What Makes Full Spectrum CBD Oil Better?
There’s a whole new kind of jargon springing up in the health and wellness world. It’s CBD speak, and it practically deserves its own dictionary. Words like “phytocannabinoid”, “flavonoid”, “terpene”, and “full spectrum” are becoming so pervasive online and in social media, you might just need some CBD oil to relieve a bad case of FONK. And, in case it’s eating at you, FONK stands for “fear of not knowing”. Cue the deep breaths.
You may have noticed that here at Nature’s Breakthrough we promote and discuss full spectrum CBD or that we post about specific cannabinoids on a regular basis. There is an important reason for this and why The Hemp Haus features only high-quality, full spectrum CBD oil:
It’s not the CBD and the THC cannabinoids alone that make medicinal marijuana and hemp-derived CBD so effective.
A recently study published by chemists at the University of British Columbia (UBC) revealed that it is not the CBD and THC in cannabis that gives it its distinct effects.
“A high abundance compound in a plant, such as THC or CBD, isn’t necessarily responsible for the unique medicinal effects of certain strains,” lead study author and chemistry professor Elizabeth Mudge told Science Magazine.
“Understanding the presence of the low abundance cannabinoids could provide valuable information to the medical cannabis community.”
In this article, we’ll explore the different types of CBD Oil and what makes CBD full spectrum the best type. Our topics will include:
- What Is the Definition of CBD Oil?
- What is full spectrum CBD?
- What are the benefits of full spectrum CBD Oil?
- Does full spectrum CBD have THC?
- Can CBD Oil full spectrum get me high?
- How Does full spectrum hemp oil?
- Can I give full spectrum CBD to my dog?
What Is CBD Oil?
Cannabidiol (CBD) oil is an extract from the cannabis plant. The hemp plant (a type of cannabis plant) is crawling with little hair-like glands called trichomes. They are found most abundantly in the flowering tops of the hemp plant. These trichomes mass produce essential oils that the plant uses both for protection and attracting pollinating insects. These little essential oil factories produce compounds like cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids.
In the hemp plant, CBD is usually the most abundant compound produced. That’s why the oil is called CBD oil. When it is extracted, it is full of mostly CBD, but also a wide range of other possible compounds, depending on the plant.
After extraction, manufacturers decide what type of CBD oil to make: isolate, distillate, broad spectrum, and full spectrum.
As finished CBD oil products, all of these types contain a minimum of two things: extracted cannabidiol (CBD) and an oil carrier. The oil carrier is generally some kind of healthy fat like coconut oil, olive oil, grape seed oil, and, most commonly, cold-pressed hemp seed oil.
Medium-chain triglycerides (MCT oil) are often added to the mix because MCTs have a bumped-up bioavailability—that is, they get greater access to your gut with less guff from digestive enzymes and have some clout with the liver, where oral forms of CBD are metabolized.
Beyond these two essential ingredients, CBD oil can vary greatly.
CBD Isolate
This hemp CBD oil will have only the two ingredients: Pure cannabidiol and the oil carrier. The kind of oil and amount of CBD can vary, but otherwise, it’s the purest kind of CBD oil—around 99% CBD crystal suspended in oil.
It’s important to understand that pure doesn’t always mean the most potent. It depends on a variety of other factors. Read more about CBD potency in our article on what makes CBD effective.
CBD Distillate
Distillation is an extraction process that separates and refines cannabinoids at a molecular level. It starts with crude extraction, and then refines from there to remove more and more plant compounds until the product is roughly 80% CBD. The remaining amount of the extraction leaves behind traces of terpenes, minor cannabinoids, and other plant compounds.
Full Spectrum CBD Oil
Full spectrum hemp oil is extracted to preserve the greatest range of beneficial cannabinoids (including THC), terpenes, flavonoids, and other phytonutrients. In the U.S., full spectrum CBD oil is legal as long as it contains .3% or less THC.
We recommend only high-quality full spectrum CBD. The Hemp Haus is highly selective and features products from only two brands: Ananda Hemp and Puffin Hemp Liposomal CBD.
The Hemp Haus guarantees the quality of these two top CBD manufacturers. In fact, both have been involved in scientific studies that are published in peer-reviewed journals.
Ananda Hemp’s study showed how their CBD reduced opioid use and improved sleep and pain. And Puffin Hemp’s studyproved how their liposomal CBD was safe and could lower blood glucose levels.
The Hemp Haus does not fool around when it comes to CBD quality, therefore we recommend these products:
Ananda Hemp Full Spectrum Tincture Puffin Hemp Liposomal Hemp Actives Ananda Hemp Full Spectrum CBD Gels Ananda Hemp Spectrum 125 CBD Salve
Broad Spectrum CBD Oil
A lot of people want to know, “Can full spectrum CBD be THC free?” Um, nope. But the ever-evolving hemp industry came up with something called broad spectrum CBD. This full spectrum CBD oil that has had the THC removed. You may also see it expressed as THC Free on a label.
