Full Spectrum CBD… hmm, sounds good, but what the heck does full spectrum mean? And what about Broad Spectrum CBD? How is that one different from a full spectrum CBD product? Then there’s also CBD Isolate, which is…?
You have the questions, and Seabedee has the answers. Read below for all the info you need on each of these forms of CBD. By the end of this read, you’ll no doubt be able to identify and differentiate full spectrum CBD, broad spectrum CBD, and CBD isolate.
Full Spectrum CBD:
Full-spectrum CBD includes all the naturally-occurring cannabinoids (including THC) that the plant produces. So all of the terpenes, essential oils, vitamins, proteins and cannabinoids that are naturally produced by the hemp plant are extracted along with the CBD, thus making full spectrum the most natural way of formulating CBD. Full spectrum CBD is sometimes referred to as “whole plant CBD extract” because it contains all the naturally-occurring elements produced by the hemp plant, and it is often boasted as the “best” kind of CBD. Why? Research studies evidence that CBD works more effectively when it is accompanied by all the other cannabinoids and compounds produced by the plant. This is known as the Entourage Effect.1
Seabedee offers several Full Spectrum CBD Products, like our Full Spectrum CBD Oil Tinctures!
Broad Spectrum CBD:
But what about that other guy, Broad Spectrum CBD? This form of CBD is the middle-ground between full spectrum CBD and CBD isolate. It is very similar to full spectrum CBD except for one key difference: Broad spectrum CBD does NOT contain the cannabinoid THC. Broad spectrum CBD is extracted along with all the other beneficial cannabinoids and compounds produced by the plant, except for THC. THC is the only cannabinoid that is removed, therefore classifying it as broad spectrum CBD. Because broad spectrum CBD still contains many cannabinoids, it still provides the enhanced benefits of the entourage effect, just without the risk of any THC involvement.
Want to get your hands on a Broad Spectrum CBD Product? Look no further: Seabedee carries Broad Spectrum CBD Bath Bombs in an assortment of scents. Check out our store today to find your favorite broad spectrum bath bomb!
CBD Isolate:
Last (and least by the majority opinion) is CBD Isolate. This form of CBD contains only the isolated CBD molecule and nothing else. CBD isolate is stripped of all other cannabinoids and beneficial elements involved in the natural process of hemp cultivation, leaving it isolated as a singular cannabinoid; CBD. Because all the other naturally-occurring compounds are removed, the entourage effect is not experienced, which lessens the benefits provided by CBD. That isn’t to say there’s no benefit to using a CBD isolate product— it still provides medicinal value and some people may prefer to use CBD in this way, especially new users.
Seabedee offers an array of CBD isolate products, like our Sour Neon CBD Gummies!
A Helpful Analogy:
If this is still a little bit confusing, perhaps think of it like whole grain bread versus white refined bread. Whole grain bread is unrefined, meaning all the naturally-occurring nutrients are intact, which provide the body with more healthy benefits. On the other hand, white refined bread is milled, meaning the grains are stripped of their bran, germ, and most of the nutritional value that would otherwise be present. Whole grain bread is more natural and complex, meaning it will provide you with more health benefits, but is harder to digest. White refined bread has little to no nutritional value, making it simply “empty calories” that are relatively easy to digest.
The bread you choose is based on individual needs: Although whole grain bread seems like the obvious healthier choice, someone with Crohn’s Disease, for example, would do better choosing the white refined bread because it is easy to digest and unlikely to cause a flare-up.
This same idea can be applied when looking at full spectrum CBD compared to CBD isolate, as well as broad spectrum. Full spectrum CBD includes all of the cannabinoids and other beneficial elements found in the hemp plant, making it more natural and effective at providing the maximized benefits of CBD use. CBD isolate manipulates the natural process of hemp cultivation by extracting the CBD cannabinoid and isolating it, thus making it less natural and less likely to maximize the benefits of CBD use. However, CBD isolate would pose as a viable option for someone who is apprehensive to using CBD or someone who is concerned about work-related drug testing. Lastly there is broad spectrum, which provides an almost-maximized entourage effect, because it does include most of the cannabinoids and compounds produced by the plant. However, broad spectrum excludes the THC component, which slightly detracts from the CBD potency and effectivity.
