Full spectrum vs Broad Spectrum CBD : What's The Difference

Cannabidiol commonly known as CBD is becoming popular. Especially among those who are looking for alternative treatments to help relieve ailments like pain, anxiety and depression. A 2018 study showed that almost 62% of CBD consumers use CBD to treat their medical conditions. No matter what is your reason, you need to know the difference between full spectrum vs broad spectrum CBD. These are the two main CBD extract types available.

Many people are showing their interest to try CBD as their go-to for common ailments. The FDA agrees with the fact that cannabinoids like CBD may carry some health benefits. But it doesn’t fully regulate the market and so far gave approval to only one product that contains CBD.

Consider buying yourself a CBD product. You will come up with a number of product variations. Products may vary from strength to extract types. Strength determines the concentration of CBD in a particular CBD product. While extract type determines what other cannabinoids present in the product along with CBD.

There are three main types of extracts or concentrates that manufacturers use to manufacture any CBD product. They are Full spectrum, broad spectrum and CBD isolate. You will find the extract type mentioned on the label of almost all CBD infused products that are available in the market these days.

In order for you to choose the one that might fit your needs, you have to understand what’s the differences between full spectrum vs broad spectrum CBD. Keep reading, as we will give you a clear understanding of these two most popular extracts of CBD. You will also learn the health benefits of them and can put one in your preference list.

Full Spectrum vs Broad Spectrum CBD : What’s the Difference?

Now the next most obvious question: what makes full spectrum vs broad spectrum CBD products different from one another? The difference between the two is determined by the number of phytocannabinoids (plant based compounds) compounds present in the final product.

Any CBD product that contains all the naturally occurring cannabis plant compounds such as CBD, CBC, CBN, CBG and no more than 0.3% THC is full spectrum CBD product. On the other hand, broad spectrum CBD products have the same cannabinoids profile except the fact that it doesn’t have any THC content. Both full spectrum and broad spectrum CBD contains other plant based compounds i.e.: terpenes and flavonoids.

Apart from these two, you will find products that are based on CBD isolate. CBD isolate products contain purely CBD leaving all other cannabinoids apart in the manufacturing process.

Although these terms were created to convey the different bioactive compounds present in each spectrum, they are not regulated. Oftentimes manufacturers misuse these terms and use them interchangeably.

The major difference between 3 major types of CBD extracts lies in the measures of various cannabinoids (cannabis plant compounds) they contain:

• Full-spectrum CBD: Full spectrum CBD also known as whole-plant extracts, implies that the CBD extract comprises all the cannabinoids that are typically present in the cannabis plant. Which also includes a lab controlled amount of THC up to 0.3%.
• Broad-spectrum CBD: This sort of CBD extract will contain all the cannabinoids organically produced in the plant aside from THC. Broad spectrum CBD is the combo of many cannabinoids along with CBD. Where all the ingredients of full spectrum CBD are present except THC. However, a few broad spectrum CBD concentrates may contain tiny traces of THC varying from manufacturers to manufacturers.

• CBD Isolate: Among the three main types of CBD extracts, CBD isolate contains nothing but CBD. In other words, isolated CBD refers to CBD products which contain no other cannabinoids except CBD.

Which extract type you will choose between full spectrum vs broad spectrum CBD? Well the answer to this question lies on ECS (Endocannabinoid System) of our body and the entourage effect. 

Our body consists of a network of neurotransmitters, their receptors and enzymes which we now call the endocannabinoid system of the body. The ECS influences a lot of our day to day activity like sleeping, eating, mood, anxiety, relaxing etc. 

Plant based phytocannabinoids can bind with human endocannabinoids and may offer certain health benefits. The entourage effect refers to the fact that when take all the phytocannabinoids present in full spectrum including all cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids they work together with our body’s ECS. This whole plant extract can give more desired effect compared to each individual phytocannabinoids working alone with ECS.

Related: CBD oil without THC in 2021

What is Full Spectrum CBD Oil?

At the beginning of the manufacturing process, CBD is extracted from the Hemp plant by a variety of extraction methods. In the case of full spectrum, all the other phytocannabinoids are preserved along with CBD. Which includes THC, the mind altering compound compound that is popular among recreational marijuana users. But in case of full spectrum CBD oil, the total net content of THC doesn’t cross the legal threshold of 0.3 percent. So you can rest assured that you will not get any high while using full spectrum CBD oil.

When you use full spectrum CBD oil all the cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids are present in your product. They all will work together and you will be able to take full advantage of the entourage effect.

One downside though, if you are sensitive to THC or don’t want to encounter THC at, you have to avoid full spectrum CBD oil products. Full spectrum CBD oil contains trace amounts of THC and oftentimes it can be visible in drug tests. But if you live in a state where medical marijuana is legal and you don’t have any personal obligation to use THC, you can use full-spectrum CBD oil with confidence. We recommend you check the COA (Certificate of Analysis) report of the product you are going to buy.

We at Medosi offer you full spectrum CBD oil tincture drops that come in three different concentrations. You can go to our online store to check all the different full spectrum CBD oils we have and can pick one that fits your needs.

What is Broad Spectrum CBD oil?

