TJ, Author at Sunset Lake CBD

With the release of Sunset Lake CBD’s Functional Mushroom Gummies, we’ve been getting some questions about how they work. The biggest is: can you take functional mushrooms and CBD together?

It’s a great question, and we appreciate the apprehension. Both supplements have gained popularity recently, and unlike pharmaceuticals, the FDA does not regulate them.

We will address that concern and others here. In the rest of this post, we’ll cover,

What Functional Mushrooms Are
How CBD works with your body
And how you can enjoy them together safely and effectively

This blog post is for informational purposes only and should not be considered health advice. Continue reading “Can You Take CBD And Functional Mushrooms Together?”

CBN, as a cannabinoid, has been around for decades. Still, it’s just now getting its moment in the spotlight—or should we say it’s getting infused into a whole basket full of sleep-aid products. CBN oil can help you quiet your racing thoughts and ease into bed when used properly.

In this post, we’re going to cover:

What CBN oil is
What CBN’s potential benefits are
How to take it to help with sleep
And address some of the internet’s most common questions

What Is CBN Oil?

CBN oil is an oil, usually MCT, that’s been infused with the cannabinoid CBN, shorthand for cannabinol. CBN oil can also contain other ingredients which we’ll get into later in this post.

The Spectrum

CBN oil can come in three distinct varieties: full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, or isolate-based.

Without getting too in the weeds, here’s the breakdown:

Full-spectrum: Contains all cannabinoids present in the cannabis/hemp plant at harvest
Broad-spectrum: This is full-spectrum CBN oil with THC cannabinoids removed.
Isolate-based: Made with a carrier oil and isolated CBN. No other cannabinoids should be present.

You can figure out what kind of CBN oil you are considering by looking at its third-party certificates of analysis. These lab documents will show you which cannabinoids are in your product and at what concentrations.

Suppose you want to learn more about the differences in the hemp-product spectrum. In that case, we do have some blog posts about full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and isolated CBD.

What Does CBN Oil Do?

CBN is still a relatively understudied cannabinoid, but there have been a few non-FDA studies that suggest it may be able to help with:

How Do You Take CBN Oil To Sleep

Of the potential benefits listed above, promoting sleep is CBN’s biggest selling point. While calling CBN a guaranteed sleep aid would be misleading, there are ways that you can work CBN oil into your sleep routine.

As with most supplements, you must give CBN oil time to take effect. Unlike CBN gummies, which require up to two hours to take full effect, CBN oil may take as little as 15 minutes to kick in.

Sublingual | Est. Time To Effect: 15 Minutes

The first and faster way of taking CBN oil requires filling up your dropper, assuming your product comes with a dropper bulb and pipette. Fill the pipette to your desired dosage and put the oil under your tongue. Let the oil sit there for about 20 seconds before you swallow. This method is called sublingual ingestion.

Because the membrane is so thin under your tongue, CBN can enter your bloodstream more quickly here than in your digestive system.

Consuming | Est. Time To Effect: 45 Minutes

The second, more gradual way to take CBN oil is to swallow your desired dosage directly or put it in a beverage. Without letting the oil sit under your tongue, you’ll force the CBN in your oil to enter your bloodstream more slowly.

The added benefit of slower absorption is that the effects of the cannabinoids should last longer than if you were to use your CBN oil sublingually.

Will CBN Oil Change How You Sleep?

Adding CBN oil to your sleep schedule isn’t likely to change how you sleep. As a naturally occurring substance, CBN is a gentle cannabinoid. It won’t turn you into someone who can sleep through your alarm.

CBN will allow your body and mind to relax so that you can fall asleep more easily.

Will CBN Oil Make You Groggy In The Morning?

Unfortunately, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer to this question. Waking up groggy is a function of many different factors, including where in your sleep cycle you wake up.

Grogginess after taking CBN oil can depend on your dosage, when you took your dose before bed and the presence of other cannabinoids.

If you do decide to add CBN oil to your sleep routine, start slow and gradually increase your dosage as needed. Experiment with ingestion methods, i.e., sublingual vs. consumption, timing, and different spectrum products.

Can CBN Oil Make You Hungry?

There is some evidence that suggests CBN can be an effective appetite stimulant. If your question is more, will taking CBN oil turn you into a midnight fridge raider—probably not.

CBN and full-spectrum CBD products may affect your appetite, but not in the way that THC products give you the “munchies.”

Can You Mix Melatonin and CBN Oil?

