Difference Between CBD Isolate & Full-Spectrum CBD Oil?

Although you’ll usually find either full-spectrum CBD or CBD isolate, you may come across some CBD products with “broad-spectrum CBD” label on them.

These three different labels refer to different CBD types. There is not a lot of reliable information available regarding CBD out there, and you may find the whole deal overly complex and difficult to understand.

On the contrary, different CBD types are straightforward to understand. In this post, we’re going to go a bit deeper into the different types of CBD.

The Basics of Cannabinoids

The various species of plants under the Cannabis genus do not all contain THC (only the marijuana species do). But they all have various terpenes, organic plant matter, flavonoids, and other compounds. These give the plant its feel, scent, and appearance.

Cannabinoids are the most essential part contained in a cannabis plant, at least with respect to humans. The two most popular types of cannabinoids are tetrahydrocannabinol, also known as THC, and cannabidiol (CBD).

Now, different species and strains of Cannabis contain different cannabinoid levels. For example, where some strains are rich in THC, those of the hemp species, for instance, have extremely low concentrations of THC but are rich in other cannabinoids.

Why does this matter? Well, contrary to what some people believe, not all cannabinoids have psychoactive properties. CBD products, for instance, contain very low levels of THC and are, therefore, unable to get you “high”. They do have various mood-boosting properties that are beneficial for mental health, however.

CBD Isolate vs. Full-Spectrum CBD vs. Broad-Spectrum CBD

Here, we have three types of CBD products. To fully understand the difference between them, you need to know the basics of each type.

In short, the CBD isolate contains nothing but CBD itself. Full-spectrum CBD has all cannabidiol-related contents extracted from cannabis plants, including THC. Broad-spectrum CBD doesn’t contain THC but does feature all other CBD contents from cannabis.

What Is CBD Isolate?

CBD isolate is pure CBD. That means no terpenes, flavonoids, and other cannabinoids. The only active ingredient in CBD isolate is CBD itself. But what is CBD isolate and what are the contents?

For one, it’s the absolute purest type of CBD available on the market. Most importantly, it contains 0% THC. This means that using CBD isolate won’t show up as positive for THC in drug test results.

So, what is CBD isolate used for? Well, the doses of CBD necessary to reach certain physical or mental health benefits depend on your individual needs and what you’re trying to achieve. If your ailment requires you to use large amounts of cannabidiol, you’ll want to avoid the various side effects of some of the ingredients found in other CBD types.

For instance, if you’re to pit CBD isolate vs full-spectrum CBD, the latter might cause some terpenes (for example) side effects. This is avoided with CBD isolate. Additionally, compared to other extracts, the isolate form doesn’t have any noticeable flavour to it.

The main disadvantage of CBD isolate is that it doesn’t allow you to experience the beneficial effects of terpenes and other cannabinoids, which may or may not matter to you.

What Is Full-Spectrum CBD?

Whereas the isolate contains only CBD, full-spectrum CBD features terpenes, flavonoids, and many other cannabinoids that are naturally found in cannabis plants.

Yes, CBD is the most essential part of any CBD extract, but the other compounds have their own benefits and characteristics.

For instance, CBD does have various pain-relieving properties. However, the additional compounds not found in the isolate can make these benefits more satisfying, perhaps even more potent.

So, what is full-spectrum CBD good for? It’s great for experiencing the synergy of all of the benefits of CBD extract.

There are also downsides of full-spectrum cannabidiol. There isn’t enough THC in CBD to cause any psychoactive effects, for example. Still, the use of full-spectrum CBD will likely cause you to test positive on drug tests. Another disadvantage is that the full-spectrum form does have odour and flavour. You may find it unsettling if you’re not a fan.

What Is Broad-Spectrum CBD?

Let’s start over. What is CBD isolate? CBD and only CBD. As for full-spectrum CBD, all the naturally-occurring compounds in CBD are present.

The main problem with full-spectrum CBD, compared to CBD isolate, is that trace amounts of THC are present in the former.

In this regard, broad-spectrum CBD is essentially full-spectrum CBD with the THC content completely removed. Full-spectrum CBD won’t get you” high”, as the term is commonly understood, but it carries a risk of failing a drug test. Broad-spectrum CBD removes that risk while retaining all of the other effects of the full-spectrum variety.

What Makes CBD So Special?

As you can see, there is one thing that’s common in all three types of CBD extract– the CBD content. Cannabidiol is the main compound and brings the most benefits. But what’s so special about it?

CBD is still being researched. But the fact is that we have numerous cannabinoid receptors throughout our bodies. Together, they are known as the “endocannabinoid system”. It affects a set of vital biological processes in the body, including everything from memory and mood to the senses of pain and taste.

Although THC is the most celebrated part of any cannabis plant, it’s also the only compound, in addition to a few other compounds like THCV, that is linked to cannabis’ psychoactive effects.

Which CBD Type Is the Best?

As you can probably gather from this post, there isn’t the “best” or the “worst” CBD type. Each type comes with its own benefits and disadvantages.

The way CBD affects our bodies is very diverse. It depends on each person’s psychological constitution and their current mental and physical wellbeing.

Then, there’s the factor of the amount of CBD that it takes for a person to benefit from it. There is no general rule regarding this –the best way to arrive at the ideal amount is to start with low dosages and move up until you’ve reached the desired effect.

Isolate vs.Full-Spectrum vs. Broad-Spectrum

The information provided in this post should be enough to help you understand the basics of the different forms of CBD extract. The best way to find one that best suits you is to try low doses of each type and gradually increase them. If you do want to avoid any exposure to THC, avoid full-spectrum cannabidiol.