Full Spectrum vs Broad Spectrum vs Isolated CBD - The Different Types of CBD Extractions

 Full Spectrum vs Broad Spectrum vs Isolated CBD - The Different Types of CBD Extractions

When searching for CBD on the Internet you will find different CBD extract options available. The three types of extractions most found on the market are: Full Spectrum; Broad Spectrum; Isolated CBD.

While these three extraction types may look similar, they are actually very different from each other.

So but what's the difference between them?

In this article, we'll explain this important difference and discuss the pros and cons of each type of extraction used in CBD products.

To do this, we must first understand what cannabinoids are and their importance!

What are cannabinoids?

Cannabinoids are the natural phytochemicals found in the cannabis plant. There are more than 113 cannabinoids identified, with CBD and THC being the known ones.

How important are these cannabinoids in our body?

Cannabinoids interact with our endocannabinoid system (ECS), a complex network of cannabinoid receptors and neurotransmitters located in the brain, central nervous system, peripheral nervous system and immune system.

ECS controls a wide range of biological functions, such as memory, pain perception, cognitive performance, stress management, mood regulation and the immune response, among many others.

In 1995, researchers found that cannabinoids like CBD and THC could benefit the body and brain in a number of ways. They later discovered that each cannabinoid has a unique relationship to the endocannabinoid system.

For example, THC induces psychoactive effects linked to what we all know as high, or the “high” state.

CBD, on the other hand, has no psychotropic effects. In other words, it won't leave you in the state that THC leaves you. In fact, CBD can even alter the psychoactive effects of THC, as it has the opposite effect of this phytocannabinoid.

Therefore, CBD offers a number of health benefits, such as stress relief or altered perception of pain.

At lower doses, CBD can be mildly stimulating, while higher amounts tend to have sedative effects.

Other cannabinoids, such as cannabigerol (CBG) or cannabinol (CBN), have their own set of effects and advantages. A Full Spectrum extract of cannabinoids creates something known as a “cannabinoid spectrum”.

What makes CBD products different depending on extraction types?

All CBD products are extracted from the cannabis plant and the most used method being CO2 extraction.

During extraction, all cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids are removed from the plant and dissolved in oil to facilitate administration, dosage and storage.

Depending on the strain/species of cannabis used for the process, the cannabinoid profile of the CBD oil will be different.

For example, hemp extracts contain little or no THC - typically below 0.2% - so they are not psychoactive, but they do have high levels of CBD.

In contrast, there are species of cannabis selectively bred with 1:1 ratios of CBD to THC.

These different extractions can be Full Spectrum, Broad Spectrum or Isolated.

·     Full Spectrum Extraction

A Full Spectrum extraction contains all phytocannabinoids found naturally in the plant, including CBD, CBG, CBN, THC, etc., terpenes (natural cannabis plant aromas) and essential oils. Full Spectrum extracts from hemp also come with a negligible THC content - below 0.2%.

The complete cannabinoid extract of active compounds extracted from hemp work in harmony to amplify the health benefits of each individual cannabinoid. This phenomenon is known as the entourage effect.

Although not psychoactive, full spectrum CBD can give a false positive on a drug test, especially if you consume high doses of CBD oil daily.

That's where the CBD Broad Spectrum comes in.

·     Broad Spectrum Extraction

A Broad Spectrum extraction contains cannabidiol and all other plant compounds except THC, which is completely removed after the initial extraction.

As Broad Spectrum extracts contain various cannabinoids, they also produce the “entourage effect” but without the THC.

In a very simplified way, the CBD of broad spectrum is like a mixture between the CBD Full Spectrum and the CBD isolate. This type of extraction contains the full spectrum of cannabinoids EXCEPT THC.

·     Isolated CBD Extraction

Unlike the aforementioned extractions, a CBD isolate extraction is the purest form of this compound, through a process that isolates only CBD from its natural environment, removing all other phytocannabinoids present in the plant, also known as CBD crystals.

The advantage of using CBD isolate over other formats is the higher concentration of CBD per serving. Isolates are generally 99% pure, meaning that one gram of isolate crystals contain about 990 mg of CBD. However, there is no entourage effect.

