CBD TINCTURE DIFFERENCES

When archaeologists discover prehistoric settlements, they often find the remains of therapeutic herbs. These findings, along with early medical texts, suggest humans have been using herbal remedies since the dawn of time, and cannabis is no exception.

Our ancient ancestors had no choice but to use the whole plant, but modern technology allows contemporary users access to a variety of full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and purified products. Among the multitude of options, many cite tinctures as one of the most effective.

What kind of tincture is the best, though? To answer this, an understanding of the differences between full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and pure hemp extracts is crucial.

WHAT COMPOUNDS DO HEMP PLANTS CONTAIN?

Researchers often call cannabis the plant of one-thousand-and-one molecules because it contains such an enormous number of compounds. The fundamental difference between each type of tincture is how many of these compounds end up in the final product.

100 CANNABINOIDS & COUNTING

Over the last 50 years, scientists studying the pharmaceutical potential of cannabis have isolated over 100 individual cannabinoids. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) are undoubtedly the most well-known and well-researched, but they are far from the only ones with therapeutic benefits.

• Cannabinol (CBN): The first cannabinoid isolated by researchers, CBN is a powerful sedative. It helps to promote bone tissue growth, and also mimic some of the effects of CBD with anti-inflammatory, anticonvulsant, and antibiotic properties.
• Cannabigerol (CBG): This cannabinoid can help regulate mood, appetite, and sleep by increasing levels of serotonin and dopamine. CBG is useful in the treatment of mental illnesses like anxiety and depression, as well as sleep disorders.
• Cannabichromene (CBC): One of the most promising cannabinoids in medical research, CBC functions similarly to over-the-counter painkillers like ibuprofen, but without the dangerous side effects. CBC also shows the potential to inhibit cancer cell growth.
• Cannabidivarin (CBDV): Nearly identical in molecular structure to cannabidiol, the anticonvulsant properties of CBDV might be even stronger than those of CBD. This cannabinoid is also useful in the treatment of nausea and vomiting,  especially for patients undergoing chemotherapy. 

Although not as much research exists to confirm the benefits of these compounds, all cannabinoids have so far shown enormous potential in treating a range of conditions. 

THE BENEFITS OF TERPENES

Terpenes are the chemicals that give plants their scents, such as linalool in lavender, limonene in citrus fruits, and pinene in evergreen trees. Studies using mice and rats show these compounds can mimic many of the therapeutic effects of cannabinoids.

• Pinene: The most common terpene found in nature, pinene is antibiotic and anti-inflammatory. It also possesses neuroprotective properties that can help prevent memory loss.
• Myrcene: Another anti-inflammatory agent, myrcene smells a bit like balsamic vinegar. It has been shown to act as a painkiller in rodents and may have sedative effects in humans.
• Linalool: A powerful sedative, linalool molecules are why the smell of lavender improves sleep. It also helps to reduce seizure frequency and has a soothing effect comparable to menthol when applied topically.
• Limonene: This terpene can increase levels of serotonin and dopamine. One study shows inhaling citrus fragrances, which limonene cause, led to 9 out of 12 patients successfully stopping their use of prescription anti-depressants.

Hemp contains all these terpenes and numerous others with unique medicinal benefits of their own. Some purified cannabidiol products, such as terp shatter, use these molecules to add flavor and heighten therapeutic effects.

THE EFFECTS OF PHENOLICS

Phenolic compounds, or simply phenolics, are a group of aromatic chemicals including flavonoids, lignans, and stilbenes. These molecules mimic some of the beneficial effects of cannabinoids and terpenes.

• Flavonoids: These potent antioxidants can help reduce the risk of chronic illnesses such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s. Flavonoids also have anti-viral and anti-inflammatory properties.
• Lignans: These little components of plant fiber, like the kind found in hemp, are antioxidants, too. Lignans show immense potential in cancer treatment, especially breast cancer, and the US Cancer Institute views them as “high-interest compounds” for future research.
• Stilbenes: A third antioxidant, stilbenes seem to show a particular affinity for the brain. This preference may make them especially useful in preventing strokes, as well as treating movement disorders like Parkinson’s. 

As previously mentioned, the primary distinction between full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and pure CBD tinctures is the number of compounds they contain.

