If you’ve never used cannabidiol (CBD) before, you may be surprised upon learning that there are three main different kinds of this substance. Full-spectrum CBD is one of them, and it’s often praised for its reported benefits.
Full-spectrum CBD oil is considered to be the “raw” essence. That’s because, in most cases, it’s extracted from the whole plant hemp or cannabis which, aside from CBD, contains more than 100 other cannabinoids, with the psychoactive tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) being one of the most important ones.
Still, it’s worth dedicating time to learning much more about CBD and its various forms.
What is the difference between full-spectrum and regular CBD?
Full-spectrum CBD oil can be an excellent choice for people who want to get a wide range of over 1o0 compounds found in the cannabis plant, aside from just the CBD. Full-spectrum CBD can allow you to experience the “entourage effect” which is the result of using both CBD and THC.
Thanks to the procedure used to derive full-spectrum CBD oil, the final product often contains up to 0.3% or more THC. While it’s still a relatively small amount and certainly not enough to cause intoxication, the THC content is one of the main characteristics that distinguish full-spectrum CBD from CBD isolate and broad-spectrum CBD.
In such a case, all elements present in the full-spectrum product, including THC, work together to give you the best results and allow you to feel the full range of CBD’s benefits.
However, the promise of the “entourage effect” often causes people to purchase only full-spectrum products without giving a second thought to other options. Thus, even if you’ve got your mind set on trying full-spectrum CBD, exploring the alternatives may be a good idea, too. CBD is not a magical, one-size-fits-all solution, so what works perfectly for one person might do nothing for someone else.
What are the benefits of CBD?
Cannabinoids help regulate the body’s endocannabinoid system, which is responsible for nervous and immune system function, your mood and sleep cycle, as well as the regulation of your body’s healthy inflammation response, among others.
Some people use CBD products as a form of support when dealing with conditions such as depression, stress, and anxiety, while others reach for it when they need assistance in providing relief from chronic pain or inflammation.
It’s crucial to remember that despite its reported health benefits, CBD, whether it’s derived from cannabis or hemp plants, is not a product that can replace medications prescribed by healthcare professionals. If you decide to join millions of people who use CBD products to address their health conditions, you shouldn’t do so without consulting with a healthcare professional first.
What’s the difference between full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and isolate CBD?
CBD, whether it’s full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, or isolate, is non-intoxicating and regardless of its THC content (equal to or less than 0.3%), won’t make you feel “high.” This makes it a natural and well-liked alternative to other medications.
Broad-spectrum CBD oil usually contains trace amounts of THC. If you buy CBD isolate, you will get pure CBD that contains no THC at all.
On the other hand, full-spectrum CBD products are the ones you should reach for if you want to increase your chances of experiencing the aforementioned “entourage effect.” It’s also a great choice if you’re not concerned with the THC content of your CBD products, be it CBD oils, salves, softgels, or gummies.
Is Full-Spectrum CBD Legal?
Since CBD can be derived either from the hemp or the cannabis plant, it is only natural that some people may be concerned when it comes to its exact legal status. Therefore, it’s worth mentioning that CBD has been legal in the U.S. since 2018 when the Farm Bill removed hemp from the legal definition of marijuana in the Controlled Substances Act.
Still, it’s necessary to provide some clarification. That’s because you will only be able to buy CBD legally as long as the product of your choice doesn’t contain more than 0.3% THC.
Whether you want to purchase full-spectrum CBD oil or broad-spectrum CBD gummies, you need to stay careful and always read the labels. This will help you determine whether the CBD products of your choice meet the requirements put in place by the Food and Drug Administration.
Remember that marijuana-derived CBD products are only legal in states that legalized recreational marijuana (which is different from the medical marijuana).
Is full-spectrum CBD better for anxiety?
In today’s hectic and busy world that doesn’t seem to be willing to wait for those who fall behind, anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health concerns. In the US alone, around 40 million adults in the U.S. (19.1%) deal with an anxiety disorder on a daily basis.
Their condition may lead some of the affected people to wonder: is full-spectrum CBD oil a good way to help relieve anxiety?
While more studies still need to be done, current research strongly suggests that CBD can have positive effects on various anxiety conditions. But, if you’re dealing with anxiety and decide to try CBD, what product should you reach for?
