Over the last few years, there have been many extremely high profile cases involving the use of CBD, bringing this natural supplement option to our attention. It was only a few years ago that most people had not heard of CBD, and now it is one of the most widely used dietary supplements.

While most people may now have heard the term and, in some cases, even considered trying CBD supplements for themselves, there are still many people who do not fully understand CBD. It remains a popular topic in the media, but not one that is ever discussed in much detail.

So, why don't we take a closer look at what CBD is and some of the critical things you need to know?

CBD refers to just one of the many cannabinoids found within both hemp and cannabis plants. CBD is considered one of the main cannabinoids linked to the plant’s potential health benefits and, therefore, is the highlighted cannabinoid on most supplements. 

CBD can be enjoyed in a whole host of different ways, including traditional oil drops and capsules, edibles, and in topical form. There are many reasons you might want to include CBD in your regular supplement schedule, with it thought to have a wide range of mental and physical health benefits.

Not many people realise that CBD products are legal in countries around the world. As CBD can be found in cannabis plants, many people mistakenly believe it to fall under the same category as recreational cannabis and, therefore, assume it is illegal – but this is not the case.

Many countries, including the USA and UK, have legalized the use of CBD as a food supplement, as long as the product contains less than a set amount of THC. In countries where CBD is legal, it can often be found in health food stores, pharmacies, and for sale online.

CBD is an excellent all-purpose, general supplement as it has many different uses and benefits. A considerable amount of research is still to be done, but looking into some of the various benefits of CBD shows a great deal of exciting uses. It can even be used as a natural alternative to some medications.

CBD helps to boost the level of cannabinoids in your endocannabinoid system which, in turn, is thought to act as a general health boost. Taking CBD as a regular supplement might also help to improve both mental and physical health. 

Some people use CBD as a relaxation tool, helping them to unwind after a long day. Brands such as Premium Jane offer a range of CBD products designed for this purpose, including calming, CBD-infused bath bombs.

Other people find that CBD helps them to manage and deal with pain in a more positive way. CBD is thought to have anti-inflammatory properties, which also helps to reduce specific sources of pain.

Unlike many other dietary supplements, many CBD products are sold with full lab reports included. Some brands even offer customers the option of viewing these lab reports before they head to the check-out so that you can see exactly what you are buying.

Independent lab testing is used to ensure a consistent level of quality and potency. It also provides a complete breakdown of all of the different compounds contained within the final product. Being able to view lab reports means that you know exactly what you are putting into your body, including a full list of the different cannabinoids and terpenes within your chosen product.

When shopping for CBD supplements, you might not realize that there are a few different types. Each one provides a slightly different experience.

The main types are: CBD isolate, full-spectrum CBD, and broad-spectrum CBD. Full-spectrum is the one most commonly used as it contains all of the naturally occurring cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids found with hemp plants. Relatively gentle extraction methods are used to remove unwanted compounds as well as ensuring that the final product does not contain any more than the legal THC limit.

All of the different cannabinoids found within full-spectrum CBD are thought to work together within the body triggering the entourage effect and more noticeable results.

Broad-spectrum CBD is very similar to full-spectrum CBD. However, a slightly more intensive filtration method is used to remove some of the cannabinoids and terpenes that naturally occur within the plant.

CBD isolate is at the very opposite end of the spectrum and refers to pure CBD. State of the art extraction and filtration methods are used to remove all compounds and cannabinoids other than CBD. Typically sold in powder form, CBD isolate is considered to be the purest way to consume CBD. Some brands also use CBD isolate to create products like gummies and topicals.