The marijuana plant is a miracle plant. There are so many products and byproducts of this plant which are useful for people in different ways and for different things. While the most common purpose as to why people consume weed is to get high, there are also other purposes. These include several medicinal benefits, which are largely associated with the compound CBD which is present in the marijuana buds. In this article, we shall specifically be talking about full spectrum CBD oil – whether it is legal or not, and what are all the benefits that you get when you consume CBD oil.
We shall be giving a complete overview about what CBD is, as well as some basic differences between CBD and THC – the two top compounds that the marijuana buds have. We believe this is important because people often tend to get confused between the two and assume one to be the other. The legality of marijuana is another topic that we shall be touching to understand the legality of CBD Oil in a better manner. There will also be a detailed discussion about the medicinal benefits of CBD oil followed by the Pros and Cons of consuming full spectrum CBD oil, after which some Frequently Asked Questions shall be answered before we conclude.
However, let us start by understanding what CBD and THC are – and what are the primary differences between these two compounds.
CBD vs THC: Everything That You Need to Know
Both these three-letter acronyms, CBD as well as THC are very popular names in the ‘weed culture’. Stoners all over the world are likely to have heard these words as these are the two primary compounds present inside the sweet sweet bud that they love to smoke so much. However, when it comes to understanding what each does, people often get confused and attribute one’s features to the other. To make things very simple and easy to understand, the psychoactive properties of the marijuana bud – the fact that you get high out of smoking it, can be attributed to THC, while the medicinal benefits and the relaxing properties of the bud can be attributed to CBD.
CBD basically stands for Cannabidiol while the full-form of THC is TetraHydroCannabinol, often known as Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol. Both of these are technically classified as phytocannabinoids which can be extracted from the plant and used for their properties. CBD can be consumed in many different forms – you can use it as a full spectrum CBD oil, as we shall be talking about in this article, or you can have it infused in gummy bears. CBD can also be consumed as an extract, in the form of a concentrate, it can be vaped and it can also be drunk as a drink.
For those wondering how THC gets you ‘high’ is because of something called the endocannabinoid system of your body. When you consume cannabinoids, they react with the endocannabinoid receptors in your body – and each of them reacts in a different way. There are two kinds of receptors – CB1 and CB2. When you talk about the former, they are largely present in the brain region – which is why consuming marijuana has such a strong response in your cognitive abilities. When you look at the CB2 receptors, they are mostly found in places of key immune response of the human body such as tonsils, bone marrow, leukocytes, among others.
It also needs to be known that while CBD and THC are the two main cannabinoids, they are far from being the only cannabinoid compounds present in the marijuana plant. There are at least 113 different cannabinoids which have been identified and separated – but these are the two main ones. However, when you consume a full spectrum CBD oil, some other cannabinoids are also going to be present in the mix.
An interesting thing to know about CBD is that when you isolate it from THC, it does not have any psychoactive properties and can not get you high. However, in this article we are not talking about an isolated CBD, but a full spectrum CBD, which means that the full spectrum CBD oil will carry trace amounts of THC in it – it will not get you high but it will help you relax and feel calmer.
What is CBD Oil?
Just like oils and extracts are made out of other cannabis products, this oil is made by first extracting the CBD from the marijuana plant which is then diluted with the help of another oil which is known as the ‘carrier oil’. This is usually something like coconut oil, or in many cases hemp seed oil. It is then packaged into small bottles called tinctures and sold. The more the amount of CBD extract present in the oil, the more potent that oil will be.
What are the Different Kinds of CBD Oils?
There are three different kinds of CBD oils classified on the basis of purity. The focus in this article is on full spectrum CBD oil but it is essential that you also know about the other types:
- CBD Isolate Oil
This is the purest form of CBD oil where you have only CBD isolated from all other cannabinoids. This includes oils which carry upto 99.9% CBD. This is a product where there is no THC present – not even in trace elements. This is because after the CBD oil has been extracted, it undergoes another process of separation where the THC is removed from it.
