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The Difference Between Isolate Vs. Full-Spectrum CBD

Updated March 2022

When you’re shopping for CBD, it’s important to know the difference between full-spectrum CBD and CBD isolate. These products both contain CBD, but they aren’t completely interchangeable. The difference between full-spectrum CBD and CBD isolate all comes down to which other cannabinoids and organic compounds from the hemp plant are present. Before you decide which type of CBD is best, learn more about the different components of the cannabis plant.

What Is CBD?

CBD is short for cannabidiol, which is an organic compound that occurs naturally in the cannabis plant. CBD is legal on a federal level in the United States as long as it comes from a hemp plant with no more than 0.3% THC. Cannabis plants with higher levels of THC are considered marijuana, even when they also have CBD.

Unlike THC, CBD is not psychoactive. CBD alone is not known to be intoxicating, and it’s not associated with a feeling of being high. People all over the United States buy CBD products for a variety of reasons. Here in Colorado, though, medical marijuana patients and recreational cannabis consumers also have the option of getting CBD products with THC. Products that include all of the natural cannabinoids from the cannabis plant are considered full-spectrum CBD.

Full-Spectrum CBD

When you buy full-spectrum CBD, you’re getting a product that takes a whole-plant approach to cannabis. The dozens of cannabinoids in cannabis are all extracted from the plant material. In addition to cannabinoids, full-spectrum CBD includes terpenes and essential fatty acids. By including all of the vitamins, minerals, and flavorful terpenes, full-spectrum CBD preserves most of the essence of the plant.

CBD Isolate

CBD isolate is created by performing a process called winterization on the full-spectrum CBD. Winterization allows cannabis extraction professionals to isolate cannabidiol from the other organic compounds found in the raw plant material. Waxes, terpenes, and other cannabinoids are all stripped away to leave the purest, the most processed concentration of CBD possible.

Broad-Spectrum CBD

It’s also possible to find broad-spectrum CBD somewhere between full-spectrum CBD and CBD isolate. Broad-spectrum CBD is more popular in areas where CBD and other cannabinoids are legal, but THC is not. Processing the CBD extract just enough to remove THC allows people to buy CBD products that contain most of the organic compounds from hemp.

Which Type of CBD is Best?

Given that there are a few different types of CBD products, some people have a lot of questions before deciding which is most appealing to them. Ultimately, it’s a personal decision that depends on your own wants and your lifestyle. You may find it easier to think about all of the choices if you consider what people say they like about each of the different types of CBD products:

    • CBD Isolate – This product typically appeals to people who want CBD and nothing else. If you want the cannabidiol to be as concentrated as possible, or if you want pure CBD without the other organic compounds from cannabis, this is probably what you’re imagining.
    • Broad-Spectrum CBD – These products are most similar to full-spectrum CBD because they do contain many terpenes and other organic compounds from the cannabis plant. The big difference is that they receive some extra care to ensure there is 0% THC present. This may appeal to people who believe in the whole-plant approach to cannabis but still want a THC-free experience because of laws, drug tests, or a desire to avoid psychoactive effects.
    • Full-Spectrum CBD – Many leaders in the cannabis community say they prefer full-spectrum CBD. This is especially true here in Colorado, where people can get products with CBD, THC, and all of the other terpenes. The whole-plant approach is popular among cannabis community experts because of something called the entourage effect.

What Is the Entourage Effect?

The entourage is what we call a theory that cannabinoids and terpenes have a synergistic effect with each other. In other words, CBD and THC may interact with the body differently depending on the entourage they bring with them (kind of like some people we know). Some people believe the entourage effect is a myth, but there are also many cannabis experts who are firm believers in the entourage effect.

To dive deeper into the science and the research behind the entourage effect, consider this interview with psychopharmacologist Ethan Russo, an experienced cannabis researcher. Russo has experience researching cannabinoids at Washington State and as a medical director for a biochemical research company called Phytecs. For just one example of his findings, Russo has claimed that CBD can actually help balance the psychoactive effects of THC as the two cannabinoids work together.

In addition to synergistic and complementary interactions between cannabinoids, terpenes may play a significant role in how the body responds to cannabis. Terpenes are organic compounds that give different cannabis strains their unique flavors and aromas, but they can also interact with the body. The easiest way to understand this is by thinking of terpenes as the essential oils of cannabis.

Choosing the Right Type of CBD for You

Since cannabis is such a personal experience, only you can decide which type of product is the most exact match for your specific requirements. Many people who visit our Federal Heights dispensary are only interested in THC. Others are only interested in CBD. Many people are interested in a combination of both of these prevalent cannabinoids, and it’s possible to find them in many different ratios.

High-CBD products may have twice as much CBD as they do THC or even several times as much CBD as THC. Pure CBD products are tested to confirm that they contain 0% THC and only offer CBD. There are also many products that offer an exact one to one ratio of CBD and THC. Now that you know what to expect from the CBD section of a dispensary menu, you’re ready to dive into the options and find the most appealing product for you.

Want the Best CBD in Denver? Shop CBD Products & More at Green Sativa!

Here at our cannabis dispensary in Federal Heights, Green Sativa serves Thornton, Westminster, and all of Denver’s surrounding areas. We have a wide variety of products that contain CBD, THC, or a combination of both. This makes us one of the top dispensaries for CBD in Denver. Our friendly staff can help you navigate our inventory when you visit us in Federal Heights, or you can check our online dispensary menu for CBD products.

Featured Image: Creativan / Shutterstock

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