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.
This legitimacy is now supported at the highest levels. In a landmark 2020 decision, the United Nations commission reclassified cannabis to officially recognize its therapeutic uses, based on recommendations from the World Health Organization.
A Legacy of Discovery (Our Story)
In 2016, while working with dispensaries in California, we sold dozens of CBD and cannabis products online. We were delighted to provide the country access to products that otherwise would not have been available to them. We had a great response, but not a high re-order rate. People were trying CBD, but they weren’t staying on it.
Then, we discovered a proprietary CBD Whole Flower Fluid from a local manufacturer.
Quickly, we added it to our inventory. The difference was instant. Five-star reviews began pouring in. Many people who had tried dozens of other CBD products without success finally found relief. We realized then that water-soluble, whole-flower fluid was not just another product – it was the future of cannabinoid medicine.
Core Concepts
Before diving deep, here are the three pillars you must understand:
- The CBD Difference: CBD is non-psychoactive. Its role is to support the body’s Endocannabinoid System (ECS) in maintaining balance, or homeostasis – not to produce a “high.”
- Quality Over Purity: ‘Pure’ is not better. CBD Isolate strips away compounds needed for the Entourage Effect (the synergy that makes whole-plant extracts superior to isolated CBD for inflammation).
- Absorption Matters: Water-soluble fluid offers superior absorption compared to oil-based carrier products. Because the body is mostly water, fluid ensures you get faster, more noticeable results without waste.
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. Where Does CBD Come From? (Hemp vs. Marijuana)
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 is 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 cultivated for its high CBD content and is also an incredibly versatile crop for industrial uses like textiles, bioplastics, and even advanced green technologies like hemp batteries.
- Marijuana: Is the term used for cannabis plants that contain more than 0.3% THC. These plants are cultivated specifically for their psychoactive effects.
The Real-World Farming Challenge
This strict legal distinction creates a massive challenge. Farmers can invest millions, only to have their crop test “hot” (exceeding the 0.3% THC limit), making it legally unusable and forcing them to destroy their entire harvest.
This is why working with expert cultivators who use stable, proven genetics is non-negotiable.
The Risk of Cross-Pollination
Another major challenge is cross-pollination. Pollen from high-THC cannabis crops can travel for miles, contaminating fields of CBD hemp and ruining them. This is why professional farming communities strictly regulate where hemp can be grown to protect the integrity of the medicine.
Male vs. Female Plants
Both hemp and marijuana plants can be male or female. However, for CBD production, we focus on the female plants, which produce the resin-rich flowers.
The CBD Expert Promise: All our products are derived from legally compliant, high-CBD hemp grown by master cultivators who understand these complexities.
3. How CBD Works: 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 – brain, organs, immune cells, and connective tissues. Think of the ECS as your body’s Master Regulator. Its primary job is to maintain homeostasis (balance). It helps regulate:
- Mood and memory
- Sleep cycles
- Appetite and digestion
- Pain and inflammatory response
Your body naturally produces its own cannabinoids (endocannabinoids). CBD, a plant-based cannabinoid (phytocannabinoid), supplements this system, helping your body perform its vital balancing act more effectively.
4. The Benefits of CBD
Based on extensive research and user feedback since 2014, high-quality CBD supports:
- A Healthy Response to Pain & Inflammation: Widely celebrated for managing discomfort.
- Calm and Stress Relief: Helps quiet the nervous system and manage anxious feelings.
- Healthy Sleep Cycles: Many users find it helps them fall asleep faster and stay asleep.
- Bone Health: Groundbreaking research has shown that CBD can help heal bone fractures and may prevent bone loss.
Note: One of the most significant benefits we have seen is its role in helping people reduce reliance on harsh pharmaceuticals for pain management.
5. Types of CBD: Isolate vs. Full & Broad Spectrum
Not all CBD is created equal. Here is how to read the labels like an expert:
Full Spectrum CBD (The Gold Standard)
This is the least processed form. It contains all the cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, and trace amounts of THC (less than 0.3%).
- Advantage: Provides the complete “Entourage Effect.”
Broad Spectrum CBD
Nearly identical to full spectrum, but with an additional processing step to remove all detectable THC.
- Advantage: Good for those who strictly cannot have THC in their system.
CBD Isolate (The “Industry Standard”)
Merchants often call this the ‘purest’ form of CBD because it is 99%+ pure crystal. However, for medicinal value, ‘pure’ is not better.
- The Downside: This refinement strips away all other beneficial compounds. Think of it like taking a Vitamin C tablet vs. eating a fresh orange. The tablet is “pure,” but the orange has the nutritional complexity your body recognizes.
6. The Science of Synergy: The “Entourage Effect” & Whole Flower Advantage
Why do we champion Whole Flower Fluid over Isolate? It comes down to the Entourage Effect.
Top researchers have discovered that the compounds in cannabis work better together than they do alone. 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.
