Full vs broad spectrum CBD: While both have an array of potential benefits, broad spectrum and full spectrum CBD oil have a slightly different composition. As a result, you may have experience with one product that you might not necessarily have with another.
Think full vs broad spectrum are confusing enough? Throw products such as CBD isolate into the mix and it could be enough to make your head spin! Well, swivel your head back to this post because we’re going to simplify the complicated. Let’s explain the differences between full spectrum and broad spectrum oil, as well as CBD isolate.
Why Are There So Many CBD Products?
Part of what has made CBD so appealing to the wellness and beauty sectors is its versatility. With the rise of the hemp industry, laboratories have worked overtime to formulate specialized CBD products.
The world has also caught wind of the benefits of CBD oil. This includes the 100-plus cannabinoids within hemp that work together to produce even more benefits, a partnership known as the entourage effect.
Thanks to the entourage effect, it became more advantageous to produce hemp-based products with as many cannabinoids as possible. The cannabinoids within the formula are what differentiate full spectrum CBD oil, broad spectrum oil and CBD isolates.
Before we get into the differences between these three types of CBD products, let’s discuss the extraction process. All three go through the same process (with some variation, depending on the extractor). It is after the initial few steps of the extraction process that the differences become more evident.
How to Extract CBD Oil
All types of CBD oil are extracted by applying pressure to the hemp plant. The highest quality CBD oil companies use either food-grade ethanol or pressurized carbon dioxide to apply this pressure.
As the plant comes into contact with food-grade ethanol or pressurized carbon dioxide, the pressure will cause the hairs on the plant to burst open. These hairs are known as trichomes, and they hold precious cannabinoids. Cannabinoids, including CBD, are the compounds responsible for many of the benefits of CBD oil.
When the cannabinoids are released, the molecules bind onto the carbon in the pressurized carbon dioxide or food-grade ethanol. From there, these molecules are distilled to remove any solid plant material from the formula.
Lastly, the CBD oil is refined. The solvents are removed from the final product, leaving precious cannabinoids, terpenes and other phytochemicals behind. At this point, you are able to identify the compounds within the product. Specialists can alter the formula to meet the standards of the particular CBD company. Ultimately, cannabinoids are either added or removed from the oil before it is used to produce CBD products.
What’s the Difference Between Broad and Full Spectrum CBD Oil?
What makes the difference between broad vs full spectrum CBD oil so confusing is that there is no definitive definition for either. It’s an arbitrary battle of linguistics.
Those within the CBD industry coined the terms themselves, but not everyone got the memo. This has muddied the waters between what full spectrum and broad spectrum CBD oil each mean.
As their names imply, full spectrum and broad spectrum CBD oil contain a wide range of cannabinoids. However, they aren’t identical. To understand the difference, it’s best to understand them individually.
What Is Full Spectrum CBD Oil?
Full spectrum CBD oil has had no cannabinoids removed, 
including the psychoactive compounds. The reason for this goes back to the entourage effect. All of the cannabinoids work in unison for the betterment of the whole, THC included.
If you see full spectrum on the label, be sure to check out the company’s lab reports. Although the industry has not regulated the terms, a full spectrum CBD oil will most likely have THC in the formula.
What is Broad Spectrum CBD Oil?
The refining process is critical for crafting broad spectrum oil. During this step of the process, you can remove unwanted cannabinoids from the formula.
Some CBD companies opt to remove THC from their products. However, they will keep the other cannabinoids in the formula. Companies that remove THC from the final product tend to market their products as broad spectrum CBD oil.
With broad spectrum CBD oil, you are still getting the synergy of the other cannabinoids. The only one missing from the party is THC.
What Is CBD Isolate?
While we’re on the topic of the refining process, some CBD companies take an extra step to create 99+% pure CBD. This type of hemp-based product is known as CBD isolate.
Typically, those who choose CBD isolate are sensitive to other cannabinoids. CBD by itself does have benefits. However, the results may not be as promising as those who opt for a broad spectrum or full spectrum CBD oil.
When you are purchasing a CBD isolate, make sure it is 99+% pure. Otherwise, there will be traces of other cannabinoids in the formula. Although these numbers are most likely negligible, it does defeat the purpose of seeking out a pure CBD product.
Why Choose Broad Spectrum Over Full Spectrum CBD Oil?
At the end of the day, both types of CBD oil have their benefits. While THC may help boost the overall formula, removing it from the equation doesn’t hurt the product. A broad spectrum oil can be just as effective at supporting wellness.
If you do opt for full spectrum CBD oil, be sure to read the label to find out the plant source. Full spectrum CBD oil can be derived from hemp or marijuana. Under the 2018 Farm Bill, any hemp-based product must have 0.3% THC or less.
However, where recreational cannabis is legal, producers can also make full spectrum CBD oil from marijuana. If you purchase your full spectrum CBD oil from a state where they’ve legalized recreational cannabis, bringing your oil over state lines may become an issue. Even if you use a hemp-derived full spectrum product, there is still the small percentage of THC you have to think about.
Broad spectrum CBD oil doesn’t come with this excess baggage. These CBD products are derived from hemp and have had THC removed from the final formula, meaning potential psychoactive side effects are unlikely.
Is Elpida Organics Full Spectrum or Broad Spectrum CBD Oil?
All of Elpida Organics’ products are crafted using phytocannabinoid-rich hemp; our extraction process is careful to preserve many of the beneficial compounds present. During the refining process, we remove all traces of THC from the final product. Due to this, we consider our THC-free line to be broad spectrum. These products include:
CBD Oil Tinctures
CBD Softgels
CBD Pet Products
CBD Cream
We understand how vital wellness is to members of the Elpida Organics family. As a consumer, you have every right to know what you are ingesting. That is why every batch we formulate is tested for purity. By checking the lot number on the bottom of your bottle, you can see the lab results for yourself. We are transparent with our results so you can be sure that you are getting the best THC free broad spectrum CBD oil!