Pure CBD Isolate Oil vs Full Spectrum CBD Oil
“Isolate” and “full-spectrum” are terms you’re familiar with if you’re into CBD. Every label distinguishes by the amount and type of cannabinoid content in them. While the two products come from the hemp plant, there is a world of difference between them—this is why we’re here to talk about those differences.
Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the several active compounds (cannabinoid) present in the cannabis plant. Along with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), it is the most recognized cannabinoid, and both compounds are widely used for manufacturing products designed for either medical or recreational use. Having said that, CBD and THC aren’t the only cannabinoids out there.
But the reason why CBD and THC receive significant attention is that they are proven to have the most effect to humans, albeit THC carries the psychoactive effect of making an individual feel “high.”
The value of the cannabis plant obeys to the different effects of its cannabinoid contents on a person’s body. The combination of different cannabinoids results in strengthened and usually positive impact. For this article, we will focus on the two most popular CBD products in the market – pure CBD isolate and full-spectrum CBD oil.
Pure CBD Isolate
CBD isolate oil is unlike any other product derived from cannabis because it contains nothing but pure CBD. The manufacturing process involves isolating CBD and removing other cannabinoids and naturally-occurring compounds like flavonoids and terpenes.
Contrary to what most people think, there is nothing “simple” about CBD isolate. Yes, there’s only one compound left in the product, but separating it from the hemp plant is a complex process in itself. The extraction process naturally removes the cannabinoids in the hemp plant, and the tricky part is isolating the CBD in a way that it no longer has any other compound attached to it. In a nutshell, producing CBD isolate is never a walk in the park.
There exist several forms of CBD isolates out in the market, but dabs are the most popular. “Dabbing” refers to the method of vaporizing the CBD and inhaling the vapor in the process. It works like conventional vaping, but there’s no need to use an instrument like an e-cigarette. Dabs containing CBD isolates are available in wax, powder, crystal, and resin.
Dabbing is popular, but dabs aren’t the only feasible CBD isolate option. Edibles, capsules, and oil are increasingly becoming popular, too.
Full-Spectrum CBD
Full-spectrum CBD products are the opposite of CBD isolates since they contain an extensive array of cannabinoids. We talked about the complicated process of isolating CBD during the extraction of cannabinoids from the hemp plant. Only this time, the whole extract is used in manufacturing the product, hence the term “full-spectrum.”
Although full-spectrum CBD oil retains a handful of cannabinoids in the final product, controversy regarding its use focuses only on THC – the compound with a psychoactive effect.
If you worry about the consumption of THC, then avoid full-spectrum CBD. The same thing goes if you reside in a state where cannabis is illegal. Nevertheless, the stigma that full-spectrum CBD can get a person “high” is inaccurate since the THC content in it is usually less than 0.3%. That amount is negligible as far as the psychoactive effect is concerned.
There was a time when everyone thought that CBD isolates were more effective and potent than full-spectrum CBD. The argument was that a product with pure CBD content has a higher concentration of the compound that is responsible for treating the body of disorders and illnesses. But that notion is debunked by the so-called “entourage effect” of full-spectrum CBD.
The entourage effect is best described as several cannabinoids working together for a product to be more effective. In other words, a full-spectrum CBD with a collection of cannabinoids has a much better relief or healing effect compared to an isolate with nothing but pure CBD.
Which One is Better for You?
It is inaccurate to say that one is better than the other. Your choice depends on your specific needs, plus you must weigh on the advantages and disadvantages, too.
The Case for Pure CBD Isolate
CBD isolate takes the cake when it comes to the potency of cannabidiol as it contains at least 90% of it. Some people consider it a safer choice since it does not contain THC. But “safe” is a relative term. You may call it safe if you do not want to risk getting a positive drug test result.
CBD isolate is odorless and tasteless, which makes it the ideal option if you plan to infuse it to your food. Doing so won’t cause any flavor alteration to your edibles. You go for the pure CBD isolate if you:
- Wish to avoid other cannabinoids in your system, especially THC.
- Want to use CBD for cooking.
- Live in a place that considers cannabis products with THC as illegal.
- Are about to undergo drug testing and the chances of getting a positive result are higher when you ingest full-spectrum CBD.
Arguments in Favor of Full-Spectrum CBD
The most prominent advantage of full-spectrum CBD is the entourage effect we talked about earlier. It is a powerful CBD-derived product that retains the natural healing properties of the cannabis plant. It goes through minimal processing compared to the CBD isolate.
The presence of flavonoids and terpenes in full-spectrum CBD creates an aggressive aroma and bitter taste. While some people find it unpleasant, others crave for it. Full-spectrum CBD is the right choice if you are:
- Targeting a highly specific use for CBD.
- A resident in an area where cannabis is legal, and there are no risks of penalizations.
- Interested in taking full advantage of your experience in using CBD.
Your choice of a CBD product comes down to your particular needs and personal preference. If you are intrigued about the potential benefits of other cannabinoids, then your money goes to full-spectrum CBD. If you’ve done your research and figured out that you only need CBD for whatever purpose, then the isolate variant is what you need.
