Welcome to The CBD Expert. Since 2014, we’ve navigated the massive growth in the science and understanding of cannabidiol. The market today can be confusing, filled with conflicting information and questionable products. Our goal with this CBD guide is to provide a clear, honest, and authoritative guide to help you understand what CBD is, how it works, and how to choose a product that delivers real results.
1. What is CBD? A Simple Explanation
Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of over 100 natural compounds known as cannabinoids found in the cannabis sativa plant. It is the second most abundant cannabinoid after THC (tetrahydrocannabinol).
The most important fact to know about CBD is that it is completely non-psychoactive. It does not produce the “high” associated with cannabis. Instead, CBD is celebrated for its ability to support overall health and well-being without intoxicating effects. As we like to say, “The side effects of CBD are health and happiness.”
2. How CBD Works with Your Body (The Endocannabinoid System)
To understand how CBD works, you first need to know about a remarkable system in your body: the Endocannabinoid System (ECS). Discovered in the 1990s, the ECS is a vast network of receptors found in nearly every part of the human body, including the brain, organs, immune cells, and connective tissues.
Think of the ECS as your body’s master regulator. Its primary job is to maintain balance, or homeostasis. It helps regulate everything from mood and memory to sleep, appetite, and your body’s response to discomfort.
Your body naturally produces its own cannabinoids (called endocannabinoids) to interact with this system. CBD, a plant-based cannabinoid (or phytocannabinoid), can supplement and support your ECS, helping it perform its vital balancing act more effectively.
3. Types of CBD: The Expert’s Breakdown
Not all CBD is created equal. The terms you see on labels—Full Spectrum, Broad Spectrum, and Isolate—refer to the extent to which a product includes the other compounds from the plant.
Full Spectrum CBD
This is the least processed form. It contains all the cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, and other beneficial compounds found naturally in the plant, including trace amounts of THC (less than 0.3% by law).
- Advantage: Provides the complete “entourage effect” for maximum benefit.
Broad Spectrum CBD
This form is nearly identical to full spectrum, containing a rich array of cannabinoids and terpenes, but it has undergone an additional process to remove all detectable amounts of THC.
- Advantage: Offers the benefits of the entourage effect for those who want to avoid THC entirely.
CBD Isolate
This is the purest form of CBD, where the cannabidiol molecule has been isolated from everything else. It is 99%+ pure CBD.
- Advantage: Completely THC-free and tasteless, but it lacks the synergistic benefits of the other plant compounds.
4. The “Entourage Effect” & The Whole Flower Advantage
Top researchers have discovered that the compounds in cannabis work better together than they do alone. This synergy is called the “Entourage Effect.” Think of it like a symphony versus a solo instrument—while a single cannabinoid has benefits, the full orchestra of compounds working in harmony produces a richer and more profound result.
This is why we champion our Whole Flower Fluid. It is the ultimate expression of the entourage effect.
Our proprietary extraction technology was designed to create a product that is vastly superior to common CBD oils and isolates.
- Only the Flower is Used: We extract exclusively from the cannabis flower, which contains the highest concentration of beneficial cannabinoids and terpenes—never from the less potent stalks and leaves.
- Complete & Raw: Our gentle process keeps the entire profile of the flower intact, delivering a complete, raw plant medicine as nature intended.
- Superior Absorption: Our fluid is naturally water-soluble, not oil-based. This allows your body to absorb the compounds quickly and efficiently for faster, more noticeable results.
5. Sourcing & Quality: What Matters Most
The effectiveness of any CBD product begins at the source. In an unregulated industry, it is critical to know what to look for.
- Pesticide-Free Farming: The hemp plant is a bio-accumulator, meaning it can absorb toxins from the soil. We only source material from 100% pesticide-free farms.
- Clean Extraction: Our solventless process ensures no harsh chemicals are used to extract the CBD, resulting in a pure, clean final product.
- Third-Party Lab Testing: This is non-negotiable. Always choose products that are verified by an independent lab to confirm their potency and purity. This ensures what’s on the label is what’s in the bottle.
Where Does CBD Come From?
All CBD comes from the same plant species, Cannabis Sativa L. The difference between what we call “hemp” and what we call “marijuana” is not biological—it’s legal and chemical.
- Hemp: Is legally defined in the U.S. as any cannabis plant that contains 0.3% or less THC by dry weight. Hemp is typically cultivated for its high CBD content and is the source for all federally legal CBD products.
- Marijuana: Is the term used for cannabis plants that contain more than 0.3% THC. These plants are cultivated for their psychoactive effects.
Both hemp and marijuana plants can be male or female. The key difference is simply the THC level, which determines their legal status and use. At The CBD Expert, all our products are derived from legally compliant, high-CBD hemp.
6. CBD FAQs
Dosage is highly individual. The best approach is to “start low and go slow.” However, because our Whole Flower Fluid is so potent and bioavailable, most of our customers find they need a much smaller dose (e.g., just 2 drops per day) than with typical oil-based products.
Hemp-derived CBD containing less than 0.3% THC is federally legal in the United States under the 2018 Farm Bill. However, state laws can vary, so it’s always wise to check your local regulations.
Because full-spectrum products contain trace amounts of THC, there is a possibility that consistent, high-dose use could trigger a positive result on a sensitive drug test. If this is a concern, a broad-spectrum or isolate product may be a better choice.
Begin Your Journey to Wellness
We believe in the power of whole-plant medicine to help restore balance and improve quality of life.
We hope this CBD guide has answered your questions and empowers you to make an informed decision.
By choosing a high-quality, full-spectrum product, you are giving your body the full range of benefits that nature has to offer.