What is Full Spectrum CBD and its Advantages and Disadvantages?
Oct 9th 2020
If your world has just intertwined with the world of CBD, you may be one of the many people who have a lot of questions about it. With so many CBD oil for sale online and in brick and mortar shops today, information could become overwhelming. Does CBD make you high? Does it work? More so, is CBD legal?
Among the constantly confused topics are the different types of CBD extract. When you see a CBD product that says full-spectrum, what does that even mean? Well, fret no more! We’re here to delve deeper into this extract and provide you with everything you need to know to come up with a more informed purchase.
What is Full Spectrum CBD?
Full spectrum CBD is one of the three forms of CBD extract, which also include broad-spectrum CBD and CBD isolate. These three may sound complicated but they are simply labeled this way according to their degree of processing and extraction.The cannabis plant contains hundreds of different compounds. Full spectrum CBD extract contains all phytochemicals the cannabis plant has to offer, including terpenes, flavonoids, and cannabinoids. It’s considered to be the least processed form of CBD as this extract is 100% unrefined and all the components of the original plant are in their original ratios. As well, it has a trace amount of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which should be less than 0.3% and which is responsible of bringing the “high”.
Among all the forms of CBD extract, Full Spectrum CBD is the one mostly attributed to the “entourage effect”.
Additional info: What To Know: Full Spectrum CBD vs. Broad Spectrum CBD vs. CBD Isolate
What is the Entourage Effect?
The entourage effect is the scientific phenomenon that occurs when cannabinoids work in synergy with other cannabinoids, chemicals, and terpenes.
The term “entourage effect” was coined by Israeli scientists Shimon Ben-Shabat and Raphael Mechoulam in 1998. In their findings, they discovered that a number of inactive metabolites and related molecules enhanced the activity of 2-AG and anandamide, the primary endogenous cannabinoids. This study explained why botanical pharmaceuticals were usually more effective than isolated ones.
Therefore, all the plant’s natural compounds work best to produce stronger results when together than any of them in isolation. With all cannabinoids left in place, the Full Spectrum CBD is known to have maximum therapeutic effects.
How is Full Spectrum Hemp Oil Made?
Full-spectrum hemp oil is extracted from the hemp plant’s aerial parts or its leaves and flowers. The production of full-spectrum hemp oil starts with drying the stalks, stems, leaves, and flowers of fully matured hemp plants. Next, the entire plant is mashed into a fine powder. Then, the oil is extracted using a gentle extraction method. With this process, the phytocannabinoids is left whole. This ensures that all the potentially-beneficial compounds are being delivered in the extracted oil.
What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Full Spectrum CBD?
| ADVANTAGES | DISADVANTAGES |
| Less processed than other forms | Contains small amounts of THC |
| The entourage effect | May show up on a drug test |
| Contains terpenes and flavonoids | Has a strong flavor |
| A more holistic form of CBD supplementation | The final cannabinoid concentrations are often unpredictable and depend highly on the source hemp material |
| May produce fewer side-effects | The effects of individual terpene/cannabinoid combinations can make it hard to predict the effects |
When to Use Full Spectrum Extracts
Different people use CBD for different reasons. But if you are one who wants the superior option, go for full spectrum extract. It’s been found that the effects of full spectrum extracts are more potent compared to its isolate counterpart. However, if you are sensitive to THC, better opt for another form of CBD.
Check out our Full Spectrum CBD tinctures:
Full Spectrum CBD Cannabis Sativa Whole Plant Extract 1500mg Total
Full Spectrum CBD Cannabis Sativa Whole Plant Extract 500mg Total
Full Spectrum CBD Cannabis Sativa Whole Plant Extract 250mg Total
Check out our Full Spectrum CBD topicals:
Collagen Booster Serum with CBD Full Spectrum
Face & Eye Moisturizer Cream with CBD Full Spectrum