We have already talked about types of CBD oil: Pure CBD, Broad Spectrum CBD oil and Full Spectrum, how to choose the right CBD oil for your self, you can read more about it here.

Today, we are gonna discuss about Full Spectrum CBD oil. Why Full Spectrum is the most expensive oil and you cannot find everywhere, especially with high potency? What is entourage effect?

Why are cannabinoids so important for our well-being?

Because they interact with the endocannabinoid system (ECS), a complex network of cannabinoid receptors and neurotransmitters located in the brain, central nervous system, peripheral nervous system, and immune system.

The ECS controls a wide range of biological functions, such as memory, cognitive performance, pain perception, stress management, mood regulation, and immune response on top of many others.

In 1995, researchers found that cannabinoids like CBD and THC could benefit the body and brain in numerous ways.

Later, they discovered that each cannabinoid has a unique relationship with the endocannabinoid system.

For example, THC induces psychoactive effects linked to “getting high.”

CBD, on the other hand, is not intoxicating. In other words, it won’t make you high. In fact, it can even alter the psychoactive effects of THC. It delivers a range of health benefits, such as relief from stress or altered perception of pain.

Other cannabinoids, such as cannabigerol (CBG) or cannabinol (CBN) have their own set of effects. The full collection of cannabinoids creates something known as the Full Spectrum.

Hemp Extracts

All CBD products are extracted from the cannabis plant, using solvents like CO2 or ethanol.

During the extraction, all the cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids are stripped from the plant and dissolved in oil to make it easier to administer and store.

Depending on the cannabis strain used for the process, the cannabinoid profile of your CBD oil will differ.

For example, hemp extracts contain little to no THC — typically below 0.3% — so they are non-psychoactive, but they also boast high levels of CBD.

Depending on the purpose of the final product, companies decide to use a different cannabinoid spectrum from different strains.

If you want a fully legal product, we suggest that you go with hemp extracts, as they are now approved on the federal level since the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill.

What is Full Spectrum?

If an extract is full-spectrum, this means it contains all phytochemicals naturally found in the plant, including CBD, other cannabinoids, terpenes, essential oils and flavonoids. Full-spectrum extracts from hemp also come with a negligible THC content —  below 0.3%

The full spectrum of the active compounds extracted from hemp work together to amplify the health benefits of each individual cannabinoid. This phenomenon is referred to as the entourage effect.

Although non-psychoactive, full-spectrum CBD can give you a false positive during a drug test, especially if you consume high doses of CBD oil daily.

That’s when the broad-spectrum CBD comes in.

There are a lot of fake Full Spectrum CBD oil on the market. Why? Because of the benefits of the entire plant, full-spectrum CBD products are priced higher than their broad-spectrum or CBD isolate. It’s also more challenging for manufacturers to maintain consistent ratios when using a full-spectrum extract — again raising the overall cost of these oils.

It should contains a range of other cannabinoids as CBG, CBN, CBC, CBL, etc. Most of them doesn’t, so always make sure you checked the COA of the product you purchase.

Let’s see (for example) what Gramina’s Full Spectrum CBD oil includes in 30ml (1oz) bottle:

• 3000+mg of CBD
• 150+mg of CBDA
• 90+mg of CBG
• 90+mg of CBN
• 60mg of CBC
• 27mg of THC (less than 0,3% of THC)

And you can check that on our COA for the each product.

The Entourage Effect Explained

Despite the complicated name, the entourage effect is fairly easy to understand. It refers to the synergy achieved by all the components in cannabis. These components work together to enhance the potential benefits of the plant. 

Before 2015 people believed that isolated CBD was more effective than full-spectrum CBD. However, in 2015, this myth was debunked by a study conducted by the Lautenberg Center for General Tumor Immunology in Jerusalem.

In the study, the researchers discovered that test subjects treated with full-spectrum CBD reported higher levels of relief when compared to the group that used CBD isolate.

The scientists also concluded that the full spectrum of cannabinoids provided better effects with higher doses, while the effects of isolated CBD maintained consistent with increased intake.

Terpenes: More Than Just a Scent

When browsing through full-spectrum products, you may have noticed they boast the health benefits of the original plant terpenes.

Terpenes are volatile molecules that are responsible for a unique aroma profile of plants, fruits, vegetables, and spices. Aromatherapists have used these terpenes for centuries.

There are more than 200 terpenes in cannabis which, like cannabinoids, also bind to different receptors in the body to provide an array of potential health benefits.

For example, one of the signature terpenes in cannabis plants is beta-caryophyllene, a gastroprotective compound found in oregano, black pepper, and leafy greens. That’s why certain cannabis strains are recommended to patients with gastrointestinal issues; these strains also tend to carry a spicy herbal scent.

NOT A FULL SPECTRUM WITHOUT FLAVONOIDS

Flavonoids are phytonutrients that are found in nearly all fruits and vegetables. These compounds are primarily responsible for giving fruits and vegetables their color. Flavonoids serve numerous purposes throughout nature like helping flowers attract pollinators or protecting plants from potential threats such as the sun’s damaging UV rays or pests and diseases.

Research indicates that flavonoids may also have an array of beneficial medical effects including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, and neuroprotective effects.

That is the answer why Full Spectrum should be darker color, from gold to dark brown.

Ultimately, the choice is yours. If it is a medical decision, be sure to consult your doctor before taking CBD. We hope that once you understand the basics, you’ll be able to make an informed, and educated decision about which form of CBD oil is best for you.

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