You can mix melatonin with CBN and cannabinoid products in general. Sunset Lake CBD sells melatonin-infused sleep products and CBN products that are melatonin-free.

As of this writing, no studies suggest mixing CBN and melatonin is harmful or counterproductive.

Frequently Asked CBN Oil Questions

So far, we’ve covered what CBN oil is, how to use it, and how it may affect your nightly routines. But there are many more general questions we haven’t touched on. In the rest of this post, we’ll address some of the internet’s most common questions.

Are There Any Side Effects?

Because federal agencies stifled cannabinoid research for so long, CBN-specific research is in its infancy. We don’t know much about the long-term side effects of CBN use, but we can extrapolate based on what we know about CBD. Side effects of full-spectrum CBD use may include:

Changes in appetite
Diarrhea
Nausea
Dizziness
Upset Stomach

Is CBN Habit-Forming?

As of this writing, CBN has no known addictive properties. It is a gentle cannabinoid that may have potential nighttime benefits. Inconsistent use, however, may lead to disrupted sleep patterns.

Does It Interact With Medications?

CBN, and cannabinoids in general, do interact with certain medications in the Staten class (and others). You should talk to your doctor and pharmacist before adding any cannabinoids to your nighttime routine.

Will CBN Oil Show Up On A Drug Test?

Your product may trigger a positive drug test. If your CBN oil contains any THC or is labeled as “full-spectrum,” there is a good chance that it will register on a workplace drug screening.

Isolate-based and broad-spectrum products should be fine. To learn more about cannabinoids and why some products show on drug tests, see our post about CBD and drug tests here.

Is CBN Oil Psychoactive Like THC?

Because CBN is the oxidated form of THC, it interacts with your endocannabinoid system in much the same way. Because CBN binds to your CB1 receptors, it is technically a psychoactive cannabinoid.

That said, you are unlikely to experience the same kind of psychoactive effects that you would a THC product. Think of CBN as causing drowsiness and relaxation rather than euphoria and time dilation.

Is It Legal?

Depending on where you live, CBN oil may or may not exist in a legal gray area. Federally speaking, as long as CBN is derived from cannabinoids harvested from industrial hemp, it’s legal.

The Wrapup

CBN oil offers a fast-acting and potent option for folks looking for natural sleep supplements. Before you buy anything, be sure to look into the quality of the products via testing documents and look at the company’s reviews.

Reishi mushrooms, called Lingzhi in China and known colloquially as “The Immortality Mushroom,” have deep roots in Eastern medicine. You may find them growing on dead hardwood trees. But you’re more likely to find Reishi mushroom gummies and powders in health food stores because of their reputation as a functional mushroom.

This post will cover why Reishi mushrooms are growing in popularity and what health benefits they might provide. We’ll also cover some topics like,

What nutritional benefits do Reishi mushrooms provide
What gives the immortality mushroom its functional benefits
And how you can work Reishi into your day-to-day

What Are Reishi Mushrooms?

Reishi mushrooms are just one of many functional mushrooms and are characterized by their glossy caps and red-brown coloring. Different species grow both in South America and many Eastern Asian countries. Because of its abundance in China, Reishi is a staple in traditional Chinese medicine. They’re used primarily to boost the immune system and replenish “qi” (energy).

While there are a few species of Reishi mushroom that are used interchangeably, we’ll focus on the most common, Ganoderma lucidum and Ganoderma lingzhi, in this post. Both contain the same nutrients and functional components that make the “Immortality Mushroom” so sought after.

Nutritional Benefits

Before we jump into the functional benefits of Reishi mushrooms, let’s start at square one. Reishi is an edible mushroom and can make a healthy addition to your next dinner.

One teaspoon (3g) of Reishi powder, according to the USDA, contains:

10 calories
1 gram of protein
1 gram of fiber
69mg of potassium

Step aside bananas. We have a potassium powerhouse in Reishi. While our favorite yellow fruit contains 3.5 mg of potassium per gram, Reishi powder contains 23mg or about 6 ½ times more per gram.

Functional Nutrients

Reishi mushrooms also contain several nutrients that aren’t captured on nutrition labels. There are three in particular that we’ll cover here.

Triterpenoids

Reishi mushrooms contain triterpenoids, the oxidized version of terpenes, that may contribute to immune-system health. Many terpenes have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, both of which help stimulate and support a strong immune system.

Beta-Glucans

Beta-glucans are soluble fibers that may help prevent the body from absorbing cholesterol from some foods. They may also stimulate macrophage activity. Macrophages are white blood cells that absorb cellular debris and pathogens.

