What is Broad Spectrum CBD?

It seems like CBD is on everyone’s mind, with. CBD products cropping up everywhere. From oils to edibles, vaping cartridges to skincare products, CBD products are available for human and even pet consumption. Through CBD discussions, common terms tend to get thrown around: One you might have heard of is “broad spectrum.”

What is broad spectrum CBD? Does it differ from other types of CBD, and which will be most useful for your needs? Keep reading to find out everything you need to know.

What is meant by broad spectrum

Broad spectrum or full spectrum, CBD can be contrasted to what is known as a CBD isolate. Simply put, broad spectrum CBD contains the full range of compounds found in the cannabis plant. A CBD isolate, meanwhile, contains only isolated CBD itself. 

Certain products, like Receptra CBD, make use of everything that’s in the plant, including cannabinoids, terpenes, and naturally occurring nutrients. These are broad spectrum CBD products. Sites like CBD Insider have extensive reviews on these products, which are helpful for anyone interested in learning more about these products.

What’s in the plant

Cannabinoids

Cannabinoids are a type of compound found in hemp itself and the oil of the hemp flower. These compounds are capable of binding to the receptors of the human endocannabinoid system, which is why they’re so effective.

The most famous cannabinoid might be THC, which is found only in marijuana, not hemp. THC is responsible for the “high” that comes from intaking marijuana. CBD is another of these cannabinoids, but there are many others, including:

• Cannabicitran
• Cannabichromene (possible antidepressant and pain-reliever)
• Cannabigerol (possible anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial)

These are just a few of the more than 100 compounds present in the cannabis plant, and researchers are just starting to study their full effects. What is known most clearly at this point is that the benefits of a broad spectrum CBD are due, at least in part, to the interaction of all these naturally occurring compounds. None of them are nearly as effective by themselves as they are all together.

Terpenes

Terpenes are chemicals that naturally occur in the plant. By themselves, their primary function is to give cannabis its smell. When terpenes function together with cannabinoids, they become potent. Some of the most important include:

• Pinene (helps memory and alertness)
• Humulene (pain-relieving and antibacterial; possibly also an appetite suppressant)
• Limonene (relieves stress)
• Caryophyllene (antioxidant and anti-inflammatory)

When you take a broad spectrum CBD, you’re getting all these terpenes the way Mother Nature naturally packages them: Together with cannabinoids and essential nutrients.

Essential nutrients

As if all the chemical compounds weren’t enough, broad spectrum CBD also retains much of the essential nutrients that naturally occur in the plant. These include many of the same things you’ll find in any plant, which is why people eat them.

In addition to Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids, full spectrum CBD also offers protein; minerals like zinc, iron, and calcium; and vitamins A, E, C, and B complex.

How this differs from CBD isolates

For a while, researchers thought that all the positive effects of a CBD oil could be attributed to just the CBD. Now, thanks to research done by scientists at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, people have learned that full spectrum CBD is much more potent.  Researchers at the university were able to show that full spectrum CBD is more effective than CBD isolates in treating inflammation and pain.

Researchers also found that CBD isolate has a “bell-curve” effect. This means that its effectiveness goes up as you take it but eventually comes back down again and becomes ineffective. In contrast, full spectrum CBD becomes more effective the longer you take it and the larger the dose.

The takeaway

CBD isn’t a fad. It really does help with a variety of conditions, though it’s certainly not a miracle drug and can’t treat everything. That said, for a lot of people, it’s at least worth giving a shot. When you do, just be sure to choose a broad spectrum CBD.