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What is Full Spectrum CBD? The Benefits & Effect of the Whole Plant


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It seems as though many parts of the world have come to accept that the humble cannabis plant, with a complicated history, does yield potential health benefits worth looking into.

While this may all seem like good news for those looking for more natural ways to improve their health, there are companies out there who are solely cashing in on the green rush by pushing exaggerated marketing claims and questionable business practices.

In this easy article, we're going to breakdown if the label "full spectrum" on CBD oil packages actually means anything or if it's another marketing device to jack up the product's price. 

What Is Full Spectrum CBD? Benefits & Effects

Table of CBD potential benefits

Full spectrum CBD extracts maintain as many naturally occurring phytonutrients (esters, cannabinoids, terpenes, and minerals) from the hemp crops.

It's a more natural form of supplementing CBD. Many experts agree that full spectrum CBD may provide a holistic, well-rounded benefit as even trace amounts of THC has therapeutic effects. This is thanks to a phenomenon called the entourage effect, where all the compounds work together to produce a more substantial effect. Like instruments in an orchestra, the instruments' collective sound produces a more substantial performance than one instrument can do on its own.

The Main CBD Extract You Will Find on the Market

1. Full Spectrum CBD:

Full spectrum is sometimes called a "whole-plant extract." It's the most natural form of CBD oil as it undergoes the least amount of processing from the cannabis plant to bottling.

Full spectrum CBD contains cannabinoids like CBG, CBN, CBC, and even THC (up to 0.3%), and terpenes such as lavandin and myrcene.

The benefits behind full spectrum extracts lie in traditional plant medicine. All the natural compounds found in a plant work better together rather than isolated on their own. The compounding of the chemicals to produce a more potent result is called the entourage effect.

What is Full Spectrum Hemp Extract?

Full Spectrum Hemp Extract is a form of CBD oil that includes a variety of cannabinoids, terpenes, and other beneficial compounds found in the hemp plant, working together to enhance the therapeutic benefits through a phenomenon known as the “entourage effect.”

You may encounter the term "whole-plant extract" used synonymously with full spectrum.

Many manufacturers will make the extract type clear on the packaging because it's a marketing mechanism. If it's not on the label, you can check out the product description on the company's website. 

However, due to the lack of regulation in this industry, some CBD products may be inaccurately labeled. It's not uncommon for some brands to purposely mislabel their product to make an extra buck off their product.

This is one reason why it's important to do your research before purchasing CBD oil online or in stores. The most definitive way to know whether a product is made from full spectrum CBD is to reference 3rd Party Lab Tests. While it's not a mandatory practice, reputable CBD brands will take the extra precautions to send a sample of their extract to a non-biased lab to test for the cannabinoid and terpene profile and test for any potential contaminants.

What Does Full Spectrum CBD Mean?

When you read "full spectrum" on your CBD oil label, it's referring to the extraction type. In a full spectrum product, the full range of phytochemicals (cannabinoids, terpenes, plant esters, fatty acids, and minerals) were preserved during the extraction process.

CBD is the most abundant cannabinoid in mature hemp crops, but experts agree that CBD, together with its full scope of naturally occurring chemicals, can yield a more holistic and versatile set of benefits for your overall health.

How Are CBD Extracts Made?

Most CBD oils you're finding virtually everywhere — online, your local health food store, and even some gas stations — are made from no THC, high CBD cannabis plants, otherwise known as hemp.

The most popular form of extraction involves supercritical CO2 where high temperature and pressure of CO2 break down the organic plant material, leaving behind the resin containing terpenes and cannabinoids.

cbd extracts pros and cons infographic

Will Full Spectrum CBD Oil Will Get Me High?

As long as the full spectrum CBD Oil (in any potency, from 2000mg CBD & up) comes from legal hemp crops containing less than 0.3% THC, it's highly unlikely you'll experience a high unless you consume a very large amount.

In the United States, cannabis crops are classified as hemp only if they contain less than 0.3% THC in dried weight. Anything over this amount and the crop is considered marijuana. Marijuana remains federally illegal, so as long as you're purchasing hemp-derived CBD oil, you don't need to be concerned about any psychoactive effects.

Worrying about intoxication from the trace THC in full spectrum CBD oil is similar to worrying about the trace amounts of alcohol in kombucha. Yes, it's present, but it's doubtful you'll feel the effects of intoxication in such small quantities.

Will Full Spectrum CBD Cause A Failed Drug Test?

Since there are trace amounts of THC in full spectrum CBD products, you run the risk of failing sensitive drug tests, especially if you're someone who uses high doses of CBD oil over a long period of time.

THC tends to accumulate into fat tissue cells, which means it has the potential to build up in your system over time [1]. This shouldn't be an issue if you take a break from CBD use (1–3 months) before going for a drug test.

If you're worried about failing a drug test, the next best option is broad spectrum CBD products.

Benefits of Neurogan's Full Spectrum CBD

Are All Full Spectrum CBD Oils The Same?

Full spectrum CBD is typically priced at a higher price point. Still, you may come across a brand selling exceptionally inexpensive whole plant CBD oil. This begs the question, "are all full spectrum CBD products worth the premium price tag?"

The truth is, not all CBD extracts are made the same. Many factors go into creating a high-quality CBD oil. If you encounter an exceptionally inexpensive full spectrum CBD product, you may want to think about where this company is cutting costs to bring you this product. 

Here's what you should look for in a premium full spectrum CBD product:

Certified Organic Hemp Crops

The quality of a bottled CBD product starts at the hemp plant.

Hemp is a natural bio-accumulator of heavy metal pollutants in the soil. Which is great if you're cleaning up contaminated fields [2]. However, you don't want to use these same hemp crops for CBD oil hemp extractions. These contaminants may end up in the final product, negating any benefits.

Additionally, you want to steer clear of hemp farmed with chemical pesticides as trace amounts of harmful pesticides have shown up on independent tests.

The United States is known for its high agricultural standards and is a leading producer of hemp.

When choosing a brand to shop with, make sure they source their hemp from reputable farms with excellent agricultural practices.

Look For Third-Party Lab Tests

We've touched on this briefly, but we can't stress enough how important this step is when shopping for CBD products.

One of the biggest problems in the CBD industry is its poor regulation. The market is inundated with low-grade hemp in pretty packaging, sold as premium products. It's not uncommon for brands to label CBD isolate products as full spectrum or even broad spectrum oils if that means they can stick a higher price tag on the bottle.

The only way to hold a company accountable for what's in the bottle is to look at the 3rd party lab testing. If you can't find these tests that show a product has a range of cannabinoids and was tested for contaminants, steer clear of the brand.

Where can I find Full Spectrum CBD Near me?

To find full spectrum CBD near you, start with online retailers like Neurogan CBD, which offer a diverse range of full spectrum CBD products, from tinctures, topicals, and including some of the best full spectrum CBD gummies in the market. Additionally, local health food stores, pharmacies, and specialized CBD shops are good in-person options to explore.

What Are People Saying About The Brand?

Run a quick Google search on the CBD brand you're thinking of purchasing from before you buy and read some user-generated reviews from trusted sites. There are a lot of scam companies in the online space. 

If there simply isn't enough information about a company or you're coming across bad customer experiences, it's safe to say you're money is better spent elsewhere. If you are still asking yourself, "What Full Spectrum CBD is?" then we would recommend sticking to broad spectrum thc free CBD.

People are passionate about products that change their lives. They won't be shy about sharing this information with other people. It'll become abundantly clear who to shop from and who to steer away from when you look at third-party product review sites.

Is Full Spectrum CBD Oil Safe For Pets?

Our furry friends can indeed stand to benefit from CBD, especially when you give full spectrum to dogs, to help regulate their endocannabinoid system.

Full spectrum CBD has such low THC concentrations, it's generally not an issue for pets. However, some vets may be hesitant about full spectrum CBD products as pets are more sensitive to THC's effects. If you're worried about giving your pet THC, broad spectrum CBD could be a good option for your furry friend.

Before you give any CBD product full spectrum or not, you should consult with your vet.

How To Read A Full Spectrum Cannabinoid Report

After a product has been 3rd Party Lab Tested, the lab will typically send a report that looks something like the image below. The report will list the most common cannabinoids and their weight present in a given extract. If it's listed as "ND," this means the compound is "Not Detected." 

