What is Hemp?

Hemp is a plant. It has been harvested for a variety of purposes for over 10,000 years and used worldwide for fiber, food, and oil. Hemp fibers are used for making paper, fabric, rope and building materials.

What are Phytocannabinoids?

Phytocannabinoids are a set of diverse chemical compounds naturally made from Cannabis sativa plants. Phytocannabinoids are found in some other types of plants, for example Lavender, Hops, Citrus. Every variety of the cannabis family of plants (marijuana plants or hemp plants) produces cannabinoids.
There are more than 100 confirmed cannabinoids. Cannabinoids are classified as fatty compounds and work by acting on specific endocannabinoid receptors in the human endocannabinoid system (ECS). Cannabinoids are separated into major subclasses including:

• Cannabidiol (CBD)
• Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
• Cannabigerol (CBG)
• Cannabichromene (CBC)
• Cannabinol (CBN) and cannabinodiol (CBDL)
• Other many other cannabinoids (such as cannabicyclol (CBL), cannabielsoin (CBE), cannabitriol (CBT)

Our body also produces cannabinoids called endocannabinoids

What is The Endocannabinoid System (ECS)?

The endocannabinoid system is a natural occurring system in the human body, as well as in animals. Our bodies naturally produce their own endocannabinoids. The ECS and their receptors are found throughout the body: in the brain, organs, connective tissues, glands and immune cells.  When the endocannabiniod system is not able to function optimally we are able to use phytocannabinoids to connect to those same receptor sites and get the benefits that the endocannabiniod system naturally provides*. Phytcannabinoids are the "key" that fits in the "lock" of the endocannabinoid system. ECS is being studied to understand more precisely how it works.

What are Terpenes or Terpenoids?

Terpenes are responsible for the unique aromas and flavors in flora including hemp and cannabis. Essential oils contain terpenes as well as other compounds. 

Here are some of the primary terpenes found in cannabis:

Alpha Pinene
Alpha Pinene is the most common terpene in the plant world and is the familiar odor associated with pine trees and turpentine. It easily crosses the blood-brain barrier and acts as both an anti-inflammatory and promotes alertness and memory retention by inhibiting the metabolic breakdown of acetylcholinesterase, a neurotransmitter in the brain. Pinene probably gives true skunk varieties, the ones that stink like the animal, much of their odor.

Caryophyllene
Caryophylleneis a terpene found in many plants such as Thai basils, cloves, cinnamon leaves and black pepper, and in minor quantities in lavender. Its aroma has been described as peppery, woody and/or spicy. Caryophyllene is the only terpene known to interact with the endocannabinoid system (CB2). Research shows that β–caryophyllene selectively binds to the CB2 receptor and is identified at a functional CB2 agonist.

Geraniol
Derived from the geranium plant, geraniol has a rosey scent that makes it well suited as a perfume additive.

Limonene
Limonene, a major terpene in citrus as well as in cannabis. Is found in the rind of citrus and many other fruits and flowers. Plants use limonene to repulse predators.

Linalool
Linalool has a floral scent reminiscent of spring flowers but with spicy overtones. 

Ocimene
Ocimene is used in perfumes for its pleasant odor. In nature this terpene acts as part of the plants defenses and possesses anti-fungal properties.

Terpineol
Terpineol has a lilac, citrus or apple blossom/lime odor. Is known for its pleasant smell and is often used in soaps and fragrances. It is known for having relaxing effects. 

Valencene
Found in Valencia oranges, the aroma contributes to the citrus odor of cannabis.

  

 

What is CBD?

CBD, short for Cannabidiol, is a natural compound derived from the leaves, stalks, and flowers produced by the Cannabis Sativa family of plants. Hemp and marijuana each produce CBD and THC at different levels of concentration. 

What is THC?

Tetrahydrocannabinol or THC is the most abundant and widely known cannabinoid in cannabis and is responsible for the main psychoactive effects.

What is an Herbal Extraction?

An herbal extraction is a process using a solvent (alcohol, CO2, water) to withdraw the nutrients from a plant.

Respect Wellness uses the CO2 method of extraction.

The CO2 extraction is one of the best methods to obtain the CBD and filter out unnatural substances, maximizing pure CBD concentration.

What is Full Spectrum v. Broad Spectrum v. Isolate?

Broad Spectrum contains certain cannabinoids and terpenes but exclude others (like THC).

Isolates contains only a single cannabinoid which has be separated out in the extraction process.

Full Spectrum leaves all the naturally occurring cannabinoids and terpenes. You get the full power of the plant.

Respect Wellness uses full-spectrum CBD.

What are Receptor Sites

Receptor sites are proteins on the surface of all cells that act as "ears." They “listen” to the messages being sent out by the body.

Where are Receptor Sites located? 

The body has two receptor sites for phytocannabinoids: the CB1(cannabinoid1) receptor site located in the brain and central nervous system and the CB2 (cannabinoid2) receptor sites located in the immune system, the gastrointestinal tract and peripheral nervous system.