Straight Hemp CBD Blog

Have you seen the term “full-spectrum” floating around on various CBD products? 

One of the main questions we hear from our consumers is: 

What is the difference in “full-spectrum CBD oil” and “broad or isolated spectrum CBD oil?”

What Does Full Spectrum CBD Oil Mean?

When a full-spectrum CBD oil is born, it simply means that the entire plant was extracted during the creation process of that CBD product. 

Using the entire hemp plant allows these CBD products to include all the phytochemicals that come from the hemp plant. This means that all the components that are created from the hemp plant naturally, all the cannabidiol, THC, terpenes, flavonoids, etc. are all added to the new full-spectrum CBD oil.

By encapsulating all of the phytochemicals from the hemp plant these CBD oils can provide the strongest health effects from any other CBD product possible. The compounds extracted from the hemp plant work simultaneously with the cannabinoid to create the entourage effect. 

What is the Entourage Effect?

We could talk all day about the “entourage effect,” but simply this is a synergistic effect that enhances the medical benefits of a CBD product. Preclinical research has shown that “full-spectrum CBD rich cannabis oil is more effective at lower doses and has a wider therapeutic window than isolate spectrum CBD oils.” 

Learn more about the entourage effect. 

What Does CBD Isolate Mean?

CBD Isolate is the act of pulling CBD from the hemp plant and separating all the other ingredients. For example, CBD isolate oils have had the majority of the THC removed. Some people like these products because they believe it will be easier to pass a drug test. 

In short, CBD isolate is pure CBD; however, these products do not contain the meaningful terpenes, flavonoids, and other natural ingredients that full-spectrum CBD oils contain. These products also are not able to produce Entourage Effects.

Traditionally, CBD isolate oils are cheaper than full-spectrum CBD oil products.

Do Full-Spectrum or CBD Isolate Make For Better CBD Oils?

There’s no right or wrong answer to this question. 

As a Colorado hemp CBD company that prides itself on producing the highest quality CBD products available on the market, we believe that our consumers receive the most benefit from our full-spectrum CBD oils. When we make our hemp CBD products, we believe in preserving the integrity of the hemp plant while producing the best results for our consumers as possible.

Have you tried any of our, Straight Hemp Colorado full-spectrum CBD oils? 

Check out a full list of our full-spectrum CBD oils today!

Since the primary legalization of hemp CBD products in the United States, products have been swarming the market.

As a hemp CBD consumer, you know you can get hemp CBD products online, from other states, and more. But it’s critical that you pay attention to the quality of these products.

In fact, research published from a study conducted by the National Institute of Health has shown that by consuming poor quality or fake hemp CBD products consumers can experience stomach pain, fever, headaches, and other adverse effects. 

At Straight Hemp, we provide every single product of ours with a unique lot number where you can input it into our lab report page on our website and see for yourself just how your Straight Hemp hemp CBD product is a premium product. 

Unfortunately, not all hemp CBD companies provide lab reports and it’s possible you’re purchasing poor quality or even fake hemp CBD products. 

Here are three ways you can avoid consuming poor quality or fake hemp CBD products.

1. Pay Attention To Reviews

The power of word of mouth is stronger than you may think. In fact, ReviewTracker conducted a study that showed 94% of customers will not purchase a product from a company if the company has negative reviews, and many customers will not even pay attention to a company with a less than an average four-star rating.

You can find reviews on a business’ Google My Business page, their website, social media pages, and more. If a company primarily has negative reviews explaining their hemp CBD products go elsewhere — life is too short to consume poor quality or fake CBD products.

At Straight Hemp, we ask our customers to share their reviews after they’ve received their orders. These reviews are shared directly to our website under the associated ordered products, but other reviews live on our Google My Business and Facebook pages.

2. Does The CBD Company Share Their Production Process?

Many hemp CBD companies are proud to create a product that can enhance their consumers’ lifestyles, and they want to share just how they do that. If you’re looking to purchase any hemp CBD products from a CBD company you’re unsure about, look through their website or social media platforms and see if they’re open about how they make their products. If they’re not, it’s very likely that they are hiding something and contaminating their hemp CBD products.

At Straight Hemp, we make our premium CBD products from a widely-recognized Subcritical CO2 extraction method vs. a  Supercritical CO2 extraction method. We do this because of the purity associated with this method and the ability to get the most out of the cannabidiol plant. Check out some of our production videos on our YouTube channel. 

