If you're looking to maximize the potential benefits of cannabis, full-spectrum CBD could be your best bet. Research has shown that CBD is most promising for certain brain-related disorders and skin conditions. According to Kerklaan, “a full-spectrum CBD product with small amounts of THC makes sense from an anxiety point of view. CBD and THC in moderate amounts likely have the best potential to reduce anxiety.
However, some people are more sensitive to THC, which can cause anxiety related to the consumption of THC. This is where the “entourage effect” comes in: full-spectrum CBD is believed to last longer and have more potent effects than broad-spectrum CBD or isolated CBD. For this reason, it can be an effective way to complement treatment for mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression, and may have anticonvulsant properties. What CBD manufacturers do with the extracted cannabinoids will determine if the final product is labeled as full-spectrum or broad-spectrum and, in some cases, only as a CBD isolate.
Experts believe that CBD may work more effectively in this state and refer to the intensified effects of full-spectrum CBD as the “entourage effect”. Full-spectrum CBD is a type of CBD that contains all the beneficial compounds found naturally in the cannabis plant. Full-spectrum CBD may be beneficial due to the entourage effect, which theorizes that CBD is most effective when taken together with other cannabis compounds. Knowing this information is crucial to help you analyze broad-spectrum versus full-spectrum CBD and decide which one is right for your daily CBD consumption.
Unlike isolated CBD, which only contains pure CBD, broad-spectrum CBD products can produce more intense effects because they contain additional compounds that work together. That, together with the more expensive and detailed extraction process, make isolated CBD much less popular for everyday use of CBD for wellness purposes. However, since CBD oil containing only CBD isolates does not use the entire hemp plant, it cannot offer the broader benefits that derive from the entourage effect. Broad-spectrum CBD includes other compounds, but THC found only in full-spectrum products can increase the anti-inflammatory and analgesic benefits of CBD.
Finally, if you are taking CBD on the recommendation of your doctor, always be sure to check with your doctor about how much CBD you should take and how you should take it. Each spectrum identifies the other components that work together with CBD molecules, improving the health benefits of CBD. With no THC content, broad-spectrum CBD is especially useful for people who want to enjoy the benefits of full-spectrum CBD without worrying about THC accumulating in their bodies due to daily use. Broad spectrum CBD contains several compounds that may have additional health benefits compared to isolated CBD.
Still, if you have more experience with hemp CBD and hope to take advantage of the full spectrum of benefits, Gordon says that full-spectrum CBD is the way to go. If you've already started looking for a CBD product to try, you've noticed that some labels say that they're made of full-spectrum CBD or whole plants.