Cannabidol, better known as CBD, has been touted for its many health benefits over the years. From helping anxiety, sleep, and reducing pain, it’s become a popular go-to for those searching for alternative treatments.
You’ll find CBD products in four different forms: CBD Isolate, broad-spectrum, full-spectrum, and Whole-spectrum. CBD isolate is your pure CBD. Isolate contains no other compounds found in cannabis, except for CBD itself. Broad-spectrum CBD does not contain THC. It does contain other components of the cannabis plant, though, so it won’t be 100%. Consider it the middle child of the CBD choices. Full-spectrum CBD contains several components of the cannabis plant, including trace amounts of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Federally legal full-spectrum products will always contain less than 0.3% THC. In states where cannabis is legal, you may also be able to find full-spectrum products with higher THC levels. Whole-Spectrum contains CBD, all available cannabinoids, less than 0.3% THC, as well as terpenes.
CBD isolate is the purest form of CBD, with none of the other cannabinoids or compounds from the cannabis plant. That means there’s no chance of benefiting from the entourage effect. Isolates tend to be free of both flavor and odor. That makes them a good choice for people who don’t like the earthiness of regular CBD, and can also be a good option if you want to avoid THC all together.
Broad-Spectrum CBD contains CBD, some other cannabinoids, some terpenes, and contains no trace amounts of THC. One potential plus of broad-spectrum CBD is that you have the highest chance of keeping a clear mind- no THC means no “high” feeling. A drawback, though, is that CBD and THC individually may not be quite as effective as the two together. More research is needed, but the entourage effect suggests they work best together. Broad-spectrum CBD still contains some other cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids, which may offer benefits beyond CBD alone.
Full spectrum CBD contains CBD, most other cannabinoids, some terpenes, and trace amounts of THC (less than 0.3%). One of the biggest benefits of full-spectrum CBD is that you’ll get what’s known as the entourage effect. This is a theory that says when multiple components of cannabis work together, you reap more benefits than when taking each individually. These components include phytocannabinoids (like CBD and THC), flavonoids (compounds found naturally in many fruits and vegetables), and terpenes (compounds that affect cannabis’s scent and flavor). If you want to maximize the benefits of cannabis, full-spectrum CBD could be your best bet. However, a potential downside to full-spectrum CBD is that if you take a large enough dose of a potent enough product, you may feel slightly high due to the THC. You may also run a higher risk of testing positive for cannabis if taking a drug test.
Whole spectrum goes beyond broad and full-spectrum. Whole spectrum CBD is extracted using a proprietary and new process that captures all available cannabinoids and terpenes, at a higher intensity and strength. Similar to full-spectrum having less than 0.3% THC and includes CBD, all available cannabinoids, and terpenes. It is known to have maximum entourage effect. This clean and safe process uses energy released as heat to open plant cell walls and then extract the full range of healthful cannabinoids such as CBD, CBN, CBC, etc., plus terpenes and omega oils, and deliver those compounds with purity and potency.
Another process we would like to discuss is Nano-Ionized. This process uses energy in the extraction process resulting in not only a cleaner product, but also a faster acting one. The energy used knocks off an electron from the cannabinoids, terpenes, and other plant compounds making it hard for them to clump together. The smaller size of Nano-Ionized cannabinoids such as CBD and THC allows them to work faster and last longer.
There are many factors that come with deciding what type of CBD products are right for you. With all its great benefits, finding which spectrum of CBD you want is important. CBD will not be intoxicating, but if you are taking a full or whole-spectrum CBD product, there is a chance of testing positive for cannabis on a drug test. Discuss with your physician if CBD is the right option to add into your lifestyle!