 3. Look For Lab Reports

As we mentioned earlier, lab reports are critical for seeing just how premium any hemp CBD product is. If a CBD company makes these reports easily accessible you know they want to prove just how premium their CBD products are. However, sometimes, companies will undergo multiple testing to try and skew the data to showcase something their CBD products are not.

Pay attention to how easy lab reports are to access, and what the lab reports say. Depending on those findings will help determine if your newly purchased hemp CBD products are poor quality or even fake.

Stop Searching For Premium Hemp CBD Products — We’ve Got You Covered

If you’ve been searching for the best premium hemp CBD products you’ve come to the right place. At Straight Hemp, we pride ourselves in always creating organic and premium hemp CBD products every time. 

Check out our hemp CBD products on our website and place your order today! 

Also, first-time buyers receive 20% off their order when they sign up for our newsletter!

“Pets have more love and compassion in them than most humans” - Robert Wagner

It’s no wonder that we as pet owners want to give our pets the best life possible and even extend their life expectancy if we can.

The legalization of CBD products is a relatively new concept, which is traditionally why there are a series of questions associated with CBD products and more specifically CBD for pets.

Primarily, one of the biggest questions we, at Straight Hemp, hear is “can I use my CBD products on my pets?” 

In short, the answer is yes. But we’re going to break it down for you, so you feel more comfortable implementing any CBD product into your pets’ routine.

CBD Products Overview

Originally, CBD products were legalized in Colorado in 2014, and in 2018 the Farm Bill was passed to legalize CBD in all 50 states. 

Since the legalization of CBD products, people have noticed that CBD has enhanced their lifestyle and their overall health, so much that many started proposing could these products be used to enhance our pets overall health? 

Studies started being conducted to study just this. 

In fact, in 2018, Cornell University conducted and published its Pharmacokinetics, Safety, and Clinical Efficacy of Cannabidiol Treatment in Osteoarthritic Dogs study. The results were monumental in the usage of CBD products and animals. Ultimately, the final results showed that dogs suffering from osteoarthritis (a common canine orthopedic condition) reduced pain and improved overall physical activity. 

There are a number of other studies continuously being conducted and released to showcase the effects CBD products have on pets, but there are also a number of real-life pet parents that are sharing their CBD for pets' experiences online.

Sharon Sampson, an African Grey bird mom, stated: 

“My African Grey bird had bare spots on her body. I rubbed hemp oil directly on the bald areas and she has had such a change in overall health.” 

Overall, there are many testimonies that showcase how using CBD products help increase your pet's overall livelihood, but why?

The Science Behind CBD Products

Every animal, including humans, that has a spinal cord has an endocannabinoid system (ECS). Over the years, studies have shown that when combining the Cannabis sativa L. plant species with animals ECS animals have experienced sensations associated with relaxation, hunger, sleeping, and more. 

The reason for this is because the ECS has a set of activators and receptors that affect animals’ nervous systems, and animals will get a different response depending on which receptors the plant attaches to. Once the plant is ingested a series of cannabinoids will run through the ECS, and depending on which receptors they attach to will determine the sensations the animal feels. 

Robert J. Silver, a veterinary herbalist based in Boulder, Colorado, explains “receptors are like locks, and cannabinoids are like keys. They fit together perfectly, and once the cannabinoid connects with the receptors it turns the lock and releases the cannabinoid effects.”

If you ask your veterinarian “is CBD for my pet something I should start implementing?” they probably won’t comment on it because there’s not enough generalized science to support it — each pet experiences the effects differently, and since CBD products are relatively new in our society, most veterinarian professionals won’t give definitive answers on what’s best.

What’s the Difference Between The CBD Products I Use & The CBD for Pets Products

As we mentioned before, there are many new CBD products introduced to the market within the last five years. 

Many companies have started creating “CBD for pets” as a marketing tool. A lot of these products have different flavors, are made into various treats, and more. 

However, you (as a pet owner) can give your CBD products to your pets, but you should be aware of quality control, dosage, and other side effects that could affect your pet. 

For example, if you’re using a CBD product that has a higher dosage of THC (technically it wouldn’t be CBD) but it could be harmful to your pet as THC is toxic in dogs and cats. 

Our oils, topicals, and all of our products at Straight Hemp are tested and tested again to provide you with the most premium CBD product possible, so we know that when you buy any CBD product from us, at Straight Hemp, you won’t have to worry about giving your pet additional THC. 

