Cannabinoids are naturally occurring compounds found in the cannabis plant. There are over 100 different cannabinoids present in all varieties of the plant and they have a variety of functions including reducing inflammation, pain and nausea. The most well-known cannabinoid is THC (delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol), which is responsible for producing the feeling of being high.
Cannabidiol, better known as CBD, is a non-psychoactive component of cannabis. It’s often used in medical treatments because it has been shown to have many medicinal benefits. CBD is also used for recreational purposes, including as an ingredient in some e-cigarettes and other cannabis products.
CBD is one of the most widely-used and well-studied cannabinoids. It’s also a key element in the legalization debate, but what does CBD actually do? What does full spectrum vs. broad spectrum mean? Does isolate have anything to offer?
We’re here to answer all your questions about CBD so you can make a well-informed buying decision from your preferred online CBD store.
What Is CBD?
CBD is a compound found in cannabis. It’s also known as cannabidiol, or CBD for short. Unlike THC, which is the most well-known cannabinoid and a key ingredient in many strains of cannabis, CBD is non-psychoactive. This means that it won’t get you high like THC does.
In fact, both medicinal and recreational users can benefit from CBD oil because it contains only trace amounts of THC (less than 0.3%) — so you won’t get arrested if you’re carrying around some drops. CBD has been proven to have many health benefits including: pain relief; anxiety reduction; reduced inflammation; improved mood; weight loss; neuroprotective properties; anti-aging effects and even more!
Now, there are many different types of cannabidiol (CBD) products on the market and it can be difficult to understand all of them. And even more concerning is the fact that some of these products may not be effective or even safe for you. To help you navigate these confusing waters, we’ve broken down the two main types of CBD oil: full spectrum, broad spectrum, and CBD isolate.
Full Spectrum CBD
The broadest category of CBD products, full spectrum CBD consists of a variety of cannabinoids, terpenes and plant material. Unfortunately, this can also include trace amounts of THC that are not legal in all 50 states.
The reason why it’s important to know what percentage of your particular product is made up of these components is because research has shown that the entourage effect can enhance the overall effectiveness of CBD oil by working together synergistically rather than one substance alone.
So if you’re looking for a simple way to understand which type or brand might be best for you:
- Look at how many milligrams (mg) there are per serving size
- Check out what kind of form it comes in (e.g., isolate vs concentrate)
- And then compare prices!
Broad Spectrum CBD
Broad spectrum CBD is a more flexible term that encompasses both full spectrum and isolated CBD products. Broad spectrum will have a combination of all the cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant, including THC. This means that, unlike isolate, it does not contain any psychoactive effects and can be used by people who are looking for something natural with no side-effects.
Isolate CBD contains only one cannabinoid: cannabidiol (CBD). This means that if you have an ailment that responds well to THC but not CBD, then this may not be the best option for you.
Isolate CBD
Isolate CBD is a pure form of cannabidiol. It contains zero THC, so it’s legal in all 50 states. Isolate is created by extracting the CBD from hemp plants using a process called chromatography to produce a 99%+ purity product.
Isolate should be your first choice if you want to try out CBD for the first time without any additional cannabinoids or terpenes in your experience, or if you are sensitive to THC and want to avoid it completely.
As with other types of extracts, isolates are also great if you have an illness like epilepsy or anxiety where every gram counts because they deliver a higher amount of CBD per serving (more about this later).
What’s the real Difference Between Full Spectrum and Broad Spectrum CBD?
Full Spectrum
Full spectrum CBD is made from the whole plant and contains all of the terpenes, cannabinoids, and other compounds found in the hemp plant. Full spectrum tinctures can have varying levels of THC, so make sure to check with your doctor or find a reputable brand if you are on medication due to its high amounts of THC.
It’s important to note that full-spectrum products do not contain any additives or artificial flavouring agents as they are derived directly from plants grown in their natural environment. That said, they may still be processed using alcohol or harsh chemicals during extraction processes that could leave behind residue in your final product (just like any food product).
Broad Spectrum
Broad spectrum CBD is made from only hemp stalks and leaves which results in an extract that has lower levels of cannabinoids than broad leaved varieties but higher levels than full spectrum versions (or at least it should).
This means that there could be more traces left over after processing including pesticides used during cultivation. This can affect how effective it is for treating certain ailments since different types will affect each person differently depending on what kind their body needs most at any given time
So, which one should you choose?
When you’re deciding which type of CBD is right for you, one of the first things to consider is whether your body needs full-spectrum or broad-spectrum oil. Both contain cannabinoids, but only one contains a larger variety of them (namely, other cannabinoids).
If you want more health benefits from the oil, go with full spectrum; if affordability is a concern and you don’t mind giving up some potency in exchange, opt for broad spectrum.
However, if your aim is maximum effect and minimal side effects—or if being able to easily administer small doses is important—then isolation would be considered by many experts as the best option available in an online CBD store today.
In Conclusion
So, what’s the difference between full spectrum CBD, broad spectrum CBD and isolate. The main difference is in how much of the plant material is removed from the oil. Broad spectrum extracts contain more cannabinoids and terpenes than just CBD — meaning it has more of a natural taste and feel to it.
Isolate contains only cannabidiol, so there are no other compounds found in the cannabis plant (that is not THC). This makes isolate purer but some people prefer full spectrum or broad spectrum because they believe that these contain more health benefits.