important to know what's actually in the product. CBD oil with THC is common, even though it might not say so on the product label.
And indeed, given that both compounds are naturally present in hemp, it can be hard to remove all traces of THC. But should you be worried about CBD with THC, even if it's just a tiny little amount?
Let's take a little closer look.
Understanding the Effects of CBD with THC
Of course, it is possible to purchase CBD that doesn't have any THC at all in it. These types of products are sometimes called 'CBD isolates,' and are often labeled as 'Zero THC' or 'THC-free.'
CBD oils with THC are generally labeled or identified as 'full-spectrum.' In other words, they contain CBD extracted from the hemp, as well as a complete spectrum of additional hemp phytocannabinoids (CBD is just one of many different cannabinoids in hemp).
Products that are labeled as 'broad-spectrum' typically contain all hemp phytocannabinoids besides THC. These are usunally not CBD oils with THC.
Consumers generally choose among these various types of products based on different factors. For one, the effects of CBD oils with THC may differ slightly compared to those without it. This is due to a phenomenon known as the 'entourage effect.' Below, we explore the uses and benefits of both CBD oils with THC and those without.
CBD Products with THC
CBD with THC, or full-spectrum CBD, is the preferred product for many. Some experts believe that full-spectrum CBD oils can trigger the ‘entourage effect,’ which refers to the way in which cannabinoids appear to work together to produce enhanced effects on the body and mind.
CBD and THC are quite different regarding how they interact with the body. Both compounds interact with the endocannabinoid system, but they do so in different ways.
CBD may encourage or promote the body's various systems to produce more endocannabinoids, which are cannabinoid compounds that the body produces naturally on its own. THC, meanwhile, binds directly with cannabinoid receptors in the central nervous system to produce a range of effects.
For instance, since THC binds directly to CB1 receptors, which are found predominantly in the brain and nervous system, they trigger the perception of 'being high.' Small amounts of THC - i.e. the amounts that you'd find in full spectrum CBD oils with THC, have no impact on perception relating to the central nervous system.
That said, taking CBD oil with THC might be more effective than taking a CBD isolate product. Many users prefer full-spectrum products for this reason. Plus, many CBD products on the market today are Farm Bill compliant, meaning they contain less than 0.3% THC. This meager amount of the psychoactive compound is nowhere near enough to provoke a high.
If CBD with THC sounds like your thing, then you’re in luck. We here at Pure Kana - as well as many other reputable brands throughout the industry - offer an assortment of full-spectrum hemp products (oils, capsules, vapes, etc) that contain THC levels under 0.3%.
What About Products That Don't Have Any THC?
Another option, as discuss above, is to opt for CBD oils and other CBD products that are entirely void of THC content. These products, as we discuss, are usually referred to as CBD isolates.
Sometimes isolates are more expensive because more work is involved in terms of fully removing the THC from the product. CBD isolates sometimes even come in powder or crystal forms, which can be ‘dabbed’ or vaped with the appropriate equipment. Powders can also be infused into oils or added to foods and drinks.
One significant advantage of THC-free products is peace of mind. Those involved in jobs with regular drug testing, for instance, may wish to use a CBD isolate product. Drug tests typically don't scan for CBD, but they do often look for THC and/or its metabolites.
Although the amount of THC in full-spectrum CBD products is minuscule, they do present the potential, however small, of producing a positive drug test. To avoid this potential hazard, as we said, some folks simply opt for THC-free products (like our PureKana gummies).
THC-free CBD products are not always widely available, but there are still plenty of products to choose from online. If you shop around, however, be sure to find a CBD isolate product that's reliable and has plenty of good customer reviews.
CBD Oils with THC - Do They Work Better?
Above, we talked about something called the entourage effect. This 'effect' refers to the possibility that CBD oils with THC - and other hemp-based compounds - offer enhanced effects compared to CBD-only products. However, keep in mind that research into CBD is still in its infancy. The reality is, we don’t know a lot in terms of how, or if, the 'entourage effect' even exists.
Dr. Ethan Russo apparently coined the term ‘entourage effect’ years ago, yet we still understand little about this phenomenon. Generally, cannabis experts do agree that full-spectrum CBD oils with THC have a broader array of benefits than CBD-only products. Of course, much more research is needed in this area.
All in all, everybody’s endocannabinoid system is different. Therefore, different products will work differently for different people. If you're unsure whether to use CBD with THC or without, you may need to do a little 'trial-and-error' style experimenting. For instance, try out something like our THC-free CBD gummies, and compare the effects to a CBD oil with THC. You’ll never know which is best for you until you give them both a try.
And again, we remind folks with jobs that require regular drug testing that they may want to opt for THC-free CBD products for peace of mind. The decision is of course entirely up to you, however, and just because you consume CBD with THC, it doesn't automatically mean that you'll fail a screening.
CBD Oil with THC: What Does It Do?
At this point, you might still be a little confused. Perhaps you are entirely new to the entire world of CBD, and still have absolutely no idea what CBD is even supposed to do in the first place! Well, whether you use a CBD isolate or CBD oils with THC, the general benefits of CBD are more or less the same.
Folks of course use CBD for a variety of reasons. With some basic online searching, it’s common to come across forums where people talk about using CBD oil with THC for literally dozens of different reasons. These claims are of course not always valid, and they should be taken with a grain of salt. Science is yet to catch up with many of the claims that are being made regarding CBD’s benefits, and certainly much more research is required as far as what exactly CBD with THC can - and can't - do.
What we do know is that CBD appears to support the body's endocannabinoid system, or ECS. The ECS is involved in our general health, wellness, and balance. By taking CBD, we may be able to support a healthy, active lifestyle and a balanced ECS.
Want to Buy CBD Oil with THC?
There's certainly no shortage of brands that offer CBD oils with THC. In other words, if you want to buy CBD with THC you won’t find it very difficult. Retailers sell a range of full-spectrum products, but if you're looking for the absolute highest in quality and craftsmanship, be sure to take a look at our range here at Pure Kana.
As far as broad-spectrum or THC-free CBD products, our award-winning vegan gummies have 100% of the THC removed. Unfortunately, various terminologies can differ from brand to brand. You will likely have to do some research to find out precisely what plant compounds are in any given product.
Whatever the case is, any reputable brand should display lab reports for their products, which confirm the specific presence of cannabinoids. Also, be sure that any hemp-based product you're looking at has a THC content of less than 0.3%.
CBD Oil with THC: The Bottom Line
It’s natural to be cautious of CBD oils with THC. After all, there is a lot - a lot - of misinformation out there online. When combined with confusing product descriptions and hard-to-interpret labels, consumers can understandably get confused and frustrated quite easily.
As far as users that are afraid to use CBD with THC for fear of getting high, this is not something you need to be concerned about as long as the product has been extracted from hemp.
All in all, CBD oil with THC is certainly not a negative thing. CBD oils with THC contents of less than 0.3% cannot get you high, and in fact, full-spectrum products may offer enhanced benefits compared to a CBD isolate.
We recommend giving both full-spectrum products (i.e. CBD oils with THC) and THC-free products a try at some point. Every CBD user is unique, and experimenting is really the only way to know what works best for you and your body. Just make sure that whatever you’re buying is safe and reputable. Do some research on the brand you're using, and be sure that it’s a reliable company.