If you’re unsure how much CBD you should give your pet don’t worry. We have a pet calculator that will tell you the exact amount to give your pet.

Have you tried any of the Straight Hemp products with your pets? Let us know! 

With the relatively new legalization of CBD products throughout the United States, there’s a series of ways consumers are using CBD products, and each CBD usage is associated with a variety of CBD benefits.

In particular, when you start adding CBD products into your cooking methods you can start reaping the CBD benefits almost immediately.

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The global health pandemic of 2020 is something the entire world is going to be talking about for the foreseeable future.

As we all know, the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) came into the world with a bang this year. In a matter of days, it felt as if the entire world was forced to be shut down and everyone was strongly advised to stay in their homes in hopes of eliminating the spread of the virus that started killing some and compromising the health of millions. 

At the beginning of the pandemic, experts understood that developing a medication to help fight off the virus could be a ways away, but after months of living with it, we’re starting to learn more about how specific efforts can combat COVID-19. 

In particular, CBD effects are beginning to be recognized as a way to help people who are suffering from COVID-19 get better faster. Although these statements have not been confirmed by the FDA, we understand research and an uprise in science to show some promising correlation between CBD effects and COVID-19.

CBD Effects

We find CBD effects on the human body to be particularly interesting and then when you combine them with the science that is being studied on how many CBD effects interact with COVID-19 it’s even more fascinating. 

However, in the interest of understanding the full picture, first, we should break down CBD effects in general.

CBD Effects and the Human Body

CBD is derived from the Cannabis sativa plant, which is the same plant that cannabis and hemp are derived from. However, CBD is made up of the cannabinoids that come from the Cannabis sativa plant, and products have anywhere from 0-0.3% THC, which is what produces the “high” feelings associated with cannabis — products with THC need to have more than 0.3% of THC to produce any psychoactive “high” effects.

CBD does not produce intoxicating effects but has been scientifically shown to help with: 

• Anxiety
• Pain and inflammation
• Drug addiction
• Nerve pain
• Heart health
• Seizures

And much more.

Backed by all of these scientific studies, we know that CBD helps many people who suffer from a variety of medical conditions.

So, what does that mean for our current situation, of a world living with COVID-19

What is COVID-19

According to the CDC, researchers and medical professionals have known that the coronavirus has existed within human existence for decades. The original coronavirus is referred to as the common cold. 

What we didn’t know is that the original coronavirus would mutate into another version — COVID-19. In turn, COVID-19 is fatal for a certain population and infects many more causing a global pandemic disease that has caused people to stay in their homes and wear masks when they go into public. This is because this mutation is similar to its parent virus, the common cold, in that it’s easily spread from person to person through respiratory droplets.

Medical professionals are noticing that symptoms associated with COVID-19 range from mild to severe and can appear 2-14 days after an individual has been exposed to the virus. 

The CDC recognizes some symptoms to include:

• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Diarrhea
• Nausea 

And More

CBD Effects & COVID-19

As we’ve already mentioned, CBD effects help humans fight off a number of medical conditions. So, why would COVID-19 be any different from the other medical conditions CBD helps with?

Researchers have started looking at the active cannabinoid compounds in the Cannabis sativa plant, and how symptoms associated with COVID-19 may respond to CBD effects.

CBD Effects — Reducing Lung Inflammation

In fact, a study from the University of Nebraska and Texas Biomedical Research Institute understands that CBD effects can act as an antiviral therapy and potentially reduce lung inflammation. This study also explains how extreme lung inflammation can cause fevers, muscle pain, pneumonia, and other symptoms associated with being exposed to COVID-19. They believe the first step to combating this pandemic virus is to reduce lung inflammation. 

Although there are some medications that help reduce lung inflammation faster, the University of Nebraska and Texas Biomedical Research Institute notes that those medications have adverse effects on other areas of the body including creating pancreas failure and coronary artery disease. 

One of the many benefits CBD has is it’s an anti-inflammatory agent, which is produced from the cannabinoids in the Cannabis sativa plant. In 2009, a study was conducted showing how CBD products significantly decrease inflammation in the human body without giving people the high feelings that are associated with marijuana.

CBD Effects — Creating Stronger Immune Systems

Along with CBD products reducing inflammation in the human body researchers, Nichols and Kaplan conducted a study that showcased CBD within the human body helps produce a protein that stimulates immune cells and helps prevent any virus from replicating. This is why CBD works so well in other medical conditions because it is helping strengthen your immune system. 

