The Full Story on Full-Spectrum CBD Oil

The cannabis market all over the world is huge. In fact, the global demand for legal cannabis was valued at approximately CAD 25 billion in 2019, and research shows that it is expected to hurdle upward to as high as CAD 103 billion by 2027.

The surge in the legalization of cannabis use in many countries is one of the main factors for this momentum. More and more people are shifting their opinions about marijuana, thanks to the widespread use of a simple cannabinoid known as CBD (short for cannabidiol). This compound has been a game-changer in recent years in part because of one of its major variants: full-spectrum CBD. Read on to learn more about this popular type of CBD.

What You Need to Know About Full-Spectrum CBD

Full-spectrum CBD refers to a CBD product that contains all the naturally occurring cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. This means that it is pure hemp oil since it has retained all the same compounds present in the original herb. These include all the active cannabis compounds, such as CBD itself, THC, and other cannabinoids, as well as botanical composites, such as flavonoids, terpenes, chlorophyll, and essential nutrients. 

Quality full-spectrum CBD oil is usually high in CBD and extremely low in THC. Despite these comparatively low traces, the overall structure is still considered full-spectrum.

Will Full-Spectrum CBD Make You High?

Although full-spectrum CBD contains THC (the psychoactive compound in cannabis), it is present in extremely low concentrations (less than 0.3 percent). So, it is relatively impossible to become intoxicated from it.

However, using full-spectrum CBD may lead to a false positive in a drug screening because of the collection of numerous cannabinoids in the body. This is particularly true for people who use high doses of it every day. In this case, it would be best to inform the health care specialists in charge of your drug test beforehand and temporarily stop using it, if possible.

What Is the Entourage Effect?

Because of the different cannabinoids and botanical compounds that work synergistically, full-spectrum CBD is known for its entourage effect. This is a term used to describe the increased effectiveness of the product because of all these compounds working harmoniously together. As a result, it tends to magnify the potential therapeutic value of the plant. This phenomenon has been observed to work best when using the product every day.

Additional Compounds Found in Full-Spectrum CBD

As mentioned, full-spectrum CBD contains the most strains of active cannabinoids, which unleash the full benefit of the cannabis plant. These additional cannabinoids include cannabinol (CBN), cannabichromene (CBC), cannabigerol (CBG), and cannabidivarin (CBDV). These cannabinoids have been said to offer the following benefits:

• CBN — According to research, this seems to have a sleep-inducing effect and works great for those who have insomnia.
• CBC — Studies show it has potential anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and antidepressant properties. 
• CBG — This compound has shown promise in research for the potential ability to treat inflammation, skin problems, glaucoma, and even cancer.
• CBDV — Research shows this compound appears to be effective as an anti-inflammatory and anticonvulsant agent, in treating nausea, managing pain, and regulating mood swings.

Full-spectrum CBD also contains nutrients, such as: 

• Vitamins A, C, E, and B.
• Essential fatty acids, such as omegas 3 and 6, which are said to promote heart health.
• 20 amino acids, which help improve your body’s recovery time. 

Because of the potential benefits of the entourage effect, full-spectrum CBD oils are usually more expensive compared to broad-spectrum or isolated CBD products. Besides, manufacturers find it more difficult to control compatible ratios when using full-spectrum extract, increasing the total cost of this kind of CBD oil. 

How Is Full-Spectrum CBD Different from the Other Types?

During the extraction process, the cannabinoids and other compounds are removed from the cannabis plant and made into oil for easier consumption and storage. 

There are numerous types of CBD oil. Depending on the kind of cannabis plant used, the cannabinoid profile of every CBD oil will vary. The two other popular types of CBD oil are broad-spectrum CBD and CBD isolate. 

While full-spectrum CBD is completely packed with everything the cannabis plant has, broad-spectrum CBD contains all these compounds except for THC. This mind-altering component is totally removed during the initial extraction process. 

CBD isolate, on the other hand, is the purest form of CBD. It is made from removing CBD from its natural environment and eliminating all other compounds. It is 99.9 percent pure, which means that a single gram of CBD isolate powder carries approximately 990 milligrams of CBD. Unlike the other two, the CBD isolate is odourless, is flavourless, and has no entourage effect. However, you can benefit solely from the effects of CBD. That is why CBD isolate tends to be cheaper and lower in demand than its counterparts. 

Is Full-Spectrum CBD Better Than CBD Isolate?

While more research needs to be done about the possible therapeutic properties in cannabis, preliminary studies indicate that CBD may help in treating various health conditions. These include anxiety, pain, inflammation, and epilepsy.

A lot of people used to agree that CBD isolate is more effective than full-spectrum CBD. However, many users and researchers now believe that the latter is the preferred option thanks to its entourage effect. 

For example, a 2005 study conducted at the Hebrew University in Israel discovered that participants who were given full-spectrum CBD experienced more relief from inflammation than from CBD isolate. This was on the basis that other compounds found in full-spectrum extract worked in unison with CBD. 

While full-spectrum CBD seems to work best for people who need to target a more specific use while enjoying the full CBD experience, CBD isolate tends to be more ideal for those users who are sensitive to a wide range of cannabinoids, including THC, and periodically undergo drug screening. 

Conclusion

Everyone has different needs and reacts differently to CBD. It is important to understand that no CBD type is straight-out better than any other. While you might find full-spectrum CBD products more suitable for you, others will likely find CBD isolate or broad-spectrum CBD better. It’s really all just a matter of deciding what works for you and your lifestyle.