Copaiba vs CBD: A Comprehensive Comparison

Which is better: CBD or copaiba essential oil? In this comparative guide, the copaiba vs CBD debate will be clarified, along with each item's benefits, uses, constituents, and a breakdown of the science behind when you should use which one.

A quick word of warning: If you are in the military (or a military spouse), please stop here and realize that CBD is ILLEGAL for military members to use, possess, or have access to in their vehicles, home, or other locations, even if it is THC-free. As a military spouse who has seen numerous service members dishonorably discharged (including recently), I can tell you sacrificing your or your spouse's career isn't worth using or keeping CBD on hand, even if you know someone who uses it and hasn't yet experienced career repercussions. Do yourself a favor, and use a CBD alternative instead.

The information provided on this website is for educational purposes only. Nothing on this page has been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and is not intended to provide medical advice for any health condition, nor is it intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

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Why Compare Copaiba vs CBD?

In a nutshell, CBD oil has become a global hot product. Testimonials all over the internet bragging about the benefits of CBD cause demand grows, which also increases the supply. The increase in demand shows brands, farmers, manufacturers, and brokers that significant money is to be made in the CBD industry, igniting the motivation to pursue the increasing profits.

Many companies (including several essential oil and supplement companies) are selling CBD oil now. However, numerous essential oil companies aren't selling CBD. Instead, they jump on the “use copaiba essential oil” bandwagon to increase profits.

Some essential oil marketers and companies claim that they have essential oils that are better, cheaper, and “more powerful” than CBD. Some marketers even claim CBD and copaiba to be essentially the same, creating confusion among consumers.

In total honesty, copaiba and CBD Are Not The Same and are Not 100% Interchangeable.

What Is CBD Oil?

Contrary to many popular beliefs, CBD oil is NOT an essential oil. CBD stands for cannabidiol.

CBD oil is either CBD-rich oil extracted from industrial hemp or oil made from CBD isolate in a carrier oil. Exactly as it sounds, CBD contains only CBD mixed with a carrier oil like fractionated coconut oil or grapeseed oil. Meanwhile, the “CBD-rich oil” is full-spectrum, complete with the other cannabinoids and terpenes found in hemp.

CBD directly impacts your endocannabinoid system, creating a physiological response when they combine with a receptor. Two primary cell receptors comprise the central cell receptors in the endocannabinoid system (ECS): Cannabinoid Receptor 1 (CB1) and Cannabinoid Receptor 2 (CB2). Cannabinoids are the keys that unlock these receptors.

Benefits of CBD Oil

CBD-rich hemp oil benefits include supporting a variety of health issues, beauty applications, and other wellness needs.

Personally, being a military wife, my family does not use CBD. However, I network with several healthy lifestyle coaches who swear by the results they've achieved for themselves and their clients using CBD and CBD-infused products.

Here are some of the benefits that our clients and networked wellness coaches have experienced:

  • Reduction of regular anxiety and panic episodes (in both adults and children)
  • More restful sleep
  • Improved focus and organization skills
  • Increased motivation
  • Reduced brain fog
  • Increased energy
  • Relief of occasional headaches
  • Improved skin health
  • More positive moods
  • Improved relationships within the family
  • May reduce epileptic episodes

Known Adverse Reactions To CBD Oil

Although CBD is often considered safer to use than copaiba essential oil, research has shown the following adverse reactions to using it:

  • Anxiety
  • Appetite changes
  • Mood changes
  • Diarrhea
  • Dizziness
  • Drowsiness
  • Dry mouth
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting

Hidden Dirty Secrets of The CBD Industry

While I've seen countless excellent CBD testimonials, there are a LOT of issues within the CBD community. Like the essential oil industry, a severe lack of accountability, synthetics marketed as pure, and label inaccuracies plague the CBD industry.

In fact, according to the Food and Drug Administration's 2020 report, most products on the market are mislabeled. Of those products that indicate the amount of CBD on the label, only 45% contain CBD within 20% of the labeled amount. The remaining 55% contain either more or less CBD than listed or none at all.

Just as there are excellent testimonials of CBD use, there are also horror stories from people who unknowingly consumed synthetic CBD oil.

What Is Copaiba Oil?

Copaiba oil is an essential oil distilled from the resin of the copaiba tree.

Essential oils are not like olive, avocado, vegetable, CBD, or coconut oil. Essential oils are plant lipids collected after the distillation process. For more information on this, read Discover Essential Oils.

Copaiba's Beta-caryophyllene (BCP) Constituent Explained

Beta-caryophyllene (BCP) is a component of both CBD oil and Copaiba oil.

Many people only focus on the b-caryophyllene (BCP) constituent, insisting that copaiba oil is better than CBD oil (or that they are the same).

While many in the essential oil marketing professions talk about BCP as a cannabinoid because it interacts with the endocannabinoid system, it is not. Beta caryophyllene is a terpene, an aromatic organic compound, which gives the oils their fragrance.

Clove, rosemary, and melissa essential oils contain BCP, though not often compared to CBD like copaiba.

