FULL-SPECTRUM CBD VS. BROAD-SPECTRUM CBD OIL

FULL-SPECTRUM CBD VS. BROAD-SPECTRUM CBD OIL

When buying CBD oil, you probably ask yourself which CBD oil is the best, depending on the type of CBD used. CBD products are obtained from organic hemp plant extracts. Elements found in the plant include terpenes, flavonoids, CBD and tetrahydrocannabinol (CBD). There are three types of CBD which are determined by the presence of either of the elements. The three types are full spectrum, broad spectrum and isolate CBD. They offer different potential benefits. Unlike CBD which is associated with various health and wellness benefits, THC has ‘high’ effects. However, full spectrum and broad spectrum are the most common in the market.

What is a Cannabidiol?

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a compound found in the cannabis plant used to make health and wellness products. The CBD is extracted from hemp plants that are non-GMO and organically grown because farm chemicals will affect the quality of the CBD. The hemp plant is grown in the USA states like Vermont, Kentucky, and Colorado. Unlike marijuana, the hemp plant is non-psychoactive. Therefore, using CBD hemp plant products won’t get you high. The amount of THC in the hemp plant is 0.3%. THC is the compound that makes marijuana psychoactive.

Solvent extraction and CO2 extraction methods are used in the industrial extraction of CBD. Solvent extraction involves the use of alcohol as a solvent. The alcohol is pumped into a chamber with dry hemp plant materials to extract CBD. After extraction, the mixture of CBD and alcohol is heated to remove the alcohol. In the CO2 extraction method, CO2 is used as a solvent, but it is in a supercritical state. After extraction, the CO2 is removed by heating, then the crude CBD undergoes distillation to remove materials like fats and wax. The extracted CBD will undergo further processing to make full-spectrum CBD, broad-spectrum-CBD, and isolate CBD.

How is CBD Oil Made?

CBD oil is made by mixing CBD with a carrier oil. Some CBD oils do have more than one carrier oil. The common carrier oil is MCT oil. Other carrier oils are avocado oil, palm oil, olive oil, and coconut oil. There are three types of CBD oil because of the three types of CBD.

Full-spectrum CBD Oil

This is a CBD oil that is made from a full-spectrum CBD. Full-spectrum CBD consists of all the beneficial components of a hemp plant like cannabinoids, CBD and THC, terpenes and flavonoids. Full-spectrum is consumed in raw form because the other types of CBD undergo further processing to remove some of the components found in the hemp plant. The hemp plant components in full-spectrum CBD make the CBD oil of higher potency. Combining CBD with these components, especially THC, provides more beneficial effects in what’s known as the entourage effect.

Broad-spectrum CBD Oil

The broad-spectrum CBD oil has hemp plant components like CBD, terpenes, and flavonoids. The broad-spectrum undergoes extra processing, which removes THC. In broad-spectrum, the entourage effect is less when compared to full-spectrum CBD oil, but still, the potency is high because of the plant components.

Similarities and Differences of Full-spectrum and Broad-spectrum CBD Oils

Similarities

Both full-spectrum and broad-spectrum have all the plant components like terpenes and flavonoids. The terpenes give the oil its scent. Also, the rate of absorption into the bloodstream, which speeds effectiveness is the same. The flavonoids contribute to the entourage effect that components of cannabis work better together than alone. They both have fewer minor cannabinoids and a high number of terpenes.

Differences

Full-spectrum CBD contains all the elements found in the hemp plant including THC. It is also known as whole-spectrum. On the contrary, broad-spectrum contains all the elements found in the hemp plant except THC, making it safer, especially for beginners.

Which is Better Between Full-spectrum and Broad-spectrum?

The presence or absence of THC in CBD oil does not make it better because the terpenes are more important in CBD. Although both of them offer an entourage effect, broad spectrum CBD seems to have less negative effects because of its void of THC, which is associated with “high” effect.

Shopping for CBD Oil

When shopping for CBD oil, there are things to consider so that you end up buying high-quality CBD oil.

Shop Online

Shopping online means buying directly from the manufacturer. This helps in narrowing it down to a precise product. It also reduces the chances of buying a fake product. Some companies offer a return policy that retailers may not offer. Buy the CBD oil from a reputable CBD company because the process of planting to extracting CBD can differ and will affect the quality of the CBD.

Always Check the Product’s Lab Results

Lab results will help determine the elements found in the products, purity and potency levels. Some companies misinform on the potency levels found in the products by posting different levels from the ons in the products. Therefore, users are required to assess the lab results of individual products by scanning QR codes on the labels.  If you are unsure about a particular CBD oil, assess the users reviews. This will provide more information on the experiences of those who have used that product. For beginners, it’s best to start with a lower dose than recommended because factors like tolerance levels and metabolism are not the same in individuals.

Conclusion

Full-spectrum and broad-spectrum CBD only differ because full-spectrum contains 0.3% THC. However, their function is nearly the same. The presence of terpenes in both the spectrums improves their effect since it contains the entourage effect. In shopping for CBD oil, it’s a personal choice to go for the full-spectrum CBD oil or the broad-spectrum CBD oil. In states with strict regulations on hemp products  like Alabama, it can be hard to buy or travel with CBD products with THC. Finally, when buying CBD oil, buy online from the company to enjoy after-sell services like return policy or free shipping.

Ieva Kubiliute is a psychologist and a sex and relationships advisor and a freelance writer. She's also a consultant to several health and wellness brands. While Ieva specialises in covering wellness topics ranging from fitness and nutrition, to mental wellbeing, sex and relationships and health conditions, she has written across a diverse range of lifestyle topics, including beauty and travel. Career highlights so far include: luxury spa-hopping in Spain and joining an £18k-a-year London gym. Someone’s got to do it! When she’s not typing away at her desk—or interviewing experts and case studies, Ieva winds down with yoga, a good movie and great skincare (affordable of course, there’s little she doesn’t know about budget beauty). Things that bring her endless joy: digital detoxes, oat milk lattes and long country walks (and sometimes jogs).

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