There is so much more to the cannabis plant than knowing the difference between hemp and marijuana. With research making new discoveries, medical marijuana is more than what meets the eye.
Scientists are currently digesting the cannabinoid spectrum, which is the entire collection of cannabinoids that cannabis contains. A part of that spectrum is CBD isolate, which is the purest form of naturally occurring CBD.
How is CBD Isolate Processed?
Similar to other CBD products like CBD oil and edibles, manufacturers carefully extract the isolate from the hemp plant using the CO2 extraction method. If done correctly, it produces the cleanest and purest product you can find in the market.
CBD isolate is so pure that it can contain as much as 99.9% pure CBD. Researchers also call it CBD crystals because it comes in the form of solid diamonds. To add it to products, manufacturers crush it and grind it into fine powder for easy consumption.
Despite a rigorous extraction process even for the highest quality products, it’s likely that CBD isolate contains trace amounts of other cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids.
CBD Isolate vs. Full Spectrum CBD
If you’re in the market to experiment with different CBD products, there are two forms that you can easily find: CBD Isolate and Full Spectrum CBD.
CBD Isolate
Because CBD Isolate is in its purest form of CBD, products shouldn’t contain any other cannabinoids, flavonoids or terpenes. Some brands, however, add terpenes to their isolates.
Some people opt for isolates instead of full-spectrum CBD because isolates are THC free, which means consuming isolates won’t cause a high.
Aside from this, isolates have more concentrated health benefits for the overall health and well-being of a person. Scientific research has shown its possibilities to prevent any disease from significantly harming you.
Full Spectrum
When people are talking about CBD oil, they are most likely referring to full-spectrum CBD. Products like CBD oil contain other cannabinoids other than CBD, including THC. CBD products, however, need to adhere to the law which states that products cannot have more than 0.3% THC content.
Other flavonoids, terpenes, and cannabinoids in full-spectrum CBD include cannabinol (CBN), cannabigerol (CBG), and cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), among others. Even if their content is not as potent as CBD, these cannabinoids play a crucial part in the entourage effect.
Even if full spectrum industrial hemp products contain THC, there is an unlikely chance it can induce a high because the THC content is low.
Benefits of CBD Isolate
The purest form of CBD isolate may not come in aesthetically pleasing products like topicals and balms, but these crystals are versatile when it comes to consumption. On top of that, CBD isolate has a number of health benefits compared to the conventional forms of CBD.
Zero THC
High-quality CBD isolates should contain nothing but pure CBD. You need not worry about THC entering your system and showing up on drug tests.
Different consumption forms
You can put the finely crushed powders almost anywhere to introduce it to your system. This clear-cut advantage gives you the creativity to prepare your isolates for consumption.
The most common form of consumption is sublingually (applied under the tongue) as it’s the quickest way for CBD to reach the bloodstream. Other ways include mixing it with your food and drinks.
These various methods for consumption let you enjoy the benefits of CBD without making any changes to your everyday life.
Easier dosage
Unlike full spectrum products which contain other cannabinoids, isolates are much easier to dose because it’s pure CBD crystalline powdered. There’s no worry for quantifying the exact amount of CBD being consumed.
What About Broad Spectrum CBD?
A rare find in the CBD market is broad-spectrum products. It’s a hybrid between CBD isolates and full-spectrum CBD.
CBD isolate is 99% pure CBD, while full-spectrum products include THC, flavonoids, terpenes, waxes, oils, chlorophyll, and more. Broad-spectrum CBD is a mix of both, insofar as broad-spectrum is full-spectrum without the THC.
A clear benefit of this is that consumers of broad-spectrum products can enjoy the entourage benefits provided by full-spectrum CBD, without the risk of THC entering your system. Broad-spectrum CBD is an excellent alternative for those who regularly take drug tests and need maximum alertness, as THC can induce a high.
Broad-spectrum products will not give you legal problems because they should have less than 0.3% THC, if at all.
CBD Isolate vs. Full Spectrum vs. Broad Spectrum: Which is Better?
With so many forms of CBD products to choose from, is there a type that’s better than the others? The short answer is, it depends.
Either of the types is not better than the others. This is because everyone reacts differently to CBD due to their different needs.
Before deciding which form of CBD product to use, consult a medical professional to look at all your options. This will help you determine which type of CBD is best-suited for your needs.
Verdict
Researchers continue to study the cannabis plant and the role CBD can play to treat, cure, or prevent health issues. Understanding the different cannabinoids and the way they are extracted is just one of the countless ways we can comprehend the full abilities of medical marijuana.
The above statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The product is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure diseases. CBD products are to be treated as food supplements, not medication.
Hemp-derived CBD products (with less than 0.3 percent THC) are legal on the federal level, but are still illegal under some state laws. Marijuana-derived CBD products are illegal on the federal level, but are legal under some state laws. Check your state’s laws and those of anywhere you travel. Keep in mind that nonprescription CBD products are not FDA-approved, and may be inaccurately labeled.