Full Spectrum Gummies vs. THC Gummies: What's The Difference?

Read time: 7 minutes

If you're new to the world of cannabinoids, you might wonder if there's a difference between full-spectrum CBD gummies and THC gummies. While they both contain THC, there's a little more to it than meets the eye. This article breaks down the differences between these two cannabinoids, their benefits, and which you might want to choose.

What are THC Gummies? 

THC gummies are traditional weed gummies, and their composition is all over the place. The edibles are typically made with marijuana and not hemp, so they contain higher tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentrations. THC is the cannabinoid responsible for making you feel high, and while some use it more often for recreational purposes, the cannabinoid comes with a few potentially therapeutic benefits. Some evidence suggests that it may help limit your perception of pain, reduce inflammation, stimulate appetite, reduce nausea or vomiting, improve sleep, and help with overall mood thanks to the euphoric, uplifting, and relaxing effects caused by the high.¹⁻⁶ 

For the most part, THC is the star of the show in marijuana edibles, though some of them might also contain other cannabinoids like CBD and CBN. There's a lot of variability in THC gummies, and typically minor cannabinoids extracted don’t normally don't appear in high quantities. 

What are full-spectrum gummies? 

Full-spectrum gummies, on the other hand, are a bit different. They're made from hemp instead of marijuana, so they tend to be higher in CBD.  Cannabidiol doesn't make you feel high so people tend to use them for wellness and a few other potential therapeutic effects. 

Evidence suggests that CBD may help reduce inflammation and help with mood by reducing anxiety. CBD might also have neuroprotective properties and support the endocannabinoid system to balance things like your appetite and sleeping and waking cycles.⁷⁻¹¹

CBD gummies contain, as the name suggests, the full spectrum of cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, and essential oils found in hemp flowers which includes THC— just in much lower concentrations.

How are they different from one another? 

The biggest difference is that weed gummies' primary cannabinoid is THC, while full-spectrum gummies are mostly CBD with a hint of THC, CBG, CBN, and any number of minor cannabinoids. The THC contained in full spectrum gummies usually isn't enough to get you high, depending on your tolerance and sensitivity. Full-spectrum CBD gummies support the entourage effect between cannabinoids, potentially offering more potent effects and a synergistic effect between the CBD and other cannabinoids, terpenes, and plant materials that amplify the effects of CBD.¹²

Aren't all CBD gummies full-spectrum? 

In short, no. Some CBD gummies are full-spectrum, but the plant extract can go through many different refinement processes to remove cannabinoids or other plant materials. There are three main types of CBD: Full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and CBD isolate. 

Full-spectrum

Full-spectrum CBD gummies are made with a full-spectrum hemp extract— meaning that it contains the entire breadth of cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, and essential oils found in the hemp plant. Evidence suggests that these different components work together in the body in synergy and may make each other stronger by producing an entourage effect. Full-spectrum CBD is thought to be the most potent CBD extract since it's rich in other cannabinoids and plant materials that work together to boost the effects of CBD.

Broad spectrum 

Broad-spectrum CBD gummies are made dwith a nearly-full spectrum hemp extract. However, this oil undergoes an extra step in the refinement process to remove THC from the extract. That said, it still contains pretty much everything you'll find in a full-spectrum oil, minus the THC. Broad-spectrum CBD gummies still produce an entourage effect, although it may not be as powerful as a full-spectrum oil since THC and CBD share a complex relationship. Evidence suggests that THC and CBD offer a potent effect when taken together, since the two cannabinoids complement each other's effects and mechanisms of action.

Isolate: 

Gummies made with CBD isolate have been refined and purified to contain no other cannabinoids, terpenes, or plant matter. In CBD isolate gummies, you won't find anything other than pure CBD, which is great if you can't have THC in your system for any reason. However, these gummies are considered the least effective form of CBD since they don't support the entourage effect. 

