Broad Spectrum CBD What Is It?
CBD is gaining popularity globally, which also means that it is now subject to extensive research. However, since CBD is not a medicine but rather a health supplement, thus all products differ in quality, strength, purity, and other parameters.
Theoretically, every CBD product sold in the market differs slightly from another. Even if two products have the same amount of CBD, they differ due to their content of other organic compounds. After all, the cannabis plant has hundreds of phytocompounds.
Researchers are now taking a significant interest in CBD (cannabidiol) and other phytocompounds in the plant.
Our Comprehensive Guide to Broad Spectrum CBD
The cannabis plant contains numerous cannabinoids; among them, cannabidiol (CBD) is the most abundant. That is why it is commonly used as a health supplement. However, it does not mean that CBD supplements do not contain other phytocompounds.
It seems that other phytocompounds in the plant can also have health benefits. Studies have now identified almost 500 phytocompounds in the plant, and more than 100 of them are cannabinoids.
Researchers are extensively studying various cannabinoids in the plant, as many have similar or even more potent health effects than CBD. Not only that, some cannabinoids have an opposing action to others. Thus, exploring their properties is necessary to fully understand the plant chemistry and health benefits.
Not only that, but the cannabis plant also contains antioxidants, vitamins, flavonoids, and terpenes. Flavonoids are known as potent antioxidants and can suppress inflammation.
Terpenes are quite different; they are aromatic compounds that help protect plants. They are also antioxidants but also have numerous other health effects.
Terpenes & flavonoids, and other minor cannabinoids in hemp extract are responsible for the so-called “entourage effect.” Therefore, they can considerably boost the health benefits of CBD.
Understanding that hemp extract contains many phytocompounds helps understand the difference between various types of CBD extracts like a full-spectrum, broad spectrum, and isolate.
What Is CBD Oil & What Is It Used For?
CBD oil is a product made by adding CBD to the oil base. CBD is naturally soluble in lipids. Therefore, manufacturers often use pure CBD or high concentration CBD to make the products. They make CBD oil by using oils like olive, coconut, hemp, and other oils as a base and then add CBD extract to it. Thus, oil mainly acts as a base or carrier.
CBD oil is the most common CBD product, and people use it for various health conditions. Some of the common reasons to use are pain management, anxiety, insomnia, mood disorders, seizure, metabolic disorders, and other health issues.
What Is Broad Spectrum CBD & How Does It Differ?
Broad spectrum CBD is closest to how you may find CBD in nature. Thus, it is an extract that contains not only CBD but also minor cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, chlorophyll, and some other minor phytocompounds.
However, broad-spectrum CBD, also called CBD distillate, is THC-free. This is essential to know as in many nations, only THC-free products are allowed for human use. Moreover, THC-free means fewer regulatory hurdles and fewer chances of side effects.
Despite being THC-free, broad-spectrum CBD is quite potent. In addition, the presence of various phytocompounds like terpenes, flavonoids, and other minor cannabinoids ensures broader health benefits due to the entourage effect.
The entourage effect is necessary to understand, as it is much more than just a synergy. The synergy between the components means that if two compounds are combined, it results in a much more potent action.
However, the entourage effect means that if two different compounds are combined, it not only results in more powerful action but also in a completely new kind of health effects. Therefore, one may not experience those health effects when using those substances in isolation.
Therefore, broad-spectrum CBD is one of the potent forms of CBD yet relatively safe due to the lack of THC.
Benefits of Broad Spectrum vs. Other Forms
Although all CBD products share similar traits and health benefits, there are some differences between the various forms. Some, like broad-spectrum, are more potent, but it also has some downsides.
CBD Isolate
As the name suggests, it is an isolated form of CBD. It means that this is the purest form of CBD. Generally, CBD isolate powder is 99% pure CBD. It means it lacks other minor cannabinoids, flavonoids, and terpenes and is THC-free. It does not have any other relevant phytocompounds.
This means that CBD isolate is almost tasteless. Therefore, it is perfect for producing a range of CBD products. In addition, it means that CBD manufacturers can add other phytocompounds of their choice and thus create unique products. Therefore, they might mix it with vegetable oils of their choice (like coconut, olive, or hemp), add different terpenes, essential oils, and more.
Since CBD isolate is a CBD in its purest form, it also means an excellent safety profile.
Considering the numerous benefits of CBD isolate and the freedom of creativity it provides to CBD product makers, it is commonly used to make CBD products. In such cases, CBD product manufacturers know what is happening inside their products.
There is only one downside to using CBD isolate. In its pure form, it lacks the entourage effect and may have a milder action than broad spectrum CBD. However, this downside can be overcome by cleverly mixing terpenes and other natural compounds into the finished CBD products.
Moreover, CBD isolate is also perfect for creating a different kinds of products like gummies, cosmetics, CBD-infused foods, drinks, and more.
Full-Spectrum CBD
As the name suggests, it is more than just a CBD. The broad spectrum retains other minor cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, and other phytocompounds. Thus, it can exert an entourage effect, making it the more potent variant of CBD.
Most importantly, the full-spectrum CBD also contains THC in small amounts. For example, in the US, the permitted amount of THC in CBD products is 0.03%, whereas, in the EU, it is 0.02%.
This is quite a minute amount of THC and cannot cause euphoria. Nonetheless, even in such minute amounts, it can alter the properties of CBD products. It may potentiate specific health effects of CBD products.
Although full-spectrum CBD is the most potent form of CBD, this also poses specific challenges like it may have more significant side effects. In addition, it has an earthly flavour, and thus it may not be suitable for producing some products.
Additionally, getting regulatory approval or marketing authorization from regulatory agencies may be challenging, as THC poses specific health threats. Moreover, there are certain risks of using full-spectrum CBD. For example, if the labs find that THC levels are minutely more than the allowed limits, this may result in rejection of the product by labs and even massive financial penalties.
Broad Spectrum CBD
The broad spectrum is the best of both worlds. It is something in between the CBD isolate and the full-spectrum CBD. It retains small amounts of minor cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids, but unlike full-spectrum, it is THC-free.
This means that it is generally more potent than CBD isolate with broader health benefits. But it is still good for producing different kinds of products due to its milder aroma. Moreover, quite like CBD isolate, it has a good safety profile as it is THC-free.
THC-free also means that there are no severe regulatory issues in using broad spectrum CBD.
To sum up, CBD comes in various forms, with CBD isolate fit for most purposes, whereas broad-spectrum CBD is fit for creating more potent products. However, despite its strengths, one must be careful with full-spectrum CBD as it contains THC.
If you want to start a CBD business, there are multiple ways of doing it. First, you can either buy CBD isolate or distillate from us. Moreover, we also offer water-soluble CBD isolate and distillate. Else you can choose from our range of private label CBD products.