Some people simply want nothing to do with THC. If it’s their first venture into the cannabis world, they may feel better starting out with CBD isolate. But for those who want to experience the whole plant benefits of CBD without the THC, broad spectrum CBD products are available. We recommend Ananda Hemp’s THC Free Spectrum Gels.
Full Spectrum CBD vs. CBD Isolate
When you’re talking about isolate or even distillate, it’s pretty straightforward what you are getting. And high-quality versions of these are believed to have the therapeutic effects that CBD is known for. But the benefits of full spectrum oil go beyond these basics.
Full Spectrum CBD Oil Benefits
To really understand what full spectrum oil means, we like to say you get the whole plant. This refers to the pure extracted oil of the hemp plant that contains unmodified cannabinoids and compounds. This means it contains a range of cannabinoids, vitamins and minerals, fatty acids, flavonoids, and terpenes.
Other cannabinoids that may be present in your full spectrum CBD oil include: THC, CBG, THCV, CBC, CBN, and much more. For more information on the major cannabinoids and their effects, check out our article on the cannabinoid all-stars.
Flavonoids are a diverse family of phytonutrients that, along with carotenoids, give fruits, flowers, and vegetables their rich and vibrant colors. These phytonutrients are known antioxidants with anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, and immune system benefits. While flavonoids exist widely throughout nature, there are some that can only be found in cannabis, and these are called cannaflavins. Studies suggest that cannaflavins are more powerful anti-inflammatories than those found in aspirin.
Terpenes are aromatic oils that give cannabis strains their characteristic odors and flavors. Different terpenes are thought to have various effects. The most abundant terpene in cannabis, Myrcene, is known to have inflammation-blocking, pain-relieving, sedating, muscle-relaxing, and antibiotic effects. This well-known terp is believed to work well in the entourage effect (see below) with CBD, THC, and CBG. Read our post on cannabis terpenes to learn more about their effects.
The assortment of plant nutrients existing in the hemp plant are thought to contribute to the overall therapeutic effects of hemp-derived CBD—if they are allowed to stay in there. If you are looking for stress relief from CBD, wouldn’t you want the added benefit of relaxation-promoting terpenes? And if it’s anti-inflammatory effects you’re after, wouldn’t you want some cannaflavin love left in there?
But what’s even more stupendous is that all these phytonutrients found in hemp are thought to work synergistically in something called the “entourage effect.” Which brings us to a quick discussion of …
How Full Spectrum CBD Works
Puffin Hemp 1000 for More Powerful CBD Liposomes[/caption]Scientists aren’t quite sure how the entourage effect works yet, but preliminary research suggests that cannabinoids and other cannabis plant compounds interact synergistically with the receptors in the endocannabinoid system (ECS). Unfortunately, not enough research has been done because of the prohibition of cannabis until only recently.
Still, there is clinical evidence that strongly points toward the entourage effect. A 2017 study demonstrated that low doses of THC:CBD have the potential to treat neuropathic pain in mice.
Dr. Ethan Russo has conducted studies that suggest both cannabinoid-cannabinoid synergistic interactions and cannabinoid-terpenoid interactions exist. And some of this research has come from human trials, which is uncommon.
Over the years, scientists have discovered, and continue to discover, that different cannabinoids react with different receptors in the body—not just the cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2).
CBD, for example, is believed to have more interaction with opioid, dopamine, and serotonin receptors than with cannabinoid receptors.
If you consider that there are over 100 known cannabinoids, and up to 300 more chemical compounds in the cannabis plants, and couple that with the untold amount of receptors in the human body—it might take a while for scientists to sort out all the possible combinations and effects.
The Entourage Effect of Wellness
As the UBC study implies, CBD has been getting a lot of attention. But there are 113 known cannabinoids in hemp, and it is important to understand that there are many cannabinoids that offer a variety of contributions to the homeostasis of the ECS.
CBC and CBL are cannabinoids that may be able to contribute, along with other cannabinoids, to an entourage effect of wellness. Pairing the unique qualities of different cannabinoids can offer a more holistic approach to wellness and treatment.
Tetrahydrocannabivarin THCV and cannabidiolic acid CBDA are cannabinoids that also have revealed unique therapeutic profiles, which suggests great benefit in the further study of their effects, especially working synergistically alongside CBD, THC and other cannabinoids.
Full spectrum CBD is considered to be safe. In early 2018, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that “CBD is generally well tolerated with a good safety profile.”
Will Hemp-derived CBD Full Spectrum Oil Get You High?
