These days, you’d be hard-pressed to have never heard of cannabidiol (CBD). The market for CBD products was valued at $4.9 billion last year. And per that same report, it’s expected to grow to over $47 billion in value by 2028.
That’s a meteoric rise, fuelled by the purported benefits of CBD.
But when you look into the products, you might find that there are more types of CBD than you realized. So what do these designations mean, and how do they stack up against one another?
To find out, let’s break down the three main varieties of CBD and how they each stand out.
Full-Spectrum Types of CBD
In simple terms, they call this type of CBD “full-spectrum” because it contains all the naturally occurring compounds found in the cannabis plant. These include CBD, of course, as well as other types of cannabinoids and compounds.
Terpenes are one type of compound. They’re aromantics that affect a plant’s fragrance. Think of how lavender is used for its calming effects.
Flavonoids are another type of chemical in full-spectrum CBD. Flavonoids occur in all kinds of plants, most notably in fruits, vegetables, and grains. Proponents point to the health benefits of those examples to explain why keeping flavonoids in your CBD is a good thing.
But the most important distinction is that full-spectrum CBD still contains a minute amount of THC, the cannabinoid that causes intoxication. By law, all CBD must have less than 0.3 percent THC. At that small amount, intoxication is functionally impossible.
So why leave it in at all, then?
Well, there is research to suggest that CBD is more effective when it’s working in tandem with terpenes, flavonoids, and other cannabinoids — THC included. This theory is called the “entourage effect”.
If true, this would make full-spectrum CBD the most effective variety for allowing these compounds to work together, becoming greater than the sum of their parts.
Broad-Spectrum Types of CBD
Broad-spectrum products only differ from full-spectrum in one way. They contain all the same types of cannabinoids as full-spectrum, except THC.
Some consumers are interested in CBD but don’t want to ingest any THC whatsoever. So whether this type of CBD is right for you comes down to a matter of personal choice.
While it’s unlikely that you would ever experience a high from using full-spectrum CBD, some users do report a mild euphoria in large enough doses. Broad-spectrum eliminates that possibility, at the expense of the supposed benefits of the entourage effect. If that’s a trade-off you’re willing to make, a quality Distillate BSD is the choice for you.
It’s also worth noting that even if a CBD product stays under the federal limit of 0.3%, some localities have stricter thresholds. If you’re in a region where no THC at all is permitted, a broad-spectrum alternative is your best option.
CBD Isolates
CBD isolates are pure CBD. Not only do they not contain THC, but they don’t have any other cannabinoids either.
Per the aforementioned research, these isolates could produce reduced effects, or even have no effect at all. But depending on the severity of your local laws, they may be the only CBD product available to you.
Finding the Right Kinds of CBD for You
The truth is that all types of CBD have their purposes. Which one is the right choice for you depends on what you want out of your CBD product.
And because the CBD market is growing so explosively, we can expect innovations to hit the market regularly. To stay current with these new developments, be sure to keep up with our latest health and lifestyle news and guides.
