While browsing CBD products, you may have come across the terms “CBD Isolate” or “Full Spectrum.” With the amazing array of choices regarding CBD products that we have on Dr.Ganja, knowing exactly what you’re buying is crucial.

You may wonder: are there big differences between CBD isolate and CBD full spectrum products? Here are the essentials you need to know to make the best choice for your needs:

What Are CBD Isolates?

CBD isolates are products that contain exclusively CBD, or cannabidiol, the inflammation-relieving, pain-reducing wonder molecule that has taken the world by storm in the past few years. ‘CBD isolates’ are self-descriptive, as the CBD is extracted and ‘isolated’ from the plant with nothing else in the mix. Products on DrGanja.com will typically list exactly how much CBD is inside, with most containing 99%+ or more. Some products may list a slightly lower number, such as CBD isolate oils, as the pure CBD is mixed with a carrier oil to give it a more fluid form. These are typically mixed with a carrier because pure CBD is a crystalline solid at room temperature, resembling chunky sea salt in appearance.

With isolates, you know exactly what you’re getting: CBD, and only CBD. It is worth noting that some products may enhance isolates with terpenes (which will be discussed in just a moment), but this will be listed in either the name or the description of the product. There’s no THC in isolates and so working professionals concerned about testing can take isolates with absolutely no fear of a positive result. You can get the wonderful anxiety-reducing effects and be on your merry way.

If you’re want to see a range of isolates, you can browse the entire section of CBD isolates on DrGanja.com, or if you’re looking for something specific, try our Phyto Family CBD Isolate Powder 1 Gram.

What Is Full Spectrum CBD?

Full spectrum CBD products are also self-descriptive, in that full spectrum products contain the ‘full spectrum’ of compounds found in the plant. Unlike isolates, full spectrum CBD products contain all the other cannabinoids, terpenes, vitamins and minerals, fatty acids, etc. contained within the plant, not JUST CBD. It’s got it all from, well-known cannabinoids like CBD and THC (although in extremely small concentrations) to lesser known ones like CBC and CBG. Additionally, full spectrum products contain terpenes, which is just a fancy word for the compounds that give marijuana its distinct smell and taste. Do you remember the first time your nose drifted over the buds of everyone’s favorite strain, strawberry cough? It really smelled like strawberries! Yep, that’s the terpenes.

Fortunately, compounds like CBC and CBG and even terpenes have additional functions. They are factors in something called the “Entourage Effect.” And just as in ‘isolate’ and ‘full spectrum’, entourage is exactly what it sounds like: when cannabinoids and terpenes are taken with their ‘entourage’, that is, the other chemicals found naturally in the plant, the effect is heightened. This includes the anti-inflammatory, anxiety-reducing, and analgesic (or painkilling) effects of CBD products. In fact, research studies have found certain terpenes, like Pinene, which is found in marijuana and other plants, have an anti-inflammatory effect (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26119957) alone! So you add that together with the similar effect of CBD, CBC, CBGA, and other cannabinoids found in the plant, and you have a medical stew brewing.

However, some consumers may want to exercise caution when using full spectrum products as they do include trace amounts of THC. Typically, this is less than 0.3% (for a frame of reference, your average flower will range from 10-25% THC) and not enough to get you high, but be warned that THC is still present.

If you’re looking for a recommendation on effective full spectrum products, you can simply type “full spectrum” in the Dr.Ganja search bar, or if you’re looking for a specific suggestion, why not try the Lazarus Naturals CBD High Potency 750 mg Tincture or you can contact Dr.Ganja and we can give you some recommendations as well.

CBD Isolate vs. Full Spectrum CBD

CBD isolates are extracted and “isolated” from the other compounds in the plant and contain only CBD, usually in concentrations of 99% or more. They contain no THC and are therefore safe to use without a second thought of testing positive on any drug test.

CBD full spectrum products on DrGanja.com contain all of the compounds found naturally in the plant, which includes CBD, CBC, CBGA, terpenes, and THC to name a few. Some might want to exercise caution when using full spectrum products because there are trace amounts of THC present (definitely not enough to get you high). However, because the other compounds in the plant are found in full spectrum products, many users report a heightened effect compared to CBD isolates.