Difference Between Full-Spectrum and Regular CBD Oil (2019 Update)

Full Spectrum vs. Regular CBD Oil: What Is the Difference?

Not all cannabidiol (CBD) is made the same. When it comes to full spectrum vs regular CBD oil, many people may be unclear about exactly what the difference is. Understand the difference between full-spectrum (full spec for short) and regular, isolate CBD, and you will be able to choose the product that best suits your needs.

Both of these types of CBD exist in numerous mediums. So, you should not feel like you’re stuck with a CBD product that you do not enjoy! To learn more, read on. We’ll explain everything about CBD products to you.

 

 

What is Cannabidiol (CBD)?

It is important that you understand the basics of CBD, too. CBD is just one type of cannabinoid that is found in cannabis. Cannabis contains numerous cannabinoids, and CBD is just one of them. CBD is made from the stalks, leaves, and roots of the cannabis plant, unlike other strains that are all made in different ways. It also does not have any THC oil, which many cannabis strains do. THC oil can induce sleepiness and a high just like it does in marijuana and weed. THC is also another strain belonging to the cannabis family again much like marijuana, weed, and hemp. Hemp has similar properties as CBD and it is also very much legal around the USA.

This tells us that one day CBD is also going to be legal inside the USA, in all the states. Unlike cannabis, weed, and marijuana, hemp is legal all over and they are not because of their high potency. The high potency can make high and an addict. Therefore you should stay clear of these unless prescribed.

CBD is the second most abundant of all the compounds found in hemp. The first most abundant compound is delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol or THC. We’ll delve deeper into that next. CBD is a compound that does not produce a psychoactive high.

Instead, it interacts with the body in a more indirect way. In fact, it can increase the body’s natural endocannabinoids by preventing them from breaking down enzymatically. The endocannabinoid system is a recent discovery.

It seems our bodies respond quite well to the chemicals found in cannabis since our bodies produce them themselves!

Uses and Research Behind CBD

People use CBD in many situations. The stories people report after using CBD are nothing short of miraculous.

Most of the evidence backing up CBD’s usefulness is anecdotal currently. There is an insufficient amount of scientific research currently. However, as the trend continues and CBD grows more popular, it is likely that we’ll see more and more studies on the use cases of CBD.

There are many studies and clinical trials exploring the effects of CBD. In our modern age, it is certainly becoming a topic of interest on an international scale.

As more organizations, practitioners, and individuals see how CBD can impact the way we treat various illnesses and ailments, hopefully, we’ll continue to see more and more research come out in support of this miracle substance.

CBD versus THC oil

CBD is not psychoactive, as mentioned previously. This means it will not get you high. This is great news for people who desire the benefits of marijuana without the side effect of getting high or stoned.

THC oil, however, does have the ability to alter your mental state or behavior. This is the element that makes marijuana useful for recreational purposes.

Even without THC oil, CBD still may have some beneficial properties.

Some studies show that CBD and THC work best synergistically, enhancing one another’s potentially beneficial properties. However, THC oil is often stigmatized as a recreational, controlled substance, while CBD is seen as a therapeutic substance. So, for many, the focus is on CBD as it is possibly beneficial but without the high.

In many places, THC oil is totally illegal. However, CBD has a more flexible legal status in many ways. This is because it does not produce the high that THC oil does.

Full Spectrum versus Isolate CBD

 

When you are purchasing CBD products, you have two options: full spectrum CBD or isolate (regular) CBD. Full-spectrum vs regular CBD has a few key differences you’ll want to be aware of.

Full-spectrum CBD, like hemp oil, contains every cannabinoid present in the cannabis plant. This means cannabidiol, cannabicyclol, tetrahydrocannabivarin, and cannabichromevinaric acid, to name a few. In full-spectrum CBD oil, there is nothing held back or left out. These mixed together complement each other and produce an entourage effect. This effect is good for the health of the user because the individual is taking all of the properties of all the terpenes and cannabinoids mixed together. All of these combined properties make the user absorbent of more effective effect and treatment. The treatment is very beneficial for the user hence that is why many users consider the full spectrum CBD far better than Isolate CBD. Most products of CBD are from full-spectrum CBD.

Isolate CBD is the CBD derived from its extraction from the cannabis plant without other terpenes and cannabinoids. Many users of this CBD type consider this much better than the full spectrum. They go as far enough to get this type of CBD by isolating the CBD from others themselves. There are even different dosage methods and levels for each kind of CBD and therefore should carefully be in separation for each of the CBD types.

It probably depends on each individual’s preference, but many researchers support the effects of the full spectrum CBD. This is why the full-spectrum CBD has to be part of the ingredients, not the isolated non-pure one.

Different cannabinoids introduce various potential effects that can address a wide variety of ailments, both on their own and in conjunction with one another, and with CBD.

These full-spectrum products may also contain small amounts of THC oil. This is because nothing is removed from the cannabis plant. Still, it is CBD oil, so the focus is not on the THC oil content. Most likely, it also comes from plants that have a low level of THC oil by nature.

However, it should be said that industrial hemp is regulated at 0.3 percent THC oil concentration. This amount will not generally cause psychoactive effects. Chemists create full-spectrum CBD oil by extracting the whole source of the plant and distilling it down into the oil. This brings all of the other properties and molecules along with it.

Still, when it comes from a plant that is very low in THC, that means the full-spectrum CBD oil will also contain just a very minimal amount of THC. Full-spectrum vs. regular CBD is an easy choice for some people as long as they are okay with some exposure to THC oil. 

Isolate CBD

Isolate CBD is exactly what it sounds like. It is CBD, separated from any and all other cannabis compounds, especially THC oil.

It is isolated by cooling extracted oil until it forms into crystals. These crystals then move for processing into a highly pure powder. This powder is just CBD as a molecular compound.

