It is estimated that by the year 2022, the CBD consumer sales will hit a terrific all time high But what really is CBD and what’s driving the soaring interest in it lately?
CBD (as you may know it) is actually “Cannabidiol” in full, and it is one of the primary cannabinoids present in industrial hemp (cannabis sativa L). What makes CBD stand out from the pack of cannabinoids is its great potency as a therapeutic agent without any associated psychoactive effects. And realistically speaking, these properties are what have led to the increasing interest in the compound lately. In total, there are over 144 cannabinoids in the cannabis plant, together with a couple of other distinct compounds such as terpenes, flavonoids, vitamins, fatty acids, proteins and fiber.
For a long time, people consumed cannabis for recreational purposes only, just to get “high”. Thanks to research, it was soon discovered that the plant has significant healing properties that could be exploited. This interesting turn of events led to a shift in interest by pharmaceuticals to repackage cannabis as a health supplement. But to do this, they had to separate the psychotropic (euphoric) component from the medicinal component. In other words, create a medicinal component that that was separate from marijuana as we know it.
Let’s pre-empt a thought here, THC (delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol) is the main ingredient in marijuana and is the compound that is responsible for the “high” that marijuana gives. CBD (medicinal hemp) on the other hand does not have similar psychotropic effects. This just means that CBD does not have the ability to get you “high” as marijuana (containing high levels of THC) does. So, in case you were wondering about the legality of CBD full spectrum, know that it is legal in Europe and you can order it from most parts of the world as well and still be on the safe side of the law. In fact, research has shown that CBD is safe and can be used over long durations with dosages of up to 1,500 milligrams/ day. Even at this amount, CBD full spectrum extract does not get you high. The CBDoken CBD full spectrum extract contains less than 0.1% THC, while the recommended dose of THC in legal hemp is anything below 0.3%. So how does CBD (together with other cannabinoids) act in the body to produce medicinal effects? Let’s take a look at the endocannabinoid system.
The Endocannabinoid System
You cannot fully understand the healing properties of CBD without first understanding the body’s endocannabinoid system. Endocannabinoids are like the body’s natural cannabinoids (tongue twisters right there). Cannabinoids act on receptors (imagine this to be something like keys on cells) to trigger certain response in cells. These receptors are located throughout the body. The receptors involved regulate many functions such as sleep, appetite, mood, motor control, immune function, pain, memory, temperature, reproduction and fertility. The endocannabinoid system is not limited to cannabinoid receptors only; enzymes such as pacman play a crucial role in the system too.
The body creates its own endocannabinoids naturally, but when there is a shortage or dysfunction, the deficit can be supplemented by plant cannabinoids such as those from the hemp plant.
As we have stated earlier, CBD and THC are the most prevalent cannabinoids in the cannabis plant, but this is in addition to another 142 cannabinoids present in cannabis sativa L. THC acts directly on the cannabinoid system and mimics the body’s natural endocannabinoids. CBD on the other does not act directly on the cannabinoid receptors, it acts on an enzyme (FAAH) to increase the number of endocannabinoids in the body. Generally, the cannabinoids influence the endocannabinoid system to cause therapeutic effects. We shall see more of this later. Let us look at a few notable cannabinoids.
Here are some examples of cannabinoids present in significant amounts in the cannabis plant
THC – it is a major cannabinoid and the one responsible for the euphoric “high” associated with marijuana consumption. It also helps to alleviate pain and nausea.
CBD – a major cannabinoid with significant therapeutic effects such as pain relief and anti- anxiety.
CBDa – it is the acidic precursor to CBD which has antimicrobial effects.
THCa – it is the acidic precursor of THC which has antispasmodic effects.
CBC – it is thought to have antidepressant effects. It also has some pain relieving and anti- anxiety effects.
CBDV – a 2014 study discovered that CBDV diminished the electrical waves that indicate seizure activity. Therefore, it could be used as a potential treatment for epilepsy.
CBG – it is also known as stem cell. It is easily transformed into THC and CBD, some recent studies have shown that it CBG may inhibit tumor growth.
CBN – The degradation of THC creates CBN and offers some psychoactive effects.
Why Go the CBD Full Spectrum Way?
For a long time, it was believed that CBD was more effective when isolated and given as an individual medicinal component. This led to many formulations of CBD (which still exist) being constituted as CBD isolate formulations. In later developments, the University of Jerusalem’s Hadassah medical school conducted a study on mice where the CBD isolate was compared to the whole plant extract. From this study the following conclusion was arrived at; as much CBD is effective on its own, using the whole plant extract (synergistic efforts of all the cannabinoids and terpenes) resulted in a longer lasting and more potent therapeutic effect. This development had the pharmaceuticals switch their focus to creating whole plant extracts. As it is, the full spectrum extract is preferred to CBD only formulations following this study and patient testimonies. In case you cannot get a hold on a full spectrum extract, all is not lost; you will still gain numerous benefits from it. But in case you can, the better for you. As you will find out below, the different compounds definitely work better together.
