Broad-Spectrum CBD Vs. CBD Isolate

CBD products have gained popularity in recent years due to their benefits. CBD is available in different types that include broad spectrum and CBD isolate.

CBD products are available in different types and formulations. Broad-spectrum CBD products are made from different chemical compounds found in the cannabis hemp plant except for the THC compound, which has psychoactive effects. CBD isolate differs from broad-spectrum CBD because it is made of pure CBD without any other compounds. CBD isolate is considered the purest form of CBD. This article highlights everything you need to know about broad spectrum and CBD isolate.

What is CBD?

CBD is one of many natural chemical compounds found in the cannabis hemp plant. According to Raup-Konsavage et al. (2020), pure CBD does not make one high. Therefore, it is used by many people in dealing with health problems. CBD is believed to interact with a person's endocannabinoid system, which is made of receptors responsible for regulating body functions.

What is Broad-Spectrum CBD?

Evans (2020) explained that broad-spectrum CBD is made of all-natural compounds in the cannabis hemp plant except for THC. It contains compounds like terpenes, flavonoids, fatty acids, CBD, and other minor cannabinoids.

Broad-spectrum CBD is made by removing THC from the full-spectrum CBD through chromatography. After removing the CBD from the full spectrum, the remaining product is rich in other cannabinoids.

Although most CBD isolate products contain zero THC, they also produce the entourage effect due to the presence of other cannabinoids like terpenes.

What is the Entourage Effect?

According to Russo (2019), the entourage effect happens when the different chemical compounds found in the cannabis hemp plant work together to improve the CBD benefits. It is believed that when different compounds work together, they are more effective than using one single compound.

The vital role brought by the other present cannabinoids such as terpenes and flavonoids found in the cannabis plant is the creation of the entourage effect. Fatty acid glycerols enhance CBD activities, so using different cannabinoids will give you various benefits.

The Entourage Effect In Broad-Spectrum CBD

The main compounds found in the cannabis plant are CBD and THC. Broad-spectrum CBD does not contain THC, but it contains all the other chemical compounds found in the cannabis plant, which brings entourage effects by working together to aid each other benefits. According to Watkins (2019), CBD is a non-psychoactive compound that interacts with the body's endocannabinoid system, resulting in the desired benefits such as pain-relieving, cancer treatments, and reducing anxiety and depression, and other benefits.

Terpenes are other compounds found in broad-spectrum CBD, aromatic compounds found in plants with distinct smells. Terpenes can be more than 200 in cannabis plants and are responsible for the taste, color, and smell of a specific cannabis plant.

The most commonly found terpenes in the cannabis plant are humulene, caryophyllene, limonene, pinene, and linalool. Some terpenes are bioactive, depending on their concentration and use. Due to their vibrant smells, they are used in different oils and can affect a person's mood and stress level.

Limonene terpene has anti-inflammation, anticancer, antiviral, antioxidant, and antibacterial properties meaning that it can protect the body from many disorders.

Pinene also has therapeutic benefits because its fresh, bright scent acts as a bronchodilator when inhaled, allowing more air into the lungs. It also has anti-inflammatory effects, which help fight against inhaled infectious germs.

Linalool terpene is abundant in lavender scents and is responsible for calming effects after inhaling. It also has several properties such as anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antidepressant, and anti-anxiety effects.

Myrcene is another common terpene in the flowers of the cannabis plant which has a powerful antioxidant property helping the mind from oxidative damage which may result after a stroke.

What is CBD Isolate?

CBD isolate is the purest form of CBD, which I made of 99% of CBD concentrate. The same process makes it broad-spectrum CBD, but some extra steps are added to get the pure CBD by removing the other cannabinoids such as terpenes, flavonoids, and fatty acids.

After its extraction, it goes through the distillation process, which removes all the possible impurities leaving behind the pure CBD in the form of white crystal. The manufacturers break it down into powder to make it easy for consumption by the consumers. The final product may be used in creating tinctures, vape juice, capsules, edibles like gummies, CBD oils, and other CBD isolate products.

How To Use CBD Isolate?

CBD isolate may be used in various ways such as sublingual, adding it to your food or drinks, topical creams, and other ways. The method of taking CBD isolate may differ in how they show their effects. For example, taking CBD to isolate sublingually shows the desired effects faster than taking it by adding it to your food.

 Taking CBD to isolate sublingually involves putting the required dose of CBD under your tongue and holding it there for some minutes. It gets absorbed in the bloodstream directly, taking a short time to show its effects.

When CBD isolate is taken orally, it takes a lot of time to show its effects because it must be digested before getting absorbed into the bloodstream. This means that it will take some time, like an hour or two, for you to feel the benefits.

Which Is Best Between Broad-Spectrum and CBD Isolate

When choosing the best CBD concentration for you, there are some factors to consider because the best CBD product differs from person to person depending on the ailments they are treating and their health conditions, as described by King (2019). You should consult your healthcare professional to recommend the best CBD spectrum and follow their recommendations.

It is good to start with a low CBD dosage no matter the CBD spectrum you are using. You can change your dosage with time according to your body's desires.

When choosing the best CBD products, you should ensure that the company has the certificate of analysis and that a third-party lab tests the products for their purity and safety for consumers.

Conclusion

Although CBD isolate has potential therapeutic benefits, scientists have recommended the use of different cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant because they bring the entourage effect. Broad-spectrum CBD contains different cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant except for THC. It is believed to have various potential benefits compared to CBD isolate, which is pure CBD. The above article highlights the best type of CBD. Read through and choose one that suits your preference.

References

Evans, J. (2020). The Ultimate Guide to CBD: Explore the World of Cannabidiol. Fair Winds Press.

King, J. W. (2019). The relationship between cannabis/hemp use in foods and processing methodology. Current Opinion in Food Science, 28, 32–40. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cofs.2019.04.007

Raup-Konsavage, W. M., Carkaci-Salli, N., Greenland, K., Gearhart, R., & Vrana, K. E. (2020). Cannabidiol (CBD) oil does not display an entourage effect in reducing cancer cell viability in vitro. Medical Cannabis and Cannabinoids, 3(2), 95-102.

Russo, E. B. (2019). The Case for the Entourage Effect and Conventional Breeding of Clinical Cannabis: No "Strain," No Gain. Frontiers in Plant Science, 9.

Watkins, A. R. (2019). Cannabinoid interactions with ion channels and receptors. Channels, 13(1), 162-167.