Copaiba Essential Oil Benefits

See our copaiba essential oil user guide, complete with a list of benefits, scientific studies, safety info, FAQs, and suggestions for how to use it.

Copaiba Essential Oil Safety Concerns

The number one complaint towards copaiba essential oil comes from “sensitization” caused by not diluting it enough or using it too much.

ALWAYS dilute essential oils before you apply them topically to your skin. If you use copaiba neat (undiluted), you may develop an uncomfortable rash. Sensitization happens when you use too much of the same essential oil to the point where your body rejects it, often showing up looking like contact dermatitis.

While it isn't common to have an allergy to essential oils because of their lack of protein, there may be other reasons why you experience an allergy-like reaction.

Copaiba Essential Oil Internal Application Warning

DO NOT ingest copaiba essential oil without researching safety protocols or consulting with a local aromatherapist or naturopath. Many bloggers and social media posters rave about consuming copaiba internally, despite scientifically proven side effects that may occur if you ingest too much.

  • Stomach pains
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Rash
  • Tremor
  • Groin pain
  • Insomnia

Quality Matters: Don't Be Mislead By Shady Essential Oil Marketing Claims

Another aspect copaiba and CBD have in common: both industries have problems with purity and misleading marketing practices.

Ensure you're using quality copaiba essential oil and not using a brand that is convenient to find. Most aren't authentic essential oils, and many brands use clever or misleading marketing practices.

Much like CBD, if you unknowingly use a fake or adultered oil, you risk experiencing adverse reactions to undisclosed ingredients. Even if an essential oil is assumed to be “pure” based on the label, that label may not be accurate. Remember that “pure essential oil” is a marketing term, not necessarily the truth).

Should CBD Replace Essential Oils?

While often discussed as viable replacements for each other, copaiba and CBD are not entirely interchangeable. However, both do deserve consideration to supplement most families' wellness toolkits.

Copaiba vs CBD Myth Clarification

Myth 1: “Copaiba Is Better Than CBD Because It Has Greater Beta-Caryophyllene (BCP) Content”

False. You need more than one component to compare to decide whether one is better than the other. Circumstances, reasons to use it, and lifestyle needs also have legitimate weight as to whether or not one is better than the other.

BCP Isn't Cannabinoid

Often misclassified as a cannabinoid, BCP is a terpene. While it does interact with the endocannabinoid system, it isn't a cannabinoid.

Copaiba oil contains 55-60% BCP (a significant amount), while CBD-rich hemp oil often contains less than 30%. While copaiba essential oil contains significantly more BCP than CBD, one component is not enough to decide whether one is better.

CBD Oil's Components, Not Found In Copaiba Oil

Full-spectrum CBD oil contains several components that copaiba oil doesn't have.

Full-Spectrum CBD-rich hemp oil (not made from isolate) contains cannabinoids, bioflavonoids, and other terpenes that work together to magnify each other's effects.

Copaiba Oil's Components, Not Found In CBD

Copaiba oil also has other constituents aside from BCP. Copaiba oil also contains copaene, bergamotene, and humulene, each benefiting your body in different ways.

Copaiba vs CBD: Bioavailability

While it's true that there is significantly more BCP in Copaiba oil than in CBD oil, CBD oil's higher bioavailability rate needs less to cause a similar effect. Does it matter that copaiba has more BCP if CBD is more bioavailable and usable within your body?

Myth 2: “Copaiba Oil's Direct Receptor Interaction Is Better Than CBD's Indirect Action”

Direct action on one receptor is not necessarily better than indirect action on both.

Copaiba oil's BCP interacts directly with the CB2 receptor, whereas CBD indirectly acts on CB1 receptors and CB2 receptors. (source)

CBD is an Allosteric Modulator

CBD performs complex allosteric modulator actions in your body, either enhancing or inhibiting how a receptor transmits a signal by changing the receptor's shape.

Additionally, CBD actively stimulates vanilloid, adenosine, and serotonin receptors. It is a gross misrepresentation of nearly 30 years of data to assume that CBD is not beneficial due to its inability to stimulate cannabinoid receptors directly.

For example, CBD is a positive GABA-A receptor allosteric modulator, which helps the GABA receptor work better. CBD is also a negative CB1 receptor allosteric modulator, preventing psychological responses.

Myth 3: “With 70+ Scientific Studies on Copaiba Oil, It's Better” or “There Are Significantly More Studies On CBD.”

There are numerous peer-reviewed studies on both CBD and copaiba essential oil. A simple search on scholar.google.com will show you several pages of results.

Comparing the number of studies has no bearing on which is “best.” It only means that someone found the funding to conduct those particular studies. When comparing copaiba essential oil and CBD scientific studies, disregard the ones that cite a direct conflict of interest. Claiming one set of studies are better or more numerous than the other is misleading when the funding or the study comes directly from companies selling the products.

Remember, herbs (including essential oils, CBD, hydrosols, etc…) have a rich history of being used in various applications and modalities. Different healing modalities and applications shouldn't be generalized for comparison but celebrated for the diversity of methods to keep you healthy.