The entourage effect
Perhaps you have heard about the entourage effect, the idea came about as a result of the study mentioned above. What this means is that when all the compounds of the cannabis plant are combined they work synergistically to produce a more potent and enduring effect in the body. It’s more like a “strength in numbers” philosophy. Some studies have isolated different compounds and observed how they interact to provide a synergistic effect. Examples include:
THC when combined with CBD can help to tackle appetite loss, nausea and anorexia.
THC on its own can easily works to increase appetite. When it is combined with CBD, it is effective in the treatment of anorexia too.
THC combined with CBD can be used to tackle stress, ADHD/ ADD.
THC on its own can cause anxiety, but when it is combined with CBD, it is effective against stress, ADHD/ADD and provides a relaxed feeling.
CBD, CBG and THC can be used to tackle PTSD, OCD and bipolar tendencies.
CBD, CBC, CBG, CBN and THC can help tackle depression.
CBD and THC are effective against cramps and migraines
Inflammation and pain are best tackled by full spectrum extracts.
Terpenes
The entourage effect is not limited to cannabinoids, but it also extends to other compounds such as terpenes (terps). Terpenes give the plant its unique scent, color and flavor; this is together with having some healing properties. A full spectrum of cannabinoids and terpenes positively affects how CBD is absorbed, 100 mg of full extract is more potent than 100mg of CBD isolate. Cannabis sativa L contains over 120 different types of terpenes most of which have medicinal value;
Here are some examples of terpenes present in the cannabis plant
Limonene – is a stress reliever that also elevates mood. It also possesses anti-fungal characteristics and helps with gastric reflux issues.
Caryophyllene is an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory that combats pain and insomnia.
Humulene – boasts antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Helps in alleviating pain.
Linalool – is a calming sedative that offers help with anxiety, depression, stress, insomnia, pain and even convulsions
Myrcene – is another relaxing sedative that increases THC’s intoxicating effects. It enables the passing of beneficial chemicals by reducing the blood-brain barrier resistance. It is antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic.
Pinene – positively affects alertness and memory retention, is a bronchodilator (helpful for asthma) and is anti-inflammatory.
Flavonoids. These include quercetin, kaempferol, catechins, and anthocyanidins. They are known for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and other health-balancing properties.
Vitamins and minerals. These are also present in the cannabis sativa L plant and play a role in the entourage effect. Vitamins include A, C, E and B Complex (niacin, riboflavin and thiamine). Another important vitamin that is present is beta carotene which is quite hard to find in normal diet. Minerals present include zinc, potassium, iron, calcium and phosphorous.
Essential fats and proteins. Full spectrum CBD extract is loaded with 20 amino acids, including the nine essential ones. It contains omega 3 and 6 which are good for the heart and brain.
Benefits of Full Spectrum CBD Extract
Now that you have understood what the full spectrum extract is all about, it is good to know some of the health benefits you can obtain from this synergy. Individuals with chronic conditions have a lot going for them with the full spectrum CBD extract:
Pain management
A study published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine revealed that the full spectrum CBD was effective against fibromyalgia, lyme disease and chronic fatigue syndrome. Remember that cannabinoids act on pain receptors and the other compounds can magnify this effect. Being a natural product, there is little risk of developing tolerance.
Anxiety management
Cannabinoids together with terpenes are effective against anxiety. Studies have also shown positive response for PTSD, ADD/ ADHD.
GIT symptoms
When cannabinoids are combined they are able to counter many gastro intestinal complications such as nausea, anorexia and loss of appetite.
Cancer management
This is an interesting one, according to a review in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology full spectrum was shown to inhibit the growth of cancer cells. This treatment has low toxicity levels, non-invasiveness with no associated psychoactive effects. Cancer pain management is another added benefit.
Alzheimer management
A preliminary research in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease showed that CBD full spectrum extract produced positive results in the management of Alzheimer. It was able to reverse brain symptoms such as stress, brain fog, social withdrawal and lack of facial recognition.
This list is not comprehensive, and a lot of research is ongoing in this area. Again, people respond differently to different compounds. But one thing is not debatable; full spectrum CBD extract is gaining traction as a medicinal supplement with good reason.
How is CBD Full Spectrum Extracted?
There are a couple of methods that can be used to extract CBD full spectrum from industrial hemp. One of the most effective ways is by using pressurized CO2 to remove phytochemicals (CBG, CBD, flavonoids, terpenes etc.). As much as this method is quite expensive, it is the most effective and safest, and it is what our partner Pharmahemp use to extract the premium full extract CBD. This method also preserves the terpenes, flavonoids and nutrients.
Final Thoughts on CBD Full Spectrum Extract
As much as CBD can be consumed as an individual supplement, you stand to gain more from the complex interaction of all the hemp compounds. As they interact they magnify the health benefits and create a stable balance of nutrients in your body. Most importantly, you need to establish the quality of an extract before you buy it. Always have these three points in mind; what is the source of the plant extract, which extraction methods are used and what quality assurance procedures are followed. After all, your health should always comes first.