Over the last few years, cannabis has been getting much attention, with many touting its medicinal benefits. Not just the people, but science also seems to think so too! There have been many scientific breakthroughs in cannabis that prove the plant to be beneficial in more ways than one. Of all the great things we have discovered so far, perhaps the most profound has been cannabinoids. While the chemical nature of cannabis is versatile and vast, we are starting to learn more about these unique and powerful chemical compounds.
CBD, also known as cannabidiol, is one of 113 different cannabinoids that have been identified in nature’s cannabis. Alongside THC, it’s one of the most well-researched and well-known cannabinoids. However, CBD is mainly used medicinally, whereas many seek out THC for recreational purposes. As such, there are a number of different CBD products available on the market, coming in a wide range of flavours, potencies, sizes, and types. Speaking of types, the main three include broad-spectrum, full-spectrum, and CBD isolates — of them all, CBD is the purest. If you’re unfamiliar, read on to learn more about all that CBD isolates have to offer.
What is CBD Isolate vs. Broad Spectrum vs. Full Spectrum
In the world of CBD, there is the option to choose between products that have tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and those that don’t. CBD products can be void of all cannabinoids except CBD, which are known as CBD isolates. But other products may include other cannabinoids in the cannabis plant in addition to CBD, which can be classified as full-spectrum, broad-spectrum CBD, or CBD isolate, as we mentioned above. Before understanding the effects and benefits of CBD isolate, we think it’s important to understand the different types of CBD.
Full-spectrum CBD contains all compounds naturally found in the cannabis plant, including CBD. These products also feature all the terpenes, flavonoids, essential oils, and the full spectrum of cannabinoids, including THC. Because THC can induce psychoactive effects when consumed, those who do not want to experience this effect may want to look at products other than full-spectrum CBD.
All the compounds from the cannabis plant that are found in a full-spectrum CBD product work together to magnify the health benefits of each compound. This is known as the “entourage effect” and is one of the biggest benefits of full-spectrum CBD. Each cannabinoid has its own benefits, but when they work together, the effects are amplified.
What is Broad-Spectrum CBD?
Simply put, broad-spectrum CBD is like full-spectrum CBD, but without the THC. Broad-spectrum CBD contains CBD and all other compounds in the cannabis plant, much like full-spectrum CBD. However, there is one cannabinoid missing: THC. During the extraction process, THC is removed so that the final product is void of the cannabinoid. Since THC is not found in broad-spectrum CBD, there is no mind-altering effect experienced. Consumers who wish to benefit from the entourage effect but who do not want the “high” that comes with THC may find broad-spectrum CBD more suitable.
CBD Isolates
It’s worth mentioning that there is another variation of CBD available: CBD isolates. Unlike full-spectrum and broad-spectrum CBD that includes all other compounds in the cannabis plant (minus THC for broad-spectrum varieties), CBD isolates contain CBD. All other cannabinoids have been removed during the extraction process to leave behind the purest form of CBD.
Some consumers might prefer CBD isolates because they have the highest concentration of CBD per serving. More specifically, CBD isolates are often 99% pure. However, because no other cannabinoids are present, no entourage effect will occur. That said, consumers can benefit from the effects of CBD, which itself offers plenty of health benefits on its own. So, how is it made? The process begins with growing hemp or a high CBD strain and then using a method of extraction. There are a number of different kinds, including:
- CO2
- Ice water
- Butane
- Alcohol/Ethanol
These extractions typically separate CBD, including terpenes, trichomes (known to produce psychoactivity), cannabinoids, flavonoids, and other chemical compounds found in the plant material. What’s left is a pure cannabis concentrate, but in order to make CBD isolate, it must undergo a process of winterization — a science term for cooling a substance down to the point that it removes waste and excess chemicals.
What Can CBD Isolate Help With?
No doubt, customers looking to purchase cannabidiol (CBD) in the form of an isolate have plenty of options to choose from. In addition to the variety of products, you can find CBD isolate in. edibles, tinctures, smokeables and topicals that can provide therapeutic effects on the body. This is not an exhaustive list, but below, we share some of the benefits CBD isolate may be able to address.
- Anxiety
- Focus
- Appetite
- Blood sugar levels
- Relaxation
- Pain
- Epileptic disorders
- Mental disorders
- Neurodegenerative disorders
- Tumours
Before CBD came to the scene, it was believed that some of these issues listed above were untreatable — but thank God for cannabis and its constituents. While this list of benefits is truly amazing, there are some customers who may be interested in trying CBD but do not wish to stop taking their medications. If this is you, it’s important to know that CBD may interact with certain medications, which may cause an adverse reaction. While cannabis, in general, has never killed anybody in the history of man, it’s better to be safe than sorry. CBD on its own won’t cause any harmful effects, but if you are uncertain if you can take CBD whilst medication with conventional prescriptions, it may not be a bad idea to speak with your doctor to see what will be safe and the best option for you.
Conclusion
The decision between different types of CBD ultimately comes down to whether or not you want to avoid consuming THC. They all can’t necessarily offer the benefit of the entourage effect, but for some consumers, CBD isolates may be more suitable as they will not induce any psychoactive effects of THC. Others, on the other hand, don’t mind the psychotropic effects of THC and may want to include it in the overall entourage effect produced. Find some CBD isolates now at Weed List’s featured WeedSmart cannabis dispensary.
Interesting Reads
Cannabis Extraction Methods, CBD Isolate Vs. Full Spectrum CBD Oil, Isolate vs. Distillates: Your Guide to Purified Cannabis
