{"id":2220,"date":"2019-10-03T03:33:45","date_gmt":"2019-10-03T03:33:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dailycbd.com\/en\/?p=2220"},"modified":"2022-01-05T15:13:34","modified_gmt":"2022-01-05T15:13:34","slug":"full-spectrum-vs-isolate","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dailycbd.com\/en\/full-spectrum-vs-isolate\/","title":{"rendered":"Full-Spectrum CBD Oil vs. CBD Isolate: What\u2019s the Difference?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Highlights: What\u2019s the Difference Between Full-Spectrum CBD oils and CBD Isolates?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The differences between these two forms of CBD come down to how the extract was manufactured. Full-spectrum extracts are made by stripping away the fibers, large proteins, and cells structures, leaving behind all the medicinal compounds from inside the cannabis plant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CBD isolates start the same way but go through additional stages to remove everything except pure CBD (cannabidiol<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each of these extracts has its own set of strengths and weaknesses:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Comparing Full-Spectrum Extracts with CBD Isolates<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
 Metric<\/strong><\/td>Full Spectrum Extracts<\/strong><\/td>CBD Isolates<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
General Cost<\/strong><\/td>More expensive<\/td>Cheaper<\/td><\/tr>
Cannabinoid Range<\/strong><\/td>Contains many different cannabinoids<\/td>Only contains CBD<\/td><\/tr>
THC Content<\/strong><\/td>May contain THC<\/td>Not likely to contain THC<\/td><\/tr>
Potency<\/strong><\/td>Stronger potency<\/td>Lower potency<\/td><\/tr>
Value of health benefits<\/strong><\/td>Effectively manage a wide range of conditions<\/td>Has limited health benefits<\/td><\/tr>
Taste<\/strong><\/td>Tend to taste better in their raw form due to terpene content<\/td>Lacks flavor, must be added in separately<\/td><\/tr>
Side-effects<\/strong><\/td>Less likely to produce side-effects<\/td>More likely to produce side-effects<\/td><\/tr>
Entourage Effect<\/strong><\/td>This extract leverages the entourage effects<\/td>No entourage effect possible with this extract<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

What is the Entourage Effect?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The entourage effect is a term used to describe the beneficial synergy naturally found in the cannabis plant. All the plant\u2019s natural compounds work together to produce stronger results than any of them in isolation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cannabinoids<\/a> work best when working together to create a harmonious result, much like a group of instrumentalists will play together for an orchestra. Singling out an individual instrument will not compare to the effect of a full orchestra performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Synergy is a well-known concept in chemistry and is relatively common among plant medicines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keep this in mind as we discuss the differences between full-spectrum extracts and CBD isolates. One of the most significant differences between these products is the presence of the entourage effect in full-spectrum extracts [1<\/a>,2].<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read our guide to the entourage effect.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Hemp<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

1. What is Full-Spectrum CBD?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The cannabis plant contains hundreds of different compounds. A full-spectrum extract<\/a> maintains the majority of these compounds in the final product.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A full-spectrum extract can be said to have better \u201ccannabinoid diversity\u201d than a pure CBD isolate, or even pseudo-full-spectrum extracts (which we\u2019ll get into later).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Making Full-Spectrum Extracts<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

During the manufacturing process, raw hemp is rinsed with a solvent. In the past, this was an organic solvent such as butane, alcohol, or ether. Now, most of this is done via a process called supercritical CO2 extraction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Carbon dioxide gas is kept at a specific temperature and pressure within a closed system. These pinpoint metrics turn the gas into a \u201csupercritical state\u201d where it\u2019s neither a liquid nor a gas. This gives CO2 properties that allow it to penetrate the raw hemp as a gas, but dissolve compounds from the leaves and flowers like a liquid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The supercritical CO2 is highly efficient at extracting all the compounds out of the plant, including the terpenes, cannabinoids, lignans, flavonoids, and polyphenols. Once this is complete, the supercritical fluid is separated, and the pressure is released. The gas immediately evaporates, leaving behind all the plant\u2019s phytochemicals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With this CO2 extraction, there is no chance of leaving harmful solvents behind, making it the cleanest extraction method. At this stage, little else is done to the full-spectrum extract. In some cases, the extract is purified slightly more and mixed with other batches to balance out the cannabinoid averages between them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The final product contains a virtually identical balance of all\/ the phytochemical naturally produced in the plant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Related: DIY CBD Oil: How to Make Your Own CBD Oils at Home<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Advantages & Disadvantages of Full-Spectrum CBD Extracts<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Advantages<\/strong><\/td>Disadvantages<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Leverages the benefits of the entourage effect<\/td>The final cannabinoid concentrations are often unpredictable and depend highly on the source hemp material<\/td><\/tr>
A more holistic form of CBD supplementation<\/td>May contain higher concentrations of THC<\/td><\/tr>
Can be made at home using alcohol or other solvents and dried hemp plants<\/td>Each batch is unique, making it harder to match the amounts listed on product labels<\/td><\/tr>
May produce fewer side-effects<\/td>The effects of individual terpene\/cannabinoid combinations can make it hard to predict the effects<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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When to Use Full-Spectrum Extracts<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Generally speaking, if you’re using CBD for a medical condition<\/a>, a full-spectrum extract is going to be the superior option.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The effects of full-spectrum extracts are more potent and have broader benefits than an isolate, thanks to the other therapeutic compounds abundant in the plant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who Should Use Full Spectrum Extracts? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n