Throughout the ages, herbalists have supported the notion that whole plants provide more benefits to our bodies than individual plant components. Since CBD is just one of the many components found in industrial hemp, it makes sense that many CBD users want to use full spectrum products, the products that contain all the health and wellness potential hemp has to offer.
Full spectrum hemp oil contains more than 400 potentially beneficial plant elements. Knowing the significance of full spectrum oil, and how we make CBD products from full spectrum extract, could lead you to the hemp-derived product that’s right for you.
What Is Full Spectrum Hemp Oil
Hemp oil is extracted from the stalks, stems, and flowers of industrial hemp. It’s the plant extract that contains the cannabinoid CBD. While CBD is found abundantly in hemp oil, the plant extract also contains small amounts of other potentially beneficial plant elements including vitamins, minerals, omega-3 fatty acids, and additional cannabinoids.
The Cannabinoids in Full Spectrum Hemp Oil
A cannabinoid is a lipid that functions similarly to a neurotransmitter.1 Full spectrum hemp oil contains numerous plant-sourced cannabinoids shown to interact with key receptors throughout your body. Just a few of the many cannabinoids you will find in full spectrum hemp oil include2:
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CBD (Cannabidiol)
Cannabidiol (CBD) is the most abundant of the cannabinoids found in full-spectrum hemp oil. All other cannabinoids are found in lesser amounts. Of all the cannabinoids found in cannabis, both hemp and marijuana, it’s CBD that has generated the most attention.
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CBDA (Cannabidiolic Acid)
CBDA is the precursor to CBD. Full spectrum hemp oil often contains CBDA, but most of the CBDA is converted to CBD during the extraction process, decarboxylation, or when hemp is exposed to heat or sunlight.3
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THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol)
Full spectrum CBD contains trace amounts of THC; the cannabinoid that causes marijuana’s intoxicating effect. To be classified as hemp, the extract must contain 0.3 percent THC or less. This is not enough THC to cause intoxication, even if you were to consume large amounts of hemp extract.
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CBG (Cannabigerol)
Cannabigerol is the non-acidic form of cannabigerolic acid, essentially the parent cannabinoid from which other cannabinoids are formed. While CBG is considered the molecular foundation of both CBD and THC, it appears to have health and wellness potential of its own.4
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CBN (Cannabinol)
CBN is a cannabinoid created by the breakdown of THC when exposed to oxygen and UV radiation. While CBN is a byproduct of THC, it does not cause intoxication and has much of the same health and wellness potential as CBD.
The Entourage Effect of Full Spectrum Hemp Oil
While many people are aware of the concept of synergy, far fewer are familiar with the theory of the Entourage Effect. Synergy explains how the active elements in a compound combine to create a greater effect than each element has on its own. In mathematical terms, synergy explains how 1+1=3.
The Entourage Effect explains how the inactive components in cannabis combine to create an effect from elements that are individually inactive, enhancing the effects of synergy. It’s because of the Entourage Effect that full spectrum hemp oil is believed more potent than 0% THC (CBD isolate) products.
Vitamins, Minerals, and Essential Fatty Acids
In addition to the combined potential of numerous cannabinoids, many people prefer full spectrum CBD products for their nutritional value. Hemp-derived CBD contains all the plant terpenes, flavonoids, vitamins, and minerals found in the original plant, including:
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Vitamins B and D
Your body uses B vitamins for numerous functions, including the production of neurotransmitters, nerve function, and converting food to energy. Vitamin D is essential for bone health and other important functions.5 Full-spectrum hemp extract is a good source of vitamin D, several B vitamins, and also vitamins A, C, and E.
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Minerals
Like vitamins, minerals are essential to good health. For example, calcium is essential for healthy teeth and bones, iron helps transport oxygen, and zinc helps fortify your immune system.6 Full-spectrum hemp oil contains calcium, iron, and zinc, plus, magnesium, potassium, and phosphorus.
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Fatty Acids Omega-3 and Omega-6
Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids are polyunsaturated fats that your body cannot produce on its own. These essential fatty acids are obtained through your diet. Omega-3s play an important role in cardiovascular health, reducing inflammation, and supporting mental health. Omega-6 fatty acids are primarily used for energy.7
How to Extract Full-Spectrum Hemp Oil
Before the cannabinoid-rich oils from the hemp plant can be used to make full-spectrum tinctures, capsules, edibles, and topical products, the oil must be separated from the plant matter. Since many products made with hemp extract are ingested, it’s crucial that the oil is extracted using a food-safe extraction method. The two methods most-often used include:
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CO2 Extraction
CO2 extraction uses carbon dioxide to separate hemp oil from the plant matter through a series of temperature and pressure-controlled chambers. Commonly used for smaller quantities of hemp, CO2 extraction isolates about 90 percent of the available cannabinoids. CBDistillery™ full spectrum hemp oil is CO2 extracted.
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Ethanol Extraction
Ethanol is the clear, colorless byproduct of plant fermentation commonly used in alcoholic beverages.8 For hemp oil extraction, ethyl alcohol works as a solvent to extract the oil from the plant matter. Ethanol extraction commonly yields a higher volume of full spectrum hemp oil per than CO2 extraction.
Full-Spectrum Hemp Oil Products from CBDistillery™
Full spectrum hemp-derived CBD products contain all the additional cannabinoids, vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids found naturally in hemp. While CBD is the most abundant of the cannabinoids in full spectrum extract, the trace amounts of additional cannabinoids, plant terpenes, and flavonoids contribute to the Entourage Effect. It’s the Entourage Effect that explains how the additional elements combine to magnify and multiply the effects of the others.
When selecting a full spectrum product, it’s important to know how the cannabinoid-rich oil was extracted. It’s essential that the extraction method produces a safe, potent, quality product. That’s why we rely on CO2 extraction for our full spectrum CBD products.
For full spectrum CBD tinctures, capsules, softgels, vape pens, and topicals, visit CBDistillery™. Our quality products start with non-GMO hemp seeds grown using natural farming methods. To verify the purity, potency, and cannabinoid content of CBDistillery™ products, click on the third-party test results located within our product images or scan the QR code on your product label.
- Science Direct. DM Lovinger (2008) Molecular Mechanisms of Memory
- Marijuana Break. (2019) Top 10 Cannabinoids and What Do They Do? [Guide].
- The Apothecarium. (2019) Cannabinoids 101: CBDA
- Science Direct. Handbook of Cannabis and Related Pathologies. (2017) Chapter 99 – Potential Medical Uses of Cannabigerol: A Brief Overview.
- Medline Plus (2019) Vitamins.
- Food Pyramid.com. (2019) Dietary Minerals
- Healthline. R Robertson. (2017 January 15) Omega-3-6-9 Fatty Acids: A Complete Overview
- ChemicalSafetyFacts.org. (2019) Ethanol (Ethyl Alcohol).
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