No. Let’s be clear: hemp-derived CBD is non-intoxicating and will not get you high.
In order for hemp to be legal, it must contain .3% or less THC, which is not an amount that can cause intoxicating effects. CBD that is extracted from responsibly grown hemp will not bust the legal amount. Therefore, you can enjoy full spectrum hemp oil benefits without getting high.
Is Full Spectrum CBD Legal?
CBD that comes from hemp, whether it’s full spectrum or not, is legal.
For nearly a century, during prohibition, the terms cannabis, marijuana, and hemp were used interchangeably. It began with the Marijuana Tax Act of 1937 and continued through the overkill of the Controlled Substances Act of the 1970s that made marijuana (and subsequently, hemp) a Schedule I drug because it has “a high potential for abuse” and “no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States.” This placed marijuana (and it’s can’t-get-you-high cousin, hemp) on the same level as heroin and LSD. However, …
The 2014 Farm Bill defined hemp as containing .3 % or less THC and made it legal to cultivate, produce, and sell within state-defined programs that were considerably restrictive. The 2018 Farm Bill loosened those restrictions, and as long as hemp and hemp-derived CBD products follow the guidelines of the bill, they are legal. The defining factor is the THC amount of .3% or less. To reiterate, hemp is no longer a controlled substance as long as it meets the government’s definition.
Can I Give Full Spectrum CBD Oil to My Pets?
Full spectrum CBD that you buy for yourself could upset your pet’s stomach. A made-for-pets CBD product like Ananda Pets Full Spectrum CBD Extract removes the chlorophyll that causes stomach upset in dogs and cats. Otherwise, it is the same full spectrum CBD product that you would purchase for yourself.
Can You Smoke Full Spectrum CBD?
Yes! CBD hemp flower has become very popular. One reason people are smoking it is because it yields a full spectrum of cannabinoids and plant nutrients all at once.
You can smoke hemp flower in all the traditional ways that marijuana is combusted and inhaled—through joints, pipes, etc. And you can even purchase it in pre-rolls, so the work is done for you. Smoking allows the full spectrum of hemp cannabinoids to get into you fairly quickly through the lungs. The disadvantage of smoking hemp flower is the same as it is for weed and tobacco—smoke inhalation is damaging. But you already knew that.
Vaping is also highly effective, and has an even higher absorption rate than smoking. And it’s not damaging to your respiratory system like smoking is. With vaping, though, you’ll just need to buy and maintain a dry herb atomizer.
We recommend Stardust Hemp CBD and CBG Flower.
Is Full Spectrum CBD Better?
The consensus seems to be that full spectrum CBD is better. The only real way for you to find out is to try it for yourself. But please remember, whether you believe in the entourage effect or not, always choose a high-quality CBD product.
While industrial hemp-derived cannabinoids are legal, they are not currently regulated by the FDA. This means that the quality assurance of the product is left up to the manufacturers. Transparency of a cannabinoid product is very important for several reasons. Here’s just one very important reason: Industrial hemp is a bioaccumulator, which means that it will absorb heavy metals and chemicals from the soil. In some countries, like China, farmers will plant a crop of hemp to clean out their soil, and then sell the tainted hemp to be used for CBD.
You can learn some quick, simple tips here that will ensure you are getting only high-quality cannabinoid products.
In Conclusion
Our bodies are complex systems, and they require the maintenance and attention proportional to that complexity. Whenever possible, we should promote the overall wellness of our bodies, even when treating a specific condition, because optimal health is balanced health.
Humans have been using the benefits of cannabis for centuries, and we are only now taking a scientific approach to understanding what has been practiced naturally for so long. Research has enabled us to discover how particular cannabinoids can treat some of the most devastating diseases and disorders, such as debilitating epilepsy in children. But we should not ignore investigating the preventative health benefits of the wealth of cannabinoids now available to us. After all, isn’t that the ultimate goal? To prevent diseases like Alzheimer’s and cancer, before they need treatment?
The Nature’s Breakthrough educational resource is just one of the ways The Hemp Haus practices its sincere commitment to and passion for educating people about CBD and helping them find the right, high-quality product based on their needs.
References
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28885457/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16209908/
https://www.sfu.ca/content/sfu/dean-gradstudies/events/dreamcolloquium/DreamColloquium-Marijuana/EthanRusso/_jcr_content/main_content/download/file.res/Russo%20Simon%20Fraser%20January%202017%20Cannabis%20Pharmacology%20.pdf
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3736954/
For pain, insomnia, anxiety, and more …
Puffin Hemp Liposomal CBD (350, 700, 1000)
Ananda Hemp Softgels and Tinctures (200, 300, 600, 2000)
Ananda Hemp Spectrum 125 Salve
Ananda Touch Bliss Intimate Oil