CBD products are typically labeled as containing full spectrum, broad spectrum, or CBD isolate. But what does that really mean and how do you know which is right for you?
Isolate refers to a type of CBD that is isolated from the rest of the compounds in the cannabis plant. CBD isolate is the purest form of CBD which is produced by removing all other compounds found in the plant including terpenes, flavonoids, plant parts, and other cannabinoids. CBD Isolate is typically extracted from Hemp, due to its low to non-existent THC-content. The benefits of isolate are that it is the purest form of CBD, tasteless and odourless, and has no chance of containing THC (the psychoactive ingredient in cannabis). The downside is that isolate does not provide the enhanced benefits of the entire cannabis plant and there may be a decreased chance of therapeutic relief without those other compounds.
Full spectrum CBD is an extract that contains all compounds found naturally occurring in the cannabis plant - the full spectrum of cannabinoids, terpenes, and essential oils are extracted from the plant and work together to magnify the therapeutic benefits of each individual cannabinoid. This benefit is commonly referred to as the "entourage effect". Researchers have found that test subjects administered with full spectrum CBD were provided with higher levels of relief, compared to subjects administered with CBD isolate. Full spectrum CBD does contain trace amounts of THC, but not enough to get you high. The therapeutic effects of cannabis are most powerful when the whole plant is used and all beneficial compounds synergistically work together. Keep in mind that although it is generally not psychoactive, full-spectrum CBD can give you a false positive during a drug test due to trace amounts of THC, especially if you consume high doses of CBD daily.
Broad spectrum CBD falls in between full spectrum CBD and CBD isolate. Like full spectrum CBD the other compounds found within the plant are preserved in the extract, however, like CBD Isolate, the THC is completely removed. It contains the entire spectrum of cannabinoids except for the THC. For this reason broad spectrum can still deliver some of the enhanced benefits of the entourage effect, but without possible psychoactive effects of THC. Broad spectrum is the middle ground option between isolate and full spectrum. It begins as a full spectrum oil, with the full range of beneficial cannabinoids and terpenes, but goes through a refinement process to remove all THC compounds.
At OUIDE we use high quality full spectrum CBD in all our products, because we believe in the power of the entourage effect and the therapeutic relief available from all components of the cannabis plant. Try our RELIEVE+ Healing Oil under your tongue or in your morning coffee, or look to our CBD Pills as part of your proactive daily cannabinoid therapy. As always, if you are new to CBD start low and go slow. Experimenting with ratio's and doses is necessary as is patience and time.