When given the opportunity to purchase CBD products, you often have the choice of full spectrum, broad spectrum, and CBD isolate. Full spectrum products allow you the full benefits of your CBD experience.
Here’s what you need to know about full spectrum CBD products.
What is Full Spectrum?
CBD is derived from the hemp plant, a form of cannabis plant that is raised to have a limited amount of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), in accord with the 2018 Farm Bill. Full spectrum CBD products contain all the compounds in the cannabis plants including more than 100 cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids and other compounds, including THC. Full spectrum is as close to the cannabis plant as you can get.1
What is Broad Spectrum?
Broad spectrum CBD products have all of the associated cannabinoids included in the hemp plant, except for THC. The THC is removed. Some people prefer broad spectrum products because they fear being in the workplace, school or service. But removing the THC from CBD makes the CBD less effective.
What is CBD isolate?
CBD isolate is just CBD. The CBD is extracted from the hemp plant and then distilled multiple times to get rid of all compounds typically associated with CBD. The result is a white, powdery substance that is more than 90 percent pure. However, there are no cannabinoids or other compounds to support the CBD isolate and to amplify its benefits.
Entourage effect
Studies have shown that the compounds in full spectrum CBD products work better together than they do alone. This is called the entourage effect. Only full spectrum products are able induce this beneficial effect. The cannabinoids in CBD products work together with the body’s endocannabinoid system, which helps bring many of the body’s systems into balance.
Full spectrum of cannabinoids
Full spectrum CBD products contain not only CBD and THC, but other cannabinoids like CBDa, CBG, and CBN, each of which comes with their own unique benefits to the body.
Other compounds
Other beneficial compounds are found in cannabis plants and they include terpenes and flavonoids. Studies have shown that both of these compounds have “diverse physiologic effects.”2 However, many more studies are needed on the benefits of these compounds.
Once you realize how critical it is that CBD be accompanied by the full spectrum of other compounds present in the cannabis plant, it’s hard to justify taking a CBD product that separates out some or all of the other compounds. To feel the full benefits of the cannabis plant, choose full spectrum CBD products.
Sources
- “Full Spectrum vs. Broad Spectrum.” Healthline. Published: 22 Nov 2021. Accessed: 17 May 2022.
- “Cannabis and its Compounds.” UCLA Cannabis Research Initiative.” Accessed: 17 May 2022.