- Broad-Spectrum CBD Oil
This too is a THC-free product but the biggest difference between a broad spectrum CBD oil and a CBD isolate oil is that while there’s no THC, there are a number of other cannabinoids present in this oil. Terpenes and essential oils are also present along with the cannabinoids and CBD.
- full spectrum CBD Oil
The third kind of CBD oil and the primary focus of this article – this is the kind of oil where no elements are isolated and separated. You get an all-natural CBD oil where you also have trace elements of THC present. The presence of THC as well as other cannabinoids gives CBD a boost and it works more effectively.
What are the Medicinal Benefits of full-spectrum CBD Oil?
CBD itself carries a large number of medicinal benefits which percolate into the CBD oil as well! CBD oil provides relief when it comes to physical as well as mental ailments and here are all the things it helps deal with:
- Anxiety
One of the best health benefits of consuming CBD oil is in reducing anxiety. CBD in general has proven to be very effective in helping ease anxiety and helps those who are coping with it. This is why CBD infused anxiety gummies are also very popular. Placebo studies have shown that those consuming 400mg CBD on a daily basis have had a noted impact on reducing anxiety levels. Studies continue to go on on in this direction!
- Nausea and Vomiting
These are some very common problems that everyone faces in their life a large number of times. Nausea and vomiting can be controlled with the help of full spectrum CBD oil. It is also beneficial for those who have eating disorders or anorexia to consume CBD oil as it stimulates hunger.
- Pain and Inflammation
Those suffering from pain (generic or chronic) or joint inflammations have found consuming full spectrum CBD oil to be highly beneficial. This is also a very basic property of CBD which is why it has been used in lotions, creams and balms which help ease the pain. The antioxidant properties of CBD oil help people reduce their inflammation. People suffering from other kinds of chronic pain such as migraine related pain, neuropathic pain, sclerosis pain, arthritis and pain due to cancer/cancer treatment can also consume CBD oil to feel better. People who suffer from Rheumatoid Arthritis find relief upon using full spectrum CBD oil as it slows down the rate of inflammation and helps provide pain relief. However, it is strictly advised to consume this oil only after your doctor’s approval.
- Alzheimer’s Disease, Dementia, Parkinson’s Disease
A vast variety of mental conditions and neurodegenerative ailments can also be treated with the help of CBD oil. While full spectrum CBD oil is not a miracle cure that will heal those suffering from these problems completely, it is still something that has been known to provide relief for people with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, as well as dementia. Scientists have found over the years that CBD Oil has a good impact on the connectivity of the brain cells and also helps promote and protect the growth of neurons. It helps people with Parkinson’s move better. It also helps reduce internal inflammations.
- Cancer Treatment
People who suffer from cancer, and particularly those who undergo the painful chemotherapy process often feel better upon consuming CBD Oil. While there’s a lot of research going on in this direction with limited success so far, there have been some proven results which indeed show that CBD oil helps fight against cancer and has a restraining effect on the growth of cancer cells.
Pros and Cons of Full Spectrum CBD Oil
Here’s a look at some of the pros and cons of CBD oil:
Pros
- Great for people who suffer from anxiety and depression and can uplift mood
- Has a positive impact on reducing joint inflammations
- Helps improve the connectivity of the brain cells and has neuroprotective properties
- Some studies have also found that full spectrum CBD oil is great for reducing acne and improving hair, nails and skin quality
- When infused with melatonin, CBD gummies are great for people who want to sleep better
- People suffering cancer, arthritis and other serious ailments tend to feel better with the help of CBD oil
Cons
- Liver damage has been associated with CBD for quite some time and studies are still going on about it
- Excessive CBD might cause an adverse impact on male and female reproductive systems
- Diarrhea and low blood pressure are some other common side effects that people face when they consume CBD oil. These don’t always happen but have been reported by frequent consumers.
Is Full Spectrum CBD Oil Legal?