WHAT COMPOUNDS DOES EACH TINCTURE CONTAIN?

The process and extract used to make each type of tincture determines which cannabinoids, terpenes, and phenolic compounds end up in the final product.

PURE CBD TINCTURE CONTENTS

Tinctures containing purified cannabidiol oil do not contain any additional compounds. These tinctures are made using CBD isolate, an odorless and tasteless crystalline powder.

Pure CBD tinctures contain isolate mixed with coconut MCT oil to make these tinctures. MCTs, or medium-chain triglycerides, are fatty acids that help the body quickly absorb CBD, which is fat-soluble.

BROAD-SPECTRUM TINCTURE CONTENTS

The molecular profile of broad-spectrum tinctures is far more elaborate than those that only contain cannabidiol. Apart from THC, these tinctures contain all the additional cannabinoids, terpenes, and phenolic compounds cannabis has to offer.

These tinctures are made using a cold ethanol extraction process, which creates a full-spectrum hemp oil. Additional processing removes the psychoactive THC, leaving a broad spectrum-extract that is mixed with coconut MCT oil to aid absorption.

FULL-SPECTRUM TINCTURE CONTENTS

Full-spectrum tinctures contain all the cannabinoids, terpenes, and phenolic compounds found in hemp, including THC. Because they are made using hemp-derived extracts, these tinctures contain less than 0.3% of THC and will not cause psychoactive effects.

Cannabidiol isolate was once thought to be the most effective type of hemp extract, however emerging research suggests that this might be wrong. Full-spectrum tinctures may have added therapeutic value because of a phenomenon known as the entourage effect.

WHAT EXACTLY IS THE ENTOURAGE EFFECT?

The entourage effect is a term used to describe the idea that cannabinoids, terpenes, and phenolic compounds heighten the benefits of one another when taken in conjunction. 

Because many terpenes and phenolics have similar effects to those of cannabinoids, they are thought to increase the therapeutic potential of full-spectrum tinctures.

Entourage compounds may also increase the duration of effects from cannabinoids. The same enzyme metabolizes many of the compounds in hemp, including cannabidiol, which may slow the breakdown of CBD keeping it active longer. 

EFFECTS ON DOSE-RESPONSE CURVES

The dose-response curve describes the relationship between the dosage and the effectiveness of medicinal compounds. Cannabinoid isolates tend to show a biphasic dose-response curve, meaning that once a peak dose is reached increasing that dosage will not improve the effects. 

Full-spectrum hemp extracts have a linear dose-response curve, meaning there is not a peak dose. Theoretically, these extracts will not lose their effectiveness over time, like other natural and pharmaceutical medications do.

A 2018 review of clinical studies on the treatment of epilepsy with hemp-based medications found that patients using full-spectrum products took an average dose of 6.0 mg per kg of their body weight daily. 

Those using pure cannabidiol, on the other hand, took more than four times that amount with a daily average of 25.3 mg per kg of body weight. This drastic difference in dosage may be the reason whole-plant products have a linear dose-response curve and purified cannabidiol does not.

REDUCES ADVERSE SIDE EFFECTS

The same review of epileptic patients found that full-spectrum hemp extracts had far less potential to produce side effects than pure CBD. While the side effects for all cannabidiol-based products are the same, this could be beneficial for people susceptible to them.

Mild side effects were reported among an astonishing 76% of pure CBD users, while only 33% of patients using whole-plant medicines reported any side effects. Of these, 26% of isolate users and 7% of full-spectrum users reported their side effects as severe.

The most common complaints from both groups of patients were changes in appetite, sleepiness, weight changes, and gastrointestinal issues. These adverse effects usually resolve themselves within a few days and are not overtly dangerous.

WHAT THE RESEARCH SAYS

The previously mentioned study of epileptic patients evaluated the results of 670 individuals. When using the standard clinical threshold of 50% reduction in seizure frequency, pure CBD was slightly more effective, with 42% of patients showing improvement, compared to 37% of full-spectrum users.

In 2010, research into the effectiveness of cannabis extracts on opioid-resistant pain found that a full spectrum of compounds was considerably effective. The same study found that THC had no more effect than a placebo on the amount of pain study participants reported.