The FDA allows products that contain more than 750mg of beta-glucans per package to claim that they may prevent heart disease. For context, the FDA still doesn’t want to touch CBD or allow anyone to make claims about its potential benefits. So this is a big deal.

Polysaccharides

Polysaccharides are a fancy name for long carbohydrates. Recall from health class that simple carbohydrates include simple sugars. Easy but not the most nutritious energy for our bodies.

The long-chain polysaccharides that Reishi contains are thought to have some health benefits, including immunomodulation (meaning that they change the way our immune system functions). One such study found that Reishi mushrooms promoted antibody secretion and suggested they may play a role in B cell production.¹

B cells are a type of white blood cell that find, attach to, and neutralize viruses in the body. B cells also produce proteins called antibodies to fight further infection.

Reishi Mushrooms Are Not…

Before we get to the potential health benefits of Reishi mushrooms, it’s important to cover what Reishi mushrooms are not. They are not:

A replacement for physician-prescribed medicines. While these mushrooms may provide noticeable benefits, always listen to your doctor first.
Psychedelic. Even though “The Immortality Mushroom” is a cool name, Reishi mushrooms do not belong to the psilocybin family of fungi.

Potential Benefits of Reishi Mushroom

Given the ingredients listed above and some non-FDA studies, we can say the Reishi mushroom may have the following benefits.

Immune System Support

Reishi mushrooms have been used for thousands of years to help boost and support the immune system. By stimulating macrophage activity and B-cell production, it’s plausible that Reishi mushrooms may help the body fend off infections and illness.¹

Stress Reduction

A study performed on mice in India found that several Reishi mushroom species, when administered orally, were effective in calming the test subjects and deserve further research for their stress-relieving and anti-anxiety effects.²

Anti-Inflammation

A 2011 in vitro study found that the polysaccharides isolated from the Reishi mushroom exhibited enormous anti-inflammatory properties.³ Researchers also noted that the polysaccharides seemed to have anti-tumor properties. Still, it is important to note that these studies were done in a lab and not in living subjects.

Cardiovascular Health

The beta-glucan fiber present in Reishi mushrooms may help with heart health. As we said earlier, this type of fiber may prevent the body from absorbing cholesterol in foods. Cholesterol, specifically LDL (low-density lipoprotein), can build up in blood vessels and arteries, affect blood pressure, and degrade heart health.

Reishi Mushroom Side Effects

Reishi mushrooms aren’t all upside. It, like most supplements, comes with some side effects and potential drug interactions. For the most part, Reishi is considered safe to take orally over extended periods.

Side Effects

Reishi mushrooms can cause a few unwanted side effects. Stop taking your functional mushroom supplements if you experience any of the following:

Dizziness
Itching
Nausea
Upset Stomach
Rash

Drug Interactions

You should consult your primary care provider and your pharmacist if you plan on using Reishi mushroom with any of the following:

Antidiabetes drugs – Reishi mushrooms may lower blood sugar levels. Taken with antidiabetes drugs may drop your blood sugar to dangerous levels.
Antihypertensive drugs – They may compound with your blood pressure medications and drop your blood pressure to dangerous levels.
Blood clotting medication – Reishi mushrooms may slow blood clotting and can increase your risk of bruising and bleeding.

The Immortality Mushroom may be a slight exaggeration of the benefits that Reishi provides. As with any supplement, be sure to temper your expectations. Reishi mushrooms aren’t a cure-all; you shouldn’t expect them to be. But, taken consistently and at the correct dosage, you may experience many benefits.

Sources:

Lin, Kuo-I et al. “Reishi polysaccharides induce immunoglobulin production through the TLR4/TLR2-mediated induction of transcription factor Blimp-1.” The Journal of Biological Chemistry vol. 281,34 (2006): 24111-23. doi:10.1074/jbc.M601106200
Singh, Ranjeet et al. “Evaluation of Antianxiety Potential of Four Ganoderma (Agaricomycetes) Species from India in Mice.” International journal of medicinal mushrooms vol. 18,11 (2016): 991-998. doi:10.1615/IntJMedMushrooms.v18.i11.40
Joseph, Soniamol et al. “Antitumor and anti-inflammatory activities of polysaccharides isolated from Ganoderma lucidum.” Acta pharmaceutica (Zagreb, Croatia) vol. 61,3 (2011): 335-42. doi:10.2478/v10007-011-0030-6

Cannabinoid products are continuing to evolve and meet the needs of more and more people. One such need that millions face daily (and nightly) is a lack of quality sleep. CBD oil was the first product that many of us turned to, but as our understanding of cannabinoids deepens, CBN is beginning to gain popularity.

