The growth of the cannabis plant was legalized in the USA in 2018 due to its potential wellness benefits. The plant has been recognized by various health institutions, including the World Health Organization (WHO), to have wellness benefits such as reducing anxiety, stress, pain, and depression. The cannabis plant has two major chemical elements; cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Other elements of the plant include terpenes and flavonoids. CBD exists in three types; full-spectrum, broad-spectrum and isolate, which are determined using different elements of the cannabis plant found in each. Unlike the full spectrum, which poses potential health risks due to the availability of THC, the broad spectrum is highly recommended because it only contains terpenes, flavonoids, and CBD.
Types of CBD
The three types of CBD include full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and isolate. Some of the products infused with CBD include gummies, capsules, terpenes, topicals, vapes, and beverages. Despite being offered in different types and formulations, they are also manufactured at different potency levels.
Full-Spectrum CBD
Full-spectrum CBD is one of the common types since it is easy to manufacture. Unlike other types of CBD, in which some elements have to be extracted, full-spectrum comprises the whole plant. It comprises CBD, terpenes, THC, and flavonoids. The presence of THC makes full-spectrum CBD unsuitable since it is associated with various side effects. Some of the side effects include red eyes, dry lips, anxiety, and severe headaches, which were the reason for the delayed legalization of CBD until 2018. However, the Farm Bill offers regulations regarding THC levels in CBD products. It states that all CBD-infused products should have THC levels under 0.3%. The Food and Drugs Administration was mandated to oversee CBD manufacturers ensure 0.3% levels have been achieved.
Broad Spectrum CBD
Most CBD experts highly recommend broad-spectrum CBD due to its low risks and the absence of THC. It is manufactured using all elements found in the hemp plant except THC. It comprises terpenes, CBD, and flavonoids. As a result, one can benefit from the entourage effects of all the useful elements found in the hemp plant except THC. Broad-spectrum CBD can also be infused in different products, including vapes, tinctures, capsules, and gummies. It is manufactured in different concentration levels depending on a specific product. Broad-spectrum CBD is highly recommended to beginners and people who wish to try CBD products to improve their health and wellness without interacting with THC.
Isolate CBD
It is unique from the broad-spectrum and full spectrum. It is manufactured with pure CBD, void of terpenes, flavonoids, and THC. It is also highly recommended to those who wish to gain the potential benefits of CBD only. Also, it can help you avoid the potential risks of THC. However, isolate CBD might not be recommended because it doesn’t offer entourage effects like full-spectrum and broad-spectrum due to the availability of a single element in it (CBD).
Terpenes in Broad Spectrum
CBD products are manufactured with various hemp plant extracts resulting in different types. Broad-spectrum CBD entails CBD, terpenes, and flavonoids. Notably, it is void of THC. The hemp plant comprises 150 terpenes which are all found in broad-spectrum CBD. Common terpenes in the broad spectrum of CBD include myrcene, pinene, linalool, humulene, caryophyllene, and limonene. Unlike THC, terpenes have been associated with various wellness benefits. Although the claim has not been clinically approved, terpenes are believed to improve the state of the mind if taken in excess. They also pose limited risks under such circumstances, unlike CBD, which might result in severe headaches and increased anxiety.
Terpenes serve the same purpose as giving an orange or pineapple a sweet smell. Although it might not offer the sweet smell like one found in oranges and pineapples, it is responsible for the smell and taste found in the hemp plant. Various studies have identified the following functions of terpenes in the broad spectrum CBD;
Offers the Entourage Effect
CBD alone doesn’t have the capability of offering effective effects identified in CBD products. “Entourage effect” is when various elements are used together to improve the effectiveness of products. In broad-spectrum, we have terpenes, flavonoids, and CBD, which amplifies the effectiveness of broad-spectrum CBD. Although some researchers recommend full spectrum CBD, which they believe THC can offer a significant role in improving functionality, broad-spectrum activists argue based on its potential side effects.
It Contains Anti-Inflammatory Properties
Studies by Wang, et al. (2020)., indicate that the interaction of terpenes with B1 and B2 receptors may reduce inflammation around the body and the mind. However, not all terpenes offer an anti-inflammatory effect. Myrcene is the most effective, which is also believed to reduce the psychoactive effects found in THC.
Does Broad Spectrum CBD Contain Traces of THC?
Although the hemp plant has been legalized in the USA due to its potential health benefits, there are a lot of questions regarding its psychoactive effects. According to various research, THC is the second dominant element in the hemp plant; extracting it fully might be not easy. Broad-spectrum CBD is believed to have some traces of CBD even with the most effective extraction method (CO2). Therefore, consumers of broad-spectrum CBD are recommended to assess the lab results of individual products by scanning QR codes on the labels to check on THC levels.
Conclusion
Broad-spectrum CBD is highly recommended for the availability of terpenes, CBD, and flavonoids which offer an entourage effect. It’s also recommended to those who wish to gain from all elements of the hemp plant except CBD. In addition, it lowers the risks of exposure to the side effects of THC, which include getting “high,” severe headaches, and dry lips. However, it also has side effects, especially when taken in excess. Some of the effects include red eyes and loss of memory. Also, THC being the second dominant chemical element found in the hemp plant, makes it difficult to be extracted fully. Therefore, broad-spectrum consumers are recommended to affirm the lab results before using them. Lastly, to avoid the side effects, it’s also important to limit the dose to manageable amounts.
References
Wang, B., Kovalchuk, A., Li, D., Ilnytskyy, Y., Kovalchuk, I., & Kovalchuk, O. (2020). In Search Of Preventative Strategies: Novel Anti-Inflammatory High-CBD Cannabis Sativa Extracts Modulate ACE2 Expression In COVID-19 Gateway Tissues.
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