Confused about Cannabinoids?

Keylife Unlocks the Mysteries Around CBD

CBD and other cannabinoids have exploded in popularity in recent years, with a seemingly endless array of products and companies to choose from. We realize it can be challenging to navigate, especially if you’re new to CBD or are interested in trying it out for the first time.

Here are a few basic pieces of information that can hopefully clear up common questions people often have about CBD:

CBD Basics:

• CBD is actually short for cannabidiol. Cannabidiol is one of almost 150 other cannabinoids or compounds that are produced within the cannabis plant. Each appears to influence certain areas of the body in specific ways.
• Cannabis plants can produce either “marijuana” or hemp. This is determined by how much THC, a psychoactive cannabinoid, is produced within the plant. Cannabis with a THC level above 0.3 % is normally considered to be marijuana, anything below that is usually viewed as being hemp. Cannabinoids used in commonly-found CBD products are typically extracted from hemp variations of the cannabis plant, though this isn’t always exclusively the case.
• Humans, along with various other mammals, also naturally produce their own “endocannabinoids,” which influence an internal network within all of us known as the endocannabinoid system. This system, sometimes abbreviated as ECS, can help to regulate pain, mental and emotional responses, digestion, sleep and cell production. It can also potentially aid overall homeostasis, or a state of balance, throughout numerous systems in the body.

Differences in CBD:

You may sometimes hear or read the terms “Isolate,” “Broad-Spectrum” and “Full-Spectrum” in regards to CBD products:
• Isolate – ONLY contains CBD or the labeled cannabinoid. No additional cannabinoids, terpenes (flavor and aroma compounds found in cannabis) or THC are normally added to the product.
• Broad-Spectrum – Generally CBD blended with other cannabinoids. Broad-spectrum products may also contain terpenes or other beneficial compounds, but will NOT contain THC. THC found within all legitimate CBD products is always within the 0.3%, legal and minimally-psychoactive level, but some people still prefer 0%.

• Full-Spectrum – CBD combined with additional cannabinoids. Again, full-spectrum products may also contain terpenes or other beneficial compounds, but unlike broad-spectrum products, full-spectrum products WILL contain THC. By combining THC together with other cannabinoids you may see a synergistic result known as the “Entourage effect,” whereby the effects are magnified when cannabinoids are dosed collectively rather than individually.

Types of CBD Products:

CBD and other cannabinoids are now available to purchase in an almost limitless-selection of products, but the most common tend to fall into the following categories:

• Tinctures – A liquid suspension of cannabinoids. Generally the most commonly-found product for cannabinoids. Simply hold a few drops directly under your tongue for around 30 seconds to a minute before swallowing. Other than vaping or smoking, sublingual application tends to produce the fastest onset of effects.
• Edibles – May be in the form of vitamin gummies, chocolates, snacks or drinks.
As easy to administer as any other food item you consume, just eat per label recommendations. Edibles tend to be lower in cannabinoid levels versus other typical applications, but they’re generally easy and great way to add cannabinoids into your diet easily.
• Vapables and smokables – Whether it’s through actual combustion or through heating a liquid into a vapor, inhalation of cannabinoids is the most rapid way to get them into your system. Once the cannabinoids pass through your lungs they enter the vascular system in the body, quickly traveling through your bloodstream to all areas of the body. While the effects are rapid and long-lasting, they may not be quite as prolonged as a typical tincture application. But, like edibles, vapable and smokable CBD can be easily administered while actually on the move. You can find vapable liquids in self-contained devices and for use in electronic cigarettes, in addition to smokable “dry-herb” or “flower” versions of the hemp plant itself.
• Creams and Salves – Perfect for targeting spot treatments of muscular, joint and cell issues. Dermal applications, meaning they are applied directly to the skin, absorb rapidly and work effectively to provide direct pain relief or long-term effects on overall skin cell health.
• Pills – Looking for a medicinal treatment you’re probably already familiar with? Cannabinoids area of course available in pill form too. Pre-measure amounts mean dosing is fast and easy and ingesting cannabinoids can lead to long-lasting, all-day effects similar to tinctures.

• Beauty Products – Looking to take a relaxing bath, worried about dry skin, wanting to refine those pores and possible eliminate some of those wrinkles? CBD and other cannabinoids are available in a large assortment of beauty products such as bath bombs, face masks and refining serums.
• Pet Treats – Why limit all the benefits of cannabinoids to just you when your furry friends can benefit too. Numerous treats are available for pets that can help with various issues including relieving stress and anxiety to improve joint flexibility and motion.

Identifying Quality Cannabinoid Manufacturers:

Trying to weed out trusted manufacturers and quality cannabinoid products can be especially challenging, try to look for companies and items that list the following attributes:

• Labels should be easy to find and read, and will clearly list all ingredients with a volume breakdown. Ex: A 100ml bottle might contain 1000mg of CBD, with 150mg of CBC and some minor trace amounts of terpenes. If a bottle claims to be an isolate make sure it actually only contains the listed cannabinoid. If it’s a broad-spectrum product it should contain NO THC. If it’s a full-spectrum product it SHOULD contain THC.
• Look for a U.S. manufacturer.
• Is the product organically farmed? Is it non-genetically modified?
• Avoid any product that doesn’t state it is free from pesticides, heavy metals, artificial sweeteners or other contaminants.
• Always ensure the product has been subjected to third-party lab testing. This means a manufacturer has submitted its items to be analyzed by an independent company to ensure unbiased, fair and accurate analysis of the contents.
• Is the manufacturer knowledgeable on their own products? Don’t be afraid to ask questions, if you feel a company has a hard time explaining what’s contained in a product or how it’s produced, then it’s probably a good warning sign to stay clear.
• Make sure you find a product that’s going to be easy to consume and effective for your specific issues. If you have muscle pain, a salve cream might be useful, but if you have digestive issues, then tinctures, edibles, or vapables and smokables might be more direct and effective.
• Does the product fit your dietary or ethical lifestyle? Is it vegan-friendly, gluten-free or non-GMO?

• Most importantly of all, like everything in life – do your own research. Read up on the latest studies from trusted, impartial publications, and check into the actual science and research behind any products claims. At Keylife we always try to cite a multitude of legitimate, peer-reviewed scientific studies, because we want you to feel confident that you will only ever receive a safe, quality and effective productive, backed up by research, thorough testing and quality control through independent lab analysis.

Learning about CBD and navigating which products might best fit your needs can be intimidating. But here at Keylife CBD, we’re big believers in educating people to help them make their own informed decisions. If you ever need any help with finding, understanding or using any of our products, please, don’t hesitate to reach out to one of our friendly and knowledgeable representatives. By demystifying the confusion around cannabinoids, Keylife CBD hopes to help you unlock the power behind this powerful plant extract.