It isn’t a source of hallucinogens, yet it’s still the source of a great deal of conversation on social media and other outlets. It’s cannabis extract made not from marijuana but, rather, its cousin, Cannabis sativa, or industrial hemp.
Yet, the question is, with all the CBD supplements available, which is better? Which is safest and which is most potent? Regardless, cannabis extracts should derive from organically raised plants, whether marijuana, Cannabis indica, or the sativa version.
Marijuana extracts aren’t better
There are a number of poor controls in the raising of marijuana. There’s also the issue of THC, which is undesirable for the general public. THC is the primary psychoactive ingredient in marijuana extracts and is not safe for daily use. While the molecule does have some benefits, being an anti-tumor agent and an anti-inflammatory compound, it has many deleterious actions as well. The point is, why consume it if it’s unnecessary? Why put the body at risk?
THC and CBD: good vs. bad?
CBD, or cannabidiol, is surely far more well tolerated than THC. This is why the other type of cannabis, the industrial species, is so invaluable. It can be extracted without THC; in fact, the amount of THC in this species is miniscule. For this reason there are no untoward effects of this plant, that is, in regards to properly, carefully produced extracts.
As a rule, THC-rich marijuana extracts are too potent for general use by the public at-large. This is particularly true of toddlers and children. By no means should such individuals be given high THC-based extracts to any degree.
Yet, even adults can prove reactive. For this reason it is worthwhile to review the potential side effects of THC, whether in extract form or as vaped/smoked marijuana:
- anxiety, which may include paranoia
- sensation of dying
- dry mouth
- redness of the eyes; dryness of the eyes
- lethargy, including the sensation of not being able to move extremities
- excessive daytime sleepiness
- memory impairment
- dizziness
- headaches
- nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
It is therefore inappropriate to consume marijuana-based extracts for the modest potential increased benefits of THC as a cannabis component. Instead, THC-free industrial hemp extract should be the focus, ideally from organically grown hemp sources.
CBD supplements: natural or artificial?
Through the intake of extracts of the industrial hemp species much of these potential side effects could be avoided. There are two types of these extracts available: the typically much-hyped CBD oil and the more traditional whole food extract. In pre-modern times only the whole-type cannabis extract was used. It was never altered to manipulate the chemistry. Today’s CBD oil is fully manipulated, where one of the key active ingredients, known as cannabidiol, is concentrated in unnaturally high amounts. This poses a challenge, because it creates an unnatural type of supplement, one which is too potent in some arenas. As a result, CBD oil may mimic THC-rich extracts and cause certain side effects, though usually mild. Once again, why experience such untoward effects when this is completely avoidable? Undesirable reactions to this CBD oil may include the following:
- wakefulness
- excessive sedation during the day
- mental sedation or sensation of feeling mentally “thick”
- sensation of heaviness of the limbs and body (don’t feel like moving or getting up from a chair)
- not knowing where you are or what you are doing for a period of time
- ‘stoned’-like sensation
- mild dryness of the mouth sensation
All these untoward reactions occur as a consequence of altering the naturally occurring chemistry. This happens by raising CBD to artificially high levels, like 15% or even more: 20%, 30%, even 40%-plus. It’s also a result of aggressive processing. In order to create such high potency supplements, extensive heat is used, as well as solvent extraction. This corrupts the naturally occurring cannabinoid molecules, causing them to be irritating to the body. It’s just too potent for the body to easily handle. Moreover, the body only needs a modest amount of CBD to satisfy its needs. Why add more than is necessary—an unnatural amount—and risk the potential for side effects?
Raw supercritical is even better: without CBD manipulation
This process is all avoidable. A superior, reaction-free cannabis can be produced by extracting it in a raw form: through supercritical extraction. This is the use of carbon dioxide under high pressure. There is no heat or solvents used to any degree. Moreover, the CBD occurring in such extracts is done the natural way, as Nature would have it. Such extracts are ideal for the general public because they offer a high degree of safety, along with significant effectiveness, even more so than the ‘concentrates.’ Because these natural extracts are fully unprocessed, and raw, they are well tolerated, even by children and pets.
CBD-plus?
There is plenty of CBD in whole food extracts; the body doesn’t need much. There are a number of other components which are either lost or corrupted through the chemical and heat-based processing methods, including critical terpenes, like beta caryophyllene, pinene, and limonene. Natural extracts also contain the full complement of cannabis actives: some 450 naturally occurring substances including flavonoids, sterols, and waxes.
This is not only a whole food form, but also the only legally acceptable one which can be sold in any supplement store in the country. So, take no chances and use the extracts based on raw nature: without manipulation, safe for the entire family, as well as for those with sensitive systems.
Sources: https://www.leafly.com/news/cannabis-101/what-are-the-side-effects-of-high-thc-cannabis/