In the case of broad spectrum CBD oil manufacturers keep all other cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids as is except THC. THC is removed altogether at the time of extracting cannabinoid compounds from hemp plants. Some manufacturers create broad spectrum CBD oil adding other cannabinoids with CBD isolate. But one thing is clear, broad spectrum CBD oil will not carry any THC at all.

You can still benefit from the other cannabinoids that are there in broad spectrum CBD oil products and can have entourage effects upto some extent. Broad spectrum CBD oil is your ideal choice if you are sensitive to THC or do not want to encounter THC at all. You don’t have to worry about drug tests, while you are using broad spectrum CBD oil products.

One point to notice though, broad spectrum CBD oil formulation varies from brands to brands. You can check the COA report of the broad spectrum CBD oil you are buying from a particular brand to know what are the other cannabinoids present in your product along with CBD.

You can check out Medosi’s broad spectrum CBD tincture drop which is THC-free, but can offer all the health benefits of other cannabinoids. 

What is CBD isolate?

As the name suggests, CBD isolate is pure CBD where CBD is isolated from all other cannabinoids. To manufacture CBD isolate, manufacturers take further steps to extract just CBD from the extraction process leaving all other cannabinoids, terpenes and plant compounds. The end product is pure CBD crystalline that contains 99% pure CBD. CBD isolate is then mixed with a carrier oil or alcohol. When CBD isolate is mixed with a carrier oil like MCT oil or coconut oil, it is considered as CBD oil isolate drops. But in the case of CBD tincture, alcohol is used as a carrier base.

People who are sensitive to other cannabinoids including THC can use CBD isolate based products. Although, CBD itself cannot ensure a whole lot of health benefits. The end result will not be promising when compared with full spectrum vs broad spectrum CBD.

At the time of purchasing a CBD isolate base product check the COA report to make sure it contains no other cannabinoids except CBD. And the CBD isolate used in the particular product is 99% pure.

Check out Medosi’s CBD infused topical products where we used CBD isolate as one of the many ingredients in our CBD skin care products.

Which One to Choose: Full Spectrum vs Broad Spectrum CBD

Thinking about which CBD extract type is right for you?

Now that you have a clear knowledge about the distinction between full spectrum vs broad spectrum CBD, it will be relatively easier for you to pick one. 

Everyone has their own unique requirements when it comes to choosing a CBD product. Your own unique requirements will determine which CBD product is the best fit for you.

Always remember, bioavailability and activation time varies from product to product. Bioavailability refers to the fact that how much CBD is absorbed in the bloodstream. From this understanding you can easily realize that a CBD tincture drop is more bioavailable than a CBD topical product. 

Same is true with product activation time. Product activation time refers to the fact that how long it takes to feel the desired effect. CBD sublingual spray has got a much less activation time than a CBD roll-on gel.

Now let’s took a quick glimpse to check how each might fit to your requirements:

When to Choose Full Spectrum CBD?

This CBD extract type contains all the phytocannabinoids and other plant compounds naturally present in Cannabis plant i.e.: Hemp plant. Least processing and refinements take place while manufacturing full spectrum CBD. Full spectrum CBD holds the best possible chances to give you the entourage effect.

Products of this extract type contain trace amounts of THC, which is no more than 0.3%. The amount is little to create any euphoric effect, but can show up on drug tests. If you have sensitivity to THC or have restrictions of using it for professional reasons, avoid full spectrum CBD products.

When to Choose Broad Spectrum CBD?

Broad spectrum CBD extract type goes through further refinements to remove THC from the full spectrum extract. You still can have the benefits of entourage effect, although THC is removed from the end product. The only difference between a full spectrum vs broad spectrum cbd product is that there is no THC in broad spectrum one.

Broad spectrum can be an ideal choice for you, if you do not or can not use THC for some reason. As products of this extract type contain 0% THC (in most cases), you will always pass the drug test.

When to Choose CBD Isolate?

You already know CBD isolate contains 99% pure CBD. Products of this extract type go through several refinement processes to remove all the cannabinoids and plant compounds except CBD. The end result is odorless and tasteless CBD with no intoxicating effects. 

As a result of removing all types of other cannabinoid compounds, CBD isolate is not capable of producing the entourage effect. You can use CBD isolate products if you are extremely sensitive to full spectrum and broad spectrum CBD products. If you live in a state where THC is illegal and you do not know how you might react with other cannabinoids, then CBD isolate can be your first choice.

Summary

Picking and trying a CBD product for the very first time can be a daunting process. But if you know the general terms like the ones we discussed above, it will be much easier for you. 

It is always a good idea to learn more about CBD before actually trying one. Having more knowledge about CBD will help you pick the right product. Your understanding on which product you are using and why you are using it, will also ensure a better outcome.

We share helpful articles on Medosi’s blog to help you understand the use and application of various CBD products. By reading our articles you will learn how to choose a CBD product based on its strength, extract type (spectrum) and application.

You can buy Medosi’s CBD products from our online store. And as an informed user, it is always important for you to know which type of CBD product you are going to buy. Knowing the difference between CBD extract type: “full spectrum vs broad spectrum CBD” is one key here.