About Hemp
What makes hemp different and fully legal versus marijuana? While both plants are of the same family, hemp is derived from the variety that was bred to produce the non-psychoactive set of cannabinoid molecules. The most abundant of the hemp cannabinoids is cannabidiol (CBD) and hemp is defined by containing less than 0.3% THC. Since the hemp plant has only trace amounts of THC and holds tremendous promise as a dietary supplement and industrial crop, the US Federal Government removed hemp from the controlled substances list, fully legalizing it with the passing of the 2018 Farm Bill. For more information please see the Kentucky Department of Agriculture hemp program.
The hemp plant is not just about CBD – there are over 100 cannabinoids and many dozens of another class of compounds called terpenes.
How do cannabinoids work in the body (1)?
Dietary supplements containing these molecules may have health benefits such as relaxation, sleep, recovery from workout, while topical products have exhibited inflammatory pain reduction (2). Whole hemp extract, often referred to as “full spectrum” may therefore have a beneficial combined effect of cannabinoids and terpenes in comparison to purified CBD. However, this combinatorial effect or “entourage effect” has not been well characterized. Read on to Scientifically Verified to see how we ensure the quality of our products.
Citations
1 – Navarro et al Cannabidiol skews biased agonism at cannabinoid CB1 and CB2 receptors with smaller effect in CB1-CB2 heteroreceptor complexes.
2- Pertwee et al. (2014) Handbook of Cannabis. Oxford Press