What Is Full Spectrum CBD?

With so many CBD products on the market, it can be difficult choosing which is best for your overall wellness. Currently, there are two common types of CBD products available for consumption: full spectrum CBD and CBD isolate. Not sure what the difference is? Check out our guide below.

What Is Full Spectrum CBD?

CBD is a chemical compound found in cannabis plants (including marijuana and hemp). For legal purposes, most CBD products use hemp extract. Unlike CBD isolate (which only contains CBD), full spectrum CBD contains the ingredients of the entire plant, such as terpenes, cannabinoids, and an abundance of other chemicals and properties.

What Is CBD Isolate?

CBD isolate extract contains up to 99% pure CBD. Isolates are separated from the spectrum of other ingredients in the hemp plant.

What’s in Full Spectrum CBD Oil?

Cannabinoids

Whole plant cannabinoids are a diverse group of chemical compounds found in cannabis plants. There are over 100 varieties, including cannabidiol (CBD), cannabigerol (CBG), cannabinol (CBN), cannabichromene (CBC), tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV).

Not all cannabinoids are psychoactive. In fact, THC is the only cannabinoid shown to have psychoactive properties, but there’s speculation that THCV may have minor effects.

Full spectrum CBD from hemp contains a very low amount of THC, generally below 0.3%, meaning it doesn’t produce a psychoactive effect. Though the research around CBD and cannabinoids is still in preliminary stages, it’s believed that cannabinoids could help relieve pain and inflammation and even alleviate anxiety.

Terpenes

Terpenes are unique chemicals that are responsible for the smell of the hemp plant. Though the research is still being developed, there are theories that these chemicals can assist in boosting mood, improving memory, lessening depression, and even helping with gas reflux.

Minerals & Vitamins

Full spectrum CBD contains a variety of minerals and vitamins that can be quite beneficial to the body. These include B-vitamins niacin, thiamine, and riboflavin, as well as vitamins A (including beta-carotene), C, and E. Full spectrum oil also contains minerals like zinc, iron, and potassium, among many others.

Essential Fats

With a variety of healthy ingredients, full spectrum CBD oil can be a nutritional powerhouse. This oil contains over 20 amino acids, as well as essential fatty acids like Omega 3 and 6. Other ingredients found in full spectrum CBD oil include flavonoids, fiber, and chlorophyll.

Is Full Spectrum CBD More Effective than CBD Isolate?

While the science behind CBD is still new, there are emerging studies that show that there could be a difference in the effectiveness of full spectrum CBD oil and CBD isolate. A  from the Lautenberg Center for General Tumor Immunology showed that full spectrum CBD was more effective than isolate in the long-term relief of symptoms like inflammation and pain.

There are also studies indicating that the cannabinoids and terpenes of full spectrum CBD work together, creating what’s known as the entourage effect. The resulting effect may have more healing properties than CBD isolate. Symptoms that are believed to be alleviated with the entourage effect include those related to pain, depression, anxiety, and addiction.

Is Full Spectrum CBD Right for You?

Deciding if full spectrum CBD is the best option depends on what you’re looking for in a CBD product. The science behind CBD is still being researched, but studies suggest that full spectrum CBD oil provides both the nutrients and pain-relieving benefits that users want in a CBD product. However, CBD isolate is still preferred by some. If you’re not comfortable with even trace amounts of THC, CBD isolate might be your preferred choice.