Full Spectrum CBD, Broad Spectrum CBD, CBD isolate, aaah stop confusing me – just tell me what I need. With so many new and different CBD oil products available, the choice of which one to go with can be difficult and confusing. I know it seems confusing but this blog post is sure to clear things up for you. Allowing you to make an informed decision when buying CBD.
Due to its’ non-intoxicating (no high) properties, the CBD industry is one of the most exciting and fastest growing in the natural health sector. With laws around the world relaxing on the hemp plant, we’ve seen some incredible progress in the hemp market with many people overwhelmed after using CBD. Whilst more research is needed, Cannabidiol, or CBD, has become a very popular natural alternative to potentially treat or prevent conditions like anxiety, depression, epilepsy, chronic pain, etc.
The contents of the refined hemp extracts are what determines if the CBD extract is full spectrum, broad spectrum, or CBD isolate.
So, what do these terms mean and how are they different?
What Is Full Spectrum CBD?
Full spectrum or whole plant CBD products contain everything the cannabis/hemp plant contains. The law says that THC content cannot exceed 0.2% in most countries, so we mostly find Full Spectrum CBD products that are low in THC and high in CBD, including flavonoids, terpenes and other cannabinoids in smaller quantities like CBN, CBDV, THCV, CBG, CBC, THCA, CBDA. All these natural elements have their own potentially therapeutic properties but when combined, that’s when they are believed to be most effective in a process called the ‘Entourage Effect’.
Full spectrum CBD oil products have the advantage of containing many different cannabinoids and terpenes and the potential for a wider health reach. Because THC content is so low, there is almost no possibility that you would feel any psychotropic, the famous ‘high’, effects of THC of which it is known for.
What Is Broad Spectrum CBD?
So now we know what Full Spectrum CBD is, it’s super easy to remember what Broad Spectrum CBD is as they are very similar. Broad spectrum CBD products represent a middle ground between full spectrum CBD and CBD isolate. A quality broad spectrum CBD product is high in CBD, contains very little traces or no THC, but retains some of the other cannabinoids, terpenes, and similar potentially beneficial compounds which an isolate does not.
Think of Broad Spectrum CBD as Full Spectrum without the THC - or Full Spectrum CBD on a THC Diet.
Because Broad Spectrum CBD contains multiple cannabinoids, it can also deliver the enhanced benefits of the “entourage effect,” with complete peace of mind that THC is not in your system.
To create Broad Spectrum CBD, the hemp undergoes various extraction processes, often co2 extraction, which creates full spectrum hemp extract. Then, this extract gets refined further to remove as much trace amounts of THC possible while keeping the other natural cannabinoids and terpenes.
Broad Spectrum CBD is an excellent choice for individuals that can’t have any traces of THC in their system, whether for medical, personal or legal reasons.
CBD Isolate
CBD Isolate is what it says on the tin, the cannabinoid CBD is isolated from everything else, so what's left is 99%+ pure CBD. CBD Isolate is usually extracted from the hemp plant, due to its low to non-existent THC-content. This makes it typically the CBD product of choice for those who are sensitive to other cannabinoids such as THC. During the CBD isolate extraction process, everything contained in the plant matter is removed, including any traces of THC, terpenes, waxes, oils and more; Leaving just CBD.
As CBD isolate is 99%+ pure CBD, users don’t potentially benefit from the entourage effect that you would do with Full and Broad Spectrum CBD.
CBD Isolate is the purest form of naturally occurring CBD, this pure isolate is crushed and ground into a fine white powder for easier consumption. More often, CBD isolates are mixed with a carrier oil to become tinctures, or placed in capsules, edible products like gummies, and topical salves. They’re then used just like a full spectrum hemp extract product.
When buying CBD isolate, make sure to verity the purity as a poor quality CBD isolate may contain unknown traces of THC and other cannabinoids.
So Which Is For Me?
Now that you have an understanding of each type of CBD, you’re probably wondering which type you should choose.
Unfortunately, we can’t give medical advice and even if we could, It’s hard to know which one is best for you without actually trying them and seeing how you react. Although, it’s widely known that Full and Broad spectrum CBD are the preferred choices so far. Click to view our range of full spectrum CBD oils.
Every individual has different needs, and this determines which type of CBD is best suited for them. There are many factors that determine how a cannabinoid will impact your body, such as the condition you're treating, your chemical makeup, weight, and your history with other substances.
We recommend trying a variety of products and assessing how you feel. If you’re finding your condition is not reacting significantly to a full spectrum CBD oil then you could try a broad spectrum CBD oil, and vice versa.
Research into the effectiveness of each spectrum at the individual level is still in its early stages, so it may take some time and experimenting to figure out which is best for you. Although we do know that there is a strong case for the therapeutic benefit of a less refined hemp extract with more of the plants’ natural compounds intact.
Thank you for reading. With continued research and anecdotal evidence, we will understand CBD better and can hope for a better, healthier future.
If you decide to try CBD, talk with your doctor — if for no other reason than to make sure it won’t affect other medications you are taking.