CBD Effects — Reducing Anxiety

We already understand CBD products to help alleviate people that suffer from anxiety.

Particularly anxiety-prone people who have been exposed to COVID-19 may be feeling more anxious than normal because the public is hearing about how this disease can be fatal.

Also, the entire world is unsure about when life will go back to normal, and if when this virus will no longer be considered a pandemic — all of those things can cause anxiety in even the most non-anxiety-prone person.

One of the most common effects of CBD products is its ability to relieve anxiety.

CBD Effects on COVID-19 Overall

Although the effects of CBD on COVID-19 are still being studied, we find that the medical researchers all over the world are making great headway in finding a medical component to combat against COVID-19.

It’s possible that the medical answer to this global pandemic may involve cannabinoids and/or CBD products.

Want to give CBD products a try and see how some of the CBD effects help your existing medical conditions? Check out our products and get back to feeling yourself again.

According to history, CBD and hemp oil were first created in the 1940s; however, it’s 2020 and still, the CBD/hemp industry is very mysterious to some.

CBD hemp oil comes off as a taboo product that always has a ton of questions associated with it, which is great because that’s where we, at Straight Hemp, come in!

Here is a full guide explaining the ins and outs of CBD hemp oil and how we create CBD hemp oil products to help people all over the United States.

Understanding the CBD Vs. Hemp Basics

Alright, so, first things first. First, we need to understand what is CBD, what is hemp, and what is CBD hemp.

Understanding the Hemp Basics — Difference in Hemp & Cannabis

According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, hemp is defined as, 

“A tall widely cultivated Asian herb (Cannabis sativa of the family Cannabaceae, the hemp family) that is cultivated for its tough bast fiber and edible seeds and oil and that is often separated into a tall loosely branched species (C. sativa) and a low-growing densely branched species.” 

So you might be asking yourself, “so hemp is cannabis, and cannabis is marijuana, which gets you high, right?” In short, yes, but no. 

The difference between cannabis and hemp is cannabis contains more than 0.3% of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), while hemp contains less than 0.3% THC — THC is the ingredient that gives you psychoactive “high” effects. 

Although hemp sometimes has remnants of THC, it is not enough to give you those psychoactive effects. Instead, hemp has a variety of other cannabidiol ingredients that separate it from its cannabis plant relative. 

Hemp has been around a lot longer than CBD and marijuana products, and once upon a time hemp was never even associated with negative cannabis stereotypes. In fact, history shows that “in 2,000 BCE - 800 BCE Hindu religions determined hemp to be one of the five sacred plants of India.” Traditionally people ingest the seeds of the hemp plant, which have tons of essential amino acids, and fats such as Omega-3 and Omega-6. Cultures and people today even make clothing, ropes, and other products out of hemp plants.

Really, hemp is a lot more than the plant it comes from.

Understanding the CBD basics

Now that we understand hemp, let’s dive into the CBD basics.

CBD stands for cannabidiol, which is the chemical compounds found in the cannabis plant it comes from — CBD does come from the same plant that hemp and cannabis come from.

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines CBD as:

“a nonintoxicating cannabinoid found in cannabis and hemp.”

According to Health Harvard, CBD is one of the hundreds of components in marijuana, but it is intoxicating, which means it will not give you any psychoactive “high” effects. Along with that, the World Health Organization understands “in humans, CBD exhibits no effects indicative of any abuse or dependency potential.” 

What is CBD Hemp Oil?

Now that we understand what hemp is and what CBD is, we can explain CBD Hemp Oil. 

CBD Hemp Oil is just a long way to say CBD oil. CBD oil comes from the hemp plant, so by saying CBD Hemp Oil manufacturers and producers are directly telling their customers that the product is coming from the hemp plant, in hopes to eliminate some confusion.

However, hemp oil is different from CBD Hemp Oil. Hemp oil is made from the hemp seeds of the hemp plant. The difference in production eliminates the cannabidiol presence and the effects that CBD has on the body. 

Studies have shown hemp oil to traditionally be used for nutrition, skin disorders, and relieving PMS and Menopause symptoms while CBD oil is used for anxiety, pain, inflammation, insomnia, and relaxation.

Depending on what you’re looking for should dictate which products you purchase, but if you see an oil listed as “CBD hemp oil,” know that it is the same as “CBD oil.”

What Are Some CBD Hemp Oil Side Effects?

Traditionally, there are no side effects with using CBD hemp oil, but sometimes first-time users have noticed signs of changes in mood, light-headedness, dry mouth, nausea, and drowsiness. 

