When choosing a CBD tincture at Hemp CBD Oil Store, one must consider a wide variety of factors. For one thing, they have to decide the proper strength so that they get the right amount of hemp compounds per dose. They also have to decide on a flavor so that they can satisfy their taste buds while taking their daily dose of CBD. But, there’s one factor that’s rarely considered, although it’s arguably just as important as the rest.
There are three types of hemp extracts: broad spectrum, full spectrum and CBD isolate. A CBD tincture can contain any one of these three types of extracts, and which one you go with can largely determine your experience, and whether or not you’re able to accomplish what you want with your new hemp regimen.
Today, we’ll be talking about the two most popular of these three extracts: broad spectrum and full spectrum. While they’re very similar to each other, the differences are just important enough to be worth diving into.
What Does it Mean?
When we talk about full spectrum and broad spectrum, we’re talking about the ways in which the hemp compounds were extracted from the plant material. All CBD products start with the hemp plant. The hemp plant is carefully cultivated before going through an extraction process that usually involves some type of heat and pressure in order to end up with compounds that have been fully separated from the plant material.
Once these compounds have been successfully isolated and extracted from the hemp plant material, they can be chemically composed in a number of ways to produce different kinds of concentrates. Full spectrum extract and broad spectrum extract are two different types of concentrates, with chemical compositions that differ from each other.
Full Spectrum
Full spectrum extract is hemp extract that contains every chemical compound that naturally occurs in the hemp plant. The hemp plant naturally contains a very wide variety of compounds. These compounds include cannabinoids such as CBD, CBN and CBG, as well as terpenes. Terpenes are plant compounds that exist in essential oils, and they determine the flavor and aroma of a particular plant. Furthermore, terpenes seem to naturally contain unique properties such as antibiotic and anti-inflammatory properties. Terpenes that commonly exist in hemp include myrcene, limonene and linalool.
Because full spectrum hemp extract contains every compound in hemp, it contains THC. Now, we know that THC is the psychoactive chemical compound found in marijuana that gives it psychoactive effects, thus making it federally illegal. However, in the hemp plant, THC is only present in about 0.3 percent of the plant material, and this amount is not nearly high enough to be psychoactive. Therefore, full spectrum hemp extract cannot get you high.
In fact, THC is a cannabinoid that may be useful in a number of ways when consumed in low doses. Many studies have shown that THC, like CBD, may have unique properties that can be considered beneficial.
Broad Spectrum
Broad spectrum hemp extract, meanwhile, is a hemp extract that contains every plant compoundfound in hemp except for THC. So, it allows you to experience a wide range of cannabinoids and terpenes, only without THC.
The Entourage Effect
The entourage effect refers to the effect on the body when every hemp compound is consumed at once, as nature intended. This is what occurs when you consume full spectrum hemp extract. Basically, it’s believed that the entourage effect allows for each plant’s potential benefits to be multiplied, because each compound increases the efficacy of the rest. The entourage effect is considered ideal as it allows you to potentially get the most benefits out of taking a hemp product. This is why most people believe that full spectrum CBD is objectively superior.
Using a Broad Spectrum CBD Tincture
If you want to avoid THC altogether, a broad spectrum CBD tincture is the way to go. Basically, for this type of extract, the THC has been isolated in the remaining concentrate and thoroughly removed. This means that you won’t have any traces of THC in your body after consuming a broad spectrum CBD tincture. You’ll still receive all of the other compounds found in hemp.
Using a Full Spectrum CBD Tincture
A full spectrum CBD tincture allows you to experience the entourage effect, and it means that you’ll be consuming THC as well as all of the other plant compounds. If you feel comfortable consuming trace amounts of THC, this is the way to go. Bear in mind that consuming THC that comes from the hemp plant cannot possibly deliver psychoactive effects, but in rare cases, it can cause the THC to show up on a drug test. However, this is very unusual.
Which is Better?
So, which option is right for you: a broad spectrum CBD tincture or a full spectrum CBD tincture? Well, it all depends on your preferences. Again, most experts feel that a full spectrum extract is superior because of the entourage effect. However, it’s understandable that some people want to completely avoid THC, so if that’s the case, go with broad spectrum.
Also, bear in mind that aside from the chemical composition of each concentrate, they don’t really differ from each other in any way. Broad spectrum and full spectrum tinctures are about the same in terms of price, so you won’t save any money by going with one over the other. Additionally, they taste and smell the same, so you won’t experience any differences between the two. And, finally, the potency level doesn’t differ due to the presence of THC or lack thereof.
Comes Down to Preference
At the end of the day, whether you choose a full spectrum CBD tincture or a broad spectrum CBD tincture is totally up to you. However, as you can see, one provides you with the full entourage effect, while one does not. Use this guide to decide which type of extract is right for you as you begin a new CBD tincture routine.