When you explore an online dispensary, you might be curious about terms like full or broad-spectrum CBD. CBD, the non-psychoactive element, is characterized by its purity. Some products feature only CBD, while others contain additional components of the cannabis plant.
Understanding the differences between full-spectrum and broad-spectrum cannabis extracts reveals unique compositions and characteristics that can shape your CBD experience. With this knowledge, you can choose the best extracts online Canada that align with your needs.
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways:
- Full-spectrum CBD includes CBD, THC, minor cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids. Broad-spectrum CBD contains all these components except THC.
- Both full-spectrum and broad-spectrum enhance the benefits of cannabis due to their entourage effects.
- CO2 and Alcohol extraction techniques are the two common methods to create CBD extracts.
Full-Spectrum CBD
Full-spectrum CBD is a product containing a diverse array of cannabinoids, various terpenes, and trace amounts of THC.
- Cannabinoids: Full-spectrum CBD has a higher CBD concentration but also includes small amounts of THC and other cannabinoids. Not all full-spectrum products contain all 100-plus CBDs, as some may be present in minimal quantities or lost during extraction.
- Terpenes and Flavonoids: Terpenes provide the plant with its unique aroma, while flavonoids add color and serve multiple biological roles. The combination of terpenes, flavonoids, and CBD may contribute to the entourage effect.
- THC: Full-spectrum CBD contains trace levels of THC, but the concentration never exceeds 0.3%. These minimal amounts are insufficient to cause any psychoactive effects.
Entourage Effects in Full-Spectrum
The entourage effect posits that the collective impact of cannabis compounds, such as cannabinoids, terpenes, and other elements, amplifies therapeutic benefits. CBD may enhance THC’s effects while mitigating some of its undesirable effects.
Full-spectrum cannabis concentrates also include various forms of cannabinoids, such as CBN, CBG, CBDV, CBDA, and CBD. Research into compounds like cannabinol (CBN) and cannabigerol (CBG) indicates potential anti-stress and anti-inflammatory effects.
Broad-Spectrum CBD
Broad-spectrum CBD is a CBD extract featuring various active compounds derived from the cannabis plant, including CBD, CBN, and terpenes. Unlike full-spectrum CBD, broad-spectrum concentrates do not have detectable THC levels. Manufacturers typically label it accordingly and may provide details about the specific cannabinoids in their products.
How It Works
Broad-spectrum CBD retains several cannabinoids that can create an entourage effect without THC. CBD interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS), which regulates various physiological functions like temperature, energy metabolism, appetite, and digestion.
These cannabinoids attach to specific receptors within the ECS known as CB1 and CB2 receptors, located throughout the body. This attachment process enables CBD to help manage the body’s natural responses to inflammation and pain while also influencing mood and anxiety symptoms.
Extraction Process of CBD
The two primary CBD extraction methods utilize alcohol or CO2 as solvents. Each method has distinct strengths and weaknesses, making neither inherently superior.
Alcohol Extraction Method
This straightforward approach to producing cannabis extracts involves using alcohol as a solvent, with ethanol being the preferred choice.
Cannabis plant material is soaked in ethanol to extract cannabinoids, terpenes, and other active compounds found in the trichomes of the plant’s flowers and leaves. After soaking, manufacturers remove the plant material and eliminate the alcohol, resulting in a full-spectrum CBD extract.
CO2 Extraction
This advanced method entails pressurizing and heating CO2 to convert it into a supercritical fluid. This fluid is then passed over the plant material to extract the trichomes, yielding a CBD-rich oil.
A significant advantage of CO2 extraction is its high level of adjustability. By manipulating temperature and pressure, companies can selectively target specific compounds while leaving others behind.
CO2 extraction requires costly equipment, making it more common among larger CBD companies. Understanding CBD extraction may seem like a concern only for manufacturers, but the extraction process significantly impacts product quality, making it beneficial for consumers to grasp the fundamentals.
CO2 extraction is the most efficient and safest technique, making it the preferred choice for many CBD products.
