The entourage Effect

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We highly recommend that you research on your own, and ask plenty of questions when considering whether or not to add hemp-derived supplements into your wellness plan. During that research, you’re going to read a lot about full-spectrum vs isolate products. 

When it comes down to it, you should choose whatever works best for YOU. Starting low and adjusting your dosage as necessary is key to finding your “sweet spot” -- the dosage that maximizes therapeutic benefit to you as an individual.  This dosing strategy will vary from person to person, and will vary by product quality as well.  

Hemp-derived products can be full-spectrum (also referred to as whole-plant), meaning that they contain CBD and THC in addition to other cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids. Once ingested, these active compounds work together in a highly synergistic fashion, activating receptors throughout the Endocannabinoid System (ECS), which is the biological system responsible for maintaining homeostasis -- our bodies natural ability to preserve balance in spite of changes. 

Where hemp differs from marijuana is in the volume of the varying cannabinoids. By law, hemp-derived extracts are required to have a THC content of 0.3% or less. Marijuana plants on the other hand, have THC concentrations ranging anywhere from 5% to 50%. The lower THC concentration in hemp allow for the therapeutic benefit of THC to shine through, without the "high". 

The most widely-known example of the Entourage Effect in action is the increase in overall effectiveness of CBD on the human body when low levels of THC are present. 

Even the terpenes and flavonoids, which are compounds found in the natural oils of the hemp plant and are responsible for its aroma and flavor, play a crucial role with regards to the Entourage Effect. For instance, recent studies have shown that several terpenes act as “assistants”, allowing for faster absorption of cannabinoids like CBD and THC by preparing the ECS’s receptors. 

Lastly, when making you're decision between full-spectrum and pure CBD products, please keep this in mind: Even though the low concentration of THC present in full-spectrum products isn't enough to result in a "high", it is significant enough to result in a positive drug test. 

A similar example would be that of poppy seeds, which may lead to a positive drug test for opioids. 

Our Pure CBD line of products have No Detectable (ND)* levels of THC, verified by third-party Certificates of Analysis (COA).  

This is why it is vital that you purchase your hemp-derived products from a reputable supplier that can provide lab testing results. The current lack of regulation in the hemp-extract industry has led to a market saturated with inaccurately labeled, and in some cases, dangerous products. This can't be stressed enough -- please purchase your products from a well-informed, reputable supplier. 

*Lower limit of detection (LOD) is .01 parts-per-million (PPM) 

References:

Konieczny, Eileen, and Lauren Wilson. Healing with CBD: How Cannabidiol Can Transform Your Health without the High. Ulysses Press, 2018.