What’s the Difference Between Types of CBD?

Here at Hemp World, we offer a variety of products containing cannabidiol, or CBD. You may have heard a number of terms to describe the type of CBD within a product. Each type provides benefits and drawbacks. Let’s find the right type of CBD for you.

What is Full Spectrum CBD?

Full spectrum CBD is directly extracted from the cannabis plant with all of the other cannabis compounds. So full spectrum CBD includes terpenes (responsible for various scents in cannabis), essential oils (which also provide scent and taste), and other cannabinoids. Many of these cannabinoids, like CBG, CBC, and CBN, show promise for various ailments. But full spectrum CBD also contains THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), which is the part of the cannabis plant that causes psychoactive side effects (the “high”). 

While full spectrum CBD offers many health benefits, there are also some drawbacks. Because it contains THC, full spectrum CBD can act on certain conditions other CBD products can’t help. However, full spectrum CBD may have psychoactive or sedative side effects. It may also show up on drug tests, and any product containing any amount of THC is strictly illegal in Idaho. For those reasons, Hemp World does not use full spectrum CBD in our products.

What is Broad Spectrum CBD?

Broad spectrum CBD is CBD that has been extracted from the cannabis plant with all of the other compounds from the plant except for THC. That means it is just like full spectrum CBD, containing terpenes, essential oils, and other cannabinoids from the plant, just without the THC. This means you shouldn’t experience any psychoactive effects, but there is still more research to be done. Since there is no THC in broad spectrum CBD, it shouldn’t show up on a drug test.

Hemp World carries some broad spectrum CBD products, but warns that other cannabinoids besides THC and CBD may be introduced, and there is little to no research on their possible benefits or negative effects, such as prescription drug interactions.

What is CBD Isolate?

CBD isolate is the purest form of CBD, where the cannabinoid molecule is isolated from other parts of the cannabis plant. It’s extracted from the plant with no other compounds or cannabinoids. That means there are no terpenes or essential oils in it. It also contains no THC, so it does not cause psychoactive side effects, and it will not show up on a drug test. It’s simply pure CBD. Of course, it’s important to remember that also means that you do not get the full benefits of the essential oils that are part of broad spectrum CBD.

If you have any questions about our CBD products, be sure to ask our friendly and knowledgeable staff. We have over fifty years’ experience in cannabis advocacy.