Full Spectrum, Broad Spectrum, and CBD Isolate

Unfortunately, CBD isolate is the form of cannabidiol utilized by many of the most well-known and famous companies in the industry. Smart marketing and lack of transparency combine to make this the most highly purchased CBD format.

Imagine CBD isolate as a single clarinet player. Sure, it can be enjoyable to listen to, but it’s nothing compared to a full symphony. It’s no different when thinking in terms of CBD vs. a full range of cannabinoids, such as CBC, CBDV, and CBG. Cannabinoids work best when they are all taken together.

CBD isolate is the result of a multistage extraction process that utilizes a variety of toxic solvents, but the most widely used is pentane. Pentane is similar to butane, and a petroleum-derived solvent that, when ingested, can irritate the digestive tract, and cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. At the same time, high doses can be toxic to the nervous system.

Ideally, a CBD isolate manufacturer will evaporate all the pentane (or other petroleum-based solvents) out of the extract. Still, it’s wise to always check the Certificates of Analysis (CoA) to make sure. Ultimately, CBD isolate appears as a crystalline white powder. 

The Case for Full Spectrum

Additionally, CBD isolate goes against traditional wisdom, taking an approach similar to pharmaceutical medicine wherein highly refined, single molecules target a particular receptor or neurotransmitter.

When you look at virtually any natural herbal substance, for example:

• Coffee
• Tea
• Cacao
• Kava
• St. John’s Wort
• Elderberry
• Valerian
• Echinacea
• Holy basil
• Turmeric
• Yerba Maté
• Chamomile
• Ginseng
• Ginkgo biloba
• Ginger

Even recreationally used cannabis, for that matter - there are a plethora of plant-based compounds that act in harmony to balance the net effect given to the user.

An excellent example of this is with the herb Mucuna pruriens. Mucuna has the highest L-dopa (direct precursor to dopamine) concentrations of any plant found in nature - thus it’s nickname ‘Dopamine Bean.’

It is well-known that pharmaceutical, isolated L-dopa (taken for severe muscle movement disorders) comes with extremely severe side effects, and patients taking it must be monitored very closely.

However, this is not the case when taking Mucuna, as the presence of all the other alkaloids and phytonutrients mitigate the effect of the L-dopa, making it beneficial and non-toxic. This scenario is just one example of how taking isolated nutrients is inferior to using the whole spectrum, as found in nature.

So, we can’t help but scratch our heads at the popularity of CBD isolate - although, we see it as similar to the HD-DVD vs. Blu-Ray scenario from years ago. In time, the platform with superior benefits became more and more evident and widely used, and one became forever lost to memory.

We can only hope this happens with CBD isolate vs. full-spectrum, as it breaks our hearts to know the number of people who are deceived. They are tricked into thinking that CBD isolate will offer all the incredible benefits people talk about, yet many end up disappointed.

Potentially, this could cause the person to give up on CBD forever, losing a potential opportunity to experience significant benefit. We'd say that at best, a person may derive a small benefit (or a placebo effect), but it will never hold a candle to the satisfying results from full-spectrum CBD .

First things first - just because a company advertises ‘full-spectrum CBD’ does not mean that it’s what we are discussing here. It’s similar to the caution you need when buying eggs, and you see ‘cage-free’ or ‘free-range.’ Thanks to clever and deceptive marketing strategies, those phrases do not indicate that the chicken was allowed to roam on open pastures eating grass and bugs - that’s exclusive to ‘pasture-raised.’

The CBD market is far more unregulated than an established product like eggs, so it’s essentially the Wild Wild West, and it’s up to you to be informed and do your homework.

What authentic full-spectrum CBD indicates is a product that includes the full range of beneficial cannabinoids, terpenes, and other unique phytonutrients found in hemp. The best way to verify this claim is by looking at the company’s CoA, and check to make sure a variety of cannabinoids and terpenes are present.

Full-spectrum goes further than that, as many of the beneficial substances found in Ananda Hemp’s formulas do not appear on our CoA’s, such as Cannflavin A and Cannflavin B.

Cannflavin A and B are flavonoids with antioxidant and health-restoring properties not found anywhere in nature except hemp (also found by researchers to be 30x as potent as Aspirin!). Not to mention all the essential amino acids, lignans, and alkamides with added beneficial properties too numerous to list.

There are over 500 chemical constituents that make up the hemp plant, and we think it’s truly a shame to focus on only one of those hundreds of medicinal substances. Instead, we offer you the full buffet of synergistic nutrients, because individual health and vitality is our passion.

Broad-Spectrum CBD - Like Full Spectrum, but Without THC

You may see ‘broad-spectrum CBD’ and wonder how in the world it’s different from the full-spectrum we just covered. Well, there is very little difference.

To make our broad-spectrum oils, we start with the full-spectrum CBD and put it through a process known as centrifugal chromatography. In essence, we spin the oil at high speeds with a specially designed receptacle that catches the THC. So, broad-spectrum is just another way of saying ‘full-spectrum - but zero THC.’

We created broad-spectrum CBD oil for those who are either sensitive to THC or wish to avoid it for personal, religious, or legal purposes. Other than the lack of THC, broad-spectrum is 100% identical to full-spectrum.

So, Which CBD is Best for You?

At Ananda Hemp, we are passionate believers in the entourage effect, and feel that true full spectrum CBD will always provide the best results. However, the choice is truly up to you. We hope that you feel empowered to make well-informed decisions regarding CBD products.

To your health and happiness, always!