The Differences Between Broad-Spectrum, Full-Spectrum, and Isolate CBD.
Over the past couple of years, the emergence of cannabidiol (CBD) products has overwhelmed the wellness industry. Identified for its many health benefits including relief from anxiety¹, pain², inflammation³, and sleep issues⁴ has resulted in a market flooded with a range of products. Oils, capsules, gummies, and creams. Full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and isolate CBD. With so many different products and types of CBD, it can be tough to identify which is best for your health goals. Don’t worry, I’ll break down everything you need to know about full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and CBD isolate including potency of each, recommended uses, and how to decide between the three.
Full-Spectrum CBD
The cannabis plant is home to hundreds of phytochemicals including cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, and other compounds. Full-spectrum CBD refers to products that contain more than just CBD, they contain a rich mixture of cannabinoids, terpenes, and healthy fatty acids. This version of CBD extract is minimally refined to preserve the plant profile and provide holistic health benefits through the “entourage effect”⁵.
Full-spectrum CBD products contain trace amounts of other phytocannabinoids such as THC, CBG, and CBC. While full-spectrum CBD products contain trace amounts of the pyschoactive cannabinoid, THC, products are regulated by the FDA to contain a maximum of 0.3 % THC, which will not get you high.
Broad-Spectrum CBD
Broad-spectrum CBD extract is almost identical to full-spectrum CBD extract, the distinguishing factor is it contains no THC. To make broad-spectrum CBD extract, full-spectrum CBD extract undergoes an additional refinement process to remove any THC.
While the complete lack of THC in broad-spectrum CBD products can be appealing, it might have some drawbacks. Since THC is one of the most prevalent naturally occurring phytocannabinoids in hemp, even trace amounts of the molecule contribute to the “entourage effect”⁶, the theory that various cannabis compounds work together to create a unique effects and holistic benefits. Without any THC, CBD’s effectiveness decreases.
CBD Isolate
The third and final form of CBD products you’ll find out there is CBD Isolate. As the name implies, this is the purest form of CBD, containing 99 to 100 percent CBD. These products have been refined to isolate only the CBD compound with no extra cannabinoids or terpenes. The CBD potency is usually higher than full spectrum, meaning a small dose is advised.
Should I use full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, or isolate?
Full-spectrum and broad-spectrum CBD is often preferable to CBD isolate because research shows that a blend of cannabinoids and terpenes can interact in useful ways. This synergy is often referred to as the “entourage effect”⁶.
One study⁷ by Ethan Russo, M.D., illustrates the benefits of terpenes in full-spectrum CBD, demonstrating promising results for a variety of conditions. For example, the combination of terpenes pinene, myrcene and caryophyllene help to unravel anxiety while the combination of linalool, limonene, and cannabigerol (CBG) show promise in treating MRSA.
Another Israeli study⁸ on the potency of CBD isolate versus full-spectrum CBD showed that full spectrum CBD was more suitable for clinical settings for conditions regarding inflammation and anxiety. CBD isolate resulted in a “bell-shaped dose response,” indicating that CBD has a critical saturation point where exceeding the 5 mg/kg threshold resulted in its therapeutic impact declining dramatically.
This doesn’t mean that CBD isolate is never useful. People who are particularly sensitive to THC can turn to CBD isolate or broad-spectrum CBD products to benefit from the cannabis plant without any of the pyschoactive side effects. Furhtermore, CBD isolate products allow users to track exactly how much CBD they’re getting from each dose.
Regardless of what type of CBD supplement you choose, always buy products from reputable retailers. Look for brands that share certificates of analysis, which break down the phytochemical composition in their products.
To maximize the therapeutic benefits of CBD, I recommend choosing a full-spectrum CBD product. Full-spectrum product contain a variety of phytocannabinoids like CBC, CBG and THC leading to greater synergistic and therapeutic benefits.
