CBD oil is becoming as mainstream as a Big Mac at McDonald’s; you can purchase it from many places. Nonetheless, seeing CBD on a label doesn’t always mean much. You should know what CBD category is in the product and the correct dosage to ensure you enjoy maximum benefits. There are three primary CBD types: full-spectrum, broad spectrum, and CBD isolate.
This article will discuss the three types of CBD categories and how they can affect you.
What Is Full-Spectrum CBD?
Full-spectrum CBD refers to a CBD product that contains the entire profile of organic compounds—such as terpenes and cannabinoids—that you can find in a hemp plant. Let’s discuss the whole process to ensure you understand CBD.
Producers extract CBD and various other cannabinoids using different extraction methods. The most common extraction method is supercritical CO2 extraction. After that, the extract goes through a winterization process, whereby the producer removes any unwanted substances.
Full-spectrum CBD does include THC molecules, but the THC level isn’t enough to get you high. In the United States, the legal requirement for any hemp plant is to have up to 0.3% of THC. However, most full-spectrum CBD products contain less than that.
It’s still essential to know you could fail a drug test if you use full-spectrum CBD because of its THC content. If a failed drug test is an absolute no-no, you could try CBD isolate and broad spectrum instead.
In addition, it’s good to know that full-spectrum CBD and the whole plant are not the same—even though people use them interchangeably. The whole plant refers to using all parts of the hemp plant rather than solely the CBD-rich flowers.
Therefore, whole-plant extraction may end up in full-spectrum CBD oil, but full-spectrum CBD doesn’t always come from whole-plant extraction. As a result, most labs stick to using CBD-rich flowers only to provide higher CBD content instead of using the whole plant.
The Main Benefits of Full-Spectrum CBD
Full-spectrum contains all cannabis plant compounds, so it provides a more profound effect than pure CBD. Research has found that CBD’s health benefits can be more profound if multiple compounds from the plant are present. They often call this the ‘entourage effect.’
Common full-spectrum CBD benefits include
- Anti-anxiety
- Pain relief
- Muscle spasm relief
- Treatment for psychotic disorders
- Antioxidant
- Anti-inflammatory
What Is CBD Isolate?
CBD isolate is the purest form of CBD. The method to find CBD isolate follows the same path as full-spectrum CBD, but there are some additional steps to isolate the CBD from the rest of the hemp plant.
Once the producer has extracted the CBD after decarboxylation has finished, the CBD isolate goes through distillation. The method of distillation varies—but CBD distillation isn’t dissimilar from alcohol distillation.
After distillation, only a white power made from 99% CBD will remain. The other 1% is plant matter that the producer couldn’t remove. The final product comes in crystal form, or producers use it to create vape juice, tinctures, and various CBD-isolate products.
You can use CBD isolate in the same way you’d consume CBD oil tincture. CBD isolate includes a crystalline powder form that producers may use as an additive in food, drink, vape juice, and topical creams. However, remember that CBD isolate includes 99% or more CBD, so one gram of CBD isolate will contain around 990mg of CBD. Ensure you properly dilute CBD isolate to get the correct dosage.
The Main Benefits of CBD isolate
CBD isolate is the purest CBD form, so it’s excellent for beginners who want to experience various CBD health benefits. A 2015 animal study found that while CBD isolate is excellent for providing health benefits, the benefits are less notable than when you use a full-spectrum CBD product.
The study also found that you can only notice pain reduction effects after a specific dose. Therefore, many people who use CBD isolate products use higher doses to achieve more significant effects. Again, a huge benefit of CBD isolate is there’s no THC in the product, so it shouldn’t show on drug tests.
Common CBD isolate benefits include:
- Anxiety relief
- Pain relief
- Inflammation reduction
- Reduction in cancer symptoms
- Muscle spasm relief
- Treatment for psychotic disorders
What Is Broad-Spectrum CBD?
Broad-spectrum CBD is simply full-spectrum CBD without the THC. Many producers use the broad-spectrum CBD term for any CBD product with one cannabinoid more than CBD. To achieve broad-spectrum CBD, the producer has to remove all THC from cannabis. The most common method to accomplish this is chromatography.
