Everything You Need to Know About Full Extract Cannabis Oil

Full extract cannabis oil is potent and versatile, and it might just be your favorite cannabis concentrate ever. This extract is very popular in the community for its medicinal and recreational uses and is worth exploring if you love cannabis too. It can change the way you consume cannabis. 

Yes, it looks weird, no thanks to its tar-like appearance, but it produces effects far better than it looks. As one of the most potent concentrates available in the market, it’s known for producing the entourage effect. 

But what exactly is it? Let’s dive deeper into what is full-extract cannabis oil. In this article, we will guide you through what FECO is, what makes it special, its potential benefits, and how you can prepare FECO at home with minimal equipment. Read on to learn everything about full-extract cannabis oil. Also, note that we have no affiliation with the companies depicted in the images. 

Full Extract Cannabis Oil (FECO)

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Full extract cannabis oil, or FECO in short, is a dark and sticky cannabis extract that’s known for its potency. As its namesake, this concentrate is a full-spectrum extract, i.e., it consists of all the active phytochemicals naturally present in the flowers. On the other hand, broad-spectrum extracts only contain a few sans THC whereas isolates only offer individual plant chemicals. 

FECO has a tar-like appearance, which is why many people confuse this extract with Rick Simpson Oil (RSO), but as you will learn later in the article, the two extracts have one major difference, although they do share a few similarities. 

Thanks to its full-extract nature, FECO allows you to extract the benefits from the entire cannabis plant, unlike some other extracts or concentrates. Thanks to this, you can enjoy a product that extracts everything from the plant, including compounds like CBD, THC, CBN, CBG, CBC, terpenoids, and flavonoids. 

So, how is FECO different from other extracts? Cannabis extracts come in three major forms, depending on the extraction process. 

The first is the distillate form, which is the most concentrated extract that only contains the cannabinoids. It lacks any terpenes or sugars since the oil has been stripped off during purification. This extract also does not taste like cannabis, which is why it’s often the go-to choice for edibles. 

On the other hand, you have cannabis isolates. These extracts undergo a purification process, resulting in crystalline forms that contain no other compounds like solvents, fats, or terpenes. 

Then there’s FECO, which contains all the additional compounds, including sugars and terpenes, along with the cannabinoids. This allows FECO to produce a more synergistic effect, which is often referred to as the entourage effect. 

Entourage Effect

What exactly is the entourage effect, you ask? It’s a theoretical effect that is produced when all the elements in a cannabis bud act together. According to this theory, which many experts agree on, the synergy with which the cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids work produces a richer high and therapeutic value. 

But don’t think this theory is merely a theory; it has been tested already. For example, Dr. Ethan Russo conducted a study, published in the British Journal of Pharmacology, which showed that this effect improves the effects on the subjects better than THC or CBD isolates. More studies need to be conducted for any conclusive statement, though. 

FECO vs RSO

FECO and RSO names are often used interchangeably since they look pretty similar in terms of color and texture, but they have one major difference. FECO is made with high-proof grain or ethyl alcohol and RSO is processed with naphtha or isopropyl alcohol. Of course, some producers also use butane to get FECO, but you can dig further into the extraction methods used and choose the ones made with grain alcohol. 

The difference may not seem like much, but you must remember that the alcohol used for producing FECO can be consumed by humans whereas naphtha and isopropyl alcohol shouldn’t be. This means FECO is not toxic, but RSO can be if it isn’t prepared properly. 

Effects of Full Extract Cannabis Oil

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FECO is a highly sought-after product for many users, especially medicinal ones, for the effects it produces. Make no mistake, FECO is potent since it contains high concentrations of cannabinoids and terpenes. This extract is usually taken sublingually so that it can be gradually absorbed by the body for this very reason. 

Generally, FECO produces a strong, long-lasting high/effect that usually comes with a slow-onset time, depending on the method of ingestion, of course. As mentioned earlier, these strong effects are produced due to the synergy between the cannabinoids and terpenes within the extract, and this is known as the entourage effect which not only means a better high but greater relief if you’re consuming it for medicinal benefits. 

As such, FECO products can offer a range of benefits to you, and physicians who have learned and understood the benefits of cannabis may prescribe it for some conditions including chronic pain, depression, anxiety, and even acne. If you’re interested in experimenting with cannabis, you can join programs that allow you to meet doctors and find out how cannabis can be helpful. However, you’ll need an MMJ card to do so. 

It should still be noted that the effect a FECO product produces varies drastically depending on its chemical composition or the strain of cannabis used to prepare it. For example, if FECO is produced from a strain that’s rich in THC, it will be more potent and produce a better high. On the other hand, a FECO product consisting of high CBD levels will act as a pacifier without producing any psychoactive effects. 

FECO and Cancer

One of the biggest benefits of FECO that is being explored currently is its effect on cancer. This is a massive undertaking as it can change the face of pharmacology and how doctors treat cancer. 

