Learn About Hemp
FAQs
Q: What is hemp?
A: Hemp is one of the oldest domesticated crops known to man and has been used for paper and textiles for thousands of years. It has also been used for its beneficial mix of phytochemicals, such as cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids.
Hemp plants have the same appearance as cannabis plants as they are the same species of plant. The difference between hemp plants and cannabis plants are the amount of THC they contain. Cannabis plants contain over .3% THC, whereas hemp plants contain less than .3% THC. This is an important distinction because THC is the psychoactive component of cannabis. By selecting a hemp oil with extremely low THC, you are taking away the psychoactive effects of the plant so that you can benefit from the plant's other beneficial phytochemicals.
Q: What are the benefits of full spectrum hemp oil versus CBD isolate?
A: Full spectrum hemp is an extract of hemp oil that maintains all phytochemicals (including cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids) in place and in the same ratios as they are found in nature. In taking a full spectrum hemp oil, not only are you getting CBD, but you are getting a full suite of other phytochemicals that together create what is known as the "Entourage Effect". This effect improves the efficacy of CBD oil and makes it more tolerable for the body, reducing or eliminating negative side effects.
CBD isolates remove only the CBD from the plant. By taking an isolate supplement, you do get a dose of CBD, but you do not get the additional beneficial phytochemicals that the plant carries and you do not benefit from the "Entourage Effect".
Q: What is THC?
A: THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is the primary psychoactive chemical in cannabis and is responsible for producing the high sensation. The presence of THC is the primary indicator of a plant being classified as cannabis or hemp. If a plant has over .3% THC, it is classified as Cannabis and if it has under .3% THC, it is classified as hemp.
Q: Why is there any THC in my product?
A: When an oil is full spectrum like Trace's Microencapsulated Full Spectrum Hemp Oil, it means that it contains the full range of cannabinoids that are in the plant, just like it is found in nature. Studies have shown that having the full range of cannabinoids creates an "Entourage Effect" which means that when cannabinoids (like CBD) are delivered with the full range of native phytochemicals such as other cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids found in hemp, you get a more favorable effect. The favorability is manifest in both better efficacy (it works better) and better tolerability (your body tolerates it better than if you took CBD alone).
Because Trace wants you to have the full spectrum of cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids found in hemp, inevitably there will be some small amount of THC. However, Trace has ensured to source plants with the lowest possible amounts of THC, far below the limit of having any psychoactive effects. If you see a product that claims that it has "Zero THC", then that product is either using a CBD isolate or a broad spectrum CBD. An isolate, which is most common, means that the CBD has been stripped out of the oil and is sold alone, which means that all other cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids are removed and there will be no "Entourage Effect." A broad spectrum CBD product tries to retain some of the phytochemicals, but because they are trying to strip out THC, the product usually loses a good portion of phytochemicals and the ratios of phytochemicals change so you are not getting the ratios found in nature.
Q: How does Trace know how much THC is in my product and how does Trace do a better job than other companies out there?
A: Trace sources its hemp oil from exceptionally low THC containing plants in Europe, where hemp oil has been processed for decades. Trace then uses 3rd Party ISO certified labs to test every batch of hemp oil powder to find exactly how much THC is present. Trace will not sell hemp oil powder with more than .03% THC (1/10th the FDA limit) and shares your exact batch's information with you, including your batch's measured THC amount. From seed to supplement, Trace goes above and beyond to do things no one else does.