If you have been researching cannabidiol (CBD), you’ll that the product comes in many forms. There are lotions, beverages, supplements, and plenty more CBD-filled items to try. If you have come across the terms “CBD isolate”, or “full-spectrum CBD”, and wondered the difference between the two — the answer is in the manufacturing process. Read on to learn about what product may work best for you when it comes to CBD isolate vs full-spectrum.
How CBD is Made
Refining hemp to CBD is essentially a multiple-step filtering and purifying process. It begins with the hemp flowers – the part of the plant most concentrated with phytocannabinoids. The hemp is dried, and the phytocannabinoids are extracted from the product with solvents.
After that, the phytocannabinoids are sent through a winterization and distillation process. The CBD can be utilized after the crude distillation, making a crude oil or full-spectrum CBD. It could also continue further in the purifying process, going through remediation and isolation. This brings the CBD to a single cannabinoid, leaving you with an isolate – an extremely concentrated form of CBD.
Full-Spectrum CBD
This is where the differences begin for CBD isolate vs full-spectrum. Full-spectrum CBD is the hemp product after the distillation phase. At this point, all of the chlorophyll, waxes, lipids, and undesired materials have been filtered out, and you are left with a crude or winterized CBD oil. Winterization refers to the heating and filtering process that separates the unwanted materials.
What’s left in the full-spectrum CBD is terpenes, cannabinoids, and traces of THC. While it is not completely pure CBD, it is still an extremely clean form of the product. It is often purchased in a tincture, so the oil can be easily consumed.
Benefits of Full-Spectrum vs. Isolate
Full-spectrum CBD has numerous benefits, the first being that it still has remaining compounds. Research has shown that cannabinoids and terpenes work together in full-spectrum CBD to boost the individual effects of each element. This is known as the entourage effect. So, your CBD could work better for you when other compounds are present — meaning that some health issues might be better treated with a full-spectrum CBD.
Because the product has not been remediated, it may also contain very small amounts of THC. While this has zero psychoactive affect, it may be a factor for individuals trying to completely avoid THC. Those who do not want to consume THC would likely benefit more from a CBD isolate.
Uses for Full-Spectrum CBD
Full-spectrum is the most commonly used type of CBD. It is easily accessible as a supplement or over the counter treatment. Full-spectrum CBD can be found by the bottle, or in foods and topicals. While there is some THC present, consuming full-spectrum CBD will not cause an intoxicating effect or high feeling.
A bottle of full-spectrum CBD can be taken supplementally, by placing the oil under the tongue for a moment. It can also be combined in a drink or topical. Because it is an oil, it is not water soluble, so it may not be as easily masked in food or drinks as an isolate – but it does not have a strong smell or flavor. Interested in the benefits of full-spectrum? Try out H&H Labs’ Winterized CBD Crude oil.
CBD Isolate
CBD isolate is an extremely pure version of CBD. It can come in a crystalline solid or powder form. CBD isolation is the last refining stage hemp can go through, isolating the product down to a single cannabinoid. It results in a 99% pure crystalline powder, with no other compounds present.
Compared to full-spectrum CBD, which has hundreds of cannabinoids, CBD isolate is for someone who is looking for completely pure CBD powder. It does not have any THC, other cannabinoids, or terpenes – just cannabidiol.
Benefits of CBD Isolate vs Full-Spectrum
CBD isolate can be beneficial for other reasons. Because there is no THC present in CBD isolate, anyone with a sensitivity to the compound would likely benefit from this form of CBD.
It can also be easier to dose CBD isolate vs full-spectrum, because isolate does not have any other ingredients to take into account when measuring. Some do credit full-spectrum CBD for having a higher potency and longevity, but this depends on how the product is being used. Isolate is an extremely potent and convenient way to consume CBD.
Uses for CBD Isolate
CBD isolate also has a lot of amazing applications. Its high level of purity makes it water soluble and easily included into CBD products. It can even be combined with a carrier oil to create homemade topicals. Those with sensitive skin can make their own CBD moisturizers without having to worry about irritation from unknown ingredients.
CBD Isolate also has no noticeable taste or smell, making it extremely versatile because it can be undetectably mixed into foods and drinks. Products like the H&H Stick Packs allow you to easily add a dose of CBD to a beverage.
Which CBD is best for you? CBD Isolate vs Full-Spectrum
So which is best for you, CDB isolate vs full-spectrum? When it comes to choosing CBD isolate vs full-spectrum, the answer truly varies depending on the individual. Some people may respond better to full-spectrum CBD, while others respond better to isolate — and one is not necessarily better than the other. Both are shown to help with various health issues like insomnia, epilepsy, inflammation, and chronic pain.
The truth is, CBD is an amazing, safe health and wellness resource. If you are interested in using CBD, but are unsure of which form is best for you, do some research about full-spectrum vs isolate, and try a couple different products to figure out what kind of CBD works with your body.
Interested in manufacturing full-spectrum CBD or isolate? Reach out to H&H Extraction Solutions to find your best options for equipment to produce top quality extracts.
