So, you’ve decided on trying CBD oil for the first time – which is excellent news!
CBD oil is versatile, can be added to your tea, coffee or food as a delicious, restorative and therapeutic ingredient. But above all, you can choose how many drops you want to add, giving CBD oil the versatility it deserves. Feeling a little jittery? Try three drops…need a little relaxation before bed? How about two drops in some herbal tea? The beauty of CBD oil is that the dosage, concentration and method of ingestion are all up to you.
And another element of versatility present in all CBD products is this thing known as CBD spectrums. For a first-time CBD user, different types of CBD extract can be confusing and a little hard to understand – but don’t worry, we’ll clear it all up for you in no time.
Full-Spectrum CBD Oil
Contents
While you might have heard about different product formats, from vapes and edibles to beauty and sports recovery products, including infused protein powder such as Clear Whey Isolate, there are also three types of CBD extract in such products. This includes full-spectrum, broad-spectrum and CBD isolate. Full-spectrum CBD isn’t legal everywhere – because it contains trace (in the UK, 0.2% is the limit- not enough to intoxicate anyone) amounts of THC.
Alongside the THC, full-spectrum CBD oil will also contain terpenes, other phytocannabinoids and flavonoids. Basically, a full-spectrum CBD product is as close to emulating the original hemp plant the cannabinoids were extracted from.
This makes full-spectrum CBD products the most potent and powerful out there, whether it is CBD gummies, tablets, tinctures or topicals. This is because when a CBD product contains all the cannabinoids, it encourages something known as the ‘entourage effect’.
This is when different cannabinoids in the CBD product work together to make the product, overall, more healing and therapeutic for the user. The ingredients all work synergistically- kind of like members of a team. And just like members of a team, because all the cannabinoids have previously worked together within the hemp plant, when they’re extracted from the said plant and placed together once more, within a new CBD product, they act like old friends – happy to be together and stronger than ever!
Broad-Spectrum CBD Oil
Broad-spectrum CBD oil contains every cannabis compound, from terpenes to phytocannabinoids to flavonoids – only without the trace amounts of THC, which are typical in full-spectrum oils. This is the only difference between broad and full-spectrum CBD.
Despite not containing any THC, the ‘entourage effect’ still occurs in broad-spectrum CBD oil, making it a potent and effective product. This is because of the additional terpenes, flavonoids and, most importantly, the phytocannabinoids – of which there are over 120 varieties.
These are varied enough and have the potential to interact with each other in that synergistic way, making the CBD a lot more therapeutic than if it was alone.
If you find yourself hesitant to take full-spectrum CBD oil but still want to reap the benefits of CBD, broad-spectrum is the way to go!
The Benefits of Broad-Spectrum Cannabinoids
The reason a CBD product packed with a bunch of cannabinoids is great is down to the synergistic power of each individual ingredient. In a broad-spectrum CBD oil, each ingredient is a powerful contender.
For example, terpenes, which are the aromatic compounds found in all hemp plants, are known to be healing, restorative and delicious smelling. Terpenes stimulate the ‘entourage effect’ while also being incredibly therapeutic- acting on the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in our bodies.
Terpenes have been used as stress-relievers, mood-uplifters and even promoted to curb microbes, fungal infections and certain types of bacteria. Some popular cannabis-derived terpenes include linalool, limonene, myrcene and eucalyptol.
Flavonoids are less abundant than other cannabinoids – coming to about 20 different types found within the cannabis plant. But make no mistake, flavonoids are important cannabinoids, more than just accessories – with studies saying that they help reduce the risk of numerous diseases, provide nutrition to the body and can even increase mortality rates.
You might find flavonoids within your favorite fruits and veg- packed with antioxidants and filled with micronutrients, your CBD oil is certainly enriched in the presence of flavonoids.
Phytocannabinoids are also present within the broad spectrum CBD oil – and people are fascinated by their potential. Certain phytocannabinoids, such as CBG and THCV, are also being isolated and looked into for their therapeutic potential, respectively.
But, within the sphere of broad-spectrum CBD oil, phytocannabinoids are restorative, healing and able to modulate the body’s main processes – helping CBD to relax, centre and balance our system. They essentially strengthen what CBD can do, locking in with ECS receptors and promoting therapeutic change.
Why We Recommend Broad-Spectrum CBD Oil
While full-spectrum CBD oil can be great for more seasoned CBD oil users, if it’s your first time, we recommend taking it easy with the dosage or even abandoning the full-spectrum altogether. Our suggestion for first-time users would be to try broad-spectrum CBD oil first. This is due to a number of different reasons.
- Dosage can be tricky to determine, especially with CBD oil, which tends to come with a dropper. While droppers can be easy enough to manage, you might still find yourself adding too much oil to your tongue/coffee/tea/smoothie/recipe.
- While cannabidiol (CBD) doesn’t have an intoxicating effect on the system, trace amounts of THC present or not, the ‘entourage effect’ is still a powerful thing. When all the cannabinoids of a CBD product are present, the CBD can be particularly powerful – and when you haven’t eased yourself into the world of CBD, taking too much in one go could end up being a little too intense.
- Full-spectrum CBD oil tends to be the most expensive type of CBD oil. For first-time buyers of CBD, it might be beneficial for you to begin with a less intense CBD oil, allowing you to get used to the effects of CBD.
- While the scarce amounts of THC in a full spectrum product can’t get you high, you may want to avoid full-spectrum CBD oil if you’re going to take a drug test. This is because THC is fat-soluble, meaning it is stored in our fat deposits. When we burn this fat, THC is released, and the kidneys eliminate it via the urine.
Conclusion
While broad-spectrum CBD oil may not be as potent as full-spectrum, we love that beginners have the choice to try a CBD product that is healing and restorative – without delving into the world of CBD headfirst. Broad-spectrum CBD oil allows for a gentler, versatile approach to newbies trying CBD – all while promoting the ‘entourage effect’. What’s not to love?