Full Spectrum CBD: Superior Relief Compared to Isolate
Over the years, we’ve watched the dominant stance of the medical research community change.
Originally, it was assumed that whole plant extracts were “crude” and less effective than isolated, purified cannabinoids. Today, science understands that whole plant or whole flower fluid CBD is superior over synthetic or isolated CBD for the treatment of inflammatory conditions.
The “Bell-Shaped Curve” Discovery
Following a review of past research into the anti-inflammatory effects of CBD, it was revealed that administration of pure (isolated) CBD resulted in a “bell-shaped dose-response curve.“
- The Isolate Limit: In other words, the CBD isolate stopped having any therapeutic effect beyond a certain amount. It hit a “ceiling” of effectiveness.
- The Whole Flower Solution: That is when they discovered that the anti-inflammatory, anti-pain response of whole plant CBD continued to increase with higher doses.
Therefore, the investigators realized that whole plant CBD would be ideal for clinical use.
The Bottom Line: The difference is like comparing a freshly picked organic orange to a Vitamin C tablet. There is so much more goodness in that orange than just the vitamin C! Nature grows things together because they work together.
7. Deep Dive: The 4 Mechanisms of Synergy
For the science-minded: Why exactly is the whole plant better?
During a review of synergy research in plant medicine, researchers identified four basic mechanisms that explain why Whole Plant extracts outperform Isolates. These are the ability to:
- Affect Multiple Targets: The complex mix of compounds can hit multiple receptors in the body simultaneously, rather than just one.
- Improve Absorption: Certain plant compounds (like terpenes) help other compounds (like CBD) cross biological barriers, improving bioavailability.
- Overcome Bacterial Defense: In some cases, the complexity of the whole plant prevents bacteria or the body from developing a “resistance” to the treatment.
- Minimize Side Effects: Some compounds in the plant actually buffer or neutralize the potential negative side effects of others.
“Synergistic effects can be produced if the constituents of an extract affect different targets or interact with one another in order to improve the solubility and thereby enhance the bioavailability.” (Wagner & Ulrich-Merzenich, 2009)
8. 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.
- Third-Party Lab Testing: This is non-negotiable. Always choose products that are verified by an independent lab to confirm their potency and purity.
The “Whole Flower” Difference (Why It Matters)
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. This is a critical distinction. The industry term “Whole Plant” was never clearly defined and can often refer to products made from industrial hemp biomass (stalks and stems). We purposely use the term Whole Flower because our fluid is derived exclusively from the medicinally-intact flowers of high-CBD cannabis plants.
- Complete & Raw: Our gentle process keeps the entire profile of the flower intact, delivering a complete, raw plant medicine as nature intended.
Superior Absorption: Fluid vs. Oil
Our fluid is naturally water-soluble, not oil-based. This is a crucial point of confusion.
When people shop for “CBD oil,” they are often getting a refined extract mixed into a carrier like coconut oil. Whole Flower Fluid is different: it is the entire, raw, liquified flower. This makes it water-soluble, allowing your body to absorb the compounds more efficiently for faster, more noticeable results.
Learn more about why water-soluble CBD is superior to traditional oils.
Integrity in Action (Our Stance)
Our commitment to quality over profit has been our guide since 2014. When California banned adding CBD to food and drinks in 2018, many in the industry were frustrated. We saw it as a necessary step to protect consumers. It stopped the practice of companies simply adding cheap CBD isolate to products like candy or dog treats just to ride the trend. For us, it has never been about jumping on a bandwagon; it is about providing genuine, whole-plant medicine.
9. CBD FAQs
Dosage is highly individual. 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) 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.
This has created a unique challenge for law enforcement. Smokable CBD hemp flower looks and smells identical to illegal high-THC cannabis, making it impossible for an officer to tell the difference on sight. This legal gray area is a perfect example of how the laws are still catching up with the rapidly growing hemp industry.
Because Full Spectrum products contain trace amounts of THC, consistent high-dose use could potentially trigger a positive result on a sensitive test. If this is a concern, we recommend caution.
This is one of the most important differences between whole-plant CBD and pharmaceuticals. Unlike medications that often come with a long list of negative side effects, the “side effects” of high-quality CBD are typically considered benefits in their own right.
Because CBD works to bring the entire body into balance (homeostasis), the positive effects are rarely isolated.
For example:
–Someone taking CBD for pain may find a “side effect” is a better night’s sleep.
–Someone using it for sleep may notice a “side effect” of less daily stress.
–Someone taking it for stress may experience the “side effect” of reduced inflammation.
This is precisely what we mean when we say, “The side effects of CBD are health and happiness.”
Begin Your Journey to Wellness
We believe in the power of whole-plant medicine to help restore balance. You now have the knowledge to choose wisely. We hope this CBD guide has answered your questions and empowers you to make an informed decision.
Don’t settle for isolate. Give your body the full spectrum of relief it deserves.