Broad Spectrum vs Full Spectrum CBD Oil: What are the main differences?

Modified on: 07/03/2023

That is why the presence or absence of thc in the product, even in minimal amounts, can make a difference

Considered by many as a natural remedy to combat stress and maintain psychophysical well-being, CBD oil has long aroused the interest of official medicine for its anti-inflammatory and calming properties.

It is easily found on the market (physical stores and online stores) in different types and with various concentrations of the active ingredient.

Given the wide range of products available, it should be easier for you to find the right product for your needs. However, this is only true if the vast and diverse market for CBD oil can be discovered.

In this article we try to talk about the main types of oil available on the market, and in particular the difference between broad spectrum and full spectrum CBD oil.

Read also: Why CBD does not create dependency and (according to some people) can fight it

The three main types of CBD oil on the market

There are three types of CBD oils that can be found on the market and that are distinguished by their chemical composition, that is, by the purity of the active principle and by the presence, or not, of other phytocannabinoids:

1. Full Spectrum CBD Oil
   This first type is also the most popular, because it preserves the entire spectrum of cannabinoids present in the hemp plant, including THC (whose concentration, by law, must be less than 0.2%).
   Full-spectrum CBD oil, in particular, contains many natural nutrients, such as essential fatty acids (omega-6 and omega-3), B vitamins, and essential trace elements (phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium).
2. Broad Spectrum CBD Oil
   The second type is very similar to the first, since it also maintains the cannabidiol and all the other molecules present in the cannabis sativa plant, but, unlike the previous one, it is substantially free of THC; even if some small traces could be present as machining residues.
3. Isolated CBD oil
   The last type differs from the previous ones both in purity and in the high concentration of CBD.
   CBD is extracted from the plant and isolated from the rest of the cannabinoids by means of sophisticated extraction and refining techniques that make it possible to obtain a product that contains only this active ingredient (hence the name isolated CBD ).

What is the main difference between broad spectrum and full spectrum CBD oil?

Full-spectrum and broad-spectrum variants of CBD oil have additional benefits compared to the isolated form, because the effect of the oil is amplified by the presence of cannabinoids and all other compounds present in the hemp plant.

This phenomenon is determined by the typical dynamics of the entourage effect : the mechanism through which the chemical substances contained in the cannabis plant (particularly cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids) act in synergy, enhancing the effects produced .

In practice, the individual compounds when acting together are more effective than their combined individual action. The entourage effect can be most easily explained and understood by the Aristotelian saying that “the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.”

In particular, the difference between full spectrum and broad spectrum is that full spectrum oil also includes THC while broad spectrum does not.

Read also: Does CBD oil lower blood pressure and fight hypertension? The opinion of science

Full Spectrum, Broad Spectrum and isolated CBD Oil: Which to Choose?

Therefore, what the full spectrum and broad spectrum versions have in common is the ability to take advantage of the entourage effect, making these products more ’rounded’ and effective. This feature also justifies its higher popularity compared to isolated CBD oil.

On the other hand, those who need oils with high concentrations of CBD will benefit more from the isolated form. The active principle contained in the isolated CBD oil is not diluted by other substances that slow down its absorption and is therefore assimilated more quickly.

As we have seen, then, the difference between full-spectrum and broad-spectrum CBD oil lies exclusively in the presence or absence of THC.

Between these two types of oils, those with a need for long-term use may prefer broad-spectrum CBD oil. The absence of THC makes the product safer for the user: by missing the psychoactive component of cannabis, the product would be free of side effects.

The conditional is mandatory, since the scientific evidence collected so far is fragmented, especially regarding the long-term effects of CBD.

In conclusion, we have seen which are the main CBD oils on the market, what distinguishes them and the possible areas of application.

Among the three types examined, broad-spectrum CBD oils represent a good compromise, due to the purity of the active ingredient, the presence of other phytocannabinoids, and the absence of THC.

Broad spectrum Cannabidiol oil, like the full spectrum variant, benefits from the entourage effect but, unlike the latter, does not carry the risk of the psychoactive effects of THC.

Are you wondering which type of CBD oil to choose? The choice depends on your needs, obviuously.

If you want to try excellent quality CBD oils, obtained with the most advanced technologies to guarantee the purity of the extracted product, here at JustBob.shop you can find a selection of the best cannabidiol-based products.