The entourage effect – full spectrum CBD oil is more than just CBD
The hype around the noxious CBD (cannabidiol) remains also in the new year. CBD oil in particular is becoming increasingly popular.
However, the variety of brands, varieties and suppliers is now extremely large, so it is not surprising that many users lose the overview.
Isolates and full spectrum oils are offered, the so called broad spectrum oil is a mixture of both. All types have their advantages and disadvantages.
It should be noted that the hemp plant is home to a vast array of active ingredients. Especially the psychoactive THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) with its dubious reputation due to its intoxicating effects has made a name for itself.
In recent years, however, CBD (cannabidiol) has come to the fore. The active ingredient develops its effects in the anti-inflammatory field and is often used for relaxation. In addition, cannabis (hemp) contains many terpenes (aromatic substances) and flavonoids (antioxidants).
Thus, the oils consist of compositions of these different active ingredients. The reason for the different products on the same basis are, among other things, various manufacturing processes.
Isolates consist of almost 100% pure CBD, full spectrum oils z. B. of the Candropharm brand make use of all the active ingredients of the hemp plant. Broad spectrum oils are located in between and as hybrids are not a topic of this paper.
Full Spectrum CBD Oil
CBD is extracted from female hemp plants. It undergoes a gentle extraction process known as supercritical CO2 extraction. Here carbon dioxide gas is brought into a state of aggregation between gaseous and liquid.
In a closed system, CO2 is now able to enter the hemp plant as a gas and bind the active ingredients to itself as a liquid. The method is considered to be extremely efficient, as it is able to extract all substances without destroying them to any significant extent.
After the process is finished, the liquid evaporates and all phytochemicals are left behind. The gas volatilizes without causing toxic residues. CO2 extraction is therefore the cleanest and most efficient method for extracting the hemp substances.
Only the fibers, the large proteins and the cell structures are removed. As a result, all cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids remain and can be gently processed into oil. The product therefore has an excellent cannabinoid diversity.
The Entourage Effect
This diversity is important because without it the so-called entourage effect cannot occur. There is now scientific consensus that the combination of the different active ingredients is far more effective than pure CBD isolate – it creates Synergistic effects.
Cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids interact and support each other in a way that can be expected to have better health effects than the sum of the individual active ingredients.
Thus, a high-quality full-spectrum CBD oil also contains other health-promoting nutrients such as vitamins, minerals and trace elements. In particular, the essential fatty acids omega 3 and omega 6 are to be mentioned.
The interplay between cannabinoids and terpenes requires special attention. For a long time, the latter were classified as aroma and fragrance substances, i.e. rather subordinate in terms of medicinal effects.
Today it is known that these important substances enhance a large part of the effects that come from cannabinoids. Full spectrum CBD oil therefore achieves a much higher bioavailability than pure isolate.
Advantages and disadvantages of full spectrum CBD oil
In addition to the simplified production and the better mode of action due to the entourage effect, the full-spectrum variant is also said to have fewer side effects. However, the effect can be that more THC residues remain than are permitted. In Germany the limit is 0.2.
Each batch has its own composition. Therefore, the final CBD concentration is often unpredictable and highly dependent on the Quality of the raw material. This circumstance also made it difficult to meet the required values, which are required by the labels.
The combination of terpenes and cannabinoids can complicate the prediction of effects. So if you want to rigorously avoid the intake of THC, you should rather go for the isolate.
What is a CBD isolate?
Many manufacturers rely on isolates. With these, the so beneficial entourage effect with its synergistic benefits can not be achieved though. Isolates, however, have the advantage that they can be dosed precisely.
If it says 200 mg on the label, the bottle usually contains exactly 200 mg. In addition, it can be assumed that the psychoactive THC has been removed in its entirety.
In manufacturing, isolates must go through another extraction process. Starting from the final products of CO2 extraction, they are now subjected to chromatography, which ensures the isolation of THC.
The extract is gently heated and pushed into a special cylinder. In this process, the various substrates are precipitated individually and the CBD is captured.
Afterwards, the extracted substrate undergoes a winterization process that filters out all remaining plant materials and waxes.
Crystals are left behind, which can then be mixed into the various carrier materials to the desired concentrations. In the case of CBD oil isolate, these are usually olive oils, hemp or coconut oils.
Advantages and disadvantages of CBD isolate
In addition to the described exactly predictable CBD concentrations and the guarantee for THC-free products, especially the favorable price is the decisive advantage over the full-spectrum variant.
Disadvantages cited include the lack of the entourage effect and fewer health effects present in terms of quantity. In addition, isolates are said to have somewhat more side effects.
