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Understanding Synthetic CBD: Explanation, Comparison, And More

Written By

Nishant Garund

Medically Reviewed by Dr. Varuni Agarwal

Dr. Varuni Agarwal is an esteemed Ayurvedic physician specializing in diagnosing diseases through Ayurvedic dosha imbalances and providing personalized treatments. She focuses on ahara (diet) and vihara (lifestyle) to manage and heal various ailments.

Understanding Synthetic CBD: Explanation, Comparison, And More

Technology has come a long way to the point that many compounds that are found in cannabis sativa can now be produced synthetically in a lab. But you may wonder what synthetic CBD is. How does synthetic CBD compare to organically produced CBD? Are there any benefits to using synthetic CBD as compared to natural CBD? All the questions would be answered further. Keep reading to learn.

What is synthetic CBD? Let’s find out.

 CBD, generally, is extracted from cannabis sativa plants. But synthetic CBD is produced from chemical synthesis or biological synthesis using ingredients such as limonene, modified yeast, or bacteria.

 Synthetically produced CBD may not be an alternative to natural CBD; rather, synthetic CBD is an emulation of natural CBD. It is so because both synthetic and natural CBD are chemically similar to each other. Studies have shown that both synthetic and natural CBD have similar chemical properties and structures.

Is CBD a synthetic cannabinoid?

CBD is one of the many cannabinoids found in cannabis sativa. CBD is naturally present in cannabis, along with other naturally present cannabinoids such as CBC, CBN, CBG, THCa, and THCv, as well as naturally occurring terpenes.

But CBD can be produced synthetically in labs as well. It does not mean that all CBD compounds are synthetic, but some may be synthetic.

Let’s compare natural and synthetic CBD oil.

Synthetic CBD vs Natural CBD

CBD, or, as we can say, cannabidiol, is a compound found in cannabis sativa. Cannabis sativa consists of many compounds, of which CBD is one. CBD serves numerous purposes in the health and lifestyle of an individual. It is beneficial for alleviating many health issues, both mental and physical.

Synthetic and natural CBD are not very different from each other. Synthetically produced CBD is almost similar to natural CBD in terms of chemical structures. Synthetic CBD is produced to contain pure CBD molecules, whereas in the case of natural CBD, there are also other naturally present compounds, such as terpenes, cannabinoids, and flavonoids. This makes it easy to maintain consistency in the yield of CBD when produced synthetically. Also, synthetically produced CBD is generally cheaper to produce than natural CBD.

Therefore, synthetically produced CBD becomes a popular choice for those requiring a high yield and consistency of CBD.

Whereas naturally produced CBD is popular because all the different compounds present in it work together to create the entourage effect. 

Does synthetic CBD oil have side effects?

Synthetic CBD side effects

As discussed, the chemical structures of both synthetic and natural CBD are similar. The effects of both of them are also quite symmetric. There is a possibility for an individual to experience natural or synthetic CBD side effects when taken, depending on various factors like dosage, type of CBD, preliminary health condition, etc. It varies from person to person. It is not always sure whether CBD will cause side effects in a person or not.


For a more detailed explanation regarding the side effects of CBD, check out CBD Side Effects: How safe is CBD?

Conclusion

Synthetic and natural CBD are both almost similar in terms of chemical structures, effects, etc. Synthetic CBD is produced from chemical synthesis or biological synthesis using ingredients such as limonene, modified yeast, or bacteria, whereas natural CBD is naturally extracted from cannabis sativa. Synthetic CBD is produced to contain pure CBD molecules. Natural CBD, on the other hand, has other naturally present compounds, such as terpenes, cannabinoids, and flavonoids.

Naturally produced CBD is popular as other compounds present in it work together to create the entourage effect. Synthetic CBD is generally cheaper to produce. And also, because it is produced in labs, it is easy to maintain consistent levels of CBD when produced synthetically.

Both synthetic and natural CBD have their benefits on their own. Therefore, it totally depends on the needs and usage of the person, which may vary from person to person. However, it is always advisable to consult a medical professional before choosing or taking any kind of medication.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to know if CBD is synthetic?

Natural CBD is derived from plants, whereas synthetic CBD is produced in labs. Checking the ingredients or reading the product label may help.

Are CBD gummies synthetic?

 
Synthetic CBD can be used to produce various CBD products, such as gummies. It depends on the type of CBD, natural or synthetic, used in making the particular product. Not all the CBD gummies are synthetic.

What is synthetic CBD made from?

Synthetic CBD is made in labs by chemical synthesis or biological synthesis using ingredients such as limonene, modified yeast, or bacteria.

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