Did you know that around one-third of all people in the United States have tried CBD at some point in their lives? This number is slowly growing as the popularity of CBD products also grows. CBD is likely so sought-after because not only can it provide various potential health benefits, but it also is very versatile.
CBD can be used in different ways and it comes in a variety of forms from gummy candy and chocolate to vape juices and topical creams. However, one of the most popular forms of CBD is oil. Full-spectrum vs broad-spectrum CBD oil may be of interest to you if you don’t know much about either of them.
Luckily, this article aims to cover exactly what makes these two forms of CBD unique. By the end of this article, you’ll be able to decide which kind of CBD might be a good choice for you. To start our discussion, let’s take a closer look at what CBD is exactly.
What Is CBD
CBD, also known as cannabidiol, is a cannabinoid that originates from cannabis and hemp plants. Most CBD bought in stores comes from the hemp plant, however. This is because the hemp plant produces large amounts of CBD while, on the other hand, the cannabis plant tends to produce large amounts of another cannabinoid, THC.
THC is a psychoactive compound that produces a high when consumed. Because it can produce a high, its legality is different from state to state, but it is slowly becoming legal in more parts of the country. CBD, on the other hand, is legal in most parts of the United States because it has no psychoactive properties, although there are still some small areas where it is illegal.
The legality of CBD is another factor that contributes to its versatility. This is because CBD products can be found in stores all over the country such as at https://anandahemp.com/. As we answer the question, “What is CBD?” you might be wondering what the point is of CBD if it doesn’t produce a high.
However, even though the effects of CBD might not be as intense as the effects of THC in terms of producing a high, CBD can still offer many benefits. The benefits can vary according to the types of CBD products that you buy and consume. This is because of how CBD is absorbed and metabolized by the body according to different modes of consumption.
Next, let’s explore a little bit about how CBD is metabolized by the body and how it affects the brain.
How Does CBD Work in the Brain and Body
CBD, as well as THC, affects the brain by acting on the endocannabinoid system. The endocannabinoid system is full of receptors that act to receive cannabinoids such as CBD and THC, among others. When not being influenced by cannabinoids, this system works to regulate certain workings of the brain and body such as sleep, appetite, mood, and memory.
The two main receptors in this system are CB1 and CB2. The CB1 receptors are found throughout the central nervous system and are responsible for pain in the body. CB2 receptors are mainly found in the peripheral nervous system as well as immune cells and are responsible for inflammation in the body.
Cannabinoids can bind to either of these receptors to produce their effects. The way cannabinoids can reach these receptors is via the various ways in which CBD can be consumed. The main ways of consumption include inhalation, digestion, and sublingual consumption.
Inhalation such as with a vape pen produces the most immediate effects. This is because of how the CBD is inhaled into the lungs and absorbed into the bloodstream. However, even though the effects of CBD kick in fast with this method, the effects do not tend to last very long.
Digesting different types of CBD, in contrast, will take a much longer period before you begin to feel the effects. This is because it takes a long time for stomach acid to break down CBD into small enough particles to absorb into the bloodstream. The effects of CBD, when taken this way, may not be as strong because of how some of the CBD gets lost to the stomach acid.
The sublingual method involves putting CBD oils under the tongue where the oil enters the bloodstream through the thin membranes under the tongue.
The Difference between Full-Spectrum vs Broad-Spectrum CBD
Now that you know more about what CBD is, how it works on the brain and body, and how people can consume it, we can explore the differences between full and broad-spectrum CBD. There are three types of CBD: broad and full-spectrum CBD as well as CBD isolate.
CBD isolate is the purest type of CBD you can get your hands on. Unlike broad and full-spectrum CBD, CBD isolate is not usually an oil but instead a crystalline powder. CBD isolate, as the name suggests, is isolated from any other hemp products due to its extensive extraction and filtration process.
CBD isolate contains no other cannabinoids or plant products remaining from the hemp plant such as oils, fats, or terpenes. CBD isolate is your best option if you want to try CBD without consuming anything else. For example, if you have a blood test coming up, no THC will show up since there is none in CBD isolate.
Even though CBD isolate is a powder, you can consume it in the same ways as CBD oils. The most common methods include digestion and sublingual consumption, although you can also use them in vapes and topicals. As for broad and full-spectrum CBD oils, they differ according to the intensity of filtration they have experienced.
What You Need to Know about Broad-Spectrum CBD Oil
Broad-spectrum CBD oil is slightly less filtered than CBD isolate, but it is still more filtered than full-spectrum CBD oil. As with CBD isolate, broad-spectrum CBD also contains no traces of THC. Although, you should always double-check this when it comes to broad-spectrum CBD oil since some brands may contain trace amounts of this cannabinoid.
Unlike CBD isolate, however, broad-spectrum CBD oil may contain other cannabinoids from the hemp plant it is derived from. For example, broad-spectrum CBD may contain terpenes, CBN, and certain plant products such as oils and fats.
These additional plant products are not harmful when consumed. The opposite may be true.
Even though more studies are necessary to solidify the facts, some believe that broad-spectrum CBD may be more beneficial than CBD isolate because of the nutrients from the additional plant products. Broad-spectrum CBD products may have anti-inflammatory and anti-seizure properties. As it happens, the FDA has even approved a certain medication to treat seizures with the main ingredient being CBD.
So, now that you’ve seen what broad-spectrum CBD has to offer, what should you expect from full-spectrum CBD?
What You Need to Know About Full-Spectrum CBD Oil
Full-spectrum CBD oil is the least filtered of all the types of CBD. Because of this, full-spectrum CBD offers the entourage effect. This effect involves how the various compounds of the hemp plant work together to provide various health benefits to the body, more benefits than when taking the compounds individually.
Beyond the CBD, terpenes, and other cannabinoids, full-spectrum CBD may also contain flavonoids and small amounts of THC. The amount of THC in full-spectrum CBD should never exceed 0.3%. THC levels higher than this may be illegal.
THC levels at 0.3% and below are too low to produce a high, but they may be beneficial to your health. Out of all the different kinds of CBD, full-spectrum CBD oil is a favorite among many, mainly due to its entourage effect. The benefits of full-spectrum CBD oil are similar to broad-spectrum CBD and can include anti-inflammatory and anti-seizure effects.
CBD may also act as an antioxidant. Antioxidants may help reduce the development of cancer. This is because of how cancer cells may develop from an excess of oxidized free radicles that can cause inflammation in the body.
Antioxidants in the body may be able to help diminish the effects of these free radicles and soothe any inflammation in the body.
Everything You Need to Know About Full-Spectrum vs Broad-Spectrum CBD
By the end of this article, you should know all about the difference between full-spectrum vs broad-spectrum CBD. With this information, you can be confident that you’ll make the right decision when it comes to choosing the right CBD for you.
To learn more, check out the health section on our website.