Introduction
At Moon Mother Hemp, we believe in educating our customers about CBD. We hope to be a source of credible information and leaders in transparency, so we created this guide to help you learn the truths about CBD. We hope you’ll find it helpful.
CBD is short for cannabidiol, a naturally occurring compound that comes from the flowers and leaves of the hemp plant. But that’s just the beginning. This guide covers much more than “What is CBD?”, from how CBD interacts with the body to the types of CBD products and how to store them. Use the table of contents to jump to any topic.
Definitions of CBD Terminology
Before we dive into what CBD is and how it works, here are some key terms you’ll see throughout this guide and on CBD labels.
Broad spectrum hemp
A hemp extract that keeps many of the plant’s cannabinoids and terpenes, but with the THC removed.
Cannabidiol (CBD)
A non-intoxicating cannabinoid and one of the most abundant compounds in hemp.
Cannabinoid
A family of compounds that interact with the endocannabinoid system. They’re made by plants (phytocannabinoids) or by the body (endocannabinoids).
Certificate of Analysis (COA)
A report from an independent lab showing what’s in a product, such as its cannabinoid content, and screening it for contaminants.
Endocannabinoid
A cannabinoid produced naturally by the body.
Endocannabinoid system (ECS)
A cell-signaling system found in humans and other mammals, made up of endocannabinoids, receptors and enzymes, that helps maintain the body’s internal balance.
Whole plant (full spectrum) hemp
An extract that keeps the full range of compounds naturally found in the plant, including cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids, with trace amounts of THC.
Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.)
Cannabis grown for fiber, seed and extracts, federally defined by its very low THC content.
Isolate
A purified form of a single cannabinoid, usually CBD, with the plant’s other compounds removed.
“Marijuana” (Cannabis sativa L.)
Cannabis with THC above the federal hemp limit. It produces a high and is regulated as a controlled substance under federal law.
Terpenes (or terpenoids)
Aromatic compounds that give hemp, and many other plants, their scent and flavor.
Phytocannabinoids
Cannabinoids made by plants, such as CBD, CBG, CBN and THC.
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
The main intoxicating cannabinoid in cannabis, responsible for its “high.”
A Brief History of CBD
Cannabis is native to Central Asia, and some of the earliest written records of its use for wellness date to around 2700 B.C. in China. The plant spread around the world and found a place in the remedies and cultural traditions of many civilizations, including ancient Egypt and Greece. In the 19th century, Queen Victoria’s physician is said to have prescribed cannabis to her.
Hemp also has a rich history in the U.S. Because so many products can be made from it, hemp was an important crop in the American colonies. In 1619, Virginia passed a law requiring farmers to grow it, and in some colonies hemp could even be used to pay taxes. Over time, crops like cotton replaced hemp, and it fell out of favor.
By the 1930s, cannabis had become a target for lawmakers. By 1931, 29 states had outlawed it, and the Marijuana Tax Act of 1937 effectively made the plant illegal. The first arrest under the new law was a small-time seller in Denver, Colorado.
In 1970, the Controlled Substances Act classified marijuana, including hemp, as a Schedule I drug, the most restrictive category. Enforcement grew through the war on drugs of the 1980s and 1990s.
California passed Proposition 215 in 1996, allowing medical use of marijuana despite the federal ban, and other states soon followed. In 2012, Colorado and Washington became the first states to legalize recreational use. Today, most states allow medical marijuana, and roughly half allow adult use.
Today, hemp is grown legally in the United States under federal and state rules. Every Moon Mother product is made from hemp grown and tested to meet those requirements.
What Is CBD?
CBD is short for cannabidiol, a naturally occurring compound found in the flowers and leaves of the hemp plant. It’s one of more than 100 cannabinoids identified in cannabis, and one of the most abundant.
Cannabinoids can come from plants (phytocannabinoids) or be produced naturally by the body (endocannabinoids). THC, which causes a high, is another cannabinoid. CBD and THC are the most studied, and scientists are researching many of the others.
