CBD Terms & Definitions

Cannabinoids, Terpenes, Flavonoids, The Entourage Effect, cGMP, Full Spectrum, Optimal Spectrum and more. Are you feeling a little lost on what you’re reading while doing your due-diligence? Trying to find the best CBD oil tinctures, topicals and other products on the market can be overwhelming to say the least.

At Redeem, we are a Therapeutic CBD Company with the scientific discipline of more than 60 years in the pharmaceutical industry. We focus on providing products that offer relief for ailments related to arthritis, fibromyalgia, anxiety, mental health, and overall imbalance.

When it comes to you, we want to give you all the CBD education you need to make the right decision for your health.

Terms

• Cannabinoids
• Endocannabinoids
• Phytocannabinoids
• Cannabidiol
• Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
• Cannabis
• Marijuana
• Medical Marijuana
• Hemp
• CBD Oil
• CBD Tincture
• CBD Topicals
• Optimal Spectrum CBD
• Full Spectrum CBD
• Broad Spectrum CBD
• CBD Isolate
• Terpenes
• Flavonoids
• The Entourage Effect
• Current Good Manufacturing Practice (CGMP)
• Certificate of Analysis (COA)

Definitions

These terms are shown here as a collection of definitions from Merriam-Webster, WeedMaps.com and the CBD community.

Cannabinoids – a natural chemical compound found in cannabis and produced by the mammalian body (humans and some animals like dogs and cats). CBD and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) are two of the most commonly known cannabinoids and they are found in hemp. The cannabis plant is understood to produce over 100 different types of cannabinoids. These chemical compounds serve a variety of purposes for the plant, such as protection against frost, drought, predatory dangers, and the attraction of pollinators. Both plants and animals produce their own cannabinoids. Those produced inside the mammalian body are called endocannabinoids.

Endocannabinoids – natural occurring cannabinoids in humans and animals that are an essential component of our bodies’ endocannabinoid system (ECS), which is largely responsible for regulating the brain, endocrine, and immune systems and play a big role in maintaining internal balance. Endocannabinoids share a likeness to plant-produced cannabinoids called phytocannabinoids.

Phytocannabinoids (Marijuana Cannabinoids) – natural occurring cannabinoids found in the resin glands, Trichomes, that coat the flowers of the cannabis plant. Phytocannabinoids mimic the functions of mammal endocannabinoids, and are responsible for the euphoric effects associated with THC. When extracted from the plant and consumed, phytocannabinoids interact with our body’s receptors to produce numerous psychotropic and therapeutic effects, helping to regulate homeostasis of things like mood, sleep, and inflammation.

Cannabidiol (CBD) – a crystalline, nonintoxicating cannabinoid  C₂₁H₃₀O₂ found in cannabis and hemp that is sometimes used medicinally. It is available in a growing number of administration modes, but the most commonly known is CBD oil.

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) – the intoxicating and psychoactive cannabinoid found in cannabis that is capable of inducing a variety of sensory and psychological effects, including mild reverie, euphoria, increased sensory awareness, and some therapeutic benefits.

Cannabis – a genus of sturdy plant species with many varieties, whose parts are used to produce hemp, medicinal products and adult-use stimulants. Cannabis can be prepared in numerous forms, including smokable flower, concentrates, infused in food items as edibles or mixed into topical products.

Marijuana – a slang term for cannabis, typically used to describe the drug-type of cannabis plant grown for its THC, used to produce varying psychotropic effects. Once cultivated, harvested, and dried, marijuana can be smoked, eaten, or extracted to enjoy its intoxication.

Medical Marijuana – cannabis recommended by a doctor as therapeutic treatment for a chronic and debilitating condition.

Hemp – a variety of the Cannabis plant that contains low concentrations of THC. It is legal in most countries with limited amounts of THC. The maximum amount of THC is not standard and varies from country to country. Also referred to as “industrial hemp,” the U.S. government regulates hemp to not exceed 0.3 percent THC on a dry-weight basis. Other countries have similar restrictions.

CBD Oil – a concentrate, tincture, or cannabis extract with a high concentration of cannabidiol (CBD), typically extracted from marijuana or industrial hemp.
CBD oil is also regulated by the U.S. government to not exceed .3%.

