Standing at the shelf or browsing the webshop, you run into terms that are not self-explanatory: full-spectrum, broad-spectrum and isolate. They tell you something about what else is in the bottle alongside CBD. We explain it calmly, without any health promises.
The three types in brief
- Full-spectrum: contains CBD plus the other natural compounds from the hemp plant, including a minimal amount of THC below the legal limit of 0.2%.
- Broad-spectrum: similar to full-spectrum, but the THC has been almost entirely removed.
- Isolate: pure CBD, without the other plant compounds.
Full-spectrum: the whole plant profile
Full-spectrum means that alongside CBD, the other cannabinoids, terpenes and plant compounds from the hemp are present too, within the legal THC limit. So you get the complete profile of the plant. Because it contains a minimal amount of THC, this is not always the choice for anyone who wants to avoid THC altogether.
Broad-spectrum: the profile without THC
Broad-spectrum is similar to full-spectrum, with the other plant compounds in it, but the THC has been almost entirely removed. Handy if you do want the broader profile, but would rather have no THC at all.
Isolate: CBD only
An isolate is pure CBD, separated from all other compounds. No terpenes, no other cannabinoids, no THC. Tasteless and odourless, and the most predictable in terms of composition.
The entourage effect, brief and honest
You often read about the entourage effect: the idea that the compounds from the hemp plant work differently together than CBD on its own. To be fair, this is a much-discussed hypothesis, not an established fact. So we mention it as an idea, not as a promise.
Which do you choose?
That mostly depends on your preference. If you want the complete plant profile, you go for full-spectrum. If you want that with as little THC as possible, broad-spectrum. If you want pure CBD without the rest, an isolate. None of these is inherently better, it is a matter of what you are looking for. How to recognise a good oil more generally, you can read in buying CBD oil. Still unsure about the basics? Then start with what is CBD oil.
This article is informational and not medical advice. CBD oil is not a medicine. If in doubt, pregnant or using medication, consult your doctor.