Cannabinoids interact with the endocannabinoid system, a signaling system involved in keeping the body in balance. Researchers are studying its role in processes such as appetite, mood, memory, sleep and immune function.
The relationship between hemp and CBD
The terms hemp and CBD are often used interchangeably, but they aren’t the same thing. Hemp is a variety of cannabis with very low levels of THC, used to make many products, including dietary supplements, clothing, rope and building materials. CBD is one of the compounds found in the resinous flowers and leaves of the hemp plant.
What’s the Difference Between CBD and THC?
CBD (cannabidiol) and THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) are two of the most prominent cannabinoids in the cannabis plant, and both interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system.
CBD and THC share the same molecular formula, but a slight difference in how their atoms are arranged leads to their biggest difference: THC produces a high, while CBD does not.
CBD
| Intoxicating | No |
| Found in | Hemp, in high amounts |
| Federal status | Legal from hemp |
THC
| Intoxicating | Yes, causes a high |
| Found in | Marijuana, in high amounts |
| Federal status | Controlled substance |
Many people choose CBD because it doesn’t cause a high.
How Does CBD Work in the Body?
CBD and other cannabinoids interact with the endocannabinoid system (ECS), a network of receptors, signaling molecules and enzymes found in the brain, the nervous system and throughout the body. Researchers are studying the ECS’s role in many physiological processes, including:
- Mood
- Energy
- Digestion
- Immune activity
- Metabolism
- Sleep
- Appetite
- Stress response
- And more
Many animals, including dogs, cats and horses, have an endocannabinoid system that works much like ours.
How does the endocannabinoid system work?
The ECS has two main components: cannabinoids and receptors.
Cannabinoids
A cannabinoid is a chemical compound that interacts with cannabinoid receptors. Endocannabinoids are made by your body, and phytocannabinoids come from plants. Endocannabinoids help regulate the brain, endocrine and immune systems, and play a role in maintaining homeostasis, the body’s internal balance.
Receptors
Receptors are proteins embedded in the membranes of cells throughout the body. There are at least two main types:
- CB1 receptors, found mostly in the brain and nervous system
- CB2 receptors, found mostly in the peripheral organs, especially immune cells
How does CBD interact with the ECS?
THC binds directly to CB1 receptors, which is what causes its high. CBD works differently: it has little direct binding affinity for CB1 and CB2 receptors and appears to influence the ECS indirectly. The ECS is a relatively recent discovery, and there’s still much to learn.
What is the entourage effect?
Terpenes are aromatic compounds produced in the resin glands of cannabis that give the plant its unique scent and flavor. They’re also found in countless other plants, including fruits, vegetables, herbs and spices.
The entourage effect is the theory that cannabinoids and terpenes work better together than they do on their own, so that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. It’s one reason many people prefer whole plant extracts, though research is still ongoing.
What Are the Benefits of CBD?
Interest in CBD has grown quickly, and so has the research. Scientists are studying how CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system and the role it may play in wellness, but much of this research is still in its early stages.
To date, the FDA has approved one CBD medication, a prescription drug for certain rare seizure disorders. CBD products sold as supplements and topicals, including ours, are not approved to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
Many people make CBD part of their daily wellness routine. If you have a health condition, are pregnant or nursing, or take medications, talk with your healthcare provider before using CBD.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
What Are the Types of CBD Oil?
CBD oil comes in three main types. You can choose based on your preferences and what you’re looking for.
Whole plant (full spectrum) CBD oil
Whole plant CBD oil, often called full spectrum, keeps the full range of compounds naturally found in the plant: over 80 cannabinoids, including CBD, CBG, CBN and trace amounts of THC, plus amino acids, vitamins, trace minerals, omegas and other phytonutrients.