In this post, we will cover CBN oil specifically and talk about what the cannabinoid may be able to do for you. We’ll also cover,

The difference between full-spectrum and isolate CBN oil
Where CBN comes from
And five things you should be on the lookout for if you’re interested in buying CBN oil

What Is CBN Oil?

CBN Oil is any oil, called a carrier oil, that’s been infused with CBN. CBN is short for canna-bi-nol, emphasis ours.

Full-spectrum CBN Oil will contain additional cannabinoids like CBD and THC, though it is possible to find sublingual products made with CBN isolate. CBN oil made with isolate should not contain any other cannabinoids.

Before we jump into what you may want to use CBN oil for and what to look out for before you add that product to your cart, let’s review what CBN is and what it isn’t.

What Is CBN?

CBN is one of the more than 100 naturally occurring chemicals—cannabinoids— produced by the hemp and cannabis plants. It is different than other popular cannabinoids like CBD and THC because CBN is an oxidized cannabinoid.

Unlike CBD, CBN doesn’t come from fresh hemp flowers. Instead, the only way to harvest CBN is via THC oxidation, meaning that we must break down delta-9 THC with oxygen and UV light to reap its benefits.

Because CBN is the byproduct of THC, we consider it to be mildly psychoactive. That isn’t to say that CBN is a milder version of THC. CBN isn’t going to make you feel euphoric or dilate time. Instead, the effects commonly associated with CBN use include:

Relaxation
Sedation
Feeling weighted down
Mild fuzzy sensations in your limbs

Is CBN A Better Sleep Aid Than CBD?

It’s hard to say which cannabinoid is better at any one thing. CBN and CBD are not sleep aids, nor are they all that effective when used in isolation.

Sunset Lake CBD usually advocates for full-spectrum products, meaning you get all cannabinoids produced by the hemp plant. That’s a roundabout way of saying that CBD and CBN together are more effective than either CBN or CBD alone.

5 Things To Consider Before Buying CBN Oil

What Are Your Expectations For CBN Oil?

Before shopping for CBN oil, you should ask yourself what benefits you expect to get from its use. If your answer is a non-negotiable, surefire sleep aid, CBN oil may not be for you. Instead, you should talk to your doctor about what FDA-approved sleep aids are on the market.

If you are looking for supplements that can improve your sleep hygiene and help you relax, CBN oil is what you’re looking for.

One of the harsh realities about cannabinoids is that while they have a reasonably understood effect profile, they don’t work for everyone as intended. It can be a tough pill to swallow, but better now than after spending money on a product that isn’t right for you.

Side Effects And Medication Interference

Before you buy CBN oil, you’ll want to speak with your doctor or pharmacist about any possible interactions they may have with your medications. Serious cannabinoid interferences are rare but not impossible.

You should also know the side effects before you buy CBN oil online. CBN’s side effects include:

Changes in appetite
Diarrhea
Nausea
Dizziness
Upset stomach

If you do experience any of these side effects, stop using your CBN oil and monitor your condition. It may be a dosage issue, but you may also not tolerate CBN suspended in oil. You may want to check out CBN gummies if that’s the case.

Additional Ingredients

It’s not uncommon for CBN oil to contain other ingredients designed to help you get to sleep. More common additives include melatonin, St. John’s Wort, and peppermint.

Based on what you know about your body, these ingredients may or may not help you. Always check the ingredients on any supplement you plan on buying.

Full Spectrum vs. Isolate

One thing you’ll want to determine about any cannabinoid-infused product is whether or not it’s full-spectrum or not. We have a more in-depth explanation of this jargon below.

Essentially, when a product is full-spectrum, it contains additional cannabinoids that may not be mentioned on the label, specifically THC. While this may not be an issue for you, trace amounts of THC can throw a wrench into workplace drug tests and government assistance programs. Always be sure to check your certificate of analysis. That brings us to our final point.

Look For Test Results

Because the cannabinoid market is so underregulated, you should always ask to see test results for the CBN oil that you plan to buy online.

Not only can a certificate of analysis tell you about the potency of your product, but it will also tell you about any other cannabinoids that may be present and when the last time the manufacturer tested the product.

At first glance, certificates of analysis can be daunting. Luckily, we have a guide that can help you become an expert.