Also, you should rotate which herbs, tinctures, hydrosols, essential oils, CBD… etc… you use to make your choice of healing modalities more effective. Regardless of how it is processed, using too much of the same herb will cause sensitization that reduces that herb's effectiveness.

Myth 4: “CBD Oil Contains THC And Will Get You High”

CBD Oil Isolate has no THC in it. Full Spectrum CBD Oil sourced from industrial hemp has little to no THC and has no psychoactive effects.

Even a tiny amount of THC could result in a false positive drug test result, depending on the test's sensitivity. CBD Oil without THC should not do this ever.

However, relying on a brand's honesty and transparency in telling you whether or not its CBD contains THC becomes problematic during drug testing. Remember, the company may or may not be telling you the truth in their labels or marketing, and you won't know until you pop positive on a drug test. Unfortunately, you bear the responsibility and consequences if you receive positive drug test results from using a CBD oil that used false marketing claims.

CBD and Copaiba Essential Oil Safety Concerns

A study on rats ingesting copaiba essential oil showed it to increase bilirubin and cause liver damage (source). If you choose to consume copaiba essential oil, ensure it is in small quantities (1 drop to 1 tsp carrier oil). Before ingesting essential oils, you should consult with a naturopath, a physician skilled in aromatherapy, or a local aromatherapist.

Yes, go ahead and put copaiba in your diffuser, or dilute it and apply it topically. But please don't ingest it without knowing what you're doing and after doing a substantial amount of research or taking an aromatherapy certification course.

Most CBD oil, however, is ok to be ingested. You can use CBD oil topically in a salve or vape it, but most people like using it as sublingual drops (under your tongue).

Please speak with a physician knowledgeable in alternative medicine or naturopath before trying CBD or essential oils, especially if you take medications.

Copaiba vs CBD: Which Is Cheaper?

Total cost or cost savings with using CBD vs copaiba depends on how much of each product you need, how you will use it, and which works better for you. Remember, everyone's body is different. While one person may have one effect with CBD or copaiba, another may see different results.

How much copaiba or CBD costs doesn't mean anything if the option you buy doesn't work.

Legal Questions

There are no current state regulations on using and purchasing copaiba essential oil.

The only federal regulations for copaiba essential oil are:

  • What marketers can say: prohibiting anyone from advertising medical-related content if they could potentially profit from the sale of essential oils
  • What needs to be on the label: manufacturer's name and address, the amount the bottle contains, and a generic description of what is in the bottle).

You can read more about essential oil regulations in our post outlining the dirty little secrets of the essential oil industry.

Some US states regulate your ability to purchase and use CBD oil, but typically, that is only for CBD oil sold in stores or has more than .3% THC (or .2% THC in Europe).

Should You Use Copaiba Essential Oil or CBD?

The only time copaiba oil seems to be the superior choice is if you’re suffering from a health disorder like autoimmune thyroiditis.

CBD oil may be more effective in soothing general inflammation, assisting your body if you suffer from seizures, or supporting your body if you're dealing with cancer.

Both oils support your body in different ways making them a powerful combination.

If you only have room for one oil on your shelf, consider starting with an all-natural CBD product. It is easier to use if you're not confident or familiar with using essential oils safely.

Why Not Try Both?

There shouldn't be any arguments or shady marketing tactics to get you to buy one over the other. If you can afford it and are not in a military family, consider trying both and see which one works better for your body.

Try several brands with proven transparency, especially if you know people personally who have had excellent results.

Give yourself some grace, and honor your body's unique needs. For you, CBD oil might work better than Copaiba Oil or vice versa, even if you have friends who have experienced different results.

Conclusion

Natural alternative therapies are gaining popularity. Choosing which option to use largely depends on your body. If you're not knowledgable in natural wellness options and feeling uneasy about making natural remedy decisions, consult with a naturopath, chiropractor, natural-minded physician, aromatherapist, or herbalist (preferably one local to you).

While they have similar constituents, copaiba oil is not the same as CBD oil. They're different, but both are very good when used appropriately, and may complement each other depending on why you're using them.

Where to Buy CBD-rich Hemp Oil and Copaiba Oil

With so many brands just looking to make a quick profit, it may be challenging to know who to trust. There are so many places to purchase CBD oil and copaiba oil that you want to ensure that you buy pure versions of each. Purity is crucial, especially if you will be using these products for therapeutic purposes.

I spend a lot of time researching products for my family because I refuse to spend our hard-earned money on low-quality items. I encourage you to do the same.

After spending over a year researching numerous brands and physically comparing their products (not just reading about them), I've become very impressed with Young Living's quality standards and transparency practices. YL offers both copaiba essential oil and CBD infused with essential oils (which makes the flavor much more palatable).

If you're looking for quality CBD not infused with essential oils, HempGBX+ has a fantastic full-spectrum CBD oil. I know numerous families who have had great results using it.

As a military spouse who has seen numerous service members dishonorably discharged (including recently), I can tell you sacrificing your or your spouse's career isn't worth using or keeping CBD on hand, even if you know someone who uses it and hasn't yet experienced career repercussions.

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Nicole

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