It’s easy to get overwhelmed when you’re getting started with CBD. Most people find themselves wondering “What does full spectrum CBD mean?
There’s an incredible variety of CBD products on the market to choose from and sometimes it’s difficult to know where to start. New brands and products pop up almost daily. Though the CBD industry is constantly growing and changing, one thing will always remain the same; spectrum types.
If you’re confused about the different spectrum types, or aren’t even sure what “spectrum” means, you’re in the right place! This article will provide you with a clear explanation of what full spectrum CBD is, how it’s made, and how it differs from other spectrum types.
An Introduction to CBD
To be able to understand what full spectrum CBD is, it’s crucial that you understand some of the fundamentals about CBD and how it’s made.
CBD stands for “cannabidiol”, which is one of over 120 cannabinoids that exist in both hemp and marijuana. Due to the fact that marijuana has a high concentration of THC and is intoxicating, CBD is typically extracted from industrial hemp.
In the United States, federal regulations require that all hemp used to produce CBD contains less than 0.3% THC.
All of the compounds found in cannabis affect the body in different ways. CBD indirectly interfaces with the endocannabinoid system and scientists believe that when it’s combined with other cannabinoids, they can work synergistically to create unique and powerful experiences.
What is a “Spectrum Type?”
When it comes to CBD, arguably the two most important factors are quality and spectrum type. Quality is an obvious concern and is often dictated by the brand and ingredients they use.
The spectrum type doesn’t influence quality, but it is still of the utmost importance. The spectrum type you select is based completely on your personal preference. Some people love broad spectrum products, others prefer CBD isolate, and many people love the combination of compounds found in full spectrum CBD.
In the context of CBD “spectrum” refers to the specific group (or “spectrum”) of cannabinoids present in a product. Different spectrum type = Different range of cannabinoids. This will become more clear as we explore the different spectrum types in a bit more detail.
CBD Isolate
CBD isolate is the easiest of all spectrums to understand. The name is even self explanatory! CBD Isolate does not contain any other cannabinoid besides CBD. These products are often preferred by athletes and other professionals who are subject to regular drug testing.
Plenty of purists flock to CBD isolate as well as those who are interested in experiencing the effects of CBD without the influence of other cannabinoids.
Broad Spectrum
Broad Spectrum is the middle ground between CBD isolate and full spectrum. It doesn’t have the variety of cannabinoids found in full spectrum CBD, but it’s not as pure as CBD isolate. CBD products formulated with broad spectrum extracts contain a range of beneficial compounds such as CBD, CBG, and Terpenes.
The main difference between broad and full spectrum CBD is that broad spectrum Does Not contain any THC. Broad spectrum is one of the most popular spectrum types, but definitely comes second to full spectrum. A lot of people find the variety of cannabinoids in full spectrum CBD to be highly desirable.
Full Spectrum
Last on our list but certainly not least, is full spectrum CBD. Full spectrum products are at the top of the charts when it comes to popularity. People absolutely adore the specific group of compounds found in full spectrum extracts.
Full spectrum CBD contains the most diverse set of cannabinoids of any spectrum type. These products are rich in valuable terpenes, amino acid, CBD, CBG, and contain trace amounts of THC.
The amount of THC contained in full spectrum products is so miniscule that it can’t possibly cause any psychoactive reaction. Though full spectrum extracts have 0.3% THC, they are completely non-intoxicating.There is a benefit to having THC in the equation. Scientists believe that the specific set of compounds found in full spectrum CBD work together synergistically to elicit what’s commonly referred to as the “entourage effect”.
How is Full Spectrum CBD Made?
All extracts start the same way; as hemp plants. After a 120 day grow cycle industrial hemp is harvested, dried, and prepared for extraction. There are a number of different ways to extract cannabinoids from hemp, but CO2 extractions are held in the highest regard. CO2 is clean, highly efficient, and is able to transfer all of the beneficial cannabinoids to the resulting extract.
Once the aforementioned stages have been complete, manufacturers can decide to either leave all of the cannabinoids in the full spectrum extract, or they can process the oil further to fractionate and extract particular cannabinoids such as THC.
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