With increased interest in CBD and loosened regulations, you can now have access to many CBD products. And it can be overwhelming at first, especially if you’re not aware of the differences. But ultimately, you’d want to choose the CBD product that is right for you.

This could be CBD isolate or full-spectrum CBD. For those not really sure about the differences between the two CBD products, we’re here to break it down for you. We’ll present the benefits of each so that you can make a better and more informed decision.

What Is CBD Isolate?

CBD isolate is a form of cannabidiol, a chemical compound extracted from Cannabis Sativa or hemp. The term “isolate” is used due to the exclusion of THC, which is the psychoactive component of cannabis.

To separate the CBD and THC, manufacturers use chromatography. Think of this process as the washing of the cannabis plant. In chromatography, chemists inject liquids or vapours into the hemp plant to separate the components and extract the CBD. What is left is a crystalline solid that is basically pure CBD. The crystal CBD is then ground up to make CBD isolate powder. 

Aside from THC, the process of chromatography also removes terpenes. This reduces the strong flavours and scents that may be present in other CBD products. With the absence of terpenes, it is now easier to add the CBD isolate powder into other things.

What Is Full-Spectrum CBD?

In full-spectrum CBD, multiple components of the cannabis plant are present. This means that manufacturers would extract everything from the plant. Aside from the different cannabinoids present, it also contains terpenes and flavonoids. 

Some may be wary of using full-spectrum CBD due to the presence of THC. However, THC is only present in small amounts that it isn’t even enough to give you the high you typically get from recreational cannabis.

CBD Isolate vs. Full-Spectrum CBD

To decide which CBD product to go with, it’s best to understand the benefits each type offers. Let’s start with the benefits of using CBD isolates.

People who use CBD isolates usually choose it due to the absence of THC. It’s understandable to be afraid of the potential psychoactive effects a product containing THC may elicit. So CBD isolates may be a more comfortable option, especially since they will have fewer issues with drug tests.

Since CBD isolates also do not contain terpenes, they will have a neutral taste. This makes it easier to add CBD to drinks, food and topical applications.

On the other hand, the main benefit of using full-spectrum CBD is that it has greater potency. Although more research still needs to be done, what we’ve gathered so far is that CBD may be more effective when more compounds from the hemp plant are present. With the different compounds working together, a greater impact can be made.

Conclusion

The main difference between CBD isolate, and full-spectrum CBD is that the former is essentially just pure CBD while the latter contains other compounds, particularly THC. CBD isolate may be best for those who don’t want traces of THC and prefer a neutral taste. On the other hand, full-spectrum CBD is exactly as nature intended, giving it greater potency. It may also be more effective than CBD isolate.

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