So far, few experts and researchers are willing to openly support FECO products as a cure/treatment for cancer since more conclusive studies need to be done. However, scientific evidence and anecdotes do point out that this cannabis concentrate could have terrific properties for fighting cancer. This particular study also points to the fact that while THC used alone may not be very effective in killing breast cancer cells, a combination of several cannabinoids and cannflavins or flavonoids can work very well. 

It’s no surprise that FECO is gradually gaining a lot of traction among cancer patients who undergo chemotherapy. Specific strains are already effective at reducing the side effects of chemotherapy, so it’s easy to see how FECO could be even more effective. The only reason FECO stands out from other medicinal cannabis products is that it is more convenient for those who wouldn’t want to smoke medicinal cannabis. 

The scientific community is taking a conservative approach to the benefits of FECO — it’s only right; they can’t support something with absolute evidence — it’s safe to say that FECO has the potential to benefit many cancer patients as it has anti-tumor properties. With more and more studies coming to the surface, conclusive evidence does not seem far off the horizon. 

How to Make FECO at Home?

You can purchase full extract cannabis oil at a dispensary; they usually come in glass or silicone containers and have a decently large price tag. But, where’s the fun in that when you can make FECO at home? It’s an easy process where you have to soak your cannabis in a solvent. Once the solvent or alcohol evaporates, a concentrated oil is left behind that is rich in cannabinoids and terpenes. 

Plus, the method for producing FECO is one of the most effective and easy methods for producing full-spectrum cannabis extracts. It can be used in various forms, depending on what you’re looking for — edibles, capsules, or tinctures. 

Important Points to Keep in Mind

But before we proceed with preparing FECO at home, let’s clear out a few things that must be factored in when making full-extract cannabis oil at home. 

Regular cannabis oil is produced by soaking cannabis in an oil, and the fat present in the oil helps extract the cannabinoids and terpenoids from the plant. However, the FECO process is different. 

Instead of using oil, you will be using alcohol to extract cannabinoids and terpenoids from the plant. This is because alcohol is much more effective at pulling out these compounds than oil. Once the compounds are extracted, the alcohol must be removed via evaporation. 

Thanks to this process, FECO products are truly full-spectrum and produce a richer high or effect. Plus, this process allows FECO to be incredibly versatile and can be used in many ways, depending on your preferences and goals.

Things You Need for Making FECO at Home

The first thing you need for making full-extract cannabis oil at home is, surprise-surprise, cannabis. The choice is on you here; you can choose flowers that are rich in THC, CBD, or other cannabinoids, depending on your goals with FECO. But don’t restrict yourself just to flowers; you can also include trimmed sugar leaves or kief during the process.

The amount of cannabis you need is also up to you. So, it is wise to understand your goals and preferences properly and use the quantity that feels right for you. If you want to measure the dosage while consuming it, it is recommended that you weigh your cannabis in grams at this stage. 

The next important thing you need is alcohol and not the rubbing kind. Instead, you need to use high-proof grain or ethyl alcohol. The recommended type is 190 to 200 proof alcohol, but avoid using alcohol with less than 150 proof rating. Lower-proof alcohol, especially vodka, is not as effective at pulling the phytochemicals from cannabis. 

Other things you will need for making FECO include:

• A digital weighing scale 
• Mason jars
• Coffee filters
• Crockpot for warming 
• Glass syringes 

1. Decarb Your Cannabis 

The first step to preparing FECO at home starts with the decarboxylation process, where you activate the cannabinoids. Essentially, a cannabis plant contains cannabinoids in acidic form, like THCA, and these cannabinoids will not get you high or produce any effects. Decarbing turns these cannabinoids into a form that can act on your CB receptors. So, after decarbing, THCA will turn into THC, which will get you high as a kite. 

For decarbing, you need to heat the cannabis bud at a specific temperature for a specific period of time. Do not overheat the buds as that can degrade the compounds within the plant. The best way to decarb is in an oven, but an instant pot works, too. 

Depending on the cannabinoid you are working with, you need to set the temperature and duration accordingly. Here’s a reference:

• THC: 240°F or 116°C for 40 minutes
• CBD: 240°F for 90 minutes
• CBG: 220°F or 104°C for 60 minutes
• Delta-9 THC: 240°F for 180 minutes 

2. Prepare the Tincture

Once you have decarbed your cannabis flowers the next step is to make the tincture. You can do so in many ways, including common methods like Green Dragon or Golden Dragon freezer methods. 

Generally, the Green Dragon method tends to produce a tincture that is more potent but it will also taste strong and sharp since it will contain more chlorophyll. But if you don’t want as much chlorophyll in your FECO, you can use the Golden Dragon Metho. 

Here’s a TL;DR on how to make a cannabis tincture using the Green Dragon method:

1. Cut your cannabis into small parts
2. Decarb Cannabis
3. Place the cannabis and alcohol inside a mason jar 
4. Place a lid on the jar 
5. Lower it into hot shallow water — the water should come halfway through 
6. Let the water simmer for 20 minutes and ensure the temperature stays under 170°F or 77°C
7. Remove the jar after 20 minutes and allow it to cool 
8. Strain it to remove excess plant matter and the tincture is ready 

3. Evaporate the Oil

The next step is to evaporate the alcohol from the tincture so that you are left with full-extract cannabis oil. So, you need to get rid of alcohol now. By doing so, you won’t get the infamous alcohol burn when you consume it — not everyone is a fan of chugging gin at a party, right?

