Cannabidiol (CBD) may be the most prominent cannabinoid in the hemp plant, but it’s far from the only compound customers are going crazy for. As more scientists uncover the complex chemistry behind the hemp plant — and as we learn more about the intricate endocannabinoid system (ECS) — people are demanding hemp products that offer more than just refined CBD. For these customers, full-spectrum CBD oils are often the most attractive option.
Understanding Full-Spectrum Hemp Oil — Basic Facts on Full-Spectrum Products
Unlike isolate or broad-spectrum extracts, full-spectrum hemp oils offer customers hemp in its rawest form without going against the 2018 US Farm Bill’s standards. While full-spectrum hemp oils aren’t everyone’s favorite pick, there’s a reason they’ve become so popular in the CBD industry.
What Is Full-Spectrum Hemp Oil?
The distinguishing trait separating full-spectrum hemp oil from other CBD extracts is its wide range of secondary, all-natural hemp compounds. Instead of solely focusing on CBD (as in CBD isolate) or getting rid of delta-9 THC (as in broad-spectrum), full-spectrum CBD oils have every cannabinoid, terpene, and flavonoid that extractors could squeeze out of their hemp flowers.
The only restriction full-spectrum manufacturers follow is keeping their delta-9 THC levels below 0.3%. Other than that, full-spectrum CBD oil has everything from the hemp plant in a liquid form.
Why Do People Choose Full-Spectrum Hemp Oil?
People choose full-spectrum hemp oil over other products primarily because they believe in a theory called the “entourage effect.” Although there’s still a lot of research looking into this phenomenon, the “entourage effect” means the compounds naturally present in hemp work together to produce a more potent impact. Therefore, taking CBD alongside other cannabinoids and terpenes supposedly makes people feel heightened effects versus straight CBD.
Methods of Using Full-Spectrum Hemp Oil
There are many ways to incorporate full-spectrum CBD oil into your ECS, each with pros and cons. Consider all of the different options to determine how to fit full-spectrum CBD oil into your lifestyle.
Sublingual Application
“Sublingual” is a fancy word for “under the tongue.” In this popular ingestion method, people place their full-spectrum hemp oil, well, “under their tongue” to take advantage of the sublingual glands. Interestingly, when you put liquid supplements here, they go straight into the bloodstream, which means you can expect potent effects within a few seconds. The sublingual method is arguably the most famous way to take full-spectrum CBD oil since it’s both easy to understand and dose, but some people may not like the “grassy” flavors in many full-spectrum extracts.
Adding to Food and Beverages
Is anyone interested in making DIY CBD edibles? Perhaps you want to try the latest trend of adding hemp to coffee? Whatever foods or drinks you feel could use some hemp cannabinoids, it’s easy to mix in a dropperful of full-spectrum CBD oil. Just remember that eating or drinking hemp oil won’t produce immediate effects since it has to work through the liver before getting into the bloodstream.
Topical Application
As long as full-spectrum hemp oil has skin-safe ingredients, it’s OK to add to creams or apply directly to the skin. Research now shows there are cannabinoid receptors on the skin, so products like full-spectrum hemp oil may interact with this layer and produce results for users. However, topical CBD can’t pass the blood-brain barrier, so you won’t experience any of your full-spectrum hemp oil’s effects past the skin layer.
Using in Aromatherapy
Since full-spectrum hemp oils have dozens of aromatic terpenes, they’re an interesting choice for people who enjoy breathing in wellness from a diffuser. Some people mix their full-spectrum CBD oil with other essential oils to create delightful aromatic combinations and “diffuse” their worries.
How Much Full-Spectrum Hemp Oil Is Enough? — CBD Dosage Guidelines
Although it’s getting easier to accurately dose full-spectrum CBD oils thanks to high-absorption methods like sublingual drops, figuring out the perfect dosage is always a highly individual process. There are dozens of personal variables — such as your weight, metabolism, and age — that will affect how you process your CBD oil. Your experience (or lack thereof) with hemp oils will also impact how much full-spectrum CBD oil it takes to affect your ECS. Generally, people who’ve never had hemp oil before have a lower threshold for this extract, while those who have more experience with CBD oil have a higher tolerance.
Also, when speaking of full-spectrum hemp oil in particular, customers must consider all of the secondary compounds and how they impact the experience. According to the “entourage effect,” the more supporting cannabinoids and terpenes are in CBD oil, the greater its effects are at lower doses. Therefore, it’s typically a good idea to start with the lowest recommended dose of a full-spectrum CBD oil and only gradually work up to higher levels till you experience the results you want. If you notice side effects, be sure to note it, take a day to reset your system, and lower the dosage the next time you try full-spectrum CBD oil.
What Are The Potential Side Effects and Precautions With Full-Spectrum CBD Oil?
Even though full-spectrum hemp oil isn’t psychoactive, it carries the risk of potential side effects. While the ≤ 0.3% delta-9 THC concentration in full-spectrum CBD oil isn’t enough to make anyone “high,” people who are extra sensitive to THC may notice undesirable effects like dizziness, drowsiness, or changes in appetite. It’s also common for people who have a bad reaction to full-spectrum CBD oil to report dry mouth, nausea, or digestive upset. Again, the best way to avoid the odds of these adverse reactions is to take the lowest possible dose of a full-spectrum CBD oil.
Some people — including pregnant or breastfeeding women and children — should avoid full-spectrum CBD oil without a licensed doctor’s approval. Also, keep in mind that full-spectrum hemp oil may interact with other medications and supplements. If patients are on specific prescriptions or use other vitamins and herbal formulas in their wellness routine, please speak with a licensed healthcare provider to determine the safest way to add full-spectrum hemp oil to a daily regimen.
Find Your Favorite Full-Spectrum Flavor On Cannaflower
Whenever you’re ready to experience full-spectrum first-hand, check out Cannaflower’s catalog. We now offer a collection of lab-tested full-spectrum CBD oils, each with distinctive terpene profiles tailored for different moods. From uplifting and joyful to calm and restful, Cannaflower’s full-spectrum hemp oils provide ways to add CBD (and so much more!) to your daily life. Also, remember that Cannaflower’s artisan-grade hemp flowers are another way to experience this plant in its rawest form. Whether you prefer smoking or vaping, our American-grown hemp strains deliver a powerful blast of CBD, plus supporting cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids. Check out all the CBD hemp strains in Cannaflower’s portfolio for a full-on, full-spectrum experience.
