Many of our customers ask about the difference between CBD derived from hemp (used in Illuminate) and CBD derived from marijuana. They are just about as different as Superman is from Batman.
Although both varieties of CBD are extracted from the same plant genus – Cannabis Sativa – they are actually quite different. In this blog, I'll break down the key differences between hemp CBD and marijuana CBD, and hopefully, you'll have a better idea of which one would work best for you.
When choosing what CBD to use it’s important to understand what you’re looking to get out of it. While both varieties of CBD are shown to help with pain, inflammation, anxiety, depression and a range of other health benefits one may be more effective than the other.
Marijuana CBD may be more effective for those with severe pain, insomnia or PTSD, due to its higher THC content, but may be counterproductive for anxiety and depression as it tends to bring it on. Hemp derived CBD on the other hand is best for anxiety and depression because of its low THC content, making it the clear choice for our Illuminate formula.
Let's go back and talk about THC - the compound in marijuana that gets you high. Marijuana plants typically contain between 5-30% THC, which explains its psychoactive effects of getting you high. Hemp, on the other hand, contains less than 0.3% THC, barely enough to produce any psychoactive effects. Consequently, hemp contains a lot less CBD than marijuana, so a lot more hemp is needed to extract the same amount of CBD than marijuana, making CBD derived from hemp more expensive. Hemp plants used to be grown specifically for their fibers, seeds, for industrial purposes such as clothing, paper, and fuel. Not anymore though! 🙂
The two varieties also differ in terpene profile. Terpenes are the aromatic oils that give cannabis its distinctive smell and taste. Hemp plants tend to have a weaker terpene profile than marijuana plants, which can affect the overall experience of consuming CBD. Marijuana CBD often has a more complex flavor and aroma, which some may or may not like.
So, which one should you choose, Superman or Batman? Ultimately, it depends on what you want to use it for. If you want to avoid any psychoactive effects, stick with Batman, hemp-derived CBD is the way to go.
Choose wisely, and enjoy the benefits of this amazing compound!