What to Expect from Full Spectrum CBD Tincture
Cannabis and CBD products becoming more familiar within the market provided an exponential increase in demand. Product assortment has propagated over the last ten years, leaving consumers with a substantial number of options, and even more information to sift through.
If you are seeking relief from chronic pain, anxiety, depression, or other serious illnesses; full spectrum CBD tincture may be the solution you are looking for.
While each product formulation is unique, selecting the right product nowadays can be challenging for many consumers. Though, it doesn’t have to be so complicated! In this article, we outline all the major benefits and considerations needed to decide if full spectrum CBD is right for you.
What Is the Difference Between Full Spectrum CBD Oil and Broad Spectrum?
The main distinction between full spectrum and broad spectrum CBD tinctures is the THC content. A full spectrum CBD tincture will contain any cannabinoids and compounds present in the resin of the hemp plant use, which includes up to 0.3% THC. While a broad spectrum CBD extract contains many of the same phytocannabinoids but excludes THC.
A broad spectrum CBD product is often used by consumers that are trying to avoid the consumption of THC, typically as a personal preference or if working in a field that requires regular drug screenings. It is important to know that a 0.3% THC concentration is significantly low and will only offer physical, therapeutic effects. Such a low concentration of THC will not cause any psychoactive effects.
There is something to be said about the combined effects of the active compounds in a full spectrum CBD product, as the cannabinoids may provide synergistic benefits. You may have heard the term ‘entourage effect’ in context to full spectrum CBD products.
When cannabinoids are metabolized in the body and interact with nervous system receptors, each cannabinoid molecule will have their own unique effect, this is then modified by how your body responds to them in combination. The uptake of cannabinoids into the nervous system may vary depending on the other cannabinoids present, causing a unique medicinal effect.
For example, CBD often lessens the uptake of THC in the body as they are competing for the same receptors in the nervous system. This can weaken the mental and physical effects of THC, balancing the overall experience of THC and CBD effects.
So, why would you choose a full spectrum CBD product over a broad spectrum one, especially if the CBD will counteract the small amount of THC? It is possible that you may benefit from the small amount of THC, as it offers its own medicinal benefits for both pain management and relief from symptoms or side effects. To understand this further, we should look at the medical benefits of THC.
What Is Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)?
Tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC is the main psychoactive compound in cannabis. It is strongly associated with the sensation of feeling ‘high’. When consumed, THC binds to receptors in our body via the endocannabinoid system, a part of the nervous system that controls our experience of pain, mood, appetite, and stress response.
THC is classified medically as an antiemetic and orexigenic substance – meaning it can treat and prevent nausea and vomiting. This is particularly helpful for patients undergoing cancer or AIDs treatment that must take medications that cause these symptoms.
Beyond suppressing these symptoms, THC has also been shown to increase appetite and reduce pain – making it incredibly useful in the recovery and managing long-term illness.
How Full Spectrum CBD Oil Products Work with Your Body
As mentioned above, the endocannabinoid system (ECS) is the primary part of your body that is influenced by cannabinoids. CBD activates in your nervous system through the ECS, indirectly influencing a channel of receptors located in your brain, spinal cord, organs, and immune system.
All cannabinoids behave differently in the body; some might trigger only one receptor, while others bind to more than one. CBD works in a slightly different way: it does not bind to either of the cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2), but instead alters those receptors through other pathways. Essentially, CBD acts as a communicator in your body to help signal the brain to adjust bodily functions to healthy, regulated processes.
CBD acts as a primer for nerve endings, creating more effective communication between your brain and the rest of the body. This is partially why short-term effects of CBD are more subtle, while long term, consistent use can provide consumers with noticeable benefits.
CBD acts on the part of your nervous system that influences serotonin receptors in your body. Serotonin is the hormone (and neurotransmitter) that regulates much of our memory, mood, reproductive health, and several other bodily functions. This is how CBD and other cannabinoids can influence how you experience appetite, nausea, and emotions.
In a full spectrum tincture, there are hundreds of different compounds and concentrations of cannabinoids, varying each experience. Some cannabinoids will increase specific benefits, while others will mute the intensity of others (like we discussed above about THC and CBD). To better understand how full spectrum CBD tincture products work with your body, let’s break down the most common, active ingredients and their known benefits.
