If you’ve ever gone shopping for cannabis products I’m sure you’ve seen or heard reference to “full spectrum” and “Isolate” based products… but do you fully understand the difference? As someone who has worked in the industry I’ve heard people ask for specific products without having any idea as to why or how they might differ from others. Don’t get me wrong… if something works for you, stick with it! But they can have a wildly different effect on the body, so getting educated about the differences in full spectrum vs. Isolate products is important.
Full spectrum products contain all of the cannabinoids and terpenes found in whichever strain of hemp is being used to formulate the product. The benefit of a full spectrum product is known as “the entourage effect”. This is because all of the compounds work together to amplify the benefits of each cannabinoid. This produces a well rounded effect and tends to be better for first time users. You might also see “broad spectrum” when shopping for CBD or CBG products, which is virtually the same as full spectrum, but without any THC. This is perfect for CBD users who need to avoid a positive drug test. You still get the benefits of the entourage effect without having to worry about THC levels.
Isolate products also have their place in the market. The upside of an isolate is that it’s the purest form of cannabinoid that you can possibly get. A CBD isolate for example, is made by taking a high CBD strain and removing all of the other terpenes and cannabinoids. Usually Isolate products are 99% pure. So a gram of CBD Isolate has 990 mg of CBD in it, making it much stronger than any other form of CBD you can buy. Of course you’re sacrificing the entourage effect, however some people highly prefer an isolate to full spectrum. It all depends on your body and your preferences.