Cannabidiol, also known as CBD, is one of over 100 naturally occurring phytocannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. Its structure is comprised of an alkyl side chain, a monoterpene moiety, and a resorcinol ring. The cannabis plant is usually characterized as either hemp or marijuana. Hemp is used for making herbal supplements, food, fiber, rope, paper, bricks, oil, natural plastic, and many other items. CBD/Cannabidiol oil is derived from secretions produced by both varieties and is the second most prevalent cannabinoid in marijuana and the top non-psychoactive cannabinoid found in hemp.

The term cannabis oil can refer to either a marijuana or hemp-derived oil since marijuana and hemp are two different varieties of cannabis. CBD does not cause a “high” feeling like THC, otherwise known as delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol. Unlike THC, CBD does not interact strongly with the two classical cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2). This is why CBD does not cause any psychoactive effect. Instead, CBD inhibits the enzymes that break down endocannabinoids, leading to an increase in your body’s naturally-produced cannabinoids, in addition to interactions with other receptor types. CBD oil is different from hemp seed oil and organic hemp oil, as these are derived from hemp seeds (not the resin) and do not contain cannabidiol.

From a molecular perspective, CBD is quite a promiscuous compound. Some of the proposed receptor types that the compound interacts with, both directly and indirectly, include the CB1 and CB2 receptors, adenosine A2A receptors, numerous GPR type receptors, serotonin 1a receptors, and VR1 receptors. CBD also interacts with multiple types of enzymes. One type of enzyme that it interacts with, with an inhibitory effect, is the enzyme that deals with inactivation of the endogenous cannabinoid AEA. There is also evidence to suggest that it inhibits the cellular re-uptake of AEA, thus maintaining higher concentrations in the inter-cellular space. Other enzymes in which evidence has suggested that CBD interacts with are those within the cytochrome P450 system. Because of the promiscuity of the compound, and the lack of comprehensive understanding of all of the potential molecular mechanism at play, it is hard to pin down the exact cause and effect relationship of CBD and its purported effects.

Full Spectrum CBD Oil is described as CBD oil that contains the full profile of desirable compounds present in the plant that is being extracted. All of the major and minor cannabinoids and terpenes would be present within Full Spectrum Oil, with THC concentrations at or below the legal limit of 0.3%. On the other hand, Broad Spectrum CBD Oil is oil that has had the THC removed with all other desirable compounds being retained. Full and Broad Spectrum CBD oils are often sought after because of the proposed "entourage effect".

The entourage effect is the proposal that other compounds, presumably terpenes/terpenoids and other cannabinoids, modulate the psychoactive effects of THC. Initially, the term was used to describe the interaction of multiple endogenous compounds that displayed a cooperative effect in modulating endocannabinoid signalling. Since its initial use, it has since been expanded to describe polypharmacy effects of combined phytochemicals or whole plant extracts.

In accordance with federal regulations, we cannot make health claims regarding our products. We can only recommend our products for general wellness.

Please consult with your physician before using any new products, including products infused with hemp extracts.

All High Altitude Wellness CBD products are infused with high quality Full Spectrum CBD Oils that we manufacture in our Colorado state licensed laboratories. We source all of our raw hemp from licensed farms and test the material at every stage of the manufacturing process using only licensed 3rd party labs to ensure quality all the way from the plant to all of our products.