CBD Tincture – a solution of a medicinal substance in an alcoholic solvent that is highly concentrated with CBD oil. CBD tinctures often work best when applied under the tongue or on the inside of the cheeks, as there are unique glands in these areas that help the CBD metabolize more easily. For many, CBD tinctures are the ideal way to take CBD due to its convenience and speed of absorption.

CBD Topicals – lotions, ointments, balms, oils, and other forms of products that are highly concentrated with CBD and can come with or without THC. CBD topicals are designed to be applied topically, or directly onto the skin for localized relief of pain, soreness, and inflammation. Topical CBD pain creams are especially popular among older adults and other individuals suffering from chronic pain caused by conditions like arthritis.

Related blog: CBD Pain Cream vs CBD Tinctures

Optimal Spectrum CBD –  an extraction method that involves precise, scientific balancing of the naturally occurring chemical compounds found in the hemp plant, including cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids. While full spectrum extraction merely preserves the full cannabinoid and terpene contents of the raw cannabis plant, optimal spectrum takes it one step further by adding cannabinoid and terpene contents back when necessary for a consistent product every time. Through high-quality Ethanol-based extraction, we are able to adjust the natural cannabinoids and terpenes to deliver safe, consistent, and balanced CBD. This process ensures that you get the same CBD product each time.

Full Spectrum CBD – an extraction method that extracts the CBD including all cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids from the hemp plant, including trace amounts of THC. This full range extract is then formulated into a consumable format, such as oil tinctures, without processing that would remove the minor cannabinoids like THC. All full spectrum products contain a small amount of THC.

Broad Spectrum CBD –  very similar to full spectrum CBD, Broad Spectrum is more of a linguistics battle in the industry than anything else. However, most of the time, broad spectrum CBD refers to a product that contains the full range of cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids with the intentional removal of THC.

CBD Isolate –  often called “pure CBD,” this simply means that all terpenes, flavonoids, and cannabinoids other than CBD have been removed by a process that precipitates crystalline CBD out of the extract. The crystalline CBD is then dissolved in a carrier oil, such as MCT, and provided as a tincture.

Terpenes – a diverse class of organic, aromatic compounds secreted by the same glands on the cannabis plant that produce cannabinoids. These compounds often have a strong odor and serve to protect plants by deterring herbivores or attracting natural predators of herbivores. Terpenes are responsible for the characteristic smell that we associate with cannabis. These essential oils contribute to different effects when ingested into the human body. For instance, Linalool is relaxing. Myrcene is a sedative. Pinene and limonene are mood enhancers. Many terpenes have been found to have anti-inflammatory effects on the human gut and joints. Some appear to have the potential to regulate cancer cell proliferation.

Flavonoids – pigment molecules found abundantly in plants, including fruits and vegetables, and are responsible for a variety of functions. In many plants, they produce colors needed to attract pollinating insects. Flavonoids assist other plants in processes like UV filtration and cell cycle inhibition and can serve as chemical messengers. Because of their low toxicity, they can be ingested in large quantities by humans and other animals and have shown to exhibit antiviral, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and anti-allergic benefits. Foods that are rich in flavonoids include tea, citrus fruit, berries, bananas, legumes, and red wine.

The Entourage Effect – the synergy of cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids working together to provide maximum therapeutic benefits. The terpenes and flavonoids are beneficial in and of themselves, but in combination with CBD and lesser amounts of other cannabinoids such as CBG, CBC, CBA, and THC, these compounds improve the effectiveness of CBD in our bodies. This precise balance provides the optimal experience for CBD users, taking full advantage of what the hemp plant has to offer.

Current Good Manufacturing Practice (CGMP) – regulations enforced by the FDA. CGMPs provide for systems that assure proper design, monitoring, and control of manufacturing processes and facilities. Adherence to the CGMP regulations assures the identity, strength, quality, and purity of drug products by requiring that manufacturers of medications adequately control manufacturing operations.

Certificate of Analysis (COA) – a document issued by a third-party analytical testing lab that confirms that a CBD product has passed inspection and meets regulatory standards. A Certificate of Analysis, or COA, helps to keep our customers safe and informed, and ensures that our products are made to specification. Just match the lot found on your bottle to the lot below, or scan the QR Code on the product label to get the complete test results. Test results will cover product effectiveness, CBD potency, THC level, and terpene concentrations, as well as product safety: residual solvents, heavy metals, aflatoxins, and microbial analysis.

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