CBD has become a huge market in the recent years thanks to claims that it can cure ailments from headaches to cancer. There’s little research available as of now to corroborate these claims, but the number of people who are using CBD regularly speaks to the potential efficacy of the product.
There’s been a great deal of controversy over CBD as well. It’s often lumped in the same category as marijuana, even though CBD is not a mind-altering drug. It doesn’t show up on a drug test, and you can use it without altering your mental state.
Furthermore, CBD is legal on the federal level as long as it’s purchased online and contains less than 0.3 percent THC. There are hundreds of online sellers that will ship CBD oil products to your house, but you want to make sure you choose the best CBD first—there are a few companies that will try to sell you hemp seed oil or other less useful products labeled as CBD.
You can also buy CBD edible gummies, vape juice, lotions, topical ointments, scented bath bombs, and so much more. As you research the best products for you, you’ll have to decide between broad spectrum and full spectrum CBD products. They have much in common, but there are a few key differences that can help you make your decision.
How CBD Is Extracted
If you’ve done basic research on CBD products, you know it comes from the hemp plant. You should also know that it’s one of 400 components derived from this plant, and each can be extracted from the others using a process called CO2 extraction.
Basically, high temperatures and heavy pressure volumes are used to virtually squeeze out the CBD, terpenes, flavonoids, and nutrients found in hemp. They can then be mixed together or left separate to create CBD strains and products.
The resulting CBD oil is refined to remove all solvents used during extraction and leave just the cannabinoids and any other ingredients desired behind. Typically, terpenes, flavonoids, and other phytochemicals are also extracted and put into the CBD oil, but it depends on which type is made.
Broad Spectrum CBD
Broad-spectrum CBD is a giant among CBD strains. It’s very popular because it brings all the best benefits of the hemp plant without any THC content. During the CO2 extraction process, careful consideration is taken to ensure there is no THC content while maintaining the extra terpenes, flavonoids, cannabinoids, amino acids, and more in the compound.
Broad-spectrum CBD is created using CO2 extraction in one of two ways. In one method, chemists can strip everything away from the CBD to create an isolate CBD supercritical liquid. This ensures that there is no THC in the compound. Then, the desired flavonoids, terpenes, and nutrients are added back into the CBD to create broad spectrum CBD.
The other way is to separate the CBD, terpenes, flavonoids, etc. together and then strip the THC from that lump. This typically results in there being trace amounts of THC in the product, but it’s still below traceable levels, so it won’t even register as 0.1 percent THC.
Full Spectrum CBD
Full-spectrum CBD is the type that seems to push the limits as far as THC content goes. It contains up to 0.3 percent THC, and most full-spectrum CBD strains contain close to that amount. It’s not always an exact science, but quality CBD will still remain below the legal limit for selling CBD online.
The THC content is really the only difference between full-spectrum and broad-spectrum CBD. They both contain the cannabinoids and other nutrients needed to deliver an impactful dose of health and wellness, but full-spectrum CBD does contain tiny amounts of THC, and that makes people nervous. It’s not enough to make even a small person high, but it can be disconcerting to those who want nothing to do with that type of thing.
In the majority of cases, full-spectrum CBD will not show up on a drug test. However, there have been rare instances where a particularly sensitive drug test picked up the 0.3 percent THC in a users’ CBD. It’s very uncommon, but it’s something to keep in mind if you’re drug tested regularly at work.
A Third Category: CBD Isolate
As you research types of CBD oil for sale, you’ll no doubt run into a third kind of CBD known as isolate CBD. This comes in crystal or powder form and is the purest form of CBD. It does not contain all the extra goodies that come with broad spectrum and full spectrum CBD. It’s flavorless, odorless, and lacks many of the nutrients of the other two types of CBD.
CBD isolate is not useless, since it does contain CBD and the cannabinoids found therein. However, it is not quite as potent as broad or full spectrum strains. You typically need higher doses of CBD isolate to feel the full effects.
Many people
like isolate CBD because there is absolutely no THC content. The THC
is fully removed during extraction, so there are not even trace
amounts in it.
If you’re looking for fast-acting CBD that’s more effective, you’ll want to choose between full-spectrum and broad-spectrum CBD. This brief definition is simply in place to help you rule out isolate CBD as the most effective form.
Broad Spectrum CBD Is More Popular
Of all the types of CBD, broad-spectrum is easily the most people. Consumers love that it’s highly potent with all the best features of CBD. It’s believed to deliver powerful relief from pain, inflammation, anxiety, and more.
Yet, it doesn’t contain THC. Those paranoid about getting close to drugs don’t have to worry about the THC content because it simply doesn’t exist. In many ways, this may make broad-spectrum CBD the superior derivative of the hemp plant.
It’s also likely to be the most used and tested in the future. As CBD becomes more popular, it’s broad-spectrum CBD that will likely get the most attention for changing lives without any psychoactive properties.
