CBD (cannabidiol) is a compound found in many plants, and hemp and cannabis in particular contain a high level of CBD. The plant has hundreds of compounds, and over the years the various compounds have been isolated and used for specific medical ailments. However, thinking has changed and there is massive potential for even an more effective drug using all the compounds rather than isolating just one. A concentrated oil end product with terpenes (flavors and smell) and cannabinoids is called full spectrum oil and causes what’s commonly called The Entourage Effect. What does all this mean? Let’s dig deeper.
What does full spectrum CBD mean?
Both cannabis and hemp, but especially hemp, are high in CBD so the return on investment is lucrative; it is also extremely popular and sold widely. But take precautions and do your research – just because a bottle says it contains full spectrum CBD oil, insist on a laboratory report to confirm. Similar to the supplement industry, there is no FDA regulation, which means there is no oversight for the products and unscrupulous suppliers are prolific! Since the Farm Bill passed several years ago, the popularity of hemp extracts, specifically CBD, has exploded. You’ll find it for sale everywhere, from your corner gas station, to your local pharmacy, as well as multiple places online.
However, CBD is not the only compound in full spectrum CBD oil. Some of the other compounds extracted from hemp and cannabis are CBDa (CBD in acid form), CBG (Cannabigerol), CBGa (CBG in acid form), CBC (Cannabichromene), CBCa (CBC in acid form), THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol), THCa (THC in acid form) and THCV (Tetrahydrocannabivarin). There are many more being discovered and analyzed as scientists research the plant. The federal status of cannabis means that the usual avenues for research, namely universities, are unable to obtain samples to research for fear of losing government funding. Hemp is slightly easier since legal hemp is supposed to contain less than .3% of THC, but there are still legal hurdles for processors.
The acid form of each compound is what is in the raw plant, i.e. prior to heating. Heating activates the compound and converts it to CBD, CBG, THC, etc. The acid form has different properties but also, in the case of Tetrahydrocannabinol, will not get patients high – only the non-acid form has psychoactive properties. CBD also won’t get you high since it contains .3% THC which is too low for any psychoactive effects.
What are the benefits of full spectrum CBD oil?
In the 1990s, researchers discovered that human bodies have an endocannabinoid system. This system has receptors that allow cannabinoids to adhere to it and work effectively against problems. This is part of the reason why CBD is so effective – it’s a natural remedy that works with the human body to resolve problems.
Amongst other things, CBD helps alleviate nausea, pain, anxiety, and reduces inflammation. CBG helps with sleep, pain, and is showing promise with cancer treatment. CBC reduces inflammation and promotes bone growth. THC helps with sleep, muscle spasms, nausea and stimulates the appetite. THCV reduces convulsions and seizures. There is cross-over from compound to compound, for example, CBG and THC both help with sleep, while CBD and CBG both reduce inflammation.
By itself, CBD is a pretty powerful compound. Taken with the other cannabinoids: CBD, CBG, CBC, THC, and THCV, it has an even more powerful effect on patients, known as The Entourage Effect.
What is the Entourage Effect?
The Entourage Effect is what’s known when the patient is treated with all the compounds in one dose, rather than CBD Isolate only. The patient gets the full benefit of all the healing properties from all the different compounds, even though there is cross-over from compound to compound. The Entourage Effect is basically a synergistic interaction between all the compounds of the plant and the human endocannabinoid system.
Full Spectrum and Broad Spectrum oils are showing incredible promise in the medical industry, as well as Isolates. Let’s explore those terms.
What is full spectrum oil?
Full spectrum oils contain terpenes (flavors and smell), cannabinoids, as well as some fatty acids. Another term used often is Whole Plant extract. Terpenes are light oils that are extracted first and only certain extraction methods are used because these compounds are very fragile and can be easily destroyed by temperature and pressure. Operators typically extract these oils first, then set them aside to add them back into the refined oils at the end of the process, creating full spectrum oils.
What is broad spectrum oil?
Broad spectrum oils are Whole Plant extract… minus the THC! Excluding the THC means the patient won’t get high, so this is ideal for children and for those who prefer not to experience a psychoactive effect. However, THC has shown that it will enhance the properties of the other cannabinoids, and it will also help with nausea as well as boost the appetite. Obviously, if a person is drug tested regularly for work or other reasons, it would be better not to have THC, so that is one good reason to use Broad Spectrum oil!
What are isolates?
Isolates are what they sound like. This would be only CBD, only CBG, only THC, etc. Consider this comparison – whole plant extract is closer to the raw, natural plant, while isolates are closer to a pharmaceutical product – very targeted for a specific ailment. One advantage of isolates is that the dose is very precise, so the patient knows exactly what they’re taking.
Is full spectrum or broad spectrum CBD better?
The answer depends on the patient. Full spectrum will get the patient high, which is fine for adults but maybe not for children. THC does help with nausea and stimulating the appetite so those conditions would need to be treated separately.
What is the difference between CBD oil and full spectrum CBD oil?
Consumers need to be aware that in this unregulated industry, a bottle claiming to be CBD oil sold in the corner gas station may not actually be CBD oil at all! Certainly not the dosage the bottle claims and it’s quite possible that the oil contains contaminants. However, if purchasing from a legitimate source with verified laboratory results, you can rest assured that the product inside the bottle is what’s touted on the label.
CBD oil (isolate) only contains highly filtered CBD oil, with no other compounds or cannabinoids. Full Spectrum CBD oil contains terpenes (flavor and smell), all the cannabinoids (not just CBD), as well as fatty acids from the plant. CBD isolate will be effective but possibly less effective than full spectrum CBD oil, with all the other cannabinoids and compounds included.
What are the benefits of full spectrum CBD oil?
The benefits range widely, from pain relief and insomnia, to neurological issues and mood problems. Much more testing is needed, in a laboratory environment, to be able to state that CBD fixes these problems, but there is great promise in this cannabinoid!
This list is by no means comprehensive but offers a high level view of some of the benefits of full spectrum oil. Note: without comprehensive testing and exhaustive research, it cannot be said that it definitely has medical effects; at the same time, users are experiencing relief from an array of maladi.
| Compound | Works well for: |
|---|---|
|
CBD |
Inflammation, anxiety, pain, muscle spasms, seizures, cramps, migraine, arthritis, gastric disorders, depression, PTSD |
|
CBG |
Insomnia, inflammation, pain, convulsions, depression, appetite stimulant |
|
THC |
Pain, appetite stimulant, nausea, muscle spasms, seizures, insomnia, fatigue, migraine, anxiety, stress, glaucoma, cancer, Alzheimer’s, Hepatitis C, HIV/AIDS, Parkinson’s, Multiple Sclerosis, traumatic brain injury, ulcerative colitis, inflammatory bowel syndrome, crohn’s disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, PTSD |
|
CBC |
Insomnia, pain, inflammation, depression, cancer |
|
THCV |
Pain, diabetes, epilepsy, seizures |
Ultimately, patients need to decide what works for them. There is no one-size-fits-all in this industry. Products vary and there has been too little research to know for absolute certain that a certain product or dosage is right for every patient.
Disclaimer: The statements made regarding these products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The efficacy of these products has not been confirmed by FDA-approved research. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. All information presented here is not meant as a substitute for or alternative to information from health care practitioners. Please consult your health care professional about potential interactions or other possible complications before using any product. The Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act requires this notice.