CBD Isolate Vs. Full-Spectrum CBD

Cannabidiol (CBD) has been massively researched for the past decades due to its boatload of medicinal benefits! CBD is non-intoxicating and can never get you high. Its clarion call came in December 2018, after the farm bill was signed into law, legalizing growing hemp plants and buying/selling CBD products.

Companies responded by creating a wide variety of products like CBD edibles, tinctures, and topicals. If you have been keen enough,  you’ve seen some products labeled CBD Isolate, Broad-spectrum CBD, and others Full-spectrum CBD. Some consumers are confused about the difference between these products, but the truth is that it’s pretty simple.

• CBD Isolate: possesses pure CBD only.
• Full-spectrum CBD: possesses all the naturally occurring terpenes, compounds, and cannabinoids like CBG and less than 0.3% THC.
• Broad-spectrum CBD: possesses all the naturally occurring compounds, terpenes, and cannabinoids except THC.

By the end of this quick and easy guide, you’ll be able to distinguish CBD isolate Vs. Full-spectrum CBD with ease.

Comparing CBD isolate Vs. Full-Spectrum CBD

CBD isolate, and full-spectrum CBD are both derived from the hemp plant. The significant difference between them lies in their content composition.

• What Is CBD Isolate?

CBD isolate can be defined as the purest type of CBD. Once CBD oil is sourced from the hemp plant, it goes through a vigorous refining process that eliminates all the other cannabinoids, terpenes,  essential compounds, and flavonoids, leaving behind pure CBD molecules only.

CBD isolate usually occurs in a crystal form, which is then grounded into a powder. So, you’ll often find CBD isolate being sold in the form of an odorless powder that has no taste.

• What Is Full-Spectrum CBD?

Comparably, full-spectrum CBD oil gets to skip the vigorous refining. Hence, it retains all the hemp plants naturally occurring cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, essential oils, and 0.03%THC. This THC amount is meager and can’t get you high.

Researchers believe all the compounds in full-spectrum CBD work in synergy to provide users with more health benefits than CBD isolate.

The Benefits Of CBD Isolate Vs. Full Spectrum CBD

Both full-spectrum CBD and CBD isolate host a wide variety of health and wellness benefits. However, the benefits delivered by these compounds may differ significantly in terms of efficacy and potency.

• CBD Isolate Benefits

CBD isolate is well suited for beginners and people looking to experience the benefits of pure CBD without any effects of other cannabinoids like THC and CBN.

Recent studies conclude that CBD isolate provides its users calming and therapeutic benefits. Though these effects are not as potent as when using a low dose of full-spectrum CBD,  isolates remain a better choice for people who want to consume higher CBD doses.

Additionally, CBD isolate has no traces of THC, and therefore your chances of passing a drug test are very high.

But you must be very cautious while shopping for CBD isolate products. That’s becausesome illegitimate companies incorrectly label their products as ‘THC-free’ while they still contain THC.

Go through the products certificate of analysis (COA) to ensure you are getting a safe product without any THC.

Full-Spectrum CBD Benefits

As stated earlier, full-spectrum CBD oil contains all the plant’s compounds. Therefore, you’ll benefit from the full range of effects that each cannabinoid and terpenes have to offer.

Research suggests that full-spectrum CBD may provide more potent effects due to the entourage effect. The entourage effect occurs when CBD, THC,CBG, terpenes, and other compounds work together to provide health benefits.

Note that during processing, the amount of THC in full-spectrum CBD products may increase. That is why some people feel a sensation of being high, and you will most likely test positive in a drug test. As such, you will want to go through the product’s COA to be sure of the amount of THC in your product.

The Bottom Line

Studies into the benefits of CBD are still underway. However, the results gathered so far suggest that full-spectrum CBD may be more beneficial and provide a broader range of medicinal and wellness benefits than CBD isolate. CBD isolate remains the best choice for people who want to avoid any effects of THC. Please note that the CBD market remains largely unregulated, so don’t be surprised when you encounter a product advertised as ‘THC-free’ while its COA says otherwise.