Broad Spectrum vs. Isolate
What’s the difference between Broad Spectrum CBD & CBD Isolate & Where’s the proof
What’s the difference?
When CBD is extracted from the plant it is not alone; broad spectrum oil contains other beneficial compounds including terpenes and other cannabinoids. Isolate, on the other hand, is a purified version of the extract. Typically labeled as 99%+ CBD, isolate crystals contain only CBD with no additional cannabinoids or terpenes. Recent studies have shown that broad-spectrum CBD extracts are favorable to the treatment of ailments such as inflammation over purified CBD (isolate).
Where’s the proof?
There is evidence that the “whole plant” extract is more effective because the cannabinoids and terpenes work together and influence each other – this is called the entourage effect. In addition, with the use of isolate, a bell-shaped dose-response curve has been reported meaning that once you use a certain amount of CBD, the beneficial effects actually decrease. This drawback has only been observed in isolate to this point and can be overcome with the use of broad-spectrum oil: the difference is thought to be attributed to the synergistic effects of the interactions between the variety of cannabinoids and terpenes found with the CBD.
Isolate is not without its benefits, though. Isolate allows for a more accurate dosing of CBD and is easier to use when cooking. For some, the taste of the “whole plant” extract is unappealing, and isolate circumvents that road block.
All in all, for those looking to maximize the effects of their CBD treatment, broad spectrum is the way to go. As more research is done, we are becoming more aware of the potential beneficial effects of all cannabinoids and we know now that while CBD is useful alone, it is better with those compounds that it is naturally surrounded by.
https://bpspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1476-5381.2011.01238.x
http://www.scirp.org/journal/paperinformation.aspx?paperid=53912