About 26 percent of adults in the United States have tried CBD, and this impressive number is for good reasons. As such a new market, many are often confused by the terminology used to describe different types of CBD. One of the biggest questions prospect CBD users tend to have is, “What is full spectrum vs broad spectrum CBD?”
The most common choices you will find when browsing CBD oil products are broad-spectrum CBD, full spectrum CBD, and, of course, CBD isolate. All of these terms refer to the form of CBD oil used to create the product. While CBD isolate is relatively easy to understand because it is obviously isolated CBD only, full and broad spectrum CBD can have you wondering about the differences.
In the most general terms, each type of CBD has a somewhat different composition depending on how the cannabinoid is extracted. This variant composition can have everything to do with what you experience with the product you pick. Therefore, getting to know the differences can help you better pick a product that works for you.
Hemp Under the Microscope
Every plant is made up of different chemical constituents, and hemp is no different. In fact, the cannabis family of plants is all highly complex when it comes to composition. Hundreds of unique compounds can be found within the seeds, stems, stalks, leaves, roots, and flowers.
More than 100 cannabinoids have been discovered in cannabis plants. Some of these cannabinoids are more noteworthy than others—THC, CBD, CBG—to name a few. However, these represent just a few of many, and it is suspected that much more remains to be discovered about both cannabinoids and the other compounds in the plant such as flavonoids and terpenes.
It’s important to understand the many compounds and constituents within the hemp plant because it is these exact particles that make the difference when it comes to full spectrum vs broad spectrum CBD.
Full-Spectrum CBD Explained
CBD oil doesn’t just happen; it comes to be through a botanical extraction process. Many modern-day hemp processors will use what is referred to as CO2 extraction to pull out the oil from the plants. The CO2 extraction process results in a CBD that is considered “full spectrum.” In other words, the oil contains not only CBD but a full spectrum of other compounds and cannabinoids found in the plant.
A full spectrum CBD oil has not gone through any further extraction to remove or isolate any of the compounds or cannabinoids contained therein. Therefore, the product is likely to contain things like THC, flavonoids, terpenes, and other cannabinoids.
It is relatively uncommon to find a full-spectrum CBD that does not contain THC. However, it is worth noting that the majority of what you find with that full-spectrum designation will contain less than 0.3% THC, which is not generally substantial enough to cause any psychoactive reactions.
Broad-Spectrum CBD Explained
While 0.3% THC is not usually something most CBD product users would be concerned about, some people can have sensitivities or concerns. Broad spectrum CBD may be the better solution as this CBD oil has gone through an additional step to eradicate the THC.
In terms of CBD products, “broad spectrum” basically means you are getting a broad spectrum of compounds and cannabinoids found in the plant minus the THC. Via an intensive refining process, specific cannabinoids or compounds can be removed from the oil. While these refining methods can isolate and eradicate a full list of different cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavanoids, THC is most often targeted because this is the constituent that elicits the most concern for consumers.
The beauty of broad-spectrum CBD oil is it still delivers a healthy mix of cannabinoids and other compounds. Therefore, the synergy that can exist between the different components often referred to as the entourage effect, still exists. THC is the only constituent that has been eliminated from the proverbial party.
The Entourage Effect: What It Is and Why It’s Important
Cannabinoids are a bit complicated, but one thing that makes the constituents even more complex is the fact that they work together in different ways to create the benefit commonly referred to as the entourage effect. In general language, the entourage effect is the cumulative effect of the many compounds working together to deliver a stronger effect than any individual compound could on its own.
The whole idea is, with CBD oil, that someone using an extract with as many cannabinoids and compounds as possible would reap the most benefits. For example, the combination of different cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavanoids would likely produce greater effects than just a single cannabinoid on its own in the body. This is one reason why CBD isolate is often deemed as the least advantageous form of CBD.
Full spectrum CBD is popular because it contains a wide collection of constituents, which can be assumed to provide that noted entourage effect. However, broad-spectrum CBD oil is still capable of producing the entourage effect as it contains a long list of plant compounds with only the THC eliminated. You’re still going to get those terpenes, flavonoids, and cannabinoids besides CBD.
In Closing: Choosing Full Spectrum vs Broad Spectrum CBD
With a little understanding of full spectrum vs broad spectrum CBD and the entourage effect, you may have an easier time choosing from the types of CBD oil to find what works for you. Obviously, everyone reaching for CBD oil can have a different reason for doing so, which means one product or the other may work best for them. Some people may prefer a full-spectrum CBD oil with everything right down to the THC included, while others may not.
If you’re looking for high-quality, broad spectrum CBD products to try, look no further.
Nirvana CBD offers a wide selection of US-made, lab-tested, broad spectrum CBD products including CBD oil tinctures, CBD gummies, CBD topicals, CBD shots, and more.
Try any one of our premium CBD products and experience the Nirvana CBD Difference today!
Thank you for joining us! We hope this article helped explain the difference between full spectrum vs broad spectrum CBD and why it matters.
If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to share your thoughts in the comments.
The information contained in this article is not intended to serve as a substitute for advice or guidance from a certified doctor or physician. Before trying Cannabidiol (CBD) or purchasing any CBD product, you should always conduct your own research and consult with your doctor. While CBD was classified as “generally well tolerated with a good safely profile” by the World Health Organization (WHO), further research is needed in order to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of CBD on a generalized basis.
Nirvana CBD products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