In such a case, full-spectrum CBD may be the best choice, mainly thanks to its unique ability to produce the “entourage effect.” Although you need to remember that FDA has not approved nonprescription CBD products yet, full-spectrum CBD may be a great choice since the calming effects of cannabidiol are maximized by the synergy with other cannabinoids.
Does full-spectrum CBD help with inflammation?
CBD has a number of beneficial pharmacological effects, which include anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. When applied through the use of topical products, such as CBD sports cream or CBD salve, it can be particularly favorable for athletes who need support in exercise recovery or for people dealing with conditions caused by inflammation, like arthritis or joint pain.
Both full-spectrum and broad-spectrum CBD products can be used to manage pain and inflammation. Aside from the topicals, you can also reach for CBD oil that’s intended to be applied sublingually or try CBD gummies or softgels.
How long does it take for CBD oil to start working?
Various factors affect how CBD interacts with the human body. Thus, when trying to determine how long it will take you to feel your full-spectrum CBD oil working, you need to pay attention to things such as:
Preferred method of consuming CBD products
The method of consumption can significantly alter your whole experience with CBD. Each method has a different bioavailability. This term refers to the percentage of the consumed substance that reaches the systemic circulation, which then provides the functional blood supply to all body tissue.
If the bioavailability of the method of your choice is high, CBD, be it in the form of a full-spectrum CBD product, a broad-spectrum one, or an isolate, will need less time to start working and the effects will be more potent. Conversely, low bioavalibity means that you may need to experiment with the dosage a bit until you determine the amount of CBD that works perfectly for you. This may take some time, but shouldn’t be too hard.
Metabolism
Systems of people who are fit, physically active, and have a fast metabolism in general, won’t store CBD for a long time. However, high metabolism will allow you to feel the effects of CBD faster.
Numerous factors affect your metabolism:
- your age,
- your lifestyle,
- how physically active you are
- your digestive system.
Body weight
The most important thing to keep in mind when considering your body weight and taking CBD is that the more you weigh, the more CBD you will need to take in order to feel its effects.
CBD is also fat-soluble, meaning that the more fat cells you have, the longer your body will store it. If you’re a person with a slim physique, you probably won’t be able to enjoy the benefits of a single dose for an extended period.
How long does it take to feel the first effects of full-spectrum CBD?
Depending on the factors mentioned above, you may need to wait anywhere from 15 minutes to even up to 2 hours to start feeling the effects of your CBD oil.
If you want to feel the effects of your product almost immediately, you may want to consider using CBD vapes, which are currently growing in popularity in the CBD industry. When using the method of sublingual administration, you will need to wait around 30 minutes to start feeling a difference. Products such as full or broad-spectrum CBD softgels can take up to several hours to kick in.
How do you feel after taking full-spectrum CBD oil?
Full-spectrum CBD can provide you with some exceptional advantages. Determining whether they outperform other types of CBD is a matter of personal needs and preferences, but many praise the benefits of full-spectrum CBD and use it for various reasons.
Depending on the reason why you’re taking full-spectrum CBD oil, you should simply feel relief. Whether it’s chronic pain, anxiety, stress, or other ailments, CBD oil is a natural solution that should help alleviate your symptoms if used properly and according to the advice given by a healthcare professional.
Is CBD safe?
In general, CBD oil is a safe substance. However, in some cases, for instance, when you take too much CBD or start your CBD journey with a product that’s too potent, you might experience side effects, which can include:
- dry mouth,
- diarrhea,
- reduced appetite,
- drowsiness,
- fatigue.
Will full-spectrum CBD make you high?
CBD oil that’s been derived from the hemp plant won’t make you high, but you need to be careful when using products made with the cannabis plant. Always make sure you’re not breaking the local law when taking them and read the labels to determine the THC content in your full-spectrum CBD product.
Still, if you’re concerned by the amount of THC in the full spectrum CBD oil, for example, because you’ve got an upcoming drug test, it might be better to use broad-spectrum or CBD isolate for a while.
Will full-spectrum CBD show up on a drug test?
If you use full-spectrum CBD products, the risk of THC showing on a dedicated drug test will increase. Therefore, people who often get tested for drugs, be it at work or for any other reason, may want to choose hemp-derived CBD products or stick to broad-spectrum CBD oils or CBD isolate.
It’s also worth noting that even though full-spectrum extracts contain CBD, they’re still legal in most states provided their THC levels are less than 0.3%.
