REWARDS
Cannabidiol (CBD), the non-psychoactive chemical compound found in cannabis, has been gaining praise recently for its long list of medical benefits. People suffering from physical pain, multiple sclerosis, inflammation, blood pressure, diabetes, IBS, and other conditions are finding relief through the use of CBD.
Clinical research in recent years has shown CBD’s potential to help treat mental issues and drug addiction, and could provide help for those with alcoholism, PTSD, anxiety and depression. In addition to this, there is increasing evidence that CBD may possess anti-cancer properties.
The term “full-spectrum” is often used to describe certain CBD products. Because CBD is still an emerging health supplement, there is quite a bit of confusion and misunderstanding as to what exactly full-spectrum means.
In this article, we will review the differences between full-spectrum CBD and CBD isolate, and how they relate to CBD’s various health benefits.
What is Full-Spectrum CBD?
To understand the meaning of full-spectrum CBD, one must first know there are two main types of CBD: full-spectrum and isolate. As a direct comparison, full-spectrum contains a full scope of elements found in the cannabis plant, whereas CBD isolate is pure CBD.
When CBD is referred to as full-spectrum, or whole plant CBD, this means that this CBD product contains all or some of the other cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant, such as CBN (cannabinol) and CBG (cannabigerol). Along with these cannabinoids, full spectrum CBD also contains trace amounts of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the psychoactive component of cannabis, but in very low concentrations (less than 0.3%).
CBD isolate, on the other hand, is simply purified CBD that has been extracted from the cannabis plant and isolated from the other cannabinoids.
Full-spectrum CBD contains the full range of cannabinoids found in hemp. These cannabinoids include:
- Cannabidiol (CBD)
- Cannabidiolic Acid (CBDA)
- Cannabigerol (CBG)
- Cannabigerolic Acid (CBGA)
- Cannabichromene (CBC)
- Cannabichromenic Acid (CBCA)
- Delta 9 TetraHydroCannabinol (Delta9 THC)
- Delta 9 TetraHydroCannabinolic Acid (Delta9 THCA)
- Delta 8 TetraHydroCannabinol (Delta8 THC)
- TetraHydroCannabivarin (THCV)
While full-spectrum CBD can contain trace amounts of THC, the CBD product’s may not legally contain more than 0.3% THC. This is a very miniscule amount, and will not induce any psychoactive effects.
In addition to the cannabinoids mentioned above, full-spectrum CBD contains a variety of essential vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, proteins, flavonoids, fiber, and terpenes, Beneficial oils naturally present in the cannabis plant are responsible for providing cannabis with its unique range of scents.
In a 2011 paper, Dr. Ethan Russo found that the presence of terpenes can amplify the effects of CBD and the other cannabinoids present in full-spectrum products.
CBD isolate remains popular because it is useful for a range of applications. It was previously believed that CBD was the most potent when it was in its isolated form than when compared with full spectrum CBD. However, this theory was debunked in 2015 by a study from the Lautenberg Center for General Tumor Immunology in Jerusalem.
In the study, researchers administered full spectrum CBD and CBD isolate to two different groups of mice. When comparing the data of the two groups, the results proved that the group administered with full spectrum CBD were provided with higher levels of relief. Additionally, the study demonstrated that full spectrum CBD continued to provide relief as the dose increased, whereas CBD isolate did not have the same effect with an increase in dosage. Because of this, full spectrum CBD is now thought to provide greater therapeutic effects than CBD isolate.
How does Full-Spectrum CBD Work?
Full spectrum CBD works with the endocannabinoid system as a whole. With an isolate, users will get more CBD in their system in a shorter amount of time. The latter type is a faster acting solution, but not always the most comprehensive option. A 1981 study published in the British Journal of Pharmacology found that whole plant cannabis produced more benefits than CBD would on its own.
Is Full-Spectrum More Expensive Than Isolate CBD?
Not necessarily. Products with a lower concentration of CBD per serving tend to cost less than those with higher concentrations. The price can depend on external factors such as sourcing, purity, and quality considerations, and is not typically dependent upon whether the product is full-spectrum or isolated CBD.
Will Full-Spectrum CBD Show Up on a Drug Test?
There is a very unlikely chance that the THC from full-spectrum CBD would show up on a drug test. Legally, CBD products are not allowed to contain more than 0.3% THC. Extremely large quantities of CBD would have to be consumed in order to test positive for THC. These doses would far exceed the recommended dose instructions, even for serious illnesses. However, if there is still concern, you may want to chose solely CBD isolate products.
Takeaways
- Full spectrum CBD refers to whole plant CBD, meaning it contains other cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant
- CBD isolate is pure CBD containing no other cannabinoids
- Both forms of CBD are powerful individually
- Cannabinoids working together create stronger, more effective benefits
- Full spectrum CBD is more effective than CBD isolate
Daintri’s focus is on health and wellness. We curate only the best of the best CBD products to help you live your healthiest life. Daintri offers a wide variety of CBD products for all types of consumers including CBD oil, tinctures, edibles, vapes, beauty products, pet products and more. If there are any questions about products, manufacturing processes or extraction methods, please let us know. We are on a mission to help as many people as possible with their health ailments.