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The Fullest of Full-Spectrum Oils: A Guide to PCR Hemp Oil

We’ll admit it – shopping for CBD can be downright confusing. New customers have to sift their way through an endless array of CBD products, most of which come with uber-scientific names.

George Mouratidis

Updated December 31, 2020

Arguably, one of the most complicated-sounding oils in the CBD catalog is phytocannabinoid-rich hemp oil. Usually abbreviated to PCR hemp oil, this full-spectrum product contains high traces of CBD alongside dozens of naturally occurring hemp compounds. Because PCR hemp oil has such a diverse assortment of chemicals, it has become an increasingly trendy choice among CBD shoppers in the know.

What Is PCR Hemp Oil?

In one sentence, PCR hemp oil is a type of full-spectrum CBD oil with high traces of secondary hemp compounds. Even though CBD plays a prominent role in this product, it’s far from the only ingredient in PCR hemp oil. Indeed, as the name suggests, PCR hemp oil is rich with secondary hemp phytocannabinoids.

What Are Phytocannabinoids?

Before we get into what phytocannabinoids are, let’s first explain a bit about cannabinoids. In a nutshell, cannabinoids are unique compounds that interact with our body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS). Although there’s still a great deal we don’t know about the ECS, it appears to play a central role in maintaining a sense of balance ^{1 Zou, S. & Kumar, U. (2018). Cannabinoid Receptors and the Endocannabinoid System: Signaling and Function in the Central Nervous System. International journal of molecular sciences, 19(3), 833.}.

Interestingly, our bodies naturally produce a host of cannabinoids in the ECS, known as endocannabinoids. By contrast, phytocannabinoids are the unique plant-derived cannabinoids found in the cannabis genus, such as CBD and THC ^{2 Fisar Z. Phytocannabinoids and endocannabinoids. Curr Drug Abuse Rev. 2009;2(1):51-75. doi:10.2174/1874473710902010051.}. As of today, scientists don’t know precisely how many phytocannabinoids are in hemp, but they estimate there could be hundreds ^{3 The Analytical Chemistry of Cannabis (2016). Phytocannabinoids are a structurally diverse class of naturally occurring chemical constituents in the genus Cannabis (Cannabaceae). https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/chemistry/phytocannabinoid}.

What Other Cannabinoids Are in PCR Hemp Oil?

Although CBD is usually the largest component in PCR hemp oil, it’s not the only phytocannabinoid in town. Some of the most common secondary cannabinoids that appear in PCR hemp oil include cannabigerol (CBG), cannabielsoin (CBE), cannabinol (CBN), and cannabichromene (CBC).

At this point, little is known about the effects of these phytocannabinoids when taken in isolation. However, there are a few preliminary studies that suggest they are all non-psychoactive ^{4 Pellati, Federica; Borgonetti, Vittoria, et al. (2018). Cannabis sativa L. and Non-psychoactive Cannabinoids: Their Chemistry and Role against Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and Cancer. http://downloads.hindawi.com/journals/bmri/2018/1691428.pdf}. There’s also some research from Naples that suggests CBG may ease the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome ^{5 Borrelli F, Fasolino I, Romano B, et al. Beneficial effect of the non-psychotropic plant cannabinoid cannabigerol on experimental inflammatory bowel disease. Biochem Pharmacol. 2013;85(9):1306-1316. doi:10.1016/j.bcp.2013.01.017. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23415610/}.

We should also note that PCR hemp oil could contain minuscule traces of the psychoactive cannabinoid, THC. However, since hemp is naturally low in THC, you will not experience a high sensation when taking PCR hemp oil. In fact, all hemp oils must have less than 0.3 percent THC to be considered legal.

What’s in PCR Hemp Oil Besides Cannabinoids?

Although the phytocannabinoids often steal the show, they aren’t the only players in PCR hemp oil. Indeed, PCR hemp oil usually contains significant traces of aromatic compounds known as terpenes. These pungent chemicals are responsible for giving different hemp strains their unique flavor combinations. In addition to supplying hemp with its unmistakable scent, some research suggests different terpenes could slightly alter the effects of various strains ^{6 Russo E. B. (2011). Taming THC: potential cannabis synergy and phytocannabinoid-terpenoid entourage effects. British journal of pharmacology, 163(7), 1344–1364. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3165946/}.

