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.
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.
What Is Full Spectrum CBD?
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.
What Does Full Spectrum CBD Mean?
A full spectrum cannabis extract is a concentrate that retains all the natural compounds found in the marijuana plant, including THC, CBD, terpenes, minor cannabinoids, flavonoids, and more.
When you see "full spectrum" on your CBD oil label, it indicates that the extraction process has preserved the entire range of phytochemicals—cannabinoids, terpenes, plant esters, fatty acids, and minerals. CBD, the most abundant cannabinoid in mature hemp, works in synergy with these compounds, offering 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.
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.
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 full spectrum 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 overall quality bottled CBD oil 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.
How To Read a COA for Full Spectrum
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).
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 Oil?
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:
- 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 pharmacology, 158(5), 1330-1337.
- 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/
