As Canada’s most trusted retailer of premium CBD products, one of the questions we hear the most is “What’s the difference between all these CBD oils?” The differences between oils made with CBD isolate, broad-spectrum CBD and full-spectrum CBD are important. To get all these, you first must extract it all from the hemp plant, and then process it in various ways to get the yield you want.
How is CBD extracted?
There two main types of extraction, the solvent method or supercritical CO2. Though solvent extraction can yield a safe product, there is also the chance of chemical residues.
1. Solvent
Popular for being fast, cheap and easy overall, this method does come with potential risks. The choice of solvent is important, as they can include ethanol, butane, propane, isopropyl, or alcohol, which can be toxic.
This method also dissolves plant waxes, which can leave a bitter taste.
A well-made extract using the solvent method can be clear of solvents as the solvents evaporate at room temperature. If the solvent is alcohol, then even if some residual alcohol appears, it would be a tiny fraction of what is in a typical beer.
But there are unscrupulous actors out there, and studies have shown naphtha hydrocarbons or petroleum residue in CBD products extracted using solvents in a clearly unsafe manner, or with unsafe solvents.
To avoid solvent contamination, ask for Certificates of Analysis (COA) that show solvent levels in the product are safe.
2. CO2 Extraction
This has become the most popular extraction method amond CBD producers. It costs more, but yields a higher quality product that is richer in cannabinoids, terpenes and vanilloids―and yields more of it. It’s also 100% solvent-free.
Other extraction methods like cold pressing and heat pressing are also becoming popular for industrial producers.
For home-made extracts, the olive oil extraction method and stream extraction method remain popular, despite not yielding enough to be commercially viable.
Cannabinoids and health
Humans have been using cannabis―the plant that produces CBD and THC―for medicinal purposes for over 4000 years.
Though history has vouched for the efficacy of medicinal cannabinoids like CBD and THC, science only started to catch up in 1995, when the first conclusive studies demonstrating these benefits started coming online.
Since then, we’ve learned that many of the benefits we experience from cannabinoids are negotiated through an also recently-discovered bodily system called the endocannabinoid system, or ECS.
This fascinating system is distributed throughout the body, regulating everything from pain perception, to cognitive performance, stress management, mood regulation, immune response, and memory.
CBD differs from THC in that CBD does not get you high. CBD also inhibits the psychoactive effects of THC, reducing the feeling of being “high”. CBD and THC also work in conjunction with each other, increasing the benefits experienced compared to using them separately.
The science is still young, and the FDA has only approved CBD’s for use in treating Dravet’s Syndrome, but early research is promising. Indications so far are that CBD may be helpful in treating and managing the symptoms of a great number of ailments..
The 3 Types of CBD: Full Spectrum, Broad Spectrum, Isolate
The key difference between these three types of CBD is their cannabinoid profiles. What cannabinoids do they contain, and in what amounts?
Full Spectrum CBD
Full spectrum CBD, is the “least processed” of the three kinds. Full Spectrum CBD contains high concentrations of CBD, and traces of other cannabinoids, essential oils, terpenes and vanilloids. Among the cannabinoids you’ll find in Full Spectrum CBD is THC, but only appears in a small amount: 0.3% or less.
There is evidence, though it isn’t conclusive yet, that a combination of CBD, THC, and other “microcannabinoids” like CBG, CBN, THCV and many others, offers greater benefits than just CBD alone. This is known colloquially as the “Entourage Effect.” This is the reason why Full Spectrum CBD oil is such a popular product.
Although the small amount of THC present in Full Spectrum CBD Oil is not sufficient to get you “high”, it is enough to trigger a positive result on a drug test. For that reason, if THC is a problem for you for any reason (for some THC can cause anxiety, for example), you should avoid Full Spectrum CBD products.
Broad Spectrum CBD
For those who want a rich cannabinoids profile, but no THC, there is Broad Spectrum CBD. This type of CBD is close to identical to Full Spectrum, but has been processed to remove all THC. Broad Spectrum CBD will contain a spectrum of cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids, but be THC-free.
CBD Isolate?
This type of CBD has been processed to purify it and yield 99%-plus pure CBD. In this version, all traces of other cannabinoids, chlorophyll, oils, waxes, terpenes and THC
CBD how-to: Start low, go slow
We don’t have the science yet to prescribe CBD very accurately. As such, the rule of thumb is “start low, go slow.” Once you start integrating CBD into your daily ritual, make sure to keep a diary or record of the effects you feel. Observe yourself as much as you can, mood, appetite, sleep, stress, pain, anything you notice.
Start with a smaller amount, 5-20mg. Record the effects, and then increase your dosage by 5mg every week or so. The goal of this experimentation is to find your “sweet spot” where the dosage is giving you the most benefits.
What CBD side-effects could I experience?
According to the WHO, CBD is generally well-tolerated in humans in high doses. CBD is non-toxic, non-addictive and there is no risk of overdose. Large doses over 1000mg could lead to effects like dry mouth, diarrhea, reduced appetite, drowsiness and fatigue, but side-effects of this nature are rare overall.
Now that you are familiar with the basics of CBD, what kind of CBD do you think is right for you?