FULL-SPECTRUM AND ENTOURAGE EFFECT

Full-spectrum CBD is manufactured using all the elements of the hemp plant terpenes, flavonoids, THC, and CBD. Full-spectrum CBD offers an entourage effect. The entourage effect is the ability of various elements to work together to offer more therapeutic benefits.

The US government legalized the cultivation of hemp and cannabis plants under the 2018 Farm Bill. This was after promising health and wellness benefits of the two plants. The hemp plant has numerous elements, including tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), terpenes, cannabidiol (CBD), and flavonoids. The difference in elements found in various products is used for differentiating the three types of CBD; full-spectrum, broad-spectrum and isolate. Full-spectrum CBD contains all the useful elements of the hemp plant, including THC. Below are the benefits of elements of full-spectrum.

Our Full Spectrum CBD Products Legal?

Hemp-based manufacturers offer Full-spectrum CBD products since it involves less extraction. Hemp-based products were legalized by the 2018 Farm Bill, although some regulations were set to minimize the effects. The presence of THC in full-spectrum attracts a lot of attention concerning its legality. According to the 2018 Farm Bill and the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA), only CBD products with THC levels below 0.3% are legal in the USA and its states. Furthermore, not all states have legalized hemp-based products due to the presence of THC. Out of the 50 states, 14 are yet to legalize hemp products, including THC. THC is the second dominant element of the hemp plant with psychoactive effects. Its regulation is adhered to fully by some hemp-based manufacturers, unlike CBD. Therefore, full-spectrum CBD is only legal in 36 states, and THC potency levels should be below 0.3%. Otherwise, they are illegal.

What Is the Entourage Effect?

The entourage effect is the ability of various elements to work together to offer more therapeutic benefits than a single element. Full-spectrum CBD is the best option for offering an entourage effect since it has more elements compared to other types. Isolate CBD can provide an entourage effect since it only has one element; CBD.

Full Spectrum and Entourage Effect

Full-spectrum is the most popular type of CBD in the USA. It comprises all the elements of the hemp plant. The dominant elements are flavonoids, THC, CBD, and terpenes. Its users benefit from all the elements of the hemp plant. This exposes them to the entourage effect. Although some people doubt its health benefits due to the presence of THC, different researches show that it has unique properties making it beneficial to health and wellness. Nagarkatti et al. (2009) noted that THC has anti-inflammatory properties suitable for hormonal balance in humans and animals. The study above noted the common benefits of THC,like regulating anxiety, stress, and pain. Full-spectrum CBD oil is a perfect solution for the entourage effect since it has more elements than other types. The significance of each element of the hemp plant is as follows;

CBD

This is the most dominant element found in the hemp plant and full-spectrum CBD. According to Leas et al. (2020),CBD has potential health and wellness benefits, unlike THC. The study above discovered that CBD has unique properties, including anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial, making it suitable for improving general health and wellness. Also, CBD has no psychoactive impact on its consumers, making it suitable for reaping various benefits without the "high" effect. However, since it interacts with B1 receptors around the mind, it should be taken considerably to avoid triggering side effects, including anxiety. The study above discovered that common benefits of CBD oil include reducing stress, depression, anxiety, and pain and boosting mental health. However, the benefits have not been certified to be clinical except for treating epilepsy.

THC

THC is the second dominant element of hemp and full-spectrum CBD products. According to Gallily et al. (2018),THC only occurs if used responsibly, although it has various health benefits due to its anti-inflammatory properties. However, it has intoxicating effects, leading to its regulation. Marijuana was not legalized in the USA due to high levels of THC, which are likely to trigger psychoactive effects rapidly. Besides, the anti-inflammatory properties of THC improve the health benefits of full-spectrum CBD by working alongside other elements. THC determines the legality of full-spectrum CBD and other hemp-based products in the USA.

Terpenes

Terpenes are the third dominant element of the hemp plant after CBD and THC. They are responsible for the awful earthly taste of CBD products. The hemp plant's most dominant and useful terpenes are limonene, myrcene, pinene, linalool, and humulene. Gupta  & Prakash (2014) discovered that different terpenes have unique properties, including anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory, suitable for protecting the health of the human body. According to the study above, excess intake of terpenes doesn't harm your health, unlike CBD and THC. According to Tomko et al. (2020),terpenes are used in numerous clinical medicinal trials, including for cancer.

Flavonoids

Flavonoids share similar properties as terpenes. They are not only found in hemp and cannabis but also in vegetables and fruits, among other plants. Flavonoids are responsible for the dark green color of the hemp plant. They have anti-inflammatory properties and work best alongside other terpenes. Flavonoids in full-spectrum CBD make it suitable for the entourage effect.

Can Broad Spectrum CBD Offer Entourage Effect

Broad-spectrum offers an entourage effect, and some experts highly recommend it due to the absence of THC. Its users minimize THC-related risks. They can benefit from all the elements of the hemp plant or full-spectrum CBD. Broad-spectrum CBD products are manufactured using all the elements of the hemp plant except THC. However, the absence of THC shouldn't be a reason for taking too much or highly concentrated broad-spectrum CBD. CBD can also have THC-related side effects when taken in excess.

Conclusion

Full-spectrum CBD is manufactured using elements of hemp. The common elements are terpenes, flavonoids, THC, and CBD. Combining various elements in full-spectrum CBD offers more health benefits and entourage effects. Although some people doubt the effectiveness of full-spectrum CBD due to THC, it has anti-inflammatory properties improving general health. Besides full-spectrum, broad-spectrum CBD can also offer an entourage effect. Broad-spectrum has an advantage over full-spectrum since it is void of THC.

Reference

Gallily, R., Yekhtin, Z., &Hanuš, L. O. (2018). The Anti-Inflammatory Properties OfTerpenoids From Cannabis. Cannabis And Cannabinoid Research, 3(1), 282-290.

Gupta, C., &Prakash, D. (2014). Phytonutrients As Therapeutic Agents. Journal OfComplementary And Integrative Medicine, 11(3), 151-169.

Tomko, A. M., Whynot, E. G., Ellis, L. D., &Dupré, D. J. (2020). Anti-Cancer Potential Of Cannabinoids, Terpenes, And Flavonoids Present In Cannabis. Cancers, 12(7), 1985.

Leas, E. C., Hendrickson, E. M., Nobles, A. L., Todd, R., Smith, D. M., Dredze, M., &Ayers, J. W. (2020). Self-Reported Cannabidiol (CBD) Use For Conditions With Proven Therapies. JAMA Network Open, 3(10), E2020977-E2020977.

Nagarkatti, P., Pandey, R., Rieder, S. A., Hegde, V. L., &Nagarkatti, M. (2009). Cannabinoids As Novel Anti-Inflammatory Drugs. Future Medicinal Chemistry, 1(7), 1333-1349.