As cannabis continues to grow in popularity, consumers are becoming more conscious and receptive to the plant’s other medicinal properties. More specifically, people have become enthralled with CBD. At the time of this post, CBD is legally accessible in all 50 states. This has allowed new forms of CBD to become accessible. Companies are now providing Broad Spectrum CBD, Isolates, and Full Spectrum CBD; But what exactly do these terms mean?

Understanding CBD

CBD, or Cannabinol, is one of the hundreds of previously identified canna-compounds found in mature cannabis plants. Unlike Delta-9 Tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, Cannabinol is non-psychoactive. Considering cannabis and their compounds, THC and CBD are often viewed as the Yin and Yang of cannabis: both THC and CBD are well-known and respected and have the ability to counteract one another. That’s right: CBD has been proven to counteract the psychoactive effects of THC. 

CBD works with the ECS, or Endocannabinoid System of our bodies. In theory, virtually everyone can receive the health benefits of CBD thanks to the Endocannabinoid System. This system allows cannabinoids such as CBD to attach to our CB1 and CB2 receptors in the brain as well as throughout the body. CBD has a multitude of health benefits for those seeking alternative medicine or treatment without experiencing a high. 

The use of CBD can be found as far back as THC with its medicinal benefits being used around the year 2,800 B.C. However, CBD is rarer than its psychoactive counterpart THC. For example, for every 1 gram of dry cannabis flowers, the ratio of THC-to-CBD is approximately 20:1. This explains why cannabis consumers usually come across < 0.4% CBD in their buds at their local dispensary. Some medicinal growers continue to increase CBD in their harvests as it serves them more purpose in comparison to the typical recreational indulger who is likely looking for the psychoactive effects attached to THC. Now that you know what CBD is, what about these new-fangled terms such as ‘Full Spectrum’ and ‘Isolates?’

What is Full Spectrum CBD?

Full Spectrum CBD products, often called ‘whole plant’ concentrates or extracts, contain CBD in addition to other ingredients extracted from the same cannabis plant. Consumers of Full Spectrum CBD products claim to benefit from the products’ ability to enact the entourage effect. Full Spectrum CBD also contains terpenes and other flavor agents. These are ingredients that can provide therapeutic benefits in addition to nice flavors and aromatics. Moreover, these Full Spectrum CBD products tend to include other discovered cannabinoids like THC, THCA, CBN, CBG, CBGA, and more. However, Full Spectrum CBD products are not generally recommended for individuals who have a sensitivity to THC due to the possibility of trace amounts of the psychoactive cannabinoid appearing in Full Spectrum CBD.

What is Broad Spectrum CBD?

Unlike Full Spectrum CBD, Broad Spectrum CBD does not contain any amount of THC. This is because THC is removed during the extraction process. Broad Spectrum CBD also retains other cannabinoids and terpenes. This can enhance the therapeutic potential via the entourage effect, which refers to how the effects of different cannabis compounds change when others are present.

What are CBD Isolates?

A CBD isolate is CBD in its purest form. Isolates are produced by extracting all other compounds, including terpenes, flavors, and all other known cannabinoids. CBD Isolates often appear in the form of a powder or even translucent crystal. Due to its purity, CBD Isolates tend to be for research purposes during clinical trials. Unlike its counterparts, CBD isolate cannot enact the entourage effect because it does not contain other compounds.

Conclusion 

As cannabis continues to grow with every new legislative session, we are closer as a species to researching, understanding, and utilizing the countless health benefits of CBD. The multiple forms of CBD as well as its benefits can be quite overwhelming. However, we are here to assist you. For more information, be sure to contact us.