Broad-spectrum and full-spectrum: What's the difference?

I am sure you have seen many different terms pop up while browsing through endless collections of CBD products. If you are not familiar with the jargon, some of these names might leave you a little clueless. Especially if you are buying for your own business and are not familiar with hemp from first-hand experience.

Two terms that may have appeared on your radar are broad-spectrum and full-spectrum. If you haven’t yet heard of these, then you are in the right place.

Simply put, the difference between broad-spectrum and full-spectrum is dependent on the tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content. Full-spectrum contains all the chemical compounds and cannabinoids, including THC. Broad-spectrum contains most of these cannabinoids, minus the THC.

This means that full-spectrum could carry some psychoactive properties. If you plan to supply CBD products, knowing this difference is essential.

Both broad and full-spectrum carry their own unique benefits and, with that, their own drawbacks.

Broad-spectrum CBD

As we mentioned before, broad-spectrum CBD oil will have all the cannabinoids and chemical compounds in marijuana except for THC. After the initial extraction from the hemp plant, any unwanted CBD is extracted while keeping all the other compounds intact.

This is beneficial for those who undergo drug screening tests. Drug tests usually test for THC, so if your CBD has none of that, you should be safe. However, take this with a pinch of salt. There are many reports of people failing their drug tests even though the product had no THC.

THC is the psychoactive compound in marijuana. While many full-spectrum CBD oils contain trace amounts of THC, if you have enough you may begin to feel some psychoactive effects. You won’t experience this with broad-spectrum CBD.

Broad-spectrum may also offer the "entourage effect," but it won’t be as powerful as full-spectrum.

What is the entourage effect?

You know when everyone in the office puts in their fair share of work and everything gets done as it should? This is pretty much what the entourage effect is.

The idea is that cannabis works better when all its compounds are intact and none have been removed. They basically all work together to create a stronger effect.

According to this theory, full-spectrum CBD will be more potent than broad-spectrum CBD. There are over 400 compounds in the marijuana plant. Cannabinoids, flavonoids, and terpenes are the ones you will hear about the most. These are responsible for a range of different effects. Terpenes give the bud that familiar smell while flavonoids are a strong anti-inflammatory.

Keeping this mix of compounds together should give you the best results from your CBD use. This does vary from person to person. Some people don’t like what THC does to them, so a broad-spectrum or isolated CBD product may be better.

Full-spectrum CBD

Full-spectrum CBD doesn’t pull any punches. Any CBD product that is full-spectrum will contain all the compounds the plant naturally develops as it grows.

This is best for people who want to get the full benefits out of CBD. It is common for a full-spectrum product to work quicker, alleviate greater degrees of pain, and bring euphoria to its users. The most popular form of extracting full-spectrum CBD is through CO2 extraction. This keeps all the chemical compounds together in the plant.

As a result, full-spectrum is more expensive than broad-spectrum. It's no wonder since it should have stronger healing effects. Full-spectrum will treat certain ailments better than broad-spectrum. You will benefit from the entourage effect if you are dealing with mental health conditions, seizures, and anxiety.

Proceed with caution, though, full-spectrum will cause you to fail a drug-screening test. While it contains less than 1% THC, it is sufficient to remain in your bloodstream.

How do you know which to choose?

If you are buying CBD products for your own business or online store, you want to make sure you have the best of both. Many people don’t want any THC in their products, while some will push for as much as they can get.

Everyone is different, so having something for everyone to choose makes the most logical sense.

What is a CBD isolate?

CBD isolate is like the pure, virgin sister in the CBD family. Pure cannabidiol is extracted from the hemp plant, so no other cannabinoids remain. This is the safest option to take if you are worried about the other compounds in marijuana.

Isolated CBD doesn’t have the entourage effect like broad and full-spectrum. This doesn’t mean it won’t work, just that it might not be as potent as the others.