Full-Spectrum CBD Cannabidiol (CBD) has become a popular and well-regarded health supplement. This is evidenced by the sheer number of different products available. When a spike in popularity like this happens, a lot of new products and brands arrive offering different things. That’s a whole host of information to get through to find the right CBD product for you. One term you may have heard is full-spectrum CBD, and we’re going to answer the question; what is full-spectrum CBD?
As the term full-spectrum may suggest to you, this particular CBD oil encompasses all the goodness of the hemp plant. CBD can and is often be extracted from the hemp plant. It is then processed into tinctures, oils and lots of other products. However, there are lots more healthy and beneficial compounds that work better together than they do alone. Full-spectrum CBD encompasses the full range of compounds that can be found in the hemp plant. We’ll take a look at some of these compounds and how they work together. Let’s go through what exactly full spectrum oil is and what it can do for you.
Full-Spectrum CBD Oil
CBD oil sometimes uses CBD as an isolated ingredient. However, full-spectrum CBD oil contains more than just the one cannabinoid, CBD. It contains a significant amount of three other useful and beneficial cannabinoids. Those cannabinoids aren’t the only beneficial ingredients either. Let’s take a look at these cannabinoids and the other cannabis constituents that could be good for your health. The cannabis plant includes many types of incredibly beneficial compounds. Let’s take a look:
Cannabinoids
The cannabis plant can contain over 100 cannabinoids. These include the most well-known ones CBD and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). CBD is the well-known therapeutic cannabinoid while THC is the one with the psychoactive effects of cbd. It’s more present in the marijuana cannabis plant, while CBD is found in hemp. Hemp oil also contains significant amounts of cannabigerol (CBG), cannabichromene (CBC) and cannabinol (CBN). These cannabinoids are believed to have lots of useful properties. CBG is thought to help with eye problems and digestive issues. Research is also being conducted on CBC for its potential to relieve pain and CBN may act as a powerful, natural sedative.
Terpenes
Hemp contains over 150 terpenes; they are the constituents that give the plant its fragrance. Terpenes are why cannabis smells so aromatic and lemon smells uniquely citrusy. However, they’re more than just a pleasant smell. They also add therapeutic value by modulating the effects of cannabinoids on our body. Think of the way essential oils like lavender are calming and soothing.
Read our related blog on: Terpenes & The Entourage Effect
Flavonoids
Flavonoids add another complementary effect to the cannabinoids and terpenes. These constituents are the nourishing chemicals found in organic matter. Cannabis contains around 20 different flavonoids. These are present in all plants, fruits, vegetables, grains, and more. Flavonoids are thought to have significant therapeutic properties. Research has shown that the flavonoids found in cannabis might be anti-inflammatory, anti-carcinogenic(cancer) and neuroprotective in their effects.
THC
Full-spectrum CBD extract usually includes trace amounts of THC. The legal limit of THC allowed in any CBD product sold in the UK is 0.2% or under. This is not enough for you to feel any intoxicating effects. The reason for its presence is because full-spectrum CBD oil is less processed than other products where the CBD is isolated and extracted.
How Does Full-spectrum CBD Work?
The body of research into the way CBD works and it's potential as a medicinal compound is growing all the time. Much of this research studies how CBD works in isolation. Yet a growing area of research is beginning to point towards the idea that full-spectrum CBD oils work much better than single-compound formulas. The reason for this? Some studies suggest that cannabinoids, flavonoids and terpenes work better together than they do alone. They synergise with each other to produce stronger effects. This phenomenon is called the entourage effect.
Another term you might hear is broad-spectrum CBD oil. In most cases, this does include most of the other compounds we listed. With the exception of the trace amounts of THC found in the full-spectrum. However, some people believe it’s those negligible amounts of THC that fully contribute to the entourage effect.
Read our related blog on: Does CBD Contain THC?
Full Spectrum CBD Oil vs Isolates—Which is Better?
Do you want CBD in its most natural state, as well as all the other beneficial cannabis constituents? Do you want it to be complemented by all the other natural ingredients that make it work better? Well then yes, full-spectrum CBD is better.
On a purely drop by drop basis, you’re getting more benefits. All those molecules work better together to give your body a more pronounced effect. It’s not just CBD you’re consuming CBD; you’re using the constituents of the entire cannabis plant to offer you more healthy ingredients per single drop.
This really underpins the idea, that it is healthier for us to consume things in their most natural state. Therefore, if we choose ingredients that are less processed and manipulated, we will get more benefits.
Although the entourage effect and its potential benefits have become a popular theory, not everyone is convinced. There are, of course, some users who simply prefer isolated CBD products. So, they believe CBD on its own can offer higher levels of the benefits unique to cannabidiol.
Full-Spectrum CBD Oil Pros
Full-spectrum CBD oil offers more than isolated CBD can in terms of cannabis components that complement and enhance each other. Here are the pros of choosing this type of CBF oil over others.
- CBD
- CBG
- CBN
- CBC
- Terpenes
- Flavonoids
- Trace amounts of THC
- The combined entourage effect of all these ingredients working together more powerfully than they could alone.
Full-Spectrum CBD Oil Cons
- The potential for some products to contain levels of THC over the legal trace amounts allowed by law.
How to Choose the Best Full-spectrum CBD Oil
You probably want to choose a full-spectrum CBD oil you can trust for a number of reasons. The first one being, that you want to ensure it contains only trace amounts of THC in line with the law. Additionally, the other reason is that you’re looking for a product that really offers you some health benefits. In other words, you want to ensure that it fulfils the wellness promises the brand has made by being well-made and using only the best ingredients. Furthermore, there are a number of ways you can check this.
- Check there is third party testing done on the product that you can verify
- Make sure that the oil uses EU grown hemp
- Check that it clearly states the amount of THC
- Ensure that it has a certificate of ingredient analysis (COA)
- Read online reviews
- Check Trustpilot
If a brand advertises and shows evidence of all these things, then it's most likely trustworthy. After all, the UK sources most of its hemp from the E.U. and both the E.U. and the UK have strict policies and controls on hemp cultivation and production. Essentially, third-party testing, COA’s and regulatory bodies all exist to ensure you’re buying a product that is exactly as advertised.
Conclusion
It’s fair to say that there is more choice than ever before when it comes to CBD Flower & CBD Oil products. Of course, with this choice, comes a lot more information to sift through and process. We hope we’ve explained why full-spectrum CBD oil is becoming more popular and what it can actually offer you. Do also remember that CBD is a very beneficial health supplement and should hopefully offer you lots of benefits in whatever form of cbd you choose to take it.
FAQ’s
We’ve compiled a list of the most frequently asked questions asked about full-spectrum CBD oil in the questions below. We hope these summarise the main points.
What is Full-Spectrum CBD Oil?
Full-spectrum CBD oil is CBD oil made without too much adulteration. This ensures you get the full benefits and other useful compounds in the cannabis plant. It differs from CBD that has been completely isolated.
What is Broad Spectrum CBD Oil?
Broad-spectrum CBD oil has been more heavily processed than full-spectrum oil. Consequently, this completely excludes the trace amounts of THC found in more naturally produced full-spectrum oils.
Will THC in Full-Spectrum CBD Oil Intoxicate Me or Show Up in my System?
Absolutely not. The amounts are negligible and completely in accordance with E.U. and UK law.
What Else Does Full-Spectrum CBD Oil Contain?
It contains lots of other cannabis compounds like flavonoids, terpenes and other cannabis compounds. All of these work more powerfully together than when they are isolated from each other.
If you liked reading this, be sure to check our other blog: The Ultimate Guide To CBD
