Hemp plants are well known for producing the compound CBD, but did you know that they have so much more to offer? CBD is just one of the many cannabinoids found in the plant. CBG and CBC, for example, are a couple of the better-known cannabinoids that you might see listed on labels. Each of these cannabinoid compounds have their own unique properties. The hemp flower also produces aromatic compounds called terpenes that are responsible for its characteristic aroma and flavor profiles. While many CBD products contain CBD isolate only, our smokable hemp flower is known as a “full spectrum” product. These full spectrum hemp products contain all the naturally occurring compounds of the entire hemp flower. This means that you get to experience the complete, unaltered effects of all the cannabinoids present in the flower, known as the entourage effect. The entourage effect proposes that CBD, which may be the most singularly beneficial compound in hemp from a wellness point of view, is more effective when ingested with other cannabinoids simultaneously. When used as a whole, the hemp plant is a full spectrum product that contains all the compounds that are present in the plant in nature. The support of the other cannabinoids can boost the performance of CBD and enable it to have a greater impact on the endocannabinoid system, or ECS. The ECS contains receptors in our central and peripheral nervous systems that aid in the regulation of all kinds of bodily functions like sleep, pain, inflammation, mood, hunger and more. When CBD interacts with these receptors, they get a boost and work more efficiently. The other cannabinoids in the hemp plant help CBD to bind with those receptors. So, all those other lesser known cannabinoid compounds help CBD stick so to speak.
Does this mean that full spectrum products are better than CBD isolate? It depends entirely on your individual body, needs and preferences. If you are an experienced CBD user but haven’t tried a full spectrum product, you may want to give our flower a try and see if it helps up your endocannabinoid game. If you are new to CBD, you may prefer to stay with an isolate, such as our tinctures, for a while before diving into the deep end.
Whichever you choose, Cherry Ridge has something for you. All our smokable hemp flowers are grown, dried, & cured organically in-house at Cherry Ridge, and our isolates are derived from those same flowers. So, no matter which product you choose, you can rest assured that you are receiving true natural, organic hemp of the best quality available.