Key Differences Between Full-Spectrum and Broad-Spectrum CBD
| Criteria | Full-Spectrum CBD | Broad-Spectrum CBD |
| Compounds | CBD, THC, other cannabinoids, terpenes, essential oils | CBD, other cannabinoids, terpenes, essential oils |
| THC Content | Contains up to 0.3% THC | THC-free |
| Suitable for | Those who don’t mind THC and desire the full spectrum of cannabis compounds. | Individuals who prefer THC-free products but still wish to benefit from other compounds. |
Benefits of Full-Spectrum and Broad-Spectrum CBD
Both CBD product types offer similar benefits as they contain nearly identical compounds, excluding THC. Full-spectrum CBD tends to have a stronger impact on symptom management compared to broad-spectrum CBD, although both types still provide valuable benefits.
Reduce Anxiety and Depression While Improving Sleep
A 2019 study in The Permanente Journal examined the medical records of 72 patients with anxiety or sleep issues. Researchers observed a decrease in anxiety levels among 79.2% of patients within the first month, with 66.7% experiencing initial improvements in sleep scores.
Social Anxiety
Reviews of human studies suggest that potent CBD cannabis extracts can positively affect patients with social anxiety disorder, particularly when taken orally in doses ranging from 300 to 600 milligrams.
Chronic Pain
A 2021 survey of approximately 250 patients from seven pain management clinics in Southern California explored their experiences with CBD. The findings indicated that CBD cannabis concentrates like oil were particularly effective in improving pain levels, especially back and neck pain.
Reduces Nausea and Vomiting
A 2020 study published in the Annals of Oncology indicated that combining CBD with anti-nausea medications could enhance symptoms in chemotherapy patients, with about 85% favoring this treatment over a placebo.
Anti-Inflammatory
Research from 2020 revealed that both full- and broad-spectrum CBD, whether administered orally or applied topically, exhibit anti-inflammatory properties.
This aligns with scientific studies and anecdotal evidence suggesting that CBD shows promise in alleviating inflammation across various conditions, including psoriasis, dermatitis, eczema, acne, and others.
How to Use Full-Spectrum and Broad-Spectrum CBD
- Smoking or vaping: Vaping is the most rapid and efficient method for delivering CBD extract into your system, thanks to its high bioavailability, which can reach up to 60%.
- Apply it topically on your skin: Topicals provide targeted relief and can be used wherever needed.
- Take it sublingually (under the tongue): For oils, this method involves placing them under your tongue or mixing them into food or beverages.
- Add to edibles or capsules: Extracts in capsules and edibles offer a straightforward experience. Although the onset of effects may be slower, they tend to provide a longer-lasting effect.
Dosage is crucial and varies based on factors such as weight, health status, and individual reactions to cannabis. Start with 2-6 mg of CBD per 10 pounds of body weight, gradually increasing the dosage over several days while monitoring your response to find the optimal relief balance.
Conclusion
The choice between full-spectrum and broad-spectrum depends on your goals and sensitivity to the ingredients. If you’re looking for the health benefits of CBD without THC, broad-spectrum options are likely your best choice. If you’re open to THC and aiming to maximize the potential benefits of CBD, full-spectrum products are likely your best option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can you get the best CBD extracts and different concentrates?
An online dispensary is your go-to source for purchasing concentrates like shatter or live resin and the best cannabis extracts, including CBD oils, packaged discreetly. Explore multiple selections and discover exciting ways to save on every purchase at Online Dispensary Canada Shop.
Is there a CBD extract that only contains CBD?
CBD isolate represents the purest form of CBD available. It contains no additional cannabinoids or compounds from the cannabis plant, lacking the synergistic benefits associated with the entourage effect.
Isolates have no flavor or aroma unless intentionally enhanced with flavorings, making them particularly suitable for those who find the natural, earthy taste of standard CBD products unappealing.
Which method of consumption can relieve pain better?
Various methods of consuming CBD can effectively alleviate pain, although timing and duration of relief vary. Smoking, vaping, and sublingual administration offer rapid onset but provide relief for only a few hours. Gummies and capsules can provide longer-lasting relief, sometimes lasting up to 8 hours. For localized pain, topicals are a suitable choice.
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