CBD is quickly becoming a popular supplement and the market for CBD products is expanding rapidly. If you’re looking at introducing CBD you have likely heard the terms full spectrum and broad spectrum, but what does this really mean?
What is full spectrum CBD?
Full spectrum CBD is a form of CBD which contains all of the cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids from the cannabis plant.
The cannabis plant contains over 100 different cannabinoids including CBD, THC, and CBG. Full spectrum CBD includes most of these cannabinoids to optimise on the entourage effect and allow the user to benefit from the many different compounds within the plant, as well as the CBD.
CBD products sold in the UK must contain less than 0.2% THC to be legally sold. This is because THC is a psychoactive compound which has an intoxicating effect and is not legal in the UK. Full spectrum CBD products are more commonly found in countries where laws surrounding THC are more relaxed as the extraction process does not need to include removing the THC.
What is broad spectrum CBD?
Broad spectrum CBD is similar to full spectrum in that it takes advantage of many of the other cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids from the plant, but does not include any THC. This is much more commonly found in the UK than full spectrum CBD.
The amount of cannabinoids and other compounds in the product will vary from brand to brand, depending on the aim of the product. Some products will isolate the specific compounds that best support the products use, for example, a product that aims to assist with relaxation and sleep may choose to include terpenes and flavonoids that could aid in this. Other broad spectrum CBD products will include almost all of the compounds available in the plant to assist in the entourage effect.
What is CBD isolate?
CBD isolate is a form of pure CBD which has been processed to extract only the CBD from the plant. It does not contain any of the other cannabinoids, terpenes, or flavonoids, unless these have been specifically added to the product as part of the final formula. For example, the Ohm Brew CBD disposable vapes range utilises CBD isolate along with CBG isolate.
This is probably the most common form of CBD found in the UK, and tends to be less expensive than other options.
What are terpenes and flavonoids?
The cannabis plant contains many cannabinoids, but it also contains over 150 terpenes and around 20 different flavonoids.
Terpenes are the aromatic molecules found in many different plants including fruits, vegetables, and flowers. They are responsible for the scent of the plant, which the plants use to create both scents to attract pollinators and to deter potential threats. These terpenes are extracted in the form of essential oils and form the basis of many fragranced products like perfume.
If you are familiar with the strong scent of the cannabis plant it will probably not surprise you that the plant contains so many different terpenes. They may vary between different strains of the plant, and much like wine enthusiasts can distinguish features of a wine by the scent, the same can be said of the cannabis plant.
Flavonoids, although the word may bring to mind flavour, are actually associated with the colour of a plant. Flavonoids are prevalent throughout the plant kingdom, and they are responsible for the colour pigmentation of the flowers, leaves, and fruits. Like with terpenes, plants use them to attract pollinators or warn off predators, as well as to assist with UV filtration.
One of the most common displays of flavonoids at work is the way leaves change colour in autumn, changing from green to yellow or orange. They are also responsible for the colour change in fruits and vegetables as they ripen. Of the 200+ different compounds in the hemp plant, around 10% are flavonoids.
Full spectrum vs broad spectrum vs isolate
The main difference between full spectrum and broad spectrum CBD is the THC. While full spectrum products contain all of the compounds from the hemp plant, broad spectrum removes all THC, and this is the reason that broad spectrum is much more common in the UK.
Because these products, like the Orange County CBD disposable vapes, include so many different compounds from the plant they are a much more well rounded approach to CBD, and take full advantage of the entourage effect to optimise the benefits of CBD. However, this does also mean that full spectrum and broad spectrum products tend to a bit more expensive than CBD isolate.
CBD isolate on the other hand is a more affordable option, ideal if you are considering introducing CBD but want to start out with a budget-friendly product. They are also perfect if you want to focus on just CBD, or want a more simple product like the Vitality CBD oral drops and spray. However, as they do not include the other compounds they will not invoke the entourage effect in the way that full or broad spectrum products would.
What is the entourage effect?
We have mentioned the entourage effect a few times now, so you may be wondering what that actually means!
CBD, or cannabidiol, is one of the most prevalent cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant, and is similar to the endocannabinoids our bodies naturally make. This means that CBD and other cannabinoids can interact with the endocannabinoid system in our body which helps to regulate many different functions and keep your body in homeostasis.
The entourage effect describes the way in which other cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids within the plant can make CBD more effective than if it is taken alone.
While research into the medical uses of CBD is ongoing, it is anecdotally reported by many to assist with a number of conditions such as anxiety, pain, sleep, and inflammation. The entourage effect suggests that a full or broad spectrum CBD product may be more effective than a CBD isolate product.
Do they contain THC?
THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is an illegal substance in the UK, and so any CBD products being sold here must contain less than 0.2% THC. This amounts to only traces of THC which will not have any kind of psychoactive effects on the user and will not get you high.
That being said, as with anything else there is a black market for illicit products that may claim to contain higher amounts of THC. These products are not legal, and are also much less likely to have been subject to the appropriate quality and safety testing. If you are looking to purchase a CBD product they are widely available in most vape shops, pharmacies, and health and wellness stores. It is important to purchase from trusted and reputable retailers to ensure you are getting a safe and high quality product.
If you are looking at giving CBD products a try and want to find out more information, why not pop in to your local Evapo store or speak to a member of our Customer Service team. You can also take a look at our handy CBD guide for an overview of CBD and the different products available.
Sources
healthline.com 13/12/2019
healthline.com 22/11/2021
medicalnewstoday.com 13/01/2023