At the end of the day, full-spectrum CBD may offer the most potent effects, but it's essential to ensure that what you're getting is the real deal. Finding a reliable CBD brand can be tricky since the FDA doesn't regulate CBD products, so it's important to make sure the CBD you're buying is compliant with safety standards, clearly labeled, and lab-tested by third parties.

CBD, THC, and the Entourage Effect 

In the last section, we talked a lot about the entourage effect. The entourage effect is a phenomenon that suggests there is a potential synergistic relationship between the different compounds in hemp, including cannabinoids like THC and CBD.¹³ The gist is that when cannabinoids are taken together, they're stronger than they would be on their own and may produce stronger therapeutic effects. 

Research on the relationship between the two most predominant cannabinoids in hemp suggests that THC and CBD both offer different effects on the body. When the cannabinoids are  taken together, studies have concluded that they boost each other's effects, making for a more comprehensive range of effects. 

One example of how THC and CBD complement one another is in the case of being too high. Some people are prone to experiencing anxiety and paranoia when they take THC, and the balancing effects of CBD may help to counteract some of those effects to make THC more tolerable.¹⁴

THC and CBD interact with the endocannabinoid system, a complex cell-signaling system that helps regulate various bodily functions.¹⁵ Specifically, THC and CBD interact with the cannabinoid receptors in the ECS, called CB1 and CB2 receptors.¹⁶

THC binds to CB1 receptors, primarily found in the brain and central nervous system, which is partly responsible for causing you to feel high. Meanwhile, CBD doesn't bind to any receptors. Instead, it has been found to act as a negative allosteric modulator of CB1 receptors, meaning that it can change the shape of the receptor and make it less responsive to THC— hence potentially reducing the effects of THC. CBD may also activate other receptors in the ECS, such as the 5-HT1A serotonin receptor and the TRPV1 receptor, which are involved in pain perception and mood regulation.¹⁷

When taken together, THC and CBD activate different pathways and may result in more diverse effects, allowing you to experience more wellness benefits without taking as much. 

Benefits of taking CBD and THC together in a full-spectrum gummy

For THC connoisseurs, full-spectrum gummies might just seem like a less potent edible. But there are many different reasons to take full spectrum gummies. Both THC and CBD offer a range of potential therapeutic benefits, and it's less about what each can do on its own and more about what they can do when they're together. For instance, THC helps with your perception of pain, while CBD helps reduce inflammation. Taken together, you get a powerful full body effect.

Taking THC and CBD together may help reduce pain and anxiety, two huge factors in restlessness and insomnia. Taken together, they may decrease the time it takes to feel relaxed and may also help you fall asleep and stay asleep.

When to reach for each 

To recap, THC gummies are ideal if you're trying to experience a recreational high and don't care as much about the therapeutic effects of CBD.  While full-spectrum CBD gummies are a great way to experience the mild effects of THC and the additional therapeutic properties of CBD in unison with other cannabinoids. 

If you're ready to explore full-spectrum gummies, you may want to try our Passion Fruit gummies + THC. These gummies are formulated with 50mg of full-spectrum CBD and specially crafted to contain a guaranteed 2mg of THC per gummy. They offer a mild, invigorating high alongside the potential therapeutic benefits of THC and full-spectrum CBD, supporting the entourage effect and working together to help you feel your best. 

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Sources: 

¹https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1158630/ 

²https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2828614/ 

³https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19367510/ 

⁴https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3165951/ 

⁵https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8116407/ 

⁶https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33530732/ 

⁷https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7023045/ 

⁸https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33668469/ 

⁹https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4604171/ 

¹⁰https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3579248/ 

¹¹https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8221009/ 

¹²https://www.leafly.com/news/cannabis-101/cannabis-entourage-effect-why-thc-and-cbd-only-medicines-arent-g 

¹³https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7324885/ 

¹⁴https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3797438/ 

¹⁵https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/the-endocannabinoid-system-essential-and-mysterious-202108112569 

¹⁶https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2219532/ 

¹⁷https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6319597/