Many cite a 2015 study as definitive evidence whole-plant medicine is more effective, as it also illustrates the differences in dose-response curves. Far from being comprehensive, this study looks at the extract from one specific plant and only acts to reinforce what researchers already know.

A study from 2018 suggests that full- and broad-spectrum medications were more effective than THC alone in the treatment of breast cancer. Researchers concluded that multiple cannabinoids working together likely produced these beneficial effects, as terpenes were found to have no role in them.

While the majority of research available compares using multiple cannabinoids to a single one, the medicinal benefits of terpenes and phenolic compounds also play a vital role in the entourage effect. 

Evidence suggests both CBD and terpenes can counteract the negative impacts of THC use, such as short-term memory loss.

DOWNSIDES OF THE ENTOURAGE EFFECT

Even with the protective benefits of all the compounds in hemp, the presence of psychoactive THC is by far the biggest downside to products that create the entourage effect. 

Even trace amounts of THC can show up on a drug test, with most tests measuring in nanograms or about one-billionth of a gram. Testing that uses hair measures THC content in picograms, which are only about one-trillionth of a gram. 

Some states still have zero-tolerance policies when it comes to THC in spite of federal legalization of hemp-derived products, meaning a positive result can earn you an impaired driving fine. 

There is an unfortunate lack of research comparing the effectiveness of broad-spectrum products to full-spectrum ones. However, removing a single cannabinoid should not negate all the effects of taking the many compounds found in hemp together. 

Individuals who are subject to regular screenings should not risk their livelihoods by taking full-spectrum products, no matter how much evidence backs up the entourage effect. Broad-spectrum tinctures offer a way to experience this effect without using THC, and they may be just as beneficial.

SO, WHICH TYPE OF TINCTURE IS THE BEST?

Despite there being clear evidence that the entourage effect is most likely a real phenomenon, that does not mean full-spectrum tinctures are the best choice for everyone. 

Broad-spectrum and pure CBD tinctures have their unique benefits and might be more efficient when it comes to treating specific conditions.

FULL-SPECTRUM TINCTURE BENEFITS

Full-spectrum tinctures offer the full benefits of hemp and undergo less processing. They are ideal for anyone looking for a specific THC to CBD ratio, and those with severe conditions that do not improve using other extracts.

The downside of full-spectrum products is they may cause unwanted sedative effects and can show up on drug tests, potentially causing legal issues. They may also have a stronger natural flavor and odor from the additional terpenes and phenolics.

BROAD-SPECTRUM TINCTURE BENEFITS

Broad-spectrum tinctures can also offer the full benefits of hemp without any of the risks of THC. However, because the technology to remove THC while leaving everything else intact is still relatively new, there is a lot less research on the topic.

These tinctures may also have a strong flavor and odor. They can help individuals with a sensitivity to THC, or those in states with strict laws and employers with zero-tolerance policies. Individuals with conditions that CBD alone cannot alleviate may also find broad-spectrum tinctures beneficial.

PURE CBD TINCTURE BENEFITS

Pure CBD tinctures are the purest form of cannabidiol. They have no dangerous psychoactive effects, are tasteless and odorless, and are usually considered safe. Their main drawback is that they do not deliver the benefits of the entourage effects and have a peak dose. 

These tinctures are advantageous for people who need to take high doses of CBD, individuals with sensitivities to other compounds found in hemp, those that dislike the natural taste of cannabis, anyone who regularly undergoes drug testing, and anyone else hesitant about using other cannabinoids.

AND THE BEST TINCTURE IS…

Whichever tincture works best for you! Because everyone is different, the most effective option will be different, too. Personal preference and the intended use of a tincture will help you to determine whether full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, or pure CBD is the best option for you. 

Whichever type of tincture you choose, always purchase from a reputable brand that provides independent lab test results. The majority of cannabidiol products are not regulate by the FDA, testing from an unbiased 3rd party is the only way to know if your tincture contains what the label claims.

For more information on CBD tinctures and drug testing, see this article published by Healthline. Iconic Remedies cannot guarantee screening results, as cross contamination from your home and second-hand exposure to THC may trigger positive readings, even when using pure cannabidiol products.