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In recent years, CBD has become one of the most recognisable ingredients in the food supplement and wellness worlds. In the UK, consumer products derived from this popular compound are most commonly sourced from industrial hemp plants, which can be grown with a license throughout most of Europe. But while many people are now familiar with CBD (millions of people in the UK have now tried a CBD product), the question of how it is formed in the hemp plant remains something of a mystery to most.
In this blog, we’re taking a look at the science behind CBD, specifically, how CBD is formed, its precursors, and the processes involved. So, let’s get our chemistry hats on!
Let’s start right at the beginning, with the plant that gives us this impressive compound: Hemp. Humans have been cultivating hemp for thousands of years. In fact, some evidence suggests it is one of the oldest domesticated crops - a fact that highlights its value to civilisations around the globe throughout history. In fact, hemp has been used for many applications, from food and medicine to the manufacture of clothing, ropes, and weapons.
But what exactly is hemp?
Well, hemp is the name given to certain strains of Cannabis Sativa that are low in the common cannabinoid THC. These strains have traditionally been cultivated for their hardy fibre, seeds, and leaves, which can all be used in the applications mentioned above.
Different countries and jurisdictions may have different criteria for plants to be categorised in plants, typically based around the levels of THC within the plant. For example, in the UK, farmers are permitted, with a license, hemp plants that do not contain more than 0.2% THC. In the EU, this limit was raised to 0.3% in 2023 - the same as the limit in the US. In contrast, some countries, such as Switzerland, permit up to 1% THC in industrial hemp crops.
So, now we have covered THC in hemp, let’s get to the second most abundant cannabinoid - cannabidiol (better known as CBD).
Discovered in 1940, CBD has become one of the most well-known cannabinoids owing, in part, to its abundance in the cannabis plant. Unlike THC, CBD does not cause intoxicating effects but still possesses a wide range of potentially useful therapeutic properties. This property profile has made it popular among health and wellness consumers and medical researchers alike, all of whom may be looking for a therapeutic product without the strong psychoactive effects associated with cannabis.
While CBD is present in practically all cannabis strains, it is most commonly derived from hemp plants. This is likely due to the less restrictive regulations around the cultivation of these low-THC plants.
CBD is one of over 100 cannabinoids produced by the cannabis plant. Each of these compounds is produced at varying levels depending on several factors, including the variety of the plant and the conditions it is grown in. But all cannabinoids begin with one common chemical: geranyl pyrophosphate. When this chemical binds with olivetolic acid or divarinolic acid within the plant, the two precursors of all cannabinoids are created: cannagerolic acid (CBGA) and cannabigerovarinic acid (CBGVA).
The acid forms of all cannabinoids, including CBD, are formed when CBGA and CBGVA are combined with different enzymes. For example, when CBGA interacts with CBDA-synthase (an enzyme), cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) is formed. But while this compound is similar in structure to CBD, it won’t have the same properties until it goes through the next step in the molecular process: Decarboxylation.
Decarboxylation is a chemical reaction that results in the removal of a carboxyl group (-COOH) from a compound. The process of decarboxylation converts inactive compounds into their active forms (e.g., THCA into THC and CBDA into CBD). This process is typically triggered by exposure to heat or light, which doesn’t tend to occur until after the hemp plant has been harvested.
Prior to harvesting, hemp contains very few active cannabinoids, as most are still in their acid forms. Decarboxylation takes place as the harvested leaves and flowers are cured over time.
Once decarboxlation has increased the CBD levels in harvested hemp, this popular compound can be extracted from the plant matter to make various CBD products from full-spectrum CBD oils to CBD Skincare and more! This can be achieved through several methods, including:
At Honey Heaven, all our high-quality, organic CBD products are produced using European hemp-derived CBD, captured through supercritical CO2 extraction. Moreover, with certificates of analysis available for every product, you can rest assured that you will receive a quality product that contains what it says on the label. So, why not take a look at our full range of CBD products today?