If you compare hemp to an orange, a whole plant product is like eating the whole orange, with its vitamins, fiber and everything else it has to offer. Some researchers believe CBD works best alongside the plant’s other compounds, the entourage effect described above.
Broad spectrum CBD oil
Broad spectrum CBD oil keeps many of the plant’s cannabinoids and terpenes, but the THC has been removed, making it an option for people who want to avoid THC entirely. To continue the analogy, it’s like drinking orange juice: you get much of what the orange offers, but not everything.
CBD isolate
CBD isolate is CBD that has been purified and separated from the plant’s other cannabinoids, terpenes and oils. It’s the purest form of CBD, with nothing else from the plant. In the analogy, it’s like taking a vitamin C tablet: you get one component and nothing else.
What Are the Types of CBD Products?
CBD products come in several forms, and not all are equal. Each form has a different bioavailability, meaning how much of the CBD your body actually absorbs. Some CBD is broken down before it reaches the bloodstream, so every method delivers less than 100%. Everyone processes CBD differently, so it may take some experimenting to find the form that suits you.
Ways to take CBD
Tinctures
CBD oil held under the tongue or swallowed. Easy to measure and adjust your serving.
Topicals
Balms, oils and serums applied directly to the skin, for external use.
Softgels & capsules
A pre-measured serving that’s easy to take anywhere, just like your other supplements.
Edibles
Gummies, chocolates and other foods made with CBD. Convenient, though they’re absorbed more slowly.
Inhalants
Vaporized or smoked hemp. Moon Mother Hemp doesn’t make inhalable products.
What’s the right serving for me?
There isn’t a single serving size that fits everyone. Your ideal serving depends on many factors, including:
- Size and weight
- Age
- Metabolism
- Your unique physiology
- How you take it
- Your goals
A common adult serving ranges from 10 to 50 mg of hemp extract per day. Start low, go slow and adjust gradually. Every CBD product should list its mg amount on the label. If you have a health condition, are pregnant or nursing, or take medications, talk with your healthcare provider first.
How do I know what’s in a product?
A reputable CBD company should provide a Certificate of Analysis (COA): a report from an independent lab showing the results of tests on the product, such as the exact amount of CBD and THC, and screening for contaminants.
At Moon Mother Hemp, every batch is tested by a third-party lab. Testing requirements vary, but we run a full panel on our products for:
- Cannabinoid content
- Microbials
- Pesticides
- Fungicides
- Heavy metals
- Residual solvents
Every product page links to its most recent COA, and you can look up the certificate for your batch any time.
Does CBD Oil Expire?
Like any supplement, CBD oil and other CBD products are at their best for a limited time. In general, CBD products have a shelf life of about two years. After that, or if a product isn’t stored well, the cannabinoids can break down and the product loses potency.
How long your products last depends on how you use and store them. If you use them regularly, you’ll likely finish them well before two years. If you use them only occasionally, it’s especially important to store them well.
Storage guidelines for CBD oil and other CBD products
Follow the instructions
The directions on your label, box or product page describe the best way to care for each product.
Keep it out of the sun
Light and heat break down cannabinoids and terpenes. Choose CBD oil in a dark glass bottle, and store it in a cool, dry place like a drawer, pantry or cupboard. Refrigerating it isn’t necessary, but it’s fine.
Minimize exposure to air
Oxygen can degrade CBD oil, so close the cap tightly after each use.
Why Choose Moon Mother Hemp?
We know you have plenty of options when choosing a CBD company, and we hope you’ll consider Moon Mother Hemp.
We make high-quality, pure CBD wellness products, from tinctures and softgels to topicals and skincare. As founders, we bring expertise in clinical herbalism and cannabis to every step, from formulation to production.
Organic Colorado hemp
USDA certified organic, grown by small farms in Colorado.
Whole plant extract
CO2-extracted to keep the full range of plant compounds.
Tested batch by batch
Third-party lab results for every batch, on every product page.
Herbalist formulated
Crafted by our founder, a certified clinical herbalist.