Full spectrum formulations may contain a variety of compounds:
There are nearly 500 distinct organic compounds naturally found in cannabis and hemp, with some of the most popular being cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, and omega fatty acids. Many of these compounds have their own unique benefits, however we will focus on the better-known active ingredients: cannabinoids.
Cannabinoids are the most studied active compounds present in cannabis; a class of over 100 different molecules that have been detected in the plant. CBD and THC occur in the highest concentrations and have been shown to have a diverse set of potential benefits.
Lesser-known cannabinoids, such as CBN and CBG have increased in popularity due to the attention they have attracted for their benefits in sleep and immune system support. CBN has been found to offer more sedative effects and is currently being studied as a potential sleep aid.
Cannabigerol, or CBG has been popularized recently as a potential aid in the fight against COVID-19. In a study published in January 2022, it was found that both CBD-A and CBG-A were effective at blocking SARS-CoV-2 from entering human cells. Further examination must be done to conclude this as an effective treatment. Yet, there is a lot of optimism around CBD full spectrum products and specifically products high in lesser-known cannabinoids having positive implications towards aiding immune system functions.
How Does Full Spectrum CBD Oil Make You Feel?
Almost all benefits of full spectrum CBD products stem from their ability to regulate inflammation and hormonal processes in the body. By creating balance in your body’s daily functions, full spectrum CBD tincture can offer several health benefits.
Although there are a lot of unanswered questions in science about the effectiveness of CBD, there is significant evidence already available to show that CBD and full spectrum products have a beneficial and non-toxic effect on your nervous system
What Are the Benefits of Choosing Full Spectrum?
There are a wide variety of uses for CBD tinctures, whether for supporting cognitive function and moody stability, or recovering from intense physical activities, full spectrum CBD can support you living a healthy and uplifting lifestyle.
Below are the most common benefits of full spectrum CBD tincture
CBD Calms and Soothes the Mind
Supporting hormonal and nervous system functions, CBD can play a powerful role in relaxation and mood stability. This often requires long term use for desired results. Today, many people claim CBD offers support for anxiety and stress.
CBD Reduces Pain and Inflammation
CBD can soothe pain associated with inflammation and soft tissue injuries. This makes full spectrum CBD tincture a great option for arthritic joint pain, muscle spasms, and menstrual cramping. Many athletes currently use CBD products in their training regimens to protect and soothe their bodies from the physical stress of their sport.
CBD Enhances Focus
Full spectrum CBD products can also provide mental clarity – as the cannabinoids interact with the part of your nervous system that influences memory. Like the way CBD can impact emotions and stress response, full spectrum CBD tincture can often come with benefits for cognitive function by lifting the limitations of the body’s stress response.
CBD Supports Healthy Neurological Function
Full Spectrum CBD Options
When exploring what to expect from full spectrum CBD tincture, the dosing method plays a key role in how your body will respond. To select a product option that will fit your needs, you must first identify what you are treating.
Each type of product will offer different results and strengths of effects. Below we will highlight the options for full spectrum CBD products and their unique advantages.
Full Spectrum CBD Tinctures
Full Spectrum Gummies and Edibles
CBD Topicals
Best for surface level injuries or localized pain relief, as topicals will not reach your bloodstream. For even stronger results, apply topicals twice, five minutes apart to optimize bioavailability. On average it will take 10-20 minutes to take effect.
CBD Inhalers, Vaporizers, Smoking
Inhalable products are one of the most diverse categories of CBD full spectrum products, ranging in potency, flavors, and price. They can be ideal if you are looking for immediate relief. This is the fastest-acting product taking only 2-5 minutes for effects.
Getting Started With Full Spectrum
Selecting the right product and dosing for full spectrum CBD can be overwhelming at first, as there are so many options and targeted uses to choose from. The easiest way for new consumers to succeed with CBD dosing is to start at a low dose and build up from there.
As described above, it’s recommended to start around 10mg for your first dose, and increase by 5mg – 10mg increments every three days until you are satisfied with the effects. Taking your time as you become familiar with CBD full-spectrum oil will help minimize the risk of any unwanted side effects or wasted product.
Just as the cannabinoids have synergy and overlap in beneficial effects, you are also a multifaceted human with stressors and pains. This is what makes CBD full spectrum products so special in the way that you can play with dosing and method of ingestion to meet your unique needs.
There is something fantastic about an all-natural plant medicine that can soothe chronic pains, while also providing the tools for a calm and clear mind. Try full spectrum CBD products to support your health and live boldly!