Self-care is essential for surviving in our post-pandemic world. If you want to take your self-care routines to the next level, consider incorporating CBD. CBD has gained popularity in the last few years for its potential therapeutic benefits. In the rest of this post, we’ll talk about:

What CBD Is
How you can work CBD into your routines
And give you some pointers on finding the right CBD for your self-care

Understanding What CBD Is

Before you work CBD into your self-care routines, you should know what CBD is and what it can do for your body.

CBD is short for cannabidiol and is a cannabinoid produced by the hemp plant that interacts with your body’s endocannabinoid system. The primary function of the endocannabinoid system is maintaining homeostasis. It does so by making our bodies more resilient to external pressures.

CBD helps your endocannabinoid system signal and work more efficiently. It does so by helping with the uptake of more beneficial endocannabinoids already present in your body. In a roundabout way, CBD can help our bodies become more resilient, which fits well with our topic of self-care.

Improving Your Self-Care With CBD

Like finding your self-care activities, finding the right CBD products, dosages, and dosing schedule that works for you will take some trial and error. Stay calm and be patient with yourself if you experience results right away.

The most crucial bit of advice when working with CBD is that you should listen to your body. If your dose feels like too much or too little, make a note, adjust, and try again.

Yoga & Meditation

One of the touted effects of CBD is the ability to quiet down that inner monologue, at least for a moment. Yoga and meditation are the same.

We stretch and notice or sit and observe our thoughts and feelings. CBD may be able to help with our mindful practice by promoting a sense of relaxation and quieting our inner voice. Next time you plan on practicing, take a small dose of CBD an hour beforehand. You may find that you’re more able to find your flow or vinyasa.

Skincare

One of the more common self-care practices is taking care of our skin. Nothing feels better than relieving red, angry skin.

CBD may be able to help with irritated and dry skin, as it’s currently being studied for its anti-inflammation properties. If this sounds like it might help you, check out our CBD Recovery Body Lotion.

There are also plenty of CBD skincare products on the market. Try one out and notice how it makes your skin feel.

Workout Recovery

One of the best ways of taking care of our bodies is by breaking it down. As backward as that seems, that’s what working out does to our muscles. We first have to rip apart our existing muscles to grow new muscles.

One unfortunate side effect of working out is soreness. Known as delayed onset muscle soreness, or DOMS for short, this dull ache can develop 12 – 24 hours after a workout. While not debilitating, DOMS can be annoying to deal with.

CBD topicals have been known to help soothe sore spots and muscle aches. While it won’t cure or prevent DOMS, using a CBD topical may help you recover faster by allowing for better rest. Getting better rest means you should be able to return to peak performance in no time.

Bath Bombs

Who doesn’t love a nice hot bath? Bubbles, steam, maybe some aromatics? With bath bombs becoming so popular, it’s no mystery that CBD-infused bath bombs are on the market now.

CBD can help relax and soothe you. Combine that with the relaxing effect of a hot bath, and you’ve got a rejuvenating experience.

Creative Activities

Whether you prefer writing, reading, drawing, painting, or building, CBD can help you focus on your creative outlet. Many folks need help enjoying their hobbies nowadays. While that may be a function of any number of reasons, CBD can help those reasons fall away, at least for a little while.

Hobbies let us cut loose and introduce play back into our day-to-day. CBD can help you save time and find that state of mind faster. When you’re more able to settle in, you may get more enjoyment from your activity of choice, too.

(Unless that activity is operating heavy machinery. That’s not such a good idea.)

Bedtime & Sleep Hygiene

One of the top reasons most Americans use CBD is for sleep. Unlike the other routines listed above, sleep is non-negotiable. The problem is that many of us don’t get as much as we’d like or can’t get more than an hour or two of sleep at a time.

That’s where CBD can help out. CBD can help quiet those racing thoughts and twitching muscles. Some products, like our 1,200mg Full Spectrum CBD Oil, combine CBD and melatonin to make a powerful sleep aid.

Endless Self Care With CBD

CBD’s usefulness is broader than the above suggestions. Once you know how you and your body react to CBD, you can use it how you see fit.

Remember, start low and slow. Adjust as needed over time and stick with it. Consistency with CBD and self-care is the key.

We find ourselves on the eve of a new year, which means we finally have a few days off here at Sunset Lake CBD!

I can’t help but reflect on some of our charitable work this year and how much it means to me that we get to support causes that we, as a crew, believe in and can do so loudly and proudly.

This year certainly threw us a curveball. You can read why here. (Hint: The USDA didn’t allow us to grow any hemp!) But don’t worry; we’re going to weather this storm with our excellent team and work our butts off to provide you with only the best CBD products.

