If you use cannabis light and CBD products, you will certainly have repeatedly experienced the benefits they bring to your body and mind and probably can no longer do without them.

Of these products, the most popular with consumers is certainly the oil, a versatile and easy-to-use product, available in different percentages of CBD and in several variants – Full Spectrum, Broad Spectrum and in isolated form.

This complex with a thousand beneficial properties boasts a composition based on CBD, or cannabidiol, one of the main cannabinoids in cannabis, along with other active ingredients. It is a natural substance that helps us maintain our daily psychophysical well-being.

But have you ever wondered what triggers the reaction that allows this active ingredient to act on your body?

In this article, we will go into detail, try to answer this question and better understand some important information regarding CBD oil, such as the characteristics of its variants, what are the advantages of one and the other; but above all, we will try to understand what exactly the entourage effect of CBD Full Spectrum oils is.

CBD full entourage: what it means

CBD oil exists in different percentages, depending on the concentration of cannabidiol inside, and in three different variants, namely Full Spectrum, Broad Spectrum and in isolated form. We will examine the latter two later, and at the moment we will focus on the former.

CBD Full Spectrum oil is characterised, as its name suggests, by a full spectrum composition. This means that it has, in addition to cannabidiol, a number of additional natural active ingredients within it, i.e. flavonoids, terpenes, essential oils, vitamins, proteins, fibres and other cannabis cannabinoids such as CBG, CBC and CBN, which boast antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective and relaxing properties. Finally, this type of product contains a small percentage of THC, the major cannabinoid in cannabis along with CBD, which causes a general relaxing effect but also the psychoactive effects that are commonly linked to marijuana consumption.

Naturally, since it is a legal product, the THC content is very minimal and is at most 0.5%, in accordance with the relevant regulations. The combination of all these substances (about a hundred or so) works in concert to recreate an optimal state of health within the body after constant intake. This function is referred to as the ‘entourage effect’ and, when Full Spectrum CBD oil is concerned, ‘full entourage’.

What is the entourage effect?

The term entourage effect refers to the synergistic effect that CBD, cannabinoids and other substances in the oil activate in our bodies when we take a dose. The combined chemical action of all these substances results in a more powerful and incisive effect than cannabidiol alone would do.

The entourage effect was first examined in 1998 following a study conducted by Israeli cannabis chemist Raphael Mechoulam. During his research, Mechoulam discovered exactly which mechanism triggered the plant’s beneficial effects and realised that the therapeutic input was not from a single active ingredient, but from its overall phytocomplex, i.e. the whole of its various components. He also realised that the active ingredients in cannabis were mutually reinforcing and created a kind of booster effect.

Basically, according to the scientist’s first research and those that were carried out subsequently, the entourage effect would show that the main cannabinoid alone could not have substantial positive consequences if it did not work together with the other active ingredients, which enhance its therapeutic properties. These include the aforementioned secondary phytocannabinoids, THC, flavonoids and, above all, terpenes.

The role of terpenes and what they are 

When talking about CBD oil and full entourage, one cannot but talk about terpenes. Terpenes are volatile secondary molecules found not only in cannabis but generally in the phytocomplexes of various naturally occurring plants and insects.

The primary function of terpenes is to impart their distinctive scent to plants and animals, which is why they can be found in large quantities in, for example, essential oils, the ones we use to perfume our homes or to add aroma to cosmetics.

If, however, we humans recognise terpenes as simple sources of natural aromas, for plants the situation is quite different, because they fulfil a fundamental protective function. In fact, the scent they give off recreates on the one hand a sort of defensive barrier against external agents, acting as a deterrent for certain pests and herbivorous species, and on the other hand a sort of ‘lure’, an attractant for pollinators. Thanks to their antimicrobial properties, they also help to keep plants in an optimal state of health.

Cannabis sativa has more than 120 types of terpenes – such as limonene, linalool and eucalyptol – that give it its characteristic odour and many of its relaxing and anti-inflammatory properties. During cultivation of the plant, certain techniques can also be used to strengthen its terpene profile and maximise its effect.

Terpenes therefore represent a very important resource in support of cannabinoids and, when taken, interact directly with the cb1 and cb2 receptors of our endocannabinoid system, contributing to its regulation and balancing operations when a malfunction occurs.

What types of CBD oil exist?

Besides Full Spectrum CBD oil, there are two other versions of this product:

• Broad Spectrum oil contains a large amount of CBD, but also the terpenes, flavonoids, a number of vitamins and proteins, and all the other cannabinoids of the hemp plant except THC, which is removed from the composition by special chemical processes. It is therefore a product very similar to Full Spectrum.
• CBD oil in isolated form, as the name suggests, contains only cannabidiol in its purest form, as it is isolated from the other natural substances present in cannabis. It is a very mild version, which allows CBD to be taken without contraindications but, on the other hand, does not have the same degree of efficacy as the other two.

It goes without saying that Full Spectrum and Broad Spectrum are more effective than oil in isolated form in treating ailments and inflammations, because the combination of the various active ingredients gives rise to the entourage effect.

Naturally, the absence of THC in Broad Spectrum makes it possible to experience the various benefits of the product without fearing in any way the presence of this active ingredient and thus the possible occurrence of consequences, albeit slight, in individuals who poorly tolerate it, or in pregnant or breast-feeding women.

The benefits of full-spectrum CBD

Full Spectrum CBD oil, exploiting the combination of cannabinoids, vitamins, terpenes and flavonoids, is able to provide your body with all the beneficial properties of cannabis in an enhanced version. And that is why with this particular CBD oil, the full entourage effect is assured, much more so than with Broad Spectrum oil.

Numerous researches have been conducted in recent years with respect to the full entourage effect, which helps to better manage anxiety and depression, to reduce pain and inflammation, and in general, to activate the therapeutic properties of cannabis successfully and quickly.

Of course, the role that is played by THC should never be underestimated, which, let us remember, is present in Full Spectrum oil, albeit in the minimum quantities permitted by law. On the other hand, however, there is no need to fear the onset of any psychoactive effects because while it is true that THC is an additional booster in the oil mixture, its psychotropic properties are constantly kept in check by the preponderant amount of CBD.  This may be true for most users of this product, but some mild consequences may also be felt by more sensitive individuals, especially if it is taken in large quantities. So remember to always consult your doctor before starting full spectrum oil therapy.

The Best Full Spectrum CBD Oils 

This important information about CBD oil will certainly enable you to be more knowledgeable in choosing the product that best meets your health needs, but also more comfortable taking it.

If you choose to benefit from the Full Spectrum version of CBD oil, from the full effect without fearing the minimal presence of THC, know that you will still have to pay attention to the quality of the article and be sure that it is based on certified ingredients of excellent quality.

Turn to a serious and competent dealer who can clarify your doubts and recommend only the perfect item for you: discover all the full-spectrum oil varieties from Maria CBD Oil, the Italian company of reference for those who wish to take advantage of the natural therapeutic principles of light cannabis, and purchase the one that meets your wellbeing needs by consulting the online shop.