By removing THC from the extract, broad-spectrum CBD remains and includes various organic compounds, terpenes, and cannabinoids. These can be excellent for your health.
The Main Benefits of Broad-Spectrum CBD
Like CBD isolate and full-spectrum CBD, broad-spectrum CBD has various health benefits. However, unlike CBD isolate, broad-spectrum CBD contains additional compounds that work together. Experts call this the entourage effect, and it may heighten the benefits.
Common broad-spectrum CBD benefits include:
- Pain relief
- Inflammation reduction
- Reduction in cancer symptoms
- Nausea prevention
- Anxiety relief
Which CBD Product Is Right for You?
To achieve the full benefits of CBD, a complete dose of a CBD product from any reputable producer should be enough. However, you can take further steps to find the best type of CBD for you. ‘
Here are some additional things to consider:
1. Do I Have An Upcoming Drug Test?
You should avoid using full-spectrum CBD if you have upcoming drug tests because it often contains THC. Although it’s challenging to be sure, THC may show up on a drug test. If that worries you, go with broad-spectrum CBD and CBD isolates. Both options are THC-free if you purchase them from reputable companies with rigorous third-party testing procedures.
2. What Flavor Do I Prefer?
CBD isolate is colorless, odorless, and flavorless, whereas broad and full-spectrum CBD offers a hemp-like flavor because of the organic compounds and terpenes. If you’d prefer a cleaner flavor or if you want to vape CBD e-liquid without attracting attention, CBD isolate is the best option.
3. What Is My Lifestyle?
One of the main things to consider before buying CBD products is how easily they can become part of your daily routine. Every method of CBD consumption has different advantages and disadvantages depending on your lifestyle. If you use CBD at home in the mornings, oil tinctures are an excellent option. However, CBD gummies and capsules are a better option if traveling.
4. What THC Content Do I Want?
You should always check the THC content before purchasing any CBD products. Most CBD options contain less than 0.3% THC, which isn’t enough to get you high. However, there are tonnes of CBD products on the market today from unreliable suppliers. These products may contain more than 0.3% THC, so always check before purchasing.
5. Do I Need Drug Tests?
Stay away from full-spectrum CBD if your employer or insurance company conducts random tests. There’s a chance you’ll test positive because of the small THC content. Instead, choose CBD isolate or broad-spectrum CBD.
What Is The Ideal CBD Dosage?
The ideal CBD dosage depends on the individual. All individuals have different metabolism systems, which creates different results between people. You should consider these factors before choosing your CBD dose:
- Age
- The CBD concentration
- Height
- Weight
- Your metabolism
- Tolerance levels
- Overall health
- Gender
Some products—such as CBD gummies, pills, and capsules—tell you precisely how many grams of CBD are in each product. If you’re using CBD oil, it might be more challenging to determine how much CBD you’re consuming. Still, one drop of CBD oil tends to be around 0.05 ml. Therefore, a 10 ml bottle of CBD oil typically contains around 200 drops.
Start with the lowest dose possible, gauge the side effects, and work your way up.
The Potential Negative Side Effects of CBD
If you fancy trying one of the three main CBD types, you may also wonder about the possible side effects. Although your body can tolerate CBD well, it can cause various side effects—including reduced appetite, dry mouth, and fatigue.
The best way to reduce the chance of CBD side effects is by choosing a low dose and working your way upwards.
Is CBD Legal?
If you’re concerned about the legality of CBD, you’re thinking wisely. CBD products are legal in the United States if the FDA has approved them and have less than 0.3% THC. Since the implementation of the Farm Bill, hemp-derived products have hit the market in the United States in droves.
You can fly domestically in the United States with CBD products if they’re FDA approved and contain less than 0.3% THC. However, you should be incredibly wary about taking your CBD products with you if traveling overseas. Some countries class CBD as cannabis because it contains some THC. As a result, local authorities can send you to jail for having a small CBD oil bottle.
Final Thoughts
To achieve the best CBD experience, you should choose one of the three CBD types to match your lifestyle. Avoid using full-spectrum CBD products if you want to avoid positive drug tests. However, all 3 CBD types can provide excellent health benefits.
Start with a low dosage, experiment with the options, and enjoy the health benefits as they impact your mental and physical health.