Without further adieu, let’s recap our charitable contributions from this past year.

Vermont Community Foundation – $5,000

Let’s start with a donation that is near and dear to us as Vermont farmers. Some may know this already, but Vermont was devastated by widespread flooding in early July 2023. The images from this flood are heartwrenching and triggering for many of us who lived through Superstorm Sandy in the early 2010s.

We knew we had to do something to help our neighbors. We scraped together $5,000 during our farming season for the Vermont Community Foundation’sFoundation’s Emergency Flood Relief Fund.

You can read more about the fund here and learn more about Vermont’s ongoing recovery efforts here.

Vermont Public Radio – $16,600

We’re staying local with this next donation. Equitable access to information, news, (and weather) is incredibly important. All of the native Vermonters who now work here at Sunset Lake CBD grew up listening to VPR. Now that we have the means, we’re pleased to be able to donate to our local public radio.

VPR provides great local coverage that most Vermonters can access for free. We couldn’t be happier being an underwriter once again. We plan on continuing to donate to VPR next year, too.

Planned Parenthood – $5,000

During our Black Friday sale, we partner with other organizations to raise money for causes we both believe in. This year, we chose to make matching donations to Planned Parenthood with our friends at Majority Report.

Our donation to Planned Parenthood of America was perhaps our most controversial donation to date, but we have no regrets. Reproductive healthcare is healthcare, and healthcare is a human right.

Last Prisoner Project – $5,500

We teamed up with the Last Prisoner Project for our 4/20 sale this year. As a farm that grows hemp and operates in the cannabis space, it’s unthinkable that there are people still behind bars for cannabis offenses.

As a nonprofit, Last Prisoner Project runs so many programs that we appreciate, the biggest, in this writer’s mind, being direct commissary support and post-release grants for folks who we think are unjustly imprisoned for cannabis.

Check out this organization. If you like and want to support its mission, consider donating to the Last Prisoner Project here.

ATU Local 689 – $1,000

Early in 2023, we heard about striking transit workers in the VA and D.C. area. After hearing the details, Sunset Lake CBD decided to send $1,000 to ATU Local 689’s strike fund.

We are ardent believers in workers’ rights, and this was just one of many labor demonstrations we wanted to support this past year.

Pride Center of VT – $600

This year, the town of Essex asked Sunset Lake CBD to help sponsor their very first pride festival. We were honored to be a part of the celebration. While we didn’t bring any products because we try not to advertise our cannabis hemp products in front of children, it was lovely to talk to parents and friends.

We hope that Essex Pride invites us back for their 2024 celebration.

National Eating Disorder Association – $250

The last donation to round out this list is a small in-kind donation to our local National Eating Disorder Association branch. It aligns differently from our past donations, but we’re always happy to help out local folks.

If you run a Vermont nonprofit and are looking for in-kind donations, please use our contact form here. Send us a message with “donation” in the title.

Signed,

T.J. Anania

Director of eCommerce

Broad-spectrum CBD is one of the three types of CBD and an important THC-free middle ground between full-spectrum CBD and CBD isolate.

In this post, we’ll cover what broad-spectrum CBD is, how it’s made, and the pros and cons to consider before purchasing.

What Is CBD?

First, let’s review what CBD is. When we discuss CBD, we could be referring to a few things.

CBD can mean the cannabinoid CBD— short for cannabidiol. Cannabidiol is a non-psychoactive compound that helps regulate our body’s endocannabinoid system.
We can also use CBD as an umbrella term to refer to the extract of a hemp plant. In this case, “CBD” includes several hundred other organic compounds extracted from the hemp plant like cannabinoids, terpenes, flavanoids, and more.

In the context of this post, unless otherwise clarified, we’ll be using the second, more “broad,” definition of CBD.

What Is Broad-Spectrum CBD?

Broad-spectrum CBD is one of three CBD subcategories. The other two are called “full-spectrum CBD” and “CBD Isolate” sometimes referred to as pure CBD.

The latter, CBD isolate, is a hemp concentrate that’s refined into pure crystallized CBD. (100% purity is nearly impossible to achieve, and most in the hemp industry settle for 98-99% purity.)

Full-spectrum CBD on the other hand, refers to an extract that contains all natural compounds at the time of harvest.

Why the industry has decided to muddle the matter is beyond this author. Regardless, broad-spectrum CBD is the happy middle ground between full-spectrum and CBD isolate. It can contain any combination of cannabinoids, terpenes, and other naturally occurring compounds found in the hemp plant—except for one very important cannabinoid: THC.

