Does CBD oil Contain THC? [Full Spectrum DOES]

Does CBD Contain THC? (Plus some surprising facts)

If you have heard of CBD oil, chances are, the question on your mind is: “Does CBD contain THC?” You might want to find out the answer to this, because there are a lot of negative connotations surrounding THC. Well the answer to “does CBD contain THC” is: It depends. First, to clarify, CBD and THC are two separate cannabinoids, so a better question would be do CBD products contain THC? Let’s get into it.

What is CBD?

CBD or Cannabidiol is the non-psychoactive cannabinoid of the cannabis plant. CBD is starting to be held on a very high pedestal, thanks to all of it’s amazing benefits. CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system, more specifically the CB1 and CB2 receptors in order to maintain homeostasis (balance) in the body. CBD has many beneficial effects, most notably:

• Anti-anxiety
• Anti-inflammatory
• Anti-acne
• Anti-psychotic
• Anti-seizure
• Neuroprotecive
• Etc.

What is THC?

THC or TetraHydroCannabinol is one of the 113 cannabinoids that have been identified in the Cannabis plant. It’s considered the primary psychoactive constituent of cannabis¹ (i.e. the substance that directly affects the brain and gives the “high” feeling commonly associated with cannabis). Also notable is that THC is the substance tested for in typical drug tests administered by employers/government entities. It can be detected via blood, urine, hair, and saliva. THC exerts its effects by acting on cannabinoid receptors in the brain just as does CBD but induces different responses. Since THC is lipid-soluble, it is able to cross the blood-brain barrier to induce its effects on the brain directly, hence its potency. After it exerts its effects, it’s metabolized by the liver and excreted in feces and urine². Despite the negative connotations generally associated with THC, it has been proven to exert many positive effects in numerous studies³. For example, it’s thought to be the main anticonvulsant involved in helping multiple sclerosis patients, and to have anti-inflammatory and pain-killing effects.

Do CBD Products Contain THC?

First off, it should be noted that there are two types of CBD products: Full spectrum CBD and CBD isolates. Full spectrum CBD products typically contain THC. Full spectrum CBD contains cannabinoids from the whole hemp plant. If it has THC, it is trace amounts (less than .3%). These trace amounts are within legal limits, and they will not get you high. Although this is legal there is a small chance of getting a false positive on a drug test. Full spectrum CBD is favorable because the trace THC content, along with the other cannabinoids work synergistically with CBD for the most benefit. On the other hand, CBD isolate products do not contain THC. CBD isolate products are typically extracted from the hemp seed and only contain CBD. CBD isolate is preferred amongst people who are concerned about drug testing. Isolate products do not have the same synergistic effects as full spectrum CBD. Nonetheless, there are some good products out there that work somewhat on par to the full spectrum products.

Does CBD Contain THC: Conclusion

To wrap it all up, full spectrum CBD products typically contain trace amounts of THC, while CBD isolate products do not contain any THC. So the answer depends on which product you are buying. If you are concerned about any type of drug testing, you should go with CBD isolate products. ***This blog has been featured in feedspots top 40 cannabidiol blogs (you can check out the list here).

References

1. Fim, Richard (2010). Nature’s Chemicals. Oxford: Biology.
2. Aizpurua-Olaizola, Oier; Zarandona, Iratxe; Ortiz, Laura; Navarro, Patricia; Etxebarria, Nestor; Usobiaga, Aresatz (2016-01-01). “Simultaneous quantification of major cannabinoids and metabolites in human urine and plasma by HPLC-MS/MS and enzyme-alkaline hydrolysis”
3. Burns TL, Ineck JR (2006). “Cannabinoid Analgesia as a Potential New Therapeutic Option in the Treatment of Chronic Pain”. Annals of Pharmacotherapy.