Cannabidiol (CBD) has been growing in popularity. A recent study found that 1.3 million Brits are regularly reaching for their trusty CBD products. While it might be growing in popularity, there’s still a lot of misinformation out there regarding what it can and cannot do. There is also a lot of confusion about the different types of CBD on the market.
Knowledge is power when it comes to CBD, as it could help you to avoid getting ripped off. There’s no shortage of companies looking to make a quick profit from the CBD trend, and they’ll resort to anything to get you to part with your hard-earned cash. One of the simplest ways to achieve this is to sell substandard CBD for premium prices.
Learning the terminology around CBD products and knowing how to read the label is one of the best ways to ensure you don’t get caught out. And the first thing you should learn? The difference between full-spectrum, broad-spectrum and CBD isolate.
The “spectrum” of a CBD product refers to the type of cannabinoids included in it. During the extraction process, which turns raw hemp plant material into a usable CBD oil, the manufacturer can decide which cannabinoids to leave in and which to destroy.
THC is commonly removed to make “broad-spectrum” CBD. When the THC is left in – along with other beneficial plant compounds – this is known as full-spectrum CBD oil.
The presence of THC (in legal amounts), other cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids results in a product that is as close to nature as possible. These plant compounds work together in the body to produce a synergistic effect that is often referred to as the “entourage effect”.
The “entourage effect” is a term first postulated by Mechoulam and Ben-Shabat to explain the influence of cannabinoids, terpenes, and other plant compounds when they work together.
For instance, CBD is thought to have a calming effect which alters the intensity of THC. Now it has become a popular term commonly used to explain the impact of the other plant compounds can have in CBD products.
Other names for full-spectrum CBD include whole-plant and cold-pressed CBD. Whole plant simply means that all of the beneficial plant compounds are retained in the finished product.
Cold pressing refers to the extraction process. Rather than using supercritical CO2 extraction, cold-pressing manually extracts the plant compounds from the material, resulting in a natural and unprocessed product with a pure and earthy taste.
While some producers leave the earthy state, it’s also possible to find filtered full-spectrum products. When CBD oil is filtered, it removes the plant lipids and fats which can improve the flavour and make it more palatable.
The main difference between a full-spectrum CBD oil and a broad-spectrum CBD oil is the presence of THC. With a broad-spectrum product, the THC is removed, which makes it ideal for anyone who is concerned about drug testing or anyone who has moral/religious objections to THC.
It’s important to remember that the THC levels in a legally compliant full-spectrum CBD oil are not sufficient enough to get you high. This means that they shouldn’t show up on a drug test, provided the THC content of the bottle is below the legal limit of 1mg. That said, some people feel more comfortable steering clear entirely.
THC and CBD are structurally similar, but they interact in the body in very different ways. It is also thought that THC could be beneficial in controlled amounts.
But whether you choose a full or broad-spectrum product, you know that you’ll also be enjoying a healthy serving of other beneficial cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, and other plant compounds.
We believe full-spectrum CBD oil offers a few distinct benefits, the most important of which is the presence of other beneficial plant compounds. This includes terpenes, lipids, and flavonoids, which are present alongside a wide range of cannabinoids.
By keeping the finished product as close to nature as possible, individuals can reap the full benefits of the cannabis plant. Studies have found that the unique benefits of these plant compounds are amplified when taken together as opposed to in isolation.
Terpenes not only deliver flavour and aroma but they are also known to have their own unique effects. However, it’s important to be mindful of just how young this industry is and how that impacts research and the quality of information. Research is still ongoing, and some scientists have suggested that the entourage effect is simply a misinterpretation of the information.
Instead, we encourage you to make up your own mind about what type of CBD products work best for you. By seeking out the highest quality products, you’ll be in the best position to make an informed choice about your own needs.
Are you looking for a tried-and-tested full-spectrum CBD oil you can trust? With full-spectrum CBD products, it’s more important than ever to make sure you are sourcing them from reputable suppliers.
The majority of these products are also certified organic, which indicates a higher level of compliance and superior production methods. While many CBD products available in the UK are made from certified organic hemp, very few brands go to the extra effort to ensure the entire finished product is certified organic.
Here are a few of our favourites:
With an incredible 25mg of CBD per drop, this is the strongest CBD oil available in the UK. We’d recommend this for advanced CBD users looking for efficiency and a long-lasting product. This premium-quality oil is also rich in other cannabinoids like CBG, CBC and terpenes. The rich and buttery MCT carrier oil is also metabolically active, meaning it offers superior absorption rates compared with hemp seed or olive oil.
This rich and dark CBD oil is as close to nature as you can get and is also certified organic. Crafted from organic hemp from the Czech Republic, this potent and palatable oil contains an impressive 15mg of CBD per drop. It is also rich in the full spectrum of cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, chlorophyll, lipids, phytonutrients, alkanes, amino acids, aldehydes, ketones, omegas, and glycosides.
This is one of the most nutrient-dense CBD oils on the market, and it also happens to be certified organic. It contains a full spectrum of cannabinoids alongside terpenes, vitamins, trace minerals, Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, amino acids, phenols, and more. This 10% oil contains 1000mg of CBD in the 10ml bottle and 3000mg of CBD in the 30ml bottle. It’s made from organic, raw, cold-pressed and hand-harvested hemp, keeping things as close to nature as possible.
The perfect choice for newcomers that are keen to explore the world of full-spectrum CBD. This 5% strength CBD oil is incredibly rich and intense. It contains a wealth of cannabinoids alongside other beneficial compounds, including cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, and plant nutrients. It’s also a certified organic product.
While we do believe that full-spectrum CBD is best for a variety of reasons, this is not to say that broad-spectrum and CBD isolate don’t have their place. As with all CBD products, quality is the key to reaping the benefits.
A common problem across the CBD industry is the presence of poor-quality and inaccurately labelled products. CBD isolate is the cheapest CBD product available, which means that people often gravitate towards this to explore CBD for the first time.
Full and broad-spectrum CBD oils will carry the highest price tags, but this price is directly linked to the quality of the product in the bottle. So, until you’ve tried a full-spectrum or broad-spectrum CBD oil, it would be unfair to assume that CBD doesn’t work for you. It could be that your body would benefit from the presence of other beneficial plant compounds.
CBD isolate offers benefits in some specific situations, including skincare. When other plant compounds cannot be utilised, it makes sense to increase the potency of the compound that can be utilised, and this is where CBD isolate can really shine.
Education is the key to making the most of CBD. When you understand the differences and benefits of different products, you can make informed choices about your needs. As with all CBD products, quality manufacturing is essential to the finished product.
Not all full-spectrum products are created equal, and some might not even be legal. If in doubt, always look for a certificate of analysis to confirm the contents of your CBD. Or trust for the Ageless to select the best CBD products currently available.
If you would like any more information about the CBD supplements available at for the Ageless, you can:
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Laura Howarth
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Laura Howarth is a specialist CBD author based in Manchester, UK. She is passionate about sharing her love for CBD through educational articles and in-depth guides.