Three Types of CBD Oil Products - Full-Spectrum, Broad Spectrum and Isolate

If you’re new to CBD oil shopping, one of the first things to get out of the way is whether you want your product full-spectrum, broad-spectrum or isolate. As soon as you know their differences, it will be easier to make an educated choice of all the CBD oil products available today. 

Full Spectrum

Full spectrum, or “whole plant,” CBD oil products do not only contain CBD but terpenes and other cannabinoids as well, like CBG, CBN and tiny amounts of THC. Full spectrum products are the most in-demand by far, offering the so-called “entourage effect,” what with all the ingredients working together to provide full-scale benefits. If you’re subject to drug testing, however, be careful with full-spectrum CBD products as the THC in them could trigger a positive drug test.

Broad Spectrum

Broad spectrum products have a whole range of terpenes and cannabinoids but no THC as per manufacturer lab testing. Reputable CBD product makes employ third-party labs to analyze their products and provide lab reports detailing all the contained cannabinoids and terpenes, and their levels. Broad-spectrum products also go through an extra step - that is, the isolation and elimination of as much THC as possible while keeping  other cannabinoids and terpenes intact Sometimes, these products are isolate-based and infused with more terpenes and cannabinoids check it out! .

Isolate

People who get drug-tested regularly or are sensitive to certain cannabinoids, such as THC, usually use isolates, which are generally claimed to be 99+% “pure CBD.” These products will usually only have CBD in them and nothing else. There are pre-made isolate oils that may include a carrier oil, like MCT oil, plus the crystalline isolate powder, while others are sold as “raw” CBD crystalline powder or slabs (a type of concentrate). When buying an isolate, make sure to check the purity. Several are in the 99.9+% range with no detectable THC amounts, and others are 99.5% or lower but still have tiny volumes of THC that turn up on the labs. This trace amount is usually negligible and nothing like what you’ll find in a full spectrum product. Still, you should be aware of it if you’re very keen on purity.  

So should you get a full-spectrum, broad-spectrum or isolate CBD product? Most say you have to get most cannabinoids, including THC, to fully benefit from cannabis, but It all really boils down to your unique needs. As mentioned, if you’re regularly subjected to drug testing, isolates are obviously your best choice. Learn more about CBD oil here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannabidiol.