Full-Spectrum CBD vs. CBD Isolate: Which is the Best?
In this article, we will compare two Cannabidiol products: CBD Isolate and Full-Spectrum. If you don’t know what any of these are; don’t worry, because we will give a detailed explanation as we continue.
The push for the legalization of cannabis (aka marijuana) has opened up a new frontier of business and products into the market.
In case you are wondering why we are talking about cannabis, it is because Cannabidiol (CBD) products are gotten from this plant. And many of them are very beneficial to the human body. There are three main CBD products, and this article focuses on two of them and will try to prove which is the best.
What is Cannabidiol?
Cannabidiol is a molecule that is found in cannabis. It is a cannabinoid (just one out of many) and its wide medical use has made it more popular than the others found in the marijuana plant.
One of the reasons CBD is popular apart from its medical applications is because it does not have the psychoactive effect that the plant is famous for. This is because its tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content is less than 0.3%. This compound is responsible for the psychoactive effect of cannabis.
How is Cannabidiol Made?
As we have said, it is gotten from cannabis (hemp). To acquire it, oil is extracted from the flowering part of the plant. This extract has several constituents which include cannabinoids. The constituents are then separated from CBD using an elaborate process which you can learn about here because we cannot cover the full extraction and processing of CBD in this article.
CBD Products
After the process of separating cannabidiol from other extracts, it can be further processed to get three distinct CBD products: CBD Isolate, Full Spectrum CBD, and Broad Spectrum CBD.
And as we said, we’ll be focusing on just the first two. So, let’s get to it and learn what they are…
Full Spectrum CBD
This is what you get when the oil is extracted from the plant. There is little or no processing/refining after the extraction. This version of cannabidiol contains terpenes and cannabinoids. Basically, you get all the molecules of the plant in the natural amount and ratio. This is why this product is regarded as a “whole plant”.
CBD Isolate
This product is regarded as pure CBD compared to the other two. This is because it does not contain any other ingredient thereby making it free from THC, terpenes, and other cannabinoids. As a result, even if you use this product and take a drug test, you’ll end up testing negative. The therapeutic value of this isolate makes it to be widely used compared to the other cannabidiol products.
It can exist in either crystalline solid or powder form. However, the powder form is readily available because it can be easily ingested. The powder form is equally gotten from further processing of the crystalline form.
Now that we know what the two products are, let’s compare them…
Full Spectrum vs. Isolate
All forms of CBD have therapeutic advantages and we can be grateful to the human endocannabinoid system for that. Our bodies have cannabinoid receptors that react with our bodies’ cannabinoids. These cannabinoids are also like the ones found in cannabis.
Full Spectrum Cannabidiol contains lots of cannabinoids as well as terpenes. Therefore, in terms of potential, it has a wider medicinal application. It has been observed according to a study that full spectrum was more effective in the treatment of inflammations than the isolate.
Nevertheless, the isolate has been said to have positive effects on pain, anxiety, inflammation, depression, diabetes, etc. Since it doesn’t have the negative effects of cannabis, you can buy CBD isolate in the UK and even in many parts of the United States as it is readily sold in many shops.
Another reason cannabidiol isolate is more preferred is that it is both odorless and tasteless. Hence, those who detest the taste and smell of marijuana prefer this product. This nature makes it suitable for home use which includes mixing it into cocktails, and massage oil.
In terms of price, the isolate is more expensive and this is because it is further refined. Therefore, this could be a factor when choosing which of these products to go for.
Which is best for you?
Now that we’ve compared both products and you’ve seen the differences, how do you choose which is best for you? The following are factors you need to consider when making your final decision:
1. Consider the THC Exposure
You need to consider how much THC you want to be exposed to. Those who will undergo any form of drug test should be wary of being exposed to THC. Also, if you don’t want to consume it at all, then the full spectrum isn’t for you.
2. Consider the Entourage Effect
The entourage effect is what happens when terpenes and cannabinoids work together to bring about better treatment. It also allows cannabidiol to work with tetrahydrocannabinol. Therefore, full-spectrum has greater effects even when used in a lower dosage. So, if you need a faster effect, the full-spectrum should be your pick.
3. Consider your Usage
Isolate is better for specialty usage as a dab product. It can also be used for cooking because of its tasteless nature. However, if you get well-made full-spectrum cannabidiol with a mild taste, then it still beats cannabidiol isolate.
4. Consider What Works best for you
While we can give all the advice which we believe is important, the final decision rests on you. So, arm yourself with the information we’ve shared with you so far when you go shopping.
We’ve discovered people react differently to these spectrums; hence, finding the one that works for you is far better than any advice given.
Conclusion
The best CBD product is totally dependent on individual preference and reaction. It isn’t a case of what’s good for the goose is good for the gander. Therefore, find which works best for you, and when you do, feel free to let us know.