If you have a medical history of liver problems or you happen to be pregnant or trying to get pregnant, it’s important to speak with your doctor before using CBD hemp oils. Studies have shown CBD oils to increase liver enzymes, which is the way to tell if your liver is inflamed. Also, the American Academy of Pediatrics understands CBD hemp oils to decrease a baby’s development during pregnancy. 

If you’re uneasy about CBD Hemp oil you can always talk to a healthcare professional and they can help guide you through the risks, rewards, and other CBD hemp oil side effects.

Can CBD Hemp Oil Make You High?

No, CBD Hemp Oil or any other CBD products cannot make you high.

The high effects of cannabis plants come from THC properties from the plant. CBD hemp oils and other CBD products have less than 0.3% of THC, so the amount of THC is so minimal that it does not affect our neurons like the higher levels of THC does.

How do you use CBD Hemp Oil? 

CBD hemp oil comes in a variety of different sizes and usually in an eyedropper bottle. 

At Straight Hemp, we have a variety of sizes depending on how much you’d like at one time and where you’re keeping the product — we even offer travel-sized bottles that fit in your purse, fanny pack, and even your pocket!

Once you get the perfect CBD hemp oil product, we suggest ingesting it sublingually ( under your tongue.) This is the best way to absorb the oil into the bloodstream and notice effects the quickest. However, some people can’t get past the taste of CBD Hemp Oil, as it— unless it’s flavored— tastes how it smells - earthy, dirty, and like it came from a plant.

If you are someone that cannot get past the taste of CBD hemp oil, you can put it in your food to get similar results; however, the effects won’t be as instantaneous as ingesting it sublingually. If you do decide to add it to your food or your cooking do not use the CBD hemp oil as you would vegetable oil — the oil will immediately evaporate wasting your new CBD hemp oil product. Instead, drip a few drops in your sauces, directly to your food, or even in your drinks, etc.

Is CBD Hemp Oil Legal?

In 2018, the Farm Bill legalized hemp, CBD, and cannabis products containing less than 0.3% THC; however, different states have different laws and different understandings associated with this — so CBD hemp oil and other CBD products are legal depending on where you live.

In Colorado, yes CBD Hemp Oil is legal; however, in Iowa, they still penalize people using CBD products. This is because the products haven’t caught up with the times. Some people understand CBD to have similar intoxicating properties that can inhibit people from functioning properly while also harming your body.

Check with your local authorities before you go to another state, order online, or purchase any CBD hemp oil or other CBD products.

How Do You Choose a CBD Product?

The CBD and hemp industries are booming.

With that being said, there are tons of products on the market. At Straight Hemp, we are passionate about plant-based healing and holistic and clean health.

In fact, our founder, Devin Alvarez, founded Straight Hemp to help his friends and family combat opioid addictions. At Straight Hemp, we test, test, and test all of our products to make sure we’re providing all of our customers with the highest quality products on the market.

Although we have our favorite CBD products, we truly believe that purchasing various CBD products depends on your needs. If you’re a person that suffers from external knee problems, a topical CBD cream might be the best bet for you. If you’re an anxious person and you’re looking to get out of your head — a CBD hemp oil might be the route for you.

Again, there are millions of CBD hemp oils and other CBD products available today, but if you’re looking for high quality, clean, and natural CBD products we’ve got you covered.

Do you have more questions about CBD hemp oil or other CBD products? Contact us — we’d love to help answer any questions you may have. Otherwise, if you’re ready to purchase CBD products and start feeling better check out our products. We’re here to help!

The term “industrial hemp” is somewhat redundant, as it can be applied to any C. sativa plants. Many varieties can be raised to express specific chemical profiles for specific uses. Essential oil cultivars are bred and grown for their essential oils (cannabinoids and terpenes), while textile cultivars are selected for fiber (used in rope, paper, and clothing) or hempseed oil (for cooking, lamps, paint production, etc.). Straight Hemp is proud to use only premium essential oil cultivars for our products.

Do CBD-infused topical creams, lotions, balms, and salves actually work? If so, how? Find links to reputable research here at Straight Hemp.

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CBD oil is gaining mainstream use, but can it result in a positive drug test? Here’s what we know. 

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There are several things to look for in CBD oil to see if it’s at the highest standards. The top three things to consider when choosing the best CBD oil products are: 1. What it contains 2. If it has been tested (and the results) 3. How it was extracted.

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