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Difference Between Full Spectrum CBD, Broad Spectrum CBD, and THC Free CBD isolate

If you want to try CBD oil products, you’ve probably found products labeled as full-spectrum CBD, broad-spectrum CBD, or THC-free CBD isolate.

What is each of them?

Long story short, these terms define which type of CBD each product contains. Understanding the difference between them is very important for CBD users.

What Are Cannabinoids?

Cannabinoids are compounds of cannabis Sativa plants. There are more than one hundred naturally occurring in the different strains of cannabis, the most important are CBD and THC.

Cannabinoids interact with receptors in the Endocannabinoid System. CBD is a cannabinoid that offers many health benefits to the body.

While THC, popular for being the active substance in marijuana, causes the psychoactive effects associated with “getting high,” CBD causes the contrary effect. Actually, CBD can counteract the psychoactive effect of THC.

Full spectrum CBD, broad spectrum CBD, CBD isolate

The Cannabinoid Spectrum

The cannabinoid spectrum is what determines whether the CBD oil product is full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, or CBD isolates.

To create a CBD product, the cannabinoid is extracted from the Cannabis plant, using methods such as supercritical CO2 extraction. This process also extracts other components of the plants, like other cannabinoids, flavonoids, and terpenes.

Depending on the strain, the cannabinoid profile will be different. Industrial hemp contains mostly CBD and a very small amount of THC, less than 0.3%.

Once extracted, the manufacturer can then refine the extract to contain only specific compounds.

The content of the refined extract is what determines if the CBD extract is full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, or THC-free CBD isolate.

What is Full Spectrum CBD?

Full-spectrum CBD is an extract containing all-natural compounds in the plant, including terpenes, essential oils, and other cannabinoids, including a small amount of THC. The full spectrum of cannabinoids, essential oils, and terpenes work together magnifying the benefits of each individual compound. This is commonly referred to as the “entourage effect”

The full-spectrum CBD is good for people:

  • Who was recommended to consume a certain amount of THC?
  • With severe conditions or conditions that broad-spectrum or isolate could not relieve.
  • Who live in states where Cannabis is legal.

What is Broad Spectrum CBD?

Broad-spectrum CBD is like halfway between full-spectrum CBD and CBD isolate.

Like full spectrum CBD, all the other compounds found in the plant are preserved in the extract. However, THC is completely removed.

Broad-spectrum CBD contains other multiple cannabinoids, so it can produce the enhanced benefits of the “entourage effect,” without the risk of the “high effect” of THC.

Broad-spectrum CBD is better for people:

  • With conditions that CBD isolate alone could not relieve
  • Sensitive to THC
  • Who live in states with strict THC-laws
  • Who use CBD for the first time and are not sure about THC.

What is CBD Isolate?

In scientific language, an isolate is the purest form of a compound, which is produced by extracting only such compound from its environment, isolating it from all other compounds.

CBD isolate is a pure form of CBD, produced after removing all the other plant compounds, including terpenes, flavonoids, and other cannabinoids.

CBD isolate is best for people:

  • Who were specifically recommended to take high doses of CBD
  • Sensitive to THC and/or other cannabinoids
  • Who regularly is submitted to drug screening tests
  • Who prefer mild flavors or no flavor
  • Who live in states with strict THC-laws
  • Who use CBD for the first time and feel hesitant about taking other cannabinoids.

Final Considerations On CBD Spectrums

There are many factors that will determine how a cannabinoid will affect the body, such as chemical factors, the weight of the person, and the use of other substances.

For many people, Broad Spectrum CBD is the best choice because it produces the full benefits of Cannabis without the “high” produced by THC. For others, a high-dosage of pure CBD isolate may be the best and others may need the benefits of the THC in the full spectrum CBD.

The best is to research the effects of each spectrum at the individual level. It may take some time and experiments to determine what is best for you.

As researchers continue to learn more about CBD, it may become a pivotal component in the future of medicine.  Studies have already revealed many benefits and CBD and other cannabinoids could potentially impact the lives of many people.