Full-Spectrum Vs. Broad-Spectrum Vs. Isolate CBD Oil-What’s the Difference?
Full-Spectrum Vs. Broad-Spectrum Vs. Isolate CBD Oil-What’s the Difference?
Full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and isolate are the main forms of CBD extract. The presence or absence of other natural plant compounds makes these three CBD types different.
CBD oil products are evolving. Almost everyone is interested in CBD oil. Unfortunately, some greedy people are taking advantage of CBD’s popularity to create low-quality products that have no value to human health. Understanding the terminologies describing products has become difficult with every new CBD oil product released daily. Manufacturers have created various CBD oil types and multiple formulas of CBD products to stand out from their competitors. Often you’ll hear CBD entrepreneurs mentioning terms like full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, or isolate. While all these CBD oil types benefit the body, their contents are not the same. This means you should not expect the same results from each type because their compounds and profile are different. It’s time to understand why full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and isolate CBD work differently.
The Different CBD Oil Types
Before discussing the three popular types of CBD oil, we’ll help you clear the confusion about certain common terms that sometimes confuse buyers. Maybe you have heard about raw CBD oil, CBD concentrates, and PCR hemp oil. If these terms are familiar to you, it’s a sign that you need to know more about what they mean and how they are connected to CBD oil.
Raw CBD Oil
It’s a CBD oil prepared without heating or adding solvents during the entire extraction process. Almost all parts of the original plant remain intact. According to Valizadehderakhshan et al. (2021), the final product of raw CBD oil contains all cannabinoids, pigments, and terpenes. Raw CBD oil is formed through the CO2 extraction process.
CBD Concentrates
It’s any CBD extract containing extremely high amounts of cannabidiol. CBD concentrates are available in these forms;
- CBD wax
- CBD distillate
- CBD crumble
- CBD oil(Extract)
- CBD isolate
- CBD shatter
PCR (phytocannabinoids rich) Hemp Oil/CBD Oil
Phytocannabinoids are cannabinoids that plants produce. According to Duggan (2021), this product contains a large concentration of cannabinoids. The label PCR CBD oil or PCR hemp oil is sometimes replaced with the less accurate term CBD oil. The three main types of CBD oil include;
- Full-spectrum
- Broad-spectrum
- CBD isolate
Full-spectrum CBD Oil
It’s the final result of the CO2 extraction process, and it contains cannabidiol plus all cannabinoids, fatty acids, and terpenes. It’s a whole plant extract and contains THC, too. (though not enough to get you high). During full-spectrum manufacturing, the oil passes through the cannabinoid complex procedure and filtration, but cannabinoids and other cannabis compounds are not removed. The appealing properties of full-spectrum CBD oil are that it retains the full-plant extract, which has many natural healing abilities. For example, terpenes found in plenty in this CBD oil type are identified for strong anti-inflammatory properties. The other cannabinoids present in the whole plant extract enhance the overall health benefits of taking CBD oil. CBD oil made from a full-plant extract is thought to have greater medicinal properties than others. It has higher entourage effects because of the combined benefits of all chemical compounds in the cannabis plant.
Broad-spectrum CBD Oil
It’s almost similar to full-spectrum CBD oil but does not have THC. This CBD oil type is considered a middle ground for CBD isolate and full-spectrum CBD oil type. It contains all cannabinoids and chemical compounds of the cannabis plant except for THC. Broad-spectrum is the most difficult to extract of all CBD oil types compared to its counterparts. Broad-spectrum also passes through the same extract process.
CBD Isolate
This CBD oil type is considered the most real form of cannabidiol because it only contains CBD. It has no traces of extra cannabinoids, healthy fats, or terpenes. Terasvalli (2020) claimed that companies sell CBD isolate as oil, powder, or crystal. It goes through a similar extraction procedure as other CBD oils. The difference comes in during the filtration part. Immediately the cannabinoids are extracted, only CBD is filtered, and the other extract is dismissed. The pure CBD is then passed through a thorough chilling process known as winterization, whereby all other chemical compounds are removed. CBD isolates are commonly found in CBD vapourization methods. When sold in powder or crystal form, it’s administered by placing it under the tongue. The benefit of using isolates is that it’s less costly than others and does not contain any THC. The unpleasant feature of this CBD oil type is that the user will miss out on the entourage effect when full-plant extracts are used.
Who Needs Full-spectrum CBD Oil?
According to Oleinik (2021), full-spectrum CBD offers the greatest entourage effects and has passed through the minimum amount of processes and refinement. It contains less than 0.3% THC. So, it’s a perfect CBD oil type for anyone who wants maximum benefits from the cannabis plant. Also, it’s harmless to those who are sensitive to highly processed CBD oil.
Who Needs Broad-spectrum CBD?
The Broad-spectrum has passed through more processes and refinement than the full spectrum to eliminate THC. Although it’s THC-free, broad-spectrum provides an entourage effect. It’s an excellent product for those who are avoiding THC CBD oil.
Who Needs CBD Isolate?
This CBD oil type is 99% pure cannabidiol. It has passed many refinement processes to eliminate all extra cannabinoids and plant compounds. You cannot receive entourage effects, which means the user has decreased likelihood of therapeutic experience. It’s the right CBD oil for the following people;
- Those extremely sensitive to THC.
- Those sensitive to other cannabinoids apart from CBD.
- Individuals residing in states that have strict THC rules.
- CBD beginners who are still not familiar with cannabis-based products.
Conclusion
By now, you know which CBD oil is best for you. So, buy it and enjoy the CBD health benefits these products offer. You’ll still get good outcomes using full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, or CBD isolate. Staying informed about CBD is important because it helps you have the best experience. Understanding terminologies used on CBD products can be difficult, especially for those new to CBD. We hope this blog has eased the confusion and educated you well enough to know how to choose the right CBD oil that fits your personal wellness goals.
References
Duggan, P. J. (2021). The chemistry of cannabis and cannabinoids. Australian Journal of Chemistry, 74(6), 369-387.
Oleinik, G. Does Full Spectrum CBD Make You Tired?.
Teräsvalli, H. (2020). Extraction and purification of cannabidiol.
Valizadehderakhshan, M., Shahbazi, A., Kazem-Rostami, M., Todd, M. S., Bhowmik, A., & Wang, L. (2021). Extraction of cannabinoids from Cannabis sativa L.(Hemp). Agriculture, 11(5), 384.
