What does Full Spectrum, Broad Spectrum and Isolate mean? What’s the Difference? How do I know the difference? Which one is best for me?
Let’s start this journey together into the world of cannabis. This is going to be an adventurous journey where we indulge into the jungles of cannabis research looking at different types of cannabis extraction content!! If you are saying to to yourself
“What is extraction content”, you are mentally in the best place. As a kid, I was taught to question everything and assume nothing. Over forty years later, I think this is the best advice that my parents could have given me and it is necessary for our adventure into the jungles of cannabis research. What this means is that the information we gather on our adventure should lay the foundation and ignite the questions of “Why?” and “How?” to determine what is best for you. For our purposes, we are speaking about cannabis in general with no differentiation between Cannabis Sativa (Hemp) or Cannabis Indica (Marijuana). Full Spectrum, Broad Spectrum, Isolate refers to the type of extraction content that is present in the cannabis product. The extraction content is very important because it tells you the chemical components of the product, whether or not it will be effective and how effective the products.
Full spectrum means this product contains all of the naturally occurring phytochemicals found in the cannabis plant. The phytochemicals, include all cannabinoids (CBN, CBG, THC, CBC, etc….), terpenes\terpenoids, and flavonoids. This is important if you agree with the Entourage Effect Theory. The Entourage Theory simply states that you must have all of the parts to effectively work. Whole plant is a term that is used interchangeably and sometimes separately from the term Full Spectrum. Whole plant means the product contains all of the phytochemical along with the fats, waxes, and other fibrous materials from the cannabis plant.
Broad Spectrum means this product includes all of
the phytochemicals except the THC. However, Broad Spectrum products normally include all the other cannabinoids (CBN, CBG, CBC, etc….), terpenes\terpenoids, and flavonoids. In the cannabis world, most Broad Spectrum products do not include THC. Consumers use broad spectrum products if they are nervous about drug test or don’t want THC in their system.
An Isolate is when a specific phytochemical (cannabinoid, terpene, or flavonoid) extracted in isolation from the rest of the cannabis plant. It is the purest form of a specific phytochemical. An example could be pure CBD. It can be extracted as an isolate and sold in high dosage. Many people use pure Isolates to cook or formulate other products. Isolates are normally extracted from the Cannabis Sativa (Hemp) Plant.
We have now answered the questions What does Full Spectrum, Broad Spectrum and Isolate mean; What’s the Difference and How do I know the difference. We can now talk about things to consider when deciding Which product is best for you?
Full spectrum means this product contains all of the naturally occurring phytochemicals found in the cannabis plant. The phytochemicals, include all cannabinoids (CBN, CBG, THC, CBC, etc….), terpenes\terpenoids, and flavonoids. Most cannabis thought leaders, including myself, agree with the Entourage Effect Theory. The Entourage Theory simply states that you must have all of the parts to effectively work. In places where cannabis is legal for recreational or medicinal, this is great. If this is not the case you may have to focus on a Full Spectrum product that has less than .3% THC. Normally this would be the Cannabis Sativa (Hemp) Plant products. This would be ideal for places where Marijuana is not legal because it will still work according to the Entourage Effect. Empress Herbal Products Pain Management Collection are Full Spectrum products. They are effective for addressing the ailments below and can be found at https://empressherbalproducts.com/shop/ols/categories/cannabis-sativa-hemp-pain-management-collection
Sore Muscles Pain Inflammation
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Sciatica Shin Splints
Spasms Gout Stiffness
Back Pain Aching Joints Neuropathy
Arthritis
Broad Spectrum means this product includes most of the phytochemicals. THC is normally the phytochemical that is excluded. These products are used if you don’t want or can’t have any THC in your system.
An Isolate is a specific phytochemical (cannabinoid, terpene, or flavonoid) extracted in isolation from the rest of the cannabis plant. This is useful when cooking or creating other products. Empress Herbal Products uses Isolates in our Massage Oils. These Massage Oils are effective for relieving the following ailments below and can be found at https://empressherbalproducts.com/shop/ols/categories/cannabis-sativa-hemp-massage-collection
Pain
Inflammation
Anxiety
Sleeplessness
Lethargic