Full Spectrum vs Broad Spectrum vs CBD Isolate: What’s the Difference and Why Does it Matter?
Learn/Full Spectrum vs Broad Spectrum vs CBD Isolate: What’s the Difference and Why Does it Matter?
With so many different CBD products to choose from, it’s important to understand what sets the formulations apart from one another. What’s the deal with full spectrum CBD and why is it the key to a cleaner, more natural, and beneficial CBD product than broad spectrum or CBD isolate options?
The Entourage Effect: Harnessing the Power of the Cannabis Plant
In 1998, Israeli researchers studying the body’s endocannabinoid system made an interesting discovery. Endogenously produced cannabinoids used by the body’s endocannabinoid system behaved differently in the presence of certain other molecules than they did on their own. More specifically, their presence resulted in the more potent activity of the endocannabinoid 2-AG. The researchers termed this phenomenon ‘the entourage effect.’
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Since the cannabinoids found in cannabis are so similar to the endocannabinoids found in the body, this theory has been extended to the cannabis plant and its many compounds. In other words, it’s believed that the presence of other plant compounds may make cannabinoids, such as CBD and THC, work more effectively.
The entourage effect postulates that cannabinoids work together in synergy with other plant compounds—including terpenes, flavonoids, and others—in order to produce more potent effects than they ever could on their own. How can you take advantage of the entourage effect? Through the use of broad-spectrum and full-spectrum cannabis products.
Full Spectrum CBD
Full spectrum CBD is a kind of extract that contains the full spectrum of compounds originally found in the plant it was extracted from. This means that the extract can be expected to contain every type of cannabinoid, terpene, or other cannabis compounds that originally existed in the plant source material (albeit in very small amounts).
Full spectrum extracts are the closest representation possible to cannabis in its natural form. Because of this, full spectrum extracts are able to take advantage of the entourage effect and may be able to produce more complete effects than other types of CBD.
Full Spectrum CBD vs Broad Spectrum CBD
Broad spectrum CBD is a kind of extract that contains many of the compounds found in the original plant material, but not quite all of them. You can think of broad spectrum as kind of a midpoint between full spectrum CBD and CBD isolate.
When it comes to the full spectrum CBD vs broad spectrum CBD, the main difference comes down to the broad spectrum version containing a smaller variety of beneficial cannabis compounds. While some full spectrum products may contain trace amounts of THC (less than the federally allowable amount of 0.3%), broad spectrum typically contains no THC.
CBD Isolate
Not all CBD products are made with broad spectrum or full spectrum CBD extracts. A third product type is made using a kind of extract called CBD isolate.
As its name implies, CBD isolate is an isolated form of CBD that is processed to contain no other compounds whatsoever. This kind of CBD is made through an extraction process that strips the extract of all other kinds of molecules. In fact, CBD isolate is often marketed as being 99.9% pure CBD.
Pure may sound enticing, but removing the terpenes and other plant compounds strips CBD of the plant’s natural compounds. Our philosophy is that including the full spectrum of the plant is vital to maximizing the natural benefits of CBD.
Chemical Free Sourcing & Processes
So, you now know that the best way to get all the plant’s compounds in your CBD is through a full spectrum CBD. How you get the full spectrum matters, too. Using a whole plant process with just water, pressure, and heat to soak the entire plant removes the need to use solvents or chemicals to infuse all the plant’s compounds in the oil base. Think of it like a fancy way to make tea. Very few CBD products are made naturally, but our products are.
What’s more, how the plant itself is grown matters, too. Clean plants make a clean CBD. To make sure our sun-grown plants infuse only the best compounds, we triple test for 66 pesticides, 5 microbials, and 10 residual solvents to make sure you’re only getting the cleanest cannabis possible.
Which Type of CBD is Right for You?
Ultimately it will be up to you to experiment and find out which kind of CBD product is best for your personal needs and preferences. Now that you know the difference between full spectrum CBD vs broad spectrum CBD and the CBD full spectrum and isolate difference, you can make a more informed decision about where to start and what to try first.
Check out our store right now for a wide selection of high-quality full-spectrum CBD products that you’re sure to love!