CBD Isolate vs Full Spectrum CBD

CBD has become a well-known health and wellness product because of its therapeutic properties in a short time since being legal in the US.  By now, you must have heard the terms CBD isolate, full-spectrum CBD and broad-spectrum CBD etc.  Before we get into the details of these CBD types, remember that CBD is not the only beneficial compound extracted from industrial hemp- cannabis.  Cannabis contains hundreds of different forms of nutrients and cannabinoids, which can also help the human body, perform functions more efficiently and effectively. Here is a brief intro to the cannabinoids and terpenes of the Cannabis plant before we breakdown CBD isolate vs full spectrum CBD.

Cannabinoids and Terpenes

There are more than a hundred different cannabinoids found naturally, in cannabis plants. The most famous of these cannabinoids are CBD and THC. This is because both of these cannabinoids can interact with the endocannabinoid system and target the receptor sites. The endocannabinoid system is responsible for carrying out physiological functions, including appetite, pain, sensation mood, memory and cognitive function etc. Other cannabinoids that can also interact with the endocannabinoid system are Cannabinol, cannabichromene and cannabigerol. All these cannabinoids, if consumed together, can produce the entourage effect that creates a stronger impact on the body. Other organic phytonutrients extracted from the Cannabis plants are terpenes and terpenoids, which can also participate in the entourage effect. Terpenes are responsible for giving the plant its characteristic smell and taste. Some of the most famous Cannabis terpenes are limonene, myrcene, ocumene and humulene.

Forms of CBD Extract

Even though we will be focusing on CBD isolate vs full spectrum CBD in this article; there is another form called broad spectrum CBD oil.

CBD Isolate

CBD isolate is produced by removing all other ingredients of the Cannabis plant to be left with only CBD. CBD isolate does not contain any other phytonutrients or cannabinoids, including the terpenes mentioned above, and it is 99% pure CBD, which means it cannot produce the entourage effect. Since it does not contain any other beneficial compound, CBD isolates are relatively less expensive than broad-spectrum or full-spectrum CBD products.

Full-spectrum CBD Oil

Full-spectrum CBD oil is composed of CBD along with vitamins, minerals, Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, plant-based protein fiber chlorophyll, terpenes and flavonoids. Full-spectrum CBD oil is often called a hemp oil extract.

Full-spectrum CBD oil also contains a minor quantity of THC. Be sure to buy a full-spectrum CBD oil product that is made from industrial hemp, so that it contains less than 0.3 % THC and does not flag positive in a traditional drug test. With increased dosage of full-spectrum CBD product there is also a potential for those trace amounts of THC through certain testing. It is especially important if you are being subjected to zero-tolerance drug policy. If you don't want to consume any THC, you may go for broad-spectrum CBD oil, which contains all essential cannabinoids and phytonutrients except THC. That’s a wrap on CBD isolate vs full spectrum CBD. If you want to learn more about broad-spectrum CBD check out our detailed post.