CBD (cannabidiol) is quickly taking the medical world by storm. A lot of critical research into CBD is still necessary, particularly in human studies, but evidence shows that it can relieve a variety of ailments. The strongest evidence comes from its treatment of childhood epilepsy syndromes, like Dravet syndrome, which does not respond well to traditional medication. Evidence also suggests that CBD oil and CBD cream products can help treat anxiety, depression, and offer pain relief.
Over the last few years, you have probably heard three main types of CBD oil being tossed around. These are:
- Isolate
- Full-spectrum
- Broad-spectrum
But what do these terms mean? If there is a difference, how significant is it? In this article, we will explain the three main types and how they can impact your buying decisions.
Full-spectrum vs. broad-spectrum vs. an isolate
These terms refer to the type of chemical compounds (sometimes referred to as extracts) the product contains. If you come across a product that says Full Spectrum CBD Oil, that means the product contains all the cannabinoids, like terpenes, and other plant compounds, like 0.3 percent or less THC – not enough to get you high. This is what’s considered a whole plant extract.
If the product says Broad Spectrum, this means it contains all the cannabinoids and plant compounds, but no THC (except, at times, very trace amounts). It goes through an extraction and filtration process like full-spectrum, but the THC is then removed.
When you see a product that is labeled Isolate, the product only contains CBD, no THC, and no other plant compounds. It goes through the same extraction process as full and broad-spectrum, but the CBD is then filtered out and goes onto an additional process to remove all plant compounds. This is considered the pure form of cannabidiol and can be found in crystal or powder forms.
Know your CBD Oil
Unfortunately, CBD is not regulated as it should be, so while manufacturers may market their product with one term, this doesn’t make it true. Therefore, it’s important to know who you’re buying from and whether the product you’re buying is third-party laboratory tested. When navigating the world of CBD, it’s safest to be an informed consumer. At Superior Hemp Oil, all our tincture droppers are certified third-party lab tested. If you don’t see a certificate of analysis on the company’s website, make sure to ask. If you have questions, our team will be happy to assist you.
Benefits
Now that you know the different types of CBD oil, you may be wondering, what does this all mean to me? Which of the three can you benefit most from? Let’s break them down and review their benefits.
- Full-spectrum: With full-spectrum products, you receive all the healing chemical compounds and cannabinoids from the plant, with a low quantity of THC. Because plant compounds are being used alongside the CBD extract, this creates what is known as the “entourage effect,” giving it more medicinal properties than isolate. The small amount of THC is also believed to increase the benefits of the entourage effect.
- Broad-spectrum: Because it contains all the cannabinoids and other medicinal compounds, such as terpenes, it is believed to have the benefits from the entourage effect. Because it contains no THC, it is more suitable for people who wish to avoid it, or when THC is illegal in certain countries.
- Isolate: This is another option if you want to completely avoid THC. However, you won’t receive any healing properties found in the additional plant compounds, so it likely won’t be as effective in treating your ailments as full and broad-spectrum products. It is more affordable than the other types, and the CBD alone may still contain healing properties.
We use high-quality full-spectrum CBD cream, oil, and tinctures so you can receive the complete healing properties of the cannabis plant, without the high. We strongly believe this complex can work to support your mind and body to promote optimal health. If you have further questions about our products, we’d love to hear from you. Fill out the contact form or call 617-309-9204.
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