But before you start, you need to keep in mind that high-proof alcohol is highly inflammable, so you need to be super careful when evaporating it from your tincture. If you expose it to high temps or a flame, you might as well burst a firecracker inside your home. 

So, it’s best to avoid evaporating alcohol using a stove or an open flame. It’s unnecessary. You can use much safer methods to produce the same results, two of which have been outlined below. 

Room Temperature Evaporation

The first method is to just let the alcohol evaporate on its own by letting the tincture sit at room temperature. This is the safest option, but it will take a long time. An ounce of it can take a few days to evaporate properly. So if you do use this method, place a coffee filter on the container to keep contaminants from dropping into the oil. 

Apply Some Heat

Not everyone will enjoy waiting for a few days for this, so you can speed up the evaporation process by applying some heat to it. Again, avoid using an open flame. The best way to do this is by giving the tincture-containing container a water bath. Heat up the water and ensure it is below 160°F or 71°C and place the jar in the water, around halfway through, so that the alcohol can evaporate. 

It’s recommended that you use this method in a well-ventilated room with the windows open so the air keeps circulating. Evaporating alcohol can have a strong odor. 

4. Your FECO is Ready 

Once the alcohol is evaporated from the jar, all that will be left behind is a thick, dark oil that resembles molasses. Congratulations, your homemade full-extract cannabis oil is ready. And don’t worry — FECO will be in very small quantities — you haven’t messed up the process at all. 

Generally, a cup of tincture will leave behind around 3 ml of FECO, so you know what to expect. 

Now you also need to store your FECO properly to ensure it can last a long time, which is upwards of six months. One of the best ways to store FECO is by using a glass container with an airtight lid. But as you’ll soon find, FECO is sticky, too, so you can even use a glass locking syringe to collect it properly. 

A glass syringe makes the process a whole less messy and it also features a ml labeling, allowing you to dose your product properly if the need arises. But don’t wait too long to collect the oil; do so when it’s still warm. And if it is still too thick, you can add a couple of drops of carrier oil.

Best Carrier Oil

Many consumers would want to make their FECO a bit thinner, and this can be done with the help of carrier oil. This makes the product more viscous, so it gets easier to use. The best carrier oils include MCT, butter, coconut oil, and olive oil. 

If you want your FECO to have a liquid consistency, add 1 ml of it to 29 ml of the carrier oil so you can be left with 30 ml of FECO infusion. Don’t hesitate to warm the infusion a little so the FECO can blend well with the carrier oil. 

Dosing and Consuming FECO

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Now it’s time to enjoy your homemade full-extract cannabis oil, but since you have so little of it, you need to be conservative and measure it in milliliters. Also, consuming too much is a recipe for disaster as it is highly potent. For instance, a single syringe can contain as much as 900 mg of THC!

Most experts and veteran users recommend using FECO the size of a rice grain — that’s all you need to get high or other effects. But again, it is better to start low and slow; take half a grain of rice worth of FECO for the first time and see how your body reacts, and you can slowly build your way up from here. 

Coming to the heart of the matter: how do you consume FECO? In many ways. Most doctors recommended consuming FECO in a tincture form sublingually, where you place a small drop of it under your tongue and let the oil get absorbed quickly. Do note that this can sometimes produce a more intense high. 

You can also use FECO topically, similar to RSO. And if you have time on your hands and prefer your cannabis digested, you can add FECO to your favorite dish and turn it into an edible. It’s recommended that you first infuse FECO with butter or oil, though. 

Lastly, if you want to consume it without tasting it or adding it to your food, you can even put it in capsules. You can purchase capsule-making kits online; they are cheap and easy to use. Simply place a small drop of FECO in the capsule and shut it. You can then take this capsule whenever you want to consume FECO.

Summary: Everything You Need to Know About Full Extract Cannabis Oil 

In conclusion, FECO is a potential game-changer in the world of cannabis extracts. It’s unparalleled in the richness of terpenes and cannabinoids, which is why it is highly potent and versatile. It can be used by both recreational and medicinal users, especially if you’re looking for an entourage effect. 

While FECO is similar to RSO, it is very different. FECO is produced with safe, consumable alcohol, making it the safer choice among the two. This extract can help you deal with various conditions like chronic pain, depression, anxiety, and potentially even cancer. Fingers crossed. 

The DIY guide we've explored empowers you to craft your own FECO, unlocking a world of possibilities, from sublingual tinctures to topicals, edibles, and capsules. As the cannabis industry continues to evolve, FECO stands as a shining example of the plant's incredible potential. Whether you're a cannabis connoisseur or a newcomer, FECO deserves its place in your cannabis toolkit, offering a powerful and holistic experience.