What Full Spectrum CBD Oil Means and Why It's Important

CBD is one of the hundreds of active compounds found in the cannabis plant. It’s touted for its potential therapeutic effects, including reducing stress, managing pain, and supporting sleep.

Perhaps the only cannabinoid better-known than CBD is THC. THC is the cannabinoid responsible for the high sensation associated with cannabis. Unlike THC, CBD is non-intoxicating and doesn’t cause obvious cognitive changes. In other words, it doesn’t make users high.

These are the two most popular and well-researched cannabinoids, but several others, such as CBN and CBC, are starting to gain significant attention.

When shopping for CBD oil, there are typically three formulas to choose from; full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and isolate. The labeling refers to cannabinoid content. 

What Is Full-Spectrum CBD Oil?

Full-spectrum CBD products contain all the phytocannabinoids from the Cannabis sativa plant. These compounds include terpenes, flavonoids, essential oils, and an array of cannabinoids, including CBD, CBN, and THC. According to the law, the THC content must be less than 0.3%.

Broad spectrum CBD oil also features an array of cannabis compounds, including a range of cannabinoids and terpenes. However, THC is removed during extraction, so they’re THC-free, such as this CBD oil from Premium Jane .

Isolate formulas are pure CBD; all other phytocannabinoids are removed during extraction. Of course, there could be trace amounts of other compounds, with many brands labeling isolate products as 99% pure CBD. 

The goal of full-spectrum CBD extract is to preserve the full cannabinoid and terpene contents of the raw cannabis plant. Full-spectrum formulas are widely believed to be better due to a phenomenon known as the entourage effect. 

What Is the Entourage Effect?

The cannabis plant comprises over 100 cannabinoids, flavonoids, terpenes, etc. All these compounds work together to bring the plant’s unique qualities to life. 

The entourage effect proposes that all of the compounds in cannabis are more effective when used together than in isolation. In other words, full-spectrum formulas, which include an array of cannabinoids, provide a greater therapeutic effect than those that are pure CBD.

This includes the addition of THC, which may be especially beneficial for pain management and nausea . Since legal CBD products aren’t permitted to contain more than 0.3% THC, you don’t have to worry about intoxication.

But does science back up the entourage effect theory? 

There are some staunch supporters of the entourage effect, but not everyone believes it's real. First coming to light in 1998, the entourage effect was discovered by Dr. Raphael Mechoulam and his team when they observed that other compounds in the plant enhanced certain effects of cannabis.

Several more studies on the entourage effect have been done since. One of the latest, a 2019 study by Ethan Russo, claims that the interaction between cannabis compounds is strong enough to suggest that a single compound won’t be as efficacious as cannabis itself. 

However, some studies (like this 2019 paper published in the journal Cannabis and Cannabinoids Research ) are casting doubt on the validity of the phenomenon.

Nonetheless, more evidence supports the theory, and many CBD proponents strongly believe full-spectrum CBD oil is more effective.

Should You Be Concerned About the Presence of THC?

One of the big concerns with full-spectrum CBD products is the THC content. In theory, customers do not need to worry because the THC level should be minimal, not exceeding 0.3%.

When taken at the most commonly recommended dosages, there is no practical chance of full-spectrum CBD oil making you high. Of course, the more you take at any given time, the bigger the risk of intoxication. But, you’ll have to take very large amounts for it to have such an effect, and even still, it’s likely to be mild. 

However, if your concern is failing a drug test, then you should be wary. Several factors could affect the outcome of a drug test, including individual metabolism, tolerance, and body chemistry. Also, the higher the dosage and the more frequently you use the product, the bigger the risk.

Another issue is that not all brands are trustworthy, and some CBD oils may contain more THC than they should. Always check third-party lab reports to verify THC content.

If potential drug tests are a concern, it’s often best to stick to broad-spectrum CBD oil since it's THC-free. 

Final Thoughts

Full-spectrum CBD oil refers to formulas that contain a complex range of desirable compounds in the cannabis plant. The entourage effect suggests that full-spectrum extracts are more effective since all compounds work together to boost the overall effects.

However, your preferred choice often comes down to personal preference. Full-spectrum CBD oil is the answer if you believe in the entourage effect and the added benefits delivered by THC. But, a broad-spectrum extract is better if you’re concerned about ingesting THC.