However, if you want a completely THC-free product, opt for a broad-spectrum CBD product instead. You’ll enjoy the therapeutic benefits of multiple cannabinoids and terpenes without THC! If you’re on a budget and looking to try CBD, CBD isolate products are the most economical and allow you to dose your CBD exactly. Furthermore, for those living in states where full-spectrum CBD remains unavailable, pure CBD often delivers a positive and legal option. After all, CBD alone is better than no CBD at all.
What product should I use?
Now that we know the differences and benefits of the different types of CBD extract, it’s time to select a product that meets your needs. There are many different delivery methods for CBD, so let’s break down the benefits of these different delivery systems together!
Sublingual Tinctures:
Tinctures use solvents such as ethanol to dissolve active ingredients from medicinal herbs such as cannabis. Cannabis tinctures can reach 100 mg of cannabinoids per milliliter, when purified cannabinoids are dissolved in sesame oil, making them extremely potent and therapeutic. Dosing cannabis tinctures beneath the tongue delivers cannabinoids more quickly than edible consumption and is easily monitored with bottle dropper markings.
Oral:
The earliest form of cannabis consumption. Oral cannabis medicines deliver their effects for twice as long, when compared to their smoked or vaporized counterparts. Oral cannabis consumption takes the longest to take effect — ranging between 15 minutes to 4 hours — in the majority of patients, onset takes 30 to 90 minutes — with peak plasma ranges vary from 75 minutes to 7 hours.⁹
Topical Application:
Cannabinoids can be absorbed through the skin and have been shown to provide an anti-inflammatory response.¹⁰ Additionally, our skin contains many cannabinoid receptors and topical application may help treat some skin conditions. Hemp-oil creams infused with cannabinoids and terpenes can provide significant therapeutic relief.⁹ It’s recommended to first apply a tiny amount of the cannabis cream, then wait a day to see if any sensitivity or rash develops.
Smoking:
The most common method of delivering a dose of herbal cannabis. Cannabinoids delivered directly to the blood stream. Peak bloods levels of cannabinoids are achieved within five to ten minutes.⁹ The principal drawback is that combustion produces toxins, and those toxins can injure delicate lung tissue.
Vaporizing:
A recent approaches to delivering cannabis medicines, while avoiding some issues of smoking by maintaining the heating temperature below cannabis’ noxious boiling point 424⁰F (217⁰ C).⁹ The primary risk of vaporizing medical cannabis is overmedication. Because vapor is not as acrid as smoke, patients tend to inhale and hold it in their lungs longer, which can deliver a higher dose of cannabinoids than expected. Most cannabis extract brands recommend inhaling vapor for 2–5 seconds per dose and waiting several minutes between draws to measure dosing and effects.
From my experience using sublingual tinctures and topical cannabinoid products have been the most therapeutic and healthy methods of consuming cannabis. Sublingual tinctures are very versatile, I add them to my coffee and protein shakes in addition to taking them underneath the tongue for reduced anxiety and anti-inflammation respectively. If I’m feeling especially sore, I love using Canbiance’s Relief Creme, as my go to topical product for workout pain management and recovery. Taking a dime sized scoop and applying it directly to the area pain reduces my pain substantially within five to ten minutes!
I hope you’ve enjoyed this article and education on CBD and cannabis consumption. We all possess an endocannabinoid system responsible for regulating bodily harmony, integrating cannabis products into our lives with intent and purpose can allow us to live a better quality life. I greatly appreciate the clap, comment, and share! Feel free to connect on LinkedIn to discuss anything related to entrepreneurship, cannabis, or technology.
References:
- https://www.leafly.com/news/health/how-to-use-cbd-for-anxiety
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30157131?
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2828614/?
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6326553/
- https://www.leafly.com/news/cannabis-101/cannabis-entourage-effect-why-thc-and-cbd-only-medicines-arent-g
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6334252/
- https://bpspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.1476-5381.2011.01238.x
- https://file.scirp.org/pdf/PP_2015021016351567.pdf?
- Backes, Michael; D. McCue, Jack M.D. “Cannabis Pharmacy The Practical Guide to Medical Marijuana”. 2017.
- The Endocannabinoid System, Cannabinoids, and Pain