Now that you know everything that there is to know about CBD Oil, let us take a very quick look at its legal status. We shall be talking about the US and the UK – for other countries you must check with your local laws and regulations as they will be able to provide you with a more accurate answer. Even for the US and UK it is always better to check with your local authorities once but here’s a broad idea of the legal status:
- USA: CBD is legal in America as long as it carries less than 0.3% of THC. This is the basic federal law – however, different states have put different restrictions on this as well. For instance, there are some states in America where you are required by law to carry a prescription to purchase or consume CBD.
- UK: In the United Kingdom, CBD is not technically a state-controlled drug but considering the fact that it is hard to isolate THC from CBD and full spectrum analysis might not be appropriate in many places of verification, all CBD-carrying products are regulated under MDA 1971/MDR 2001.
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What Are the Other Popular Cannabinoids?
While THC and CBD are the primary cannabinoids that are extremely popular, there are a total of at least 113 identifiable cannabinoids. Here are some other popular ones (which are also present in full spectrum CBD oil in trace amounts)
- Cannabinol (CBN): When your marijuana plant gets older, the THC in it weakens and it no longer remains as psychoactive and as ‘potent’ to give you a high as it was when it was fresh. The older your plant gets the higher the cannabinol content in it gets. Cannabinol does not get you high at all – and has been noted to have a positive impact on people who suffer from glaucoma but studies are still being carried out about this compound.
- Tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV): Again, very similar in its name to THC, but with a V after it, this is a compound that does not have any major psychoactive properties and can not get you high when consumed in small doses. However, an increased amount of THCV can alter some of your cognitive senses as it will then bind with the CB1 receptors of your brain. While studies about the benefits of THCV are still being carried out – tests on animals have shown positive results. Testing has found out that consuming THCV might have a positive effect for people dealing with diabetes. It can perhaps also be useful for those people who want to suppress their hunger.
- Cannabichromene (CBC): While this is something that cannot get you high at all and has no psychoactive properties, Cannabichromene is of great importance as scientists are currently studying its effects on fighting against cancer! It has a number of other medicinal benefits for the human body as well, including relief from pain, as well as reducing inflammation and also helps some people who have been dealing with osteoarthritis.
- Cannabigerol (CBG): This is the absolute genesis of all other cannabinoids as research has indicated that all cannabinoids start their journey in the CBG form. Research about the properties and benefits of CBG continues as we write this and so far it has been found that CBG has a vast number of effects on the body – which might have a slowing down effect on cancer of the colon. More medicinal benefits are likely to emerge over the years.
Frequently Asked Questions About Full Spectrum CBD Oil
Here are some of the most popular and frequently asked questions when it comes to full-spectrum CBD oil.
1. Can I get high off CBD Oil?
full spectrum CBD oil does contain a trace amount of THC as well as other cannabinoids which have been specified above. However, it is highly unlikely that you will get ‘high’ off using it because it contains only a trace amount of THC. While it might have a very limited impact on your cognition you won’t really feel the psychoactive effects that would otherwise be felt on consuming THC.
2. Can I carry full-spectrum CBD Oil on flights?
While every country (and even every state of the US) has different regulations when it comes to consuming CBD. You need to check with the local authorities of the country you are flying from and the country you are flying to – and check whether it is legal before you carry it otherwise you might run into legal troubles.
3. Are there any side effects of CBD Oil?
Dry mouth, drowsiness, mood swings and anxiety are among the most common side effects that people face upon consuming CBD oil. In addition to this, there are other effects such as low blood pressure, nausea, and in some cases even a bout of diarrhea. However, these are all very rare events and you must consult with your doctor if you are facing them.
Conclusion
We hope that this article helped you gain a good understanding on what CBD oil is and what are the various benefits that you can get out of consuming it. There are many positive effects that it has on your health and consuming it can help you cope with various physical as well as mental ailments. However, before we go we must once again remind you to never self-medicate yourself and to always seek a doctor’s advice before you start consuming CBD oil for medical purposes. If you have any more questions about CBD oil or if there is a specific aspect that you would like to know more about, drop us an email or let us know in the comments and we shall get back to you shortly!
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