Although the CBD industry has seen a huge increase in popularity recently, few really know about CBD and its effects—particularly the differences between the various types of CBD oil. Throughout the UK, countless people are consuming CBD on a daily basis, but as popular as this substance may be, many are fully aware of how it works and why. For those outside the know, this article will shed some light on the subject and help you get more familiar with CBD and its effects. Whether you’re a fan of Broad Spectrum CBD, or you prefer a good CBD isolate, we’re here to guide you through their distinctive differences.
The Basics of Broad-Spectrum CBD and CBD Isolate
Although CBD Isolate and broad-spectrum CBD are both extracted from the hemp plant, there are some differences in the ways they’re extracted and the oils’ contents and properties. Both products are hugely popular and widely used. They also look and taste about the same but there are some important distinctions that should not be overlooked. When you are interested in trying a CBD product, it is always a good idea to be familiar with the brand, the product, and most importantly its contents. You wouldn’t want to eat a mystery meal with a blindfold on, so why remain in the dark about the contents of the CBD you are putting in your body? It is time for the veil to drop, the mystery to be unraveled, and for people to finally understand the difference between CBD isolate and broad-spectrum CBD.
What Are Cannabinoids?
Before we can really delve into the detailed difference between CBD isolate and broad-spectrum CBD, it is wholly important to have some understanding of the compound that they share in common. Cannabinoids exist in the hemp plant, and our bodies are made perfectly to receive them. Scientists have identified over 100 different cannabinoids that are present in the hemp plant and the most studied of them all is CBD. These cannabinoids interact with our body’s endocannabinoid system which is a series of neurotransmitters and cannabinoid receptors that exist in various locations including the brain, immune system, and the peripheral nervous system. Cannabidiol(CBD) indirectly interfaces with the body’s endocannabinoid system producing some of the physiological effects we see among users today. The endocannabinoid system plays a role in a variety of important bodily functions including memory retention, cognitive function, mood regulation, immune system management, and much more. It’s important to keep a healthy, happy, functioning endocannabinoid system as it is tied to many aspects of our daily biological functions. The fact that CBD interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system is one of the many reasons people use CBD daily.
How CBD Oil is Made
While CBD isolate and broad-spectrum CBD have some similarities, in the end, they are almost completely different products. All CBD products start in the exact same way but can end up as very different products. Cannabidiol (CBD) is the compound that we are all interested in, and all CBD comes from hemp. This means that the process in which both of these impressive extracts are made must start the same. To grow the finest possible hemp the farmer must carefully select the finest possible seeds. These seeds must then be germinated, planted, and cared for throughout the entirety of their journey to maturity. Once the plants have been allowed ample time in the sun and soil, they are harvested and prepared for the drying process. The raw hemp must be carefully monitored at this stage of production to ensure that no mold or contaminants develop and that the plants are at the appropriate moisture levels to continue to the extraction phase.
Breaking Down the Extraction Process
Up until this point in the manufacturing process, there is no real difference in the way that broad-spectrum CBD and CBD isolate is made. It’s in the next series of steps that determine what compounds the end product will contain, and whether it will be considered broad-spectrum, or CBD isolate. The extraction phase of this process is where the distinction is made between broad-spectrum and isolate CBD. All extraction processes are similar in the fact that they use solvents to move desirable compounds from the hemp plant to the resulting extract oil. Some companies use ethanol-based extraction methods, while others use CO2 for their extractions. CO2 extractions are typically preferred because they often yield a cleaner overall product, though ethanol extractions still offer pretty amazing results. Whether a company uses CO2 or ethanol-based extraction methods, the goal is the same; transfer the desired compounds from the raw, dried hemp plant, to the resulting extract. The difference between how CBD isolate and broad-spectrum CBD is made is articulated at this phase of production. Broad-spectrum CBD is extracted with all of the beneficial compounds found in the hemp plant, minus the psychoactive cannabinoid THC. While this broad-spectrum oil is rich in cannabidiol, terpenes, and other desirable compounds, it is only in the early phases of becoming CBD isolate. If the manufacturer is interested in making broad-spectrum CBD, the process is basically complete, but to make CBD isolate, this oil must be further refined.
How CBD Isolate is Made
To make CBD isolate, one must use the finest broad-spectrum oil available, and manufacturers usually take it upon themselves to manufacture their own. To turn broad-spectrum CBD into CBD isolate, the first two steps are winterization and decarboxylation. Winterization is the process of using solvents and cold liquids to remove plant waxes and lipids. Decarboxylation is accomplished by utilizing heat and time to convert any CBD to pure CBD. To remove any terpenes, chlorophyll, or other unwanted compounds and contaminations, the winterized oil is subject to a triple pass fractional distillation process. This process helps ensure that when you enjoy a powerful CBD isolate, you are getting pure, unadulterated CBD.
How Broad-Spectrum CBD is Made
Broad-spectrum CBD is made in a very similar way to that of CBD isolate, but fortunately for manufacturers, it takes fewer steps to make. To make the high-grade broad-spectrum CBD, one must start with the finest possible hemp plants. The plants used to make broad-spectrum CBD have a huge impact on the quality of its outcome, and it’s is largely beneficial for CBD manufacturers to put a bit of extra effort into the hemp they use for their extracts. Broad-spectrum CBD, much like CBD isolate, is extracted from the raw, dried hemp plant using either an ethanol-based, or CO2-based extraction methods. One of the main differences between the manufacturing of these two products is that after extraction and distillation are complete, this extract is ready to be included in product formulations, and does not need to be put through a winterization or decarboxylation process. As a result, Broad Spectrum CBD is one of the most popular forms of CBD because it contains a variety of desirable compounds such as cannabidiol and terpenes, and like isolate CBD, it contains absolutely no THC.
The Final Verdict: CBD Isolate vs Broad-Spectrum CBD
Broad-spectrum CBD and CBD isolate are similar in that they are both extracted from the hemp plant, and both contain cannabidiol. Another similarity between these two hugely popular, widely praised products is that neither one of them contain any THC. There are a variety of cannabinoids present in the hemp plant, and one of them, THC, is highly psychoactive. Many people prefer to enjoy their CBD without any psychoactive side-effects, so all broad-spectrum and CBD isolate oils have absolutely no THC present in them. The main distinction between these two well-known products is the fact that CBD isolate contains cannabidiol only, and broad-spectrum CBD contains terpenes, cannabidiol, and a variety of other desirable compounds. These products have different effects and appeal to different people depending on the reasons they are using CBD. If you are unfamiliar with the effects of these products, it is recommended that you spend some time checking out what experienced users have to say in CBD chat rooms, forums, or in customer reviews. Whether you prefer to utilize hemp extract that contains only cannabidiol, or you want to enjoy the variety of compounds present in broad-spectrum CBD, these oils are both incredibly powerful and popular ways for people to enjoy the widely praised effects of CBD. For more information on our broad-spectrum CBD oils and isolates visit CBDfx.