– in this case you only benefit from the effects of cannabidiol (CBD). Thus, it appears that the price of these products is lower and demand is lower compared to CBD Full Spectrum and CBD Broad Spectrum.

But what is the entourage effect after all?

The entourage effect refers to the synergy achieved by all the components of cannabis. That is, these components, when together, work in harmony to increase the potential benefits of the plant. Each compound can amplify the therapeutic properties of the others, while mitigating their potential side effects.

Some of the best known cannabinoids in complete and broad extracts are:

  • Cannabinol (CBN)
  • Cannabichromene (CBC)
  • Cannabigerol (CBG)
  • Cannabidivarin (CBDV)
  • Cannabidiol Acid (CBDa)

Due to the plant-wide benefits, dinner lady disposable full-spectrum CBD products are priced higher than their broad-spectrum or CBD isolate equivalents. One of the reasons this type of extract is more expensive is that it is more difficult for manufacturers to maintain consistent proportions when using a full spectrum extract.

Prior to 2015, scientists believed that the CBD isolate was more effective than full-spectrum CBD. However, in 2015, this myth was debunked by a study by the Lautenberg Center for General Tumor Immunology in Jerusalem.

In the study, researchers found that guinea pigs treated with full-spectrum CBD reported higher levels of relief when compared to the group using CBD isolate.

Scientists also concluded that the full spectrum of cannabinoids provided better effects at higher doses, while the effects of CBD alone remained consistent with increased intake.

What type of extraction should I choose?

So, but within the possible choices, which should I choose?

First, you must let go of the thought that one of the extractions is inherently better than the others.

Everyone reacts differently to CBD and has different needs, so that's what you should base your choice on.

To help you in the decision-making process, we have a list of pros and cons for each of the types of extractions we provide.

Full Spectrum CBD: Pros and Cons

Pros

Cons

      Allows you to benefit the   entourage effect;

      The least and most natural   processed form of CBD;

      Contains terpenes and flavinoids that your body will benefit from.

          You may report a positive result in a drug test;

          Contains the flavour and aroma of the hemp plant.

The Full Spectrum CBD is best for:

  • Users with more severe symptoms where the other types of extraction did not help at all;
  • Users who want to benefit from the full potential of the plant, including the small amount of THC.

Broad Spectrum CBD: Pros and Cons

Pros

Cons

           Allows you to benefit the  entourage effect without the risk of a false positive in a drug test;

      Less processed compared to CBD   isolates;

      No risk of psychoactive effects.

          Less scientific research;

          Smaller offer on the market than other types of extraction;

     Contains the flavour and aroma of   the hemp plant.

The Broad Spectrum CBD is best for:

  • Users with conditions where the isolated extracts did not help at all;
  • THC sensitive users;
  • Users who regularly screen/test drugs;
  • New users fearing the effects of THC.

Isolated CBD: Pros and Cons

Pros

Cons

      The most concentrated form of   CBD;

      Highly versatile in terms of   consumption;

     Safe for all type of users;   

      Oderless and tasteless;

      No risk of a potential false   positive in a drug test.

           No benefit of the entourage effect.

The Isolated CBD is best for:

  • Users who have been advised to take high doses of CBD;
  • Users sensitive to THC or other cannabinoids;
  • Users who regularly screen/test drugs;
  • New users afraid of the effects of THC or other cannabinoids;
  • Users who prefer products with other aromas and flavors without any taste of the cannabis plant.

Final Summary

There are many factors that can lead you to choose one type of extraction over another.

Your unique body chemistry, weight, lifestyle, as well as your history with other substances can influence how you react to different cannabinoid profiles.

For some, CBD from Broad Spectrum may be the best choice because they benefit from all cannabinoids without the psychoactive effects of THC. For others, a high dose of pure CBD may be enough to alleviate their symptoms and others will need more THC to feel the difference.

Bibliography: https://royalcbd.com/cbd-isolate-vs-full-spectrum-broad-spectrum

Russo, E.B. (2011). Taming THC: Potential Cannabis Synergy and Phytocannabinoid-terpenoid Entourage Effects. British Journal of Pharmacology, 163(7), 1344–1364.

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/full-spectrum-cbd-vs-broad-spectrum-cbd

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