Unfortunately, cannabis is only associated with recreational use. Its most well-known compound is THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol). This is the cannabinoid that is responsible for the ‘high’ people feel when they use cannabis.
Cannabis Sativa is far more complex than it is often given credit for. In fact, the plant contains a further 120 cannabinoids. Furthermore, it also contains a further 300+ flavonoids and terpenes.
CBD (or Cannabidiol) is probably the second-best known cannabinoid. Unlike THC, CBD has no psychoactive effects and will not make users feel ‘high’.
Instead, people are turning to CBD for its reputed health and wellness benefits.
CBD products are usually available in the following forms: Full Spectrum, Broad Spectrum and Isolate.
Isolate products contain only pure CBD whilst full-spectrum contains the whole plant. Broad Spectrum products represent a happy medium. They contain pure hemp oil, with only the THC removed.
Each of these has its own benefits and disadvantages. Before you make the decision to purchase CBD, you should take time to understand which form of CBD fits your lifestyle best.
CBD Isolate
When we extract oil from cannabis, it initially contains all of the cannabinoids, terpenes and even chlorophyll found in the actual cannabis plant itself.
To create CBD Isolate, this oil goes through further filtering where all the plant matter is removed. As a result, the only compound left is the isolated CBD – hence its name. CBD Isolate usually comes in a white, crystalline powder.
This powder can be ingested directly but it is frequently dissolved into oils for use in E-Liquids, tinctures and creams.
Isolate CBD is often used in edibles and vape juices because it is tasteless and odourless.
Another advantage of CBD Isolate products is that they have no THC. This makes them a great option for anyone who needs to medicate but can not risk having trace amounts of THC in their body – For example if they undergo a drugs test due to employment.
However, users of isolate products can miss out on the benefits of the other 120 cannabinoids. Also, the lack of THC makes Isolate products useless for someone with a full cannabis prescription.
Full Spectrum
Full Spectrum CBD Oil is pure hemp oil. It contains the whole plant with nothing left out – including THC.
In countries or states where cannabis is still not legal, it is important to ensure that the concentration of THC does not exceed the legal maximum amount.
The biggest advantage of Full Spectrum oil is its reputed ‘entourage effect’. It is theorised that all the different compounds of cannabis plants have a synergetic relationship and maximise the therapeutic benefits of CBD.
This theory is supported by a study undertaken by Lautenberg Centre for General Tumor Immunology in Jerusalem. They concluded that full-spectrum CBD products achieve a far greater medical benefit compared to their Isolate counterparts.
As such, Full Spectrum CBD oil is a great choice for any medical users or anyone who wants to a deeper CBD effect.
If you need to under a drugs-tests, for example, due to employment, it is advisable to avoid full-spectrum oil. It is unlikely that a CBD product would cause you to fail a test, but not impossible.
Also, full-spectrum products are not an ideal choice for anyone who does not enjoy the taste or odour of cannabis.