Chanelle Gibson

The CBD industry is booming, and new products are constantly coming to the market. With all these different forms of CBD and pop-up companies, it can be hard to know what may really be in these products. This article offers information on the most common ingredients found in real CBD products. Basics of Top 10 Ingredients in CBD Products The cannabis plant is at the center of a lot of booming business right now. A lucrative business even before legalization, marijuana is becoming an increasingly popular sector of the health and wellness industry. States that have legalized it have seen it quickly become a huge money maker. The psychoactive effects and cultural stigma, however, have many skeptical of entering the business. As a result, many are turning to CBD, or cannabidiol, as an alternative. Especially because CBD is legal in all 50 states. Growing research indicates it may ease aches and pains, calm anxiety, aid sleep, boost creativity, and more depending on the product. With thousands of new CBD products and companies out there, it’s easy to be overwhelmed. Before you get into the skincare, makeup, vaporizers, lotions, creams, pet treats, oils, et cetera, make sure you know what’s really in their ingredients. Real CBD products should always include at least one cannabinoid, which are the compounds derived from the cannabis plant. These are the top 10 main ingredients that you should see in authentic CBD products. 1. CBD CBC should obviously be a major ingredient in CBD products, but what exactly is it? CBD is one of the two main active ingredients found in the cannabis plant, the other is THC. The acronym is short for cannabidiol. It has no psychoactive effects and can be easily molded into various forms for several kinds of products. 2. THC The other main active ingredient of the cannabis plant, tetrahydrocannabinol is the psychoactive compound. It binds to receptors in your body and that’s what produces the “high.” This can be experienced differently with ranges in potency. 3. THCv Tetrahydrocannabivarin, or THCv, has a similar chemical makeup to THC but it effects the body differently. It binds to the same receptors that THC does for the same psychoactive effect, but it only activates one of them and that is only at an increased dosage. 4. CBN Not to be confused with cannabidiol, CBN stands for cannabinol. It is derived from THC, forming when it’s exposed to UV light, heat, or oxygen over time. It can also form naturally as cannabis plants age. It is non-psychoactive. 5. CBG Another non-psychoactive cannabinoid, cannabigerol deals with the acid forms of CBD and THC. Exposure to light or heat will produce cannabigerol acid (CBGA), then enzymes break that down into CBD acid and THC acid. The acid is burned off in a chemical reaction called decarboxylation, leaving just CBD and THC. CBG is essentially the parent of CBD and THC. 6. CBDA In the process described above, CBD acid, or CBDA, is turned into CBD during decarboxylation. However, the CBDA can itself be an ingredient in CBD products as well. If a raw hemp plant is never exposed to excessive heat or light, the CBD acid remains and can be extracted by juicing the plant. 7. CBC Cannabichromene is a rare cannabinoid, so you may not see it often in ingredient lists. It is non-psychoactive and not as thoroughly researched as other cannabinoids. If CBDA doesn’t experience decarboxylation, and is instead exposed to heat or UV light, the acid breaks down and forms CBC. 8. CBDv The levels of CBDv, or cannabidivarin, can vary greatly within cannabis plants. It most commonly occurs in the plants with higher CBD than THC and in pure strains. It is very molecularly similar to CBD and also has no psychoactive effects. When comparing THC and THCv to CBD and CBDv, the latter are much more alike. 9. MCT, VP, and PG These three are not cannabinoids, but they are thinning agents used to dissolve cannabinoids for vaporization and absorption into the body. PG, or propylene glycol, is often used in CBD vape oils because it is flavorless, but it can also cause dry mouth because it absorbs moisture. VG, or vegetable glycerin, is thicker and sweeter. The two are often mixed together and listed in the ingredients as a ratio. MCT stands for medium chain triglycerides, but it’s basically fractionated coconut oil. Vaping with PG and VG can release carcinogenic byproducts if the heat reaches combustion level, so use quality batteries and gauge temperature settings accordingly. Long-term excessive use of MCT can cause oil to build up in the lungs. Other thinning agents are being researched and slowly gaining popularity, but these three are the most common. 10. Terpenes Terpenes are essentially the chemicals that determine how things smell, giving things like flowers and fruits their unique aromas. Plant terpenes are often used to naturally flavor CBD oil. Terpenes can also work together with THC and CBD to contribute to the soothing effects that come from the cannabis plant. Terpenes can also alter the effect of cannabinoids, making them weaker or stronger. No matter the CBD product, take a close look at the ingredients and make sure you really know what they are. Be aware of what you are putting in or on your body. These are just the basics of some common ingredients and anything not on this list may be artificial. Do research and ensure you know what’s in the CBD products at your disposal.