Isolating the perceived valuable aspects of any substance is a common approach in the pharmaceutical model. This is because it works to maximize an ‘active ingredient’ to its utmost efficacy and safety, while not prioritizing any other ingredients of the material.

There is a downside, though. This method does neglect to take advantage of the possible holistic benefits of full-spectrum products. Isolate CBD provides you with the benefits of CBD and CBD alone. It does not take advantage of any of the rest of the materials and chemicals that are present alongside CBD in the cannabis plant.

To some people, this may be what they prefer. However, others believe that it does not use the cannabis plant to its full potential.

What difference does it make? 

When weighing your options, you want to truly understand the ins and outs of full-spectrum vs. regular CBD.

If full-spectrum CBD oil is truly far superior, then you’ll know it’s worth any extra investment. However, if you can get the exact same effects from isolated CBD, why pay more or introduce your body to more substances than you need to?

In this section, we’ll help explain the difference so you can make the best choice for your situation.

The Entourage Effect

In a 2015 study, the Lautenberg Center for General Tumor Immunology in Jerusalem noted that full-spectrum CBD is capable of offering greater levels of anti-inflammatory relief.

How did they prove this? In their scientific studies, scientists administered higher doses to mice. A group of mice that ingested isolate CBD did not experience the same level of relief at higher doses.

The study means that CBD isolate is, of course, effective. However, at a certain dose, it seems that the full spectrum product is perhaps a better option.

Full-spectrum CBD oil retains its efficacy at any dose.

As the study said, “Healing was only observed when CBD was given within a very limited dose range, whereas no beneficial effect was achieved at either lower or higher doses.”

Full-spectrum CBD oil may be more effective than CBD isolate. This is likely due to the fact that it contains cannabinoids and terpenes instead of just extracted CBD. Unlike regular CBD oil, it contains more of the full spectrum of terpenes and chemicals found in the marijuana plant.

Studies

The entourage effect declares that CBD creates better results when combined with the other properties from the source plant, instead of existing on its own. Various studies indicate that CBD when in the presence of other plant constituents, is more potent and efficacious including THC oil.

These studies conclude that “the higher efficiency of plant extract can be explained by additive or synergistic interactions between CBD, terpenes, and the minor phytocannabinoids or non-cannabinoids presented in the extracts. …because other phytocannabinoids, including Tetrahydrocannabivarin, Cannabigerol, and Cannabichromene, as well as mono- and sesquiterpenes, exert additional effects of therapeutic interest and the therapeutic synergy observed with plant extracts results in the requirement for a lower amount of active components, with consequent reduced adverse effects.”

In other words, a full-spectrum product often works better because you need less of it than CBD isolate. This can also help to reduce any side effects. Full-spectrum vs regular CBD is an interesting topic of research and study for many people.

In the Lautenberg study, the researchers found that even with a larger than an optimal dose of the full-spectrum CBD oil, the effectiveness plateaued. In other words, it was able to reach the therapeutic ceiling without any issues.

Potential Drawbacks of Full Spectrum CBD Oil

While it is clear that full spectrum CBD may be more effective than isolate CBD, even at lower dosages, it may have some drawbacks. Full-spectrum vs regular CBD comes down to this drawback for many people. If full-spectrum CBD oil is not an option for you due to your obligations or lifestyle, this can help you make your decision more easily for sure.

On CBDorigin.com, the authors note:

“You may not necessarily need the full capabilities of Full Spectrum CBD Oil, or if you aren’t legally allowed to use THC. It is also important to note that other cannabinoids may cause negative reactions when isolated CBD wouldn’t.”

As an example:

For people who may be subject to drug testing, completely avoiding THC is obviously important. A full spectrum of CBD oil would potentially contain a small amount of THC. In cases like this, you shall not use it.

Similarly, if a person needs to know exactly how much CBD they are ingesting, isolate may be the best choice. With CBD isolate, users can specify exactly how much CBD they are using. This is because it is over 99 percent pure, so it certainly offers a high degree of control.

CBD isolate is usually tasteless. This is why a CBD to isolate product is often preferable for flavored products and other methods of oral ingestion. CBD isolate is certainly still effective on its own. So, if there are reasons you should avoid full-spectrum CBD oil, that still does not mean that you need to avoid CBD usage completely.

Choosing the Right Product — Full Spec or Regular

The possible effects of CBD exist in both types of products. This is why generally when choosing your CBD type, the choice simply comes down to your own preferences.

Many of the advantages and disadvantages are above.

These can help you decide where you should start.

For a more holistic approach to using CBD, a full-spectrum CBD oil product may be your best bet.

For a more controlled, pure method, try an isolate. You can pick and choose as you see fit.

Whether you choose full-spectrum CBD oil or regular CBD oil, the most important thing of all is to ensure you are investing in a high-quality product.

From oil capsules to tinctures, edible products, and other CBD products, whatever you put in your body should be carefully selected and sourced from a trustworthy provider. You don’t want to skimp or cut corners when it comes to things you are planning to put in your body.

Do the right thing for your body and ensure that you only purchase high-quality products from trusted sellers. Once you’ve decided between full spectrum vs regular CBD, you now need to make the choice of picking the right seller. Choose someone with a great reputation and independent lab testing results available on the site for all to see. You certainly want to make sure you get what you pay for! 

Disclaimer

Disclaimer: The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act requires this disclaimer. We collected this information from various sources for the convenience of our customers. The statements made regarding these products were not evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The efficacy of these products is not confirmed by FDA-approved research. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The information presented here is not meant as a substitute for information from health care practitioners. It is also not meant as an alternative to information from health care practitioners. Before using any product, you should consult your doctor and ask about the risk of interactions or complications.