Our clients often ask us, “what is the difference between CBD Isolate & CBD full spectrum and which one is better?

 

The first part of this question is easy.

• CBD Isolate is the purest form of just CBD.

  • ​CBD isolate does have something to offer CBD users that full-spectrum extracts does not. The fact that full-spectrum extracts invariably contain low levels of THC means that some users prefer to play it safe and stick to pure CBD by itself, out of fear of failing a drug test or experiencing a form of "high". It is unlikely you will have any issues using a quality product like Charlotte’s Web or Mary’s Nutritionals CBD oil.  

  • The isolate CBD has a very narrow range of therapeutic use.

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• Full Spectrum contains more than just CBD.

  • There are over 100 active cannabinoids than just CBD. The Cannabis plant also contains terpenes which have anti-inflammatory properties and are regarded as increasing the efficacy of cannabinoids. The synergistic relationship between cannabinoids and terpenes has been shown to increase the healing properties of each.

  • A study published in 2015 by the Lautenberg Center for Immunology and Cancer Research, which aimed its focus on the effectiveness of CBD isolate compared to full-plant extract, supported this concept, stating in its summary that "in all of the tests, the isolated CBD was ineffective both before and after a certain dosage, while the effectiveness of the full-spectrum solution continued to increase as higher doses were administered. The results all indicate that CBD is only effective against swelling and pain at a certain dose, and that cannabis solutions containing a full range of cannabinoids will continue to provide corresponding effects as the dosage is increased."                                                                                    ​                         The results of the study indicated that that full-spectrum extract is preferable over CBD isolate for most CBD users, but CBD isolate is still frequently used and believed by some to be more effective than full-plant extract. This belief is led by the idea that CBD is the only medically sought after cannabinoid in the cannabis plant, aside from THC. 

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The second part of the question as to “Which one is better?

• The wide range of benefits contained in full-spectrum CBD extracts means some CBD merchants have either ceased to sell, or scale down the promotion of CBD isolate, in comparison to the whole-plant extract variety. Companies and individuals who extract CBD themselves are realizing that cannabis has more to offer medicinally than just CBD or THC, and that there is little to no reason to not include all that this "super-plant" has to offer in the extraction process.

 

At Spring House Health & Wellness our clients have seen better results using Charlotte’s Web or Mary’s Nutritionals full spectrum CBD than only using CBD Isolate.