What is the Difference Between Full Spectrum, Broad Spectrum and CBD Isolate?

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If you are new to CBD products, you may see a lot of unfamiliar terms on different CBD products like full spectrum, broad spectrum and CBD isolate. But what do these terms mean? And how do these products differ from one another. Here is a crash course on these commonly used CBD terms so you can better understand the properties and advantages of each kind of product and learn what they can each do for you. It can also help you determine which is the best CBD oil for you. 

The first thing you need to understand is what CBD is and how it helps patients. CBDinteracts with the endocannabinoid system (or ECS) which isa network of cannabinoid receptors and neurotransmitters inside the human brain, peripheral nervous system, immune system, and central nervous system.

The ECS controls a wide range of biological functions including cognitive performance, stress management, mood regulation, immune response and cognitive performance and even memory among others.

Extensive research conducted over the last 25 years has shown that cannabinoids like TCH and CBDhave numerous benefits to the human body if taken properly.

Some compounds in cannabinoids can make you feel “high” like THC. Others can help patients feel less anxiety or stress or help reduce inflammation or the perception of pain throughout the body.

You will notice there are several different types of CBD that are typically listed in products and they each can do different things. Here is a brief primer on the three main types of CBD you’ll see on the labels of many products:

Full Spectrum CBD

Products that are labeled full spectrum CBD contain all the phytochemicals that are naturally found in a cannabis plant. If you see a full spectrum extract made from hemp, it will have almost no THC inside, usually less than 0.3 percent. This means the product will not give you the “high” that many marijuana products do.

Because full spectrum CBD products contain so many different compounds, they tend to work effectively together and they can cause what is described as the “entourage effect.” The entourage effect means that each compound inside the full spectrum CBD mixture works in concert with the others to maximize the effectiveness of each. In short, the whole compound is greater than the sum of its parts. By combining these elements in one product, they do more together than they would if you took each of them separately.

In addition, taking these compounds together can minimize the possible negative side effects of taking them separately which is an added benefit for users.

One potential problem with full spectrum CBD products is that if you take them regularly and in high enough doses, you can fail a drug test. This is something to be aware of if you need to take a drug test at work and your potential employer has an issue with the use of cannabinoids, even for medical purposes. If you think this could be an issue for you, rather than wondering how to beat a drug test the best advice could be not to partake prior to drug testing.

Here are some advantages to full spectrum CBD products according to recent studies:

1. Users will receive the full entourage effect from these products
2. Full spectrum products are the purest and least processed CBD products on the market
3. They contain flavonoids and terpenes and which provide patients with additional health benefits

Here are some drawbacks to full spectrum CBD products:

1. They can cause you to fail a drug test
2. They may also get you into trouble with local law enforcement if cannabinoids are not legal in your area
3. They may have a strong smell from hemp that some people do not enjoy and may also have a strong hemp-like flavor

Overall, these products are best for patients who are looking for only minute amounts of THC in their products, patients who have more severe symptoms that the other types of products cannot adequately treat and patients who live in states or municipalities where cannabinoids are legal.

Broad Spectrum CBD

Broad spectrum CBD products contain all of the various compounds found within the full spectrum CBD products except that the THC, the chemical inside cannabinoids that makes you high, is removed during the process that creates the final product.

Because multiple compounds are still present within broad spectrum CBD products, you will still get the entourage effect which is desirable, but because the THC is removed, you will not fail a drug test and will not get that “high” feeling from using broad spectrum CBD products.

CBDGrade concludes benefits of broad spectrum CBD products include:

1. They are not as processed as CBD Isolate products
2. They still provide patients with the maximum entourage effect
3. Patients will not get “high” or have any similar reactions to these products.

Some downsides of broad spectrum CBD products are:

1. They may have a strong flavor of hemp that some people do not prefer
2. There is less research available about the effectiveness of these products
3. They are often harder for patients to find

CBD Isolate

Products that are labeled CBD isolate contain only one compound, pure CBD. All other compounds are removed from the product when it is being processed and created.

By doing this, you eliminate the entourage effect, but you will get the full benefit of the CBD itself which is presented to the patient in a nearly pure and unadulterated form.

Because CBD isolate products are more straightforward and don’t need to contain delicate mixtures of compounds at precise numbers, they are usually cheaper to make and less expensive for consumers to purchase.

Some advantages of CBD isolate products include:

1. There is no risk of getting high
2. They provide patients with the most concentrated form of CBD
3. They are extremely versatile and can help patients with a variety of conditions

Thepotential disadvantage to CBD isolate products is:

1. You cannot get the entourage effect using CBD isolate

So which Option Should I Choose?

There are benefits to each of these options and quite honestly, different people will respond differently to each type of CBD compound.

Everybody’s body chemistry is different and each potential patient brings his own set of needs, allergies and symptoms to the equation.

Speak to your doctor or pharmacist to determine the best type of compound and best product for you.

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