In addition to terpenes, many PCR hemp oils contain a host of antioxidants from the hemp plant, and could also contain traces of fatty acids and a few plant-derived vitamins.

What Are the Benefits of PCR Hemp Oil?

By now, you’re probably wondering why anyone would choose to take PCR hemp oil. In most cases, people who prefer using PCR hemp oil wish to take advantage of a phenomenon known as the entourage effect.

According to the latest scientific research, the cannabinoids naturally present in hemp seem to work together to produce a heightened therapeutic effect ^{7 Russo E. B. (2019). The Case for the Entourage Effect and Conventional Breeding of Clinical Cannabis: No “Strain,” No Gain. Frontiers in plant science, 9, 1969. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6334252/}. So, even though CBD might work well by itself, entourage effect advocates claim it works better when combined with phytocannabinoids, fatty acids, and terpenes.

Please keep in mind that the entourage effect is still widely disputed in the scientific community. Although many users believe full-spectrum oils like PCR have a more potent effect, we still need more data to prove the existence of the entourage effect for definite.

Ready to Buy PCR Hemp Oil?

Since . The only way to verify the authenticity of a product is to see a third-party screening that lists the total cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, and other properties in your PCR hemp oil. Businesses will often post these results on their official websites, but you could also contact the company directly if you have any questions.

For extra reassurance, you should also check out unbiased reviews for any CBD company you’re considering purchasing products from. Thankfully, B&O has done the research for you and has in-depth and first-hand brand reviews available, with the added bonus of coupon codes so you can save at the checkout. Highland Pharms is a great brand if you’re looking for product variety, and CBDistillery is a leader in the #CBDMovement (plus we’ve tried – and loved – many of their products).

FAQs

What does PCR hemp mean?

PCR is an acronym for phytocannabinoid-rich. Phytocannabinoids are unique hemp compounds that seem to interact with the human body’s endocannabinoid system. Manufacturers use the phrase ‘PCR hemp’ to let customers know this product contains many other phytocannabinoids in addition to CBD.

What’s the difference between PCR hemp oil and CBD oil?

The term ‘CBD oil’ is a blanket term that refers to an array of high-CBD goods, such as full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and distillate products. Within the CBD oil catalog, PCR hemp oil is considered a full-spectrum product because it has a full array of hemp-derived compounds. Unlike broad-spectrum and distillate CBD oils, PCR hemp oil could contain up to 0.3 percent THC.

Is PCR hemp oil different from CBD isolate?

PCR hemp oil and CBD isolate are on two opposite ends of the CBD spectrum. While PCR hemp oil has dozens of fatty acids, cannabinoids, and terpenes from the hemp plant, CBD isolate is composed of 99 percent CBD. Also, unlike PCR hemp oil, CBD isolate is often sold as an odorless and tasteless powder.

George Mouratidis

Cat dad, cinema enthusiast, blogger. In that order. My life is currently split between Greece, Amsterdam and London. I've been around cannabis growers and aficionados since I was a teenager. Through my studies in Anthropology, I had the chance to examine how cannabis helps people come together and form social bonds. When I'm not nerding out about cannabis, I'm probably playing music or shopping books for my ever-expanding to-read bookshelf. But mostly playing with my cats.

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The Fullest of Full-Spectrum Oils: A Guide to PCR Hemp Oil

What Is PCR Hemp Oil?

What Are Phytocannabinoids?

What Other Cannabinoids Are in PCR Hemp Oil?

What’s in PCR Hemp Oil Besides Cannabinoids?

What Are the Benefits of PCR Hemp Oil?

Ready to Buy PCR Hemp Oil?

FAQs

What does PCR hemp mean?

What’s the difference between PCR hemp oil and CBD oil?

Is PCR hemp oil different from CBD isolate?

George Mouratidis

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