What Makes Broad-Spectrum CBD Different?

The cannabinoid(s) that can’t be present in broad-spectrum CBD is perhaps the most well-known. To be considered and marketed as “broad-spectrum” the product and the extract it is made from must not contain any THC. That includes delta-9 THC, delta-8, and all other tetrahydrocannabinol analogs.

We can think of a broad-spectrum CBD product as:

Made with full-spectrum CBD with the THC removed
Made with CBD isolate combined with another cannabinoid
Anything in between

How Is Broad-Spectrum CBD Made?

There are two ways to make broad-spectrum CBD: Remediation and addition. Both are different and have their pros and cons.

Remediation

Making broad-spectrum via remediation requires technical know-how and some pricey equipment, but the final product is as close to full-spectrum CBD as you can get without having THC.

Remediation is the act of removing the THC (and analogous cannabinoids) from a full-spectrum CBD extract. One of the most common industry remediation techniques is called flash chromatography.

Let’s visualize flash chromatography remediation like this: Think of full-spectrum CBD extract as a deck of cards— full of different suits and numbered cards— each a cannabinoid. Without remediation, we accept the deck as is. But with flash chromatography, we can spread the cards out and get rid of the cards we don’t want. In this case, it’s the two pesky jokers— delta-9 THC & THCa. Once we’re finished, we can reshuffle the deck and go on our merry way with broad-spectrum CBD extract.

Addition

We can also make broad-spectrum CBD by adding cannabinoid isolates together. This is the more common method, especially when we talk about broad-spectrum CBD edibles, like Sunset Lake CBD’s own CBN Sleep Gummies.

While this method is ripe for critique, it has its benefits especially when we consider dosing, accuracy, and desired effects.

What About Terpenes?

Because of the growing body of research around terpenes and how they modulate a user’s experience, asking about the fate of these aromatic compounds is fair game.

Unfortunately, terpenes are a secondary consideration when thinking about broad-spectrum CBD. Because manufacturers make broad-spectrum CBD with either isolated cannabinoids or refined distillates the terpenes are often lost.

What Are The Pros Of Broad-Spectrum CBD?

(Partial) Entourage Effect

If you’re stuck between the rock and hard place of reaping the benefits of full-spectrum CBD’s entourage effect and the need to avoid THC because of legal or professional limitations, remediated broad-spectrum CBD might be the perfect solution for you.

Non-Psychoactive

Broad-spectrum CBD is ideal for folks who are sensitive to THC. The psychoactive cannabinoids like delta-9 THC, delta-8 THC, delta-10, THCa, etc. are removed during the process.

Legal Considerations

Not all states or countries have the same limits when it comes to full-spectrum CBD’s trace THC content. In the United States, hemp’s THC limit is 0.3%. In many parts of Europe that limit is 0.05%. Removing THC completely is a good way around these limits.

Drug Testing

We’ve been dancing around this point during this section, but if you are still subject to workplace or judicial drug tests, broad-spectrum CBD may work for you. Drug screenings are usually pass-fail for THC metabolites, so it doesn’t matter what concentration you consume THC in. If it’s in your body, your liver will break it down and you’ll test positive.

What Are The Cons?

Purification & Quality Considerations

One of the biggest hangups about broad-spectrum CBD is product quality— especially if it’s made with remediated broad-spectrum CBD. Because the extraction method involves solvents and precision, there’s a slight chance that a broad-spectrum product could have,

Residual solvents that you wouldn’t want to consume
Trace amounts of THC still present in the product

If you’re considering buying a broad-spectrum product, be sure to look at the product’s certificate of analysis. These documents should tell you more about the presence of other cannabinoids and about foreign substances still present.

Incomplete Entourage Effect

While we included this on the benefits list, it also deserves a spot on our cons list. As the body of research grows, we’re learning more and more about THC’s therapeutic effects. While it may be intoxicating, researchers are finding that it may also help manage sleep, and depression symptoms, and help as an appetite stimulant.

Price

The last drawback is somewhat minor compared to the others, especially now that hemp and cannabis technology continue to evolve. Because broad-spectrum CBD requires special skill sets and technology to produce, it’s more expensive to make. Manufacturers usually pass those costs on to consumers.

Broad-Spectrum CBD: Common Questions

Safe?

Assuming that the extract is made correctly, your broad-spectrum CBD is safe for consumption. As will all CBD products, side effects are possible though relatively minor.