In this Neurogan Certificate of Analysis (COA), you can see that there are traces of THC, CBDa, CBD, and CBG in this extract, along with a low THC amount (under 0.3% of the products total cannabinoids). 

neurogan cbd oil lab results image

Takeaway: What is Full Spectrum CBD

While CBD and THC are the most well-known cannabinoids, emerging research highlights the significance of minor cannabinoids such as CBG, CBN, and CBC. These minor compounds can enhance the effectiveness of CBD and THC, contributing to the entourage effect.

Full Spectrum CBD stands out because it includes a comprehensive range of cannabinoids, terpenes, and other beneficial compounds from the hemp plant. This diversity of compounds works synergistically to amplify the therapeutic benefits, making Full Spectrum CBD the most potent and effective form of CBD extract available.

In summary, Full Spectrum CBD leverages the entire array of compounds in the hemp plant, providing the strongest and most beneficial effects compared to other CBD extracts.


FAQ

What is Full Spectrum CBD?

The term full spectrum on a CBD oil label refers to the extraction method. The whole range of phytochemicals (cannabinoids, terpenes, plant esters, fatty acids, and minerals) were retained during the extraction process in a full spectrum product. 

How long does Full Spectrum CBD stay in your system?

Cannabidiol can stay active in your body for up to 6 hours, and the elimination half-life of edible CBD is about 1-2 days.

Can Full Spectrum CBD oil get you high?

As long as the full spectrum CBD oil is derived from legal hemp harvests containing less than 0.3% THC, you're unlikely to get high unless you eat a significant amount.

How to make Full Spectrum CBD Oil?

Full spectrum CBD oil, also known as "whole-plant extract," is the most natural type of CBD oil because it goes through the least amount of processing from cannabis plant to bottling. Supercritical CO2 extraction is the most often used process, in which high temperatures and pressures of CO2 break down organic plant material, leaving behind resin containing terpenes and cannabinoids.

How to make Full Spectrum CBD Oil?

Full spectrum CBD oil, also known as "whole-plant extract," is the most natural type of CBD oil because it goes through the least amount of processing from cannabis plant to bottling. Supercritical CO2 extraction is the most often used process, in which high temperatures and pressures of CO2 break down organic plant material, leaving behind resin containing terpenes and cannabinoids.

How to use Full Spectrum CBD Oil?

When you use full spectrum CBD oil, place a few drops directly under your tongue, hold for 30-60 seconds to allow for absorption, and then swallow. This method ensures that the cannabinoids and terpenes are quickly absorbed into your bloodstream.

What is Full Spectrum Hemp Oil?

Full spectrum hemp oil is an extract from the hemp plant that includes all the naturally occurring cannabinoids, terpenes, and other beneficial compounds, offering a complete profile for enhanced effects.

What does Full Spectrum Hemp Extract Mean?

Full spectrum hemp extract means that the product contains the entire range of beneficial compounds from the hemp plant, not just isolated CBD, ensuring a more potent and synergistic effect.

How do you use Full Spectrum Cannabis Oil?

To use full spectrum cannabis oil, you can take it sublingually, mix it into food or drinks, or apply it topically, depending on the specific product and its intended use. This versatility makes it easy to incorporate into your daily routine.

Resources:

  1. Gunasekaran, N., Long, L. E., Dawson, B. L., Hansen, G. H., Richardson, D. P., Li, K. M., ... & McGregor, I. S. (2009). Reintoxication: the release of fat‐stored Δ9‐tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) into blood is enhanced by food deprivation or ACTH exposure. British journal of pharmacology158(5), 1330-1337.
  2. Leonard, A. (2018, June 25). Can hemp clean up the earth? Rolling Stone. Retrieved September 21, 2022, from https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/can-hemp-clean-up-the-earth-629589/
BY
Katrina Lubiano

BA in English Katrina has always had a passion for health sciences and literature. She works as a content writer, editor, and strategist in the health and wellness space, primarily focusing on cannabis education. She’s written well over 400,000 words on the subject—including demystifying laws a...


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