Main differences between pure CBD and full-spectrum CBD extract
We will focus on many differences between these two types in this article. We will further look at CBD uses because how you ingest cannabidiol in your body can significantly relate with the effect. As you will notice soon, a vegetable extract of cannabidiol is for logical reasons much more popular than pure isolate. However, this type has also advantages that could appeal to some users.
Basic questions
Concerning the growing popularity of CBD, more and more users pose questions about what are the best methods of acquiring and the administering of this cannabinoid. They are mostly interested in what type of CBD is the most effective from the therapeutic point of view. The majority of users prefer “common” extract but they themselves actually do not know why.
Which cannabinoid is then the most effective? What is the most convenient dose? How to use CBD to help them to get the best and the fastest way out of various difficulties? Generally, the three most popular methods of cannabidiol uses are offered – sublingually (under the tongue), topically on the skin or by swallowing capsules. New methods, such as vaporizing or smoking of liquids with CBD content are becoming increasingly popular in which case some people consider these methods as the most effective uses. Accordingly, there has been a recent increase of demand for pure CBD without other compounds, e.g. isolates. The isolate differs from vegetable extracts by containing only purified cannabidiol and no other cannabinoids, terpenes, or healthy fatty acids which are usually common properties of standard extracts from the whole cannabis plant.
Hundreds of curative compounds
Cannabis itself contains more than a hundred active cannabinoids and CBD is only one of them. In addition to cannabinoids, cannabis contains more than two hundred compounds called terpens which have their individual curative effects. They are furthermore responsible for the smell and flavour. However, from the medical point of view, they do not attract such attention as cannabinoids, mainly CBD. Some other cannabinoids can also influence the mitigation of symptoms of various health issues. These include, for example, cannabinoids CBN or CBG that can be found in minor quantities in the majority of vegetable extracts in which anti-inflammatory and also antibacterial effects were discovered.
What about THC?
Extracts of the whole plant usually contain strictly measured amounts of the most renowned cannabinoid – psychoactive tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Its ratio in commercially accessible extracts is however almost non-existent, you can totally eliminate the possibility that it would anyhow influence your psyche. In individual states, the percentage of THC in products differs, that is why manufactures need to know the limit of THC content which can be sold legally in that country.
Entourage effect
In a combination of CBD with other cannabinoids (including terpenes), the “entourage effect” comes about. As a result, due to the relation between cannabinoids and terpenes, the curative effects of individual compounds of cannabis are mutually improved. A study published by Israeli Lautenberg Center for Immunology and Cancer research focused on vegetable extract in contrast to the effectiveness of the CBD isolate. Results supported a concept of the entourage effect. Authors literally stated in the conclusion that in all their experiments, the pure CBD had a positive effect only in certain amounts, whereas full-spectrum extract was becoming more effective by increasing doses. Thus, the results show that pure cannabidiol only counteracts pain and swelling at a certain dose, while an extract containing a mix of different cannabinoids and terpenes has better effects with increasing doses.
Hemp is not only CBD
Conclusions of this study rather support the opinion that the full-spectrum extract is more convenient for the majority of users in contrast to the isolate. However, isolate remains very popular. Many people still think that pure CBD will be more effective than the classic extract from the whole plant. This opinion is derived from the wrong idea that CBD is the only curative substance contained in cannabis and that other compounds are more likely to be detrimental. A large number of users believes that if they ingest only pure CBD without terpenes or other “useless” compounds in cannabis, they use the best and the strongest possible form of cannabidiol.
As it has been already mentioned, the majority of people imagine the best and the fastest method in which one obtains cannabidiol through inhalation in the form of fillings of cigarettes or by vaporizing. And because liquids and vaporizing fillings contain just the isolate, this type of CBD product seems to be the most reasonable way forward. Yes, it is truly a very effective way forward but the non-existence of the entourage effect during use of pure isolate presents a clear disadvantage and the minimizing of the CBD potential in contrast to the use of the complex extract from the plant.
Isolate also has its advantages
Despite everything, CBD isolate can take pride in something that an extract cannot offer. Many people worry (and justifiably) that also a little amount of THC in the extract can present a certain danger. Users of the isolate do not have to worry at all because this product does not contain anything else other than CBD. Some people are simply afraid that because of a little amount of THC, they will not be able to pass the examination on addictive drugs or perhaps they could “zonk out”. Due to a very low percentage of THC in extracts, it is however realized that such worries are improbable – however, the problem arises when details on the product label do not correspond to reality. And this happens very often in practice.
THC obviously contributes to the entourage effect which presents a logical reason why it is convenient to keep it in the extract. A recent article about full-spectrum extracts defended the importance of THC presence. It was stated that hemp contains only minimal amount of THC, practically in trace elements (it must not surpass 0.3 % in the Czech Republic). THC basically works just as anandamide, endocannabinoid neurotransmitter which is produced by the human body. As much as this substance, also THC binds on the brain receptor CB1 of the endocannabinoid receptor system. However, due to the little amount of THC which is required by laws, the probability of any psychoactive effects after uses of the legal extract of the plant is practically none.
Conclusion
All advantages, that the full-spectrum extracts rich in CBD bring, slowly lead to the situation when CBD isolate ceases to be so popular. Thanks to the rising awareness of beneficial effects of the entourage effect from the combination of substances contained in vegetable extracts, cultivators and producers begin to realize that cannabis can offer more than CBD or THC. They, thus cease to deprive themselves of all other components of this versatile herb.
It is clear that more will be written and understood regarding the entourage effect within cannabis and medical advantages of full-spectrum extracts in contrast to the isolation of other substances, the more the production and sale will decrease in the following years.
Resources:
http://www.scirp.org/Journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=53912#.VP4EIildXvY
http://www.medicalmarijuanainc.com/full-spectrum-hemp-oil/
PHOTO: iStock
"All the information provided here or through this website is for educational purposes only. None of the information contained here in is intended to be a suitable medical diagnosis or construed as medical advice or recommended treatment. This website does not promote, condone or advocate licit or illicit drug useor other criminal activities. For more information see our Disclaimer"