Be sure to ask the vendor for any certificates of analysis so that you can ensure that your product is produced and purified properly. For more guidance about how to read your certificate of analysis, you can see our full post here.

Legal?

Broad-spectrum CBD is federally legal in the United States via the 2018 Farm Bill. For more information about your local area, state, or country please contact a local attorney.

How Is It Different Than Full-Spectrum CBD?

At the core of this question is the presence of THC.

If a CBD product contains the cannabinoids CBD and THC together, it can be called a full-spectrum product. Take for example Sunset Lake CBD’s new full spectrum gummy: Vibe Gummies.

If a CBD product contains CBD and any other cannabinoid that isn’t THC or its analogs (delta-8 THC, THCa, etc.) it can be called broad-spectrum CBD.

How Long Until It Starts To Work?

Broad-spectrum CBD’s onset time is product-dependent. For product-specific onset times, please reach out to us via our contact page.

For more general information, see our posts about topicals, edibles, oils, and smokables.

What Forms Does Broad-Spectrum CBD Come In?

Broad-spectrum CBD is available in every form full-spectrum CBD is except for smokables. That includes CBD oils, edibles, beverages, pet treats, topicals, and more.

It’s simply not genetically possible to grow broad-spectrum hemp though that might be on the horizon with the development of gene-editing techniques.

Sources:

L’Heureux, Megan. “THC Remediation: A Basic Understanding.” Cannabis Science Tech, Cannabis Science and Technology, 19 Dec. 2020, www.cannabissciencetech.com/view/thc-remediation-a-basic-understanding.
“Flash Chromatography.” ExtraktLAB, extraktlab.com/pure99-x-chromatography-system/flash-chromatography/

Cordyceps gummies have been piquing the interest of many in the world of holistic health recently. It’s no wonder why— Cordyceps, a type of functional mushroom gummy, has been used by many throughout history to help with stamina, energy, and immune support.

In the rest of this post, we’ll talk briefly about what Cordyceps gummies are, and,

What you can take Cordyceps Gummies for
Other ways to take Cordyceps
How and where to look for Cordyceps Gummies
And, answer some of the internet’s most popular questions about this functional fungi

Continue reading “What Are Cordyceps Gummies And What Do They Do?”

Decarboxylation is the process that activates acidic cannabinoids like cannabidiolic acid (CBDa) and tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCa) into their more common forms, CBD and THC, respectively. It’s also necessary to know how to decarboxylate cannabis if you want to make your own edibles.

If you’d like to learn more about how decarboxylation works or where the name comes from, please see our in-depth explainer here.

In the rest of this post, we’ll cover how to decarboxylate cannabis flowers step-by-step. Continue reading “How To Decarboxylate Cannabis: A Step-by-Step Guide”

It’s amazing how many different cannabinoids the hemp plant produces in its short, but prolific lifespan. As of now, we know of more than 100 cannabinoids and over 400 other plant-based (phyto-) chemicals that hemp produces. What we didn’t know was how different environmental factors affected cannabinoid production, that is, until now.

In the rest of this post, we’ll summarize a 2023 study about environmental factors like light and soil and how they relate to hemp flower potency. We’ll touch on a few points like,

Is sungrown hemp more potent than indoor?
Can the plant’s light source affect the user’s entourage effect?
Do external factors affect terpene production?

Continue reading “CBD With A Conscience: Is Sungrown Hemp More Potent Than Indoor?”

What does the “best by” date on your jar of hemp flower mean? Can the cannabinoids— the active ingredients inside— expire? The short answer is, yes, sort of. While the flower itself isn’t going to go bad for quite some time, the cannabinoids that you’re buying the flower for (whether CBD or THC) can oxidize and lose potency. Understanding cannabinoid oxidation and its factors is crucial to keeping your flower fresh and stable.

In this post, we’re going to cover,

What cannabinoid oxidation is
How oxidation changes THC and CBD
And, how to prevent your flower from oxidizing

Continue reading “Can Cannabinoids Go Bad? Understanding Cannabinoid Oxidation”

Lion’s Mane mushroom has been a staple in the naturopathic and holistic health communities for a long time. Not only is the Lion’s Mane a delicious addition to most dishes, but it’s been used in traditional medicines for centuries to help promote gut health, cognition, and neurological health.

In this post, we’re going to attempt to cover the aptly named Lion’s Mane mushroom and its,

Nutritional benefits
Functional uses
Ingestion methods
And, some of the internet’s common questions about the mushroom

Continue reading “Lion’s Mane Mushroom: The Smart Choice”