Broad Spectrum vs Full Spectrum CBD

Medically reviewed by
Dr. John Rackham

Written by Michael Wright
Updated on February 1st, 2023

CBD is a journey of discovery, both of the cannabinoid compound itself and of the beneficial effects CBD can have on your body. Even if you’ve skipped all the research and plunged straight into a bottle of tasty CBD gummies , you’ve still tracked the effects you felt from your CBD product. 

Today, we’ll take a deep dive into what CBD is , how CBD works, and which CBD products are best for your individual needs. Our goal at CBDfx is to help people learn about every facet of CBD, so that they can make informed decisions when they choose to experience this incredible cannabis health supplement for themselves.

One of the things you learn when you start to explore hemp-derived CBD is that there are different kinds of CBD. That is to say, when CBD is extracted from the hemp plant, there are different processes used that result in three different types of CBD oils. These are called full spectrum CBD, broad spectrum CBD, and a powdered form of CBD, called CBD isolate.

Before we get into the specifics of these various CBD oils, let’s have a quick refresher course on what exactly CBD is.

Hemp Oil & CBD

Cannabidiol (or CBD, for short) is one of a group of chemical compounds found in the hemp plant. A hemp plant is a cannabis plant with less than 0.03% THC in it (THC being the cannabinoid that gets you “high”). By contrast, a marijuana plant is a cannabis plant with a higher percentage of THC, sometimes as high as 30%. So, when we’re talking about hemp-derived CBD products, we’re talking about a legal cannabis product designed for wellness. Since CBD doesn’t get you “high,” you might ask, what does CBD do?

Well, let’s step back and look closer at this group of chemical compounds found in the hemp plant. They’re called cannabinoids. Though they’re plant based (so, phytocannabinoids), these cannabis compounds bear a remarkable resemblance to chemical compounds produced by our own bodies, called endocannabinoids. Endocannabinoids are part of the body’s endocannabinoid system.

This system supports and regulates other crucial systems, most notably the immune system and the central and peripheral nervous systems. These systems regulate such vital functions as sleep, mood, memory, appetite, pain management, stress, motor control, and more. Cannabinoids, like CBD, mimic endocannabinoids’ ability to bind to receptors in this system and, themselves, bolster the endocannabinoid system.**

This is what makes the health and wellness potential of hemp-derived CBD extract so exciting. In terms of breadth of potential benefits to the body, it’s difficult to find a health and wellness supplement as versatile and powerful as CBD.**

Now, about that CBD oil.

What Is CBD Oil?

When cannabis hemp plants reach maturation, they are culled for their oil. There are two different areas of hemp oil extraction. The first is hemp seed oil. As the name implies, this oil is derived from the seeds of the cannabis hemp plant. Hemp seed oil has its own beneficial properties. The moisturizing properties of hemp seed oil make it great for use in a skin-care product.

Hemp seed oil should not be confused with the hemp extract we call “CBD oil.” CBD oil is derived from the buds, leaves, and stalks of the cannabis hemp plant. This is the oil that is rich in cannabinoids, including CBD. When you purchase a CBD product, it is produced from hemp-derived CBD oil. 

Broad Spectrum, Full Spectrum & CBD Isolate

When we talk about the question of full-spectrum CBD vs. broad-spectrum CBD vs. CBD isolate, we’re largely referring to the number of extraction and filtration processes that take place in the removal of this oil from the cannabis hemp plant. There are pros and cons of each type of CBD, which is why we offer a variety of items in each category.

What Is Full Spectrum CBD?

Full spectrum CBD is the hemp extract that contains the full cannabinoid profile of the cannabis hemp plant, including health and wellness-boosting CBD, CBG, CBN, a tiny trace of THC (below 0.3%, so non-intoxicating), and other cannabinoids. Full spectrum extract also contains the terpenes and flavonoids of the cannabis plant (many of them also health-boosting). Lastly, full-spectrum hemp extract contains all the health-friendly fatty acids of the cannabis plant.

Full Spectrum & the Entourage Effect

When all of these cannabis compounds are taken together, they produce a phenomenon called the Entourage Effect , wherein the various cannabinoids don’t simply work individually, in parallel to one another. Instead, thanks to the Entourage Effect, CBD and other cannabis compounds work synergistically, enhancing each other’s effects and creating a deeper level of therapeutic benefits.** For these reasons, especially if drug testing is not a concern, full-spectrum CBD is often recommended to experience the full effects and benefits of CBD.

Full-Spectrum CBD Products

Full-spectrum CBD is used in some of our most popular CBD products, including CBD Soft Gel Capsules and some CBD tincture oils. For instance, our CBD Calming Tincture gives you the full-spectrum CBD experience, with CBD and the “ultimate relaxation cannabinoid” CBN (cannabinol) working in harmony to give users a deep, relaxing “chill.”

We also carry a wide variety of full-spectrum delta-9 THC products. These items contain full-spectrum CBD, but with additional THC added in to take you much closer to the legal limit. We do this because, while full-spectrum CBD can contain up to 0.3% THC, by law, sometimes that full-spectrum extract comes in well below the legal limit. With our full-spectrum delta-9 THC products, we bridge that gap and give you all the blissful relaxation effects of THC in a legal cannabis product.

Our full-spectrum delta-9 collection includes four tasty THC gummies: Magic Melon THC Gummies, Berry Buzz THC Gummies, Mixed Berry Full Spectrum CBD Gummies, and Lemon Dream THC Gummies. We also carry two potent full spectrum delta-9 THC oils: Ultimate Chill THC Tincture and Sweet Dreams THC Tincture. You can also microdose full spectrum delta-9 THC with our Microdose THC Capsules. Finally, we have a wide variety of full spectrum delta-9 THC vape pens and full spectrum delta-9 THC vape juices.

Whatever your preference—full spectrum + THC or straight-up full-spectrum CBD—we’ve got you covered!

Wanna see a cannabinoid breakdown for a full spectrum CBD product? This table is taken directly from the Certificate of Analysis for our Mixed Berry Full Spectrum CBD Gummies (1500mg bottle).

What Is Broad Spectrum CBD Oil?

Broad spectrum CBD is CBD oil that has undergone an additional filtering process to remove the trace amounts of THC that exist in full spectrum CBD. You’ll often see broad spectrum items noted as ND-THC, meaning that there are non-detectable amounts of THC in broad spectrum CBD products (and CBD isolate products).

Broad Spectrum CBD & the Entourage Effect

While this filtration process can also remove some other cannabis compounds, broad-spectrum CBD still retains a good amount of cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids. As a result, broad-spectrum CBD products allow users to benefit from the Entourage Effect, though less pronounced than with full spectrum CBD. To make up for this and to enhance the effects of broad-spectrum CBD, fatty oils (such as health-friendly, coconut-derived MCT oil) are sometimes added to the ingredients, aiding in the body’s absorption of the CBD.

Broad-Spectrum CBD Products

Broad-spectrum CBD is perfect for people who want to avoid detectable levels of THC, while still enjoying the calming health and wellness benefits of CBD. Because of this, we use broad-spectrum CBD in more of our CBD products than any other type of CBD. You can find broad spectrum CBD many of our CBD gummies, including our Original Mixed Berry CBD Gummies, CBD Sleep Gummies, CBD Gummies with Turmeric and Spirulina, CBD Gummies with Apple Cider Vinegar, CBD Gummies for Focus and Energy, CBD Mushroom Gummies for Wellness, and CBD Multivitamin Gummies. We also carry two broad spectrum capsules: CBD + CBG Morning Capsules and CBD + CBN Night Capsules. Other broad spectrum customer favorites include CBD edibles, CBD topicals, CBD vapes, and our popular line of CBD mushroom products.

Wanna see a cannabinoid breakdown for a broad spectrum CBD product? This table is taken directly from the Certificate of Analysis for our Original Mixed Berry CBD Gummies (1500mg bottle).

*ND = non-detectable amounts

*LOQ = limit of quantification

What is CBD Isolate?

CBD isolate is 99% pure CBD with all other cannabis compounds removed. Typically, CBD isolate comes in a powder or crystalline form. CBD isolate oils are generally made when crystalline CBD isolate is combined with a carrier oil, such as the aforementioned MCT oil.

CBD Isolate & the Entourage Effect

You won’t experience the Entourage Effect with CBD isolate, but you will have the purest form of CBD possible when you use an isolate product. For some, the peace of mind of having no mg of THC is worth sacrificing the Entourage Effect. 

CBD Isolate Products

CBD isolate works well in vape juices. Without the hemp plant’s natural terpenes and flavonoids, the flavor and smell of the hemp takes a back seat to the fruity or minty juice flavors that make CBD vapes so popular. Isolate also works well in some CBD bath items, such as our CBD bath bombs, which are imbued with essential oils and other natural ingredients.

Wanna see a cannabinoid breakdown for a CBD isolate product? This table is taken directly from the Certificate of Analysis for our Blue Raspberry CBD Vape Juice (1000mg bottle).

CBD Comparison Chart

Here’s a handy comparison chart for the items available containing full-spectrum CBD vs broad-spectrum vs CBD isolate.

Which CBD Oil Is Right for Me: Full Spectrum CBD, Broad Spectrum CBD, or CBD Isolate?

Now that you know the difference between full spectrum, broad spectrum, and isolate CBD, the question becomes, “Which of these CBD oils works best for me?” We can’t tell you which of these oils is best for your individual needs. Every person is different. Not only do we need relief for different things—sleep aids, minor pain relief, stress relief—but our physiologies are, too. We can all experience the effects of CBD differently. 

So, the best thing you can do, if you’re interested in trying CBD, is to experiment with different CBD products. Pay attention to whether your product has full-spectrum CBD or broad spectrum CBD or CBD isolate. And take note of how many milligrams are in each serving. Also, track what method of consumption you are using, and note that bioavailability (the extent and rate at which your body absorbs CBD) varies depending on whether the product is a CBD vape , CBD topical, CBD edible, or some other CBD product. 

If you keep an eye on all of these factors, you should be able to draw a bead on what CBD product works best for your needs. We wish you the best of luck, and encourage you to use our site as a reference source whenever a question arises!

LOOKING FOR FULL SPECTRUM OIL? TRY OUR CALMING CBD TINCTURE !

We also have a variety of broad spectrum CBD tinctures, for everything from sleep to health and wellness and more. And don’t forget about our full-spectrum CBD oils with bonus delta-9 THC!

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