The 3 Different Types of CBD You Should Know

If you’re CBD curious and have been browsing around for CBD products, you might have come across the different types of CBD. Before jumping into your first CBD purchase, it’s absolutely critical that you understand what you’re consuming. To help you make well-informed decisions about your dispensary purchase on a CBD product, this article will give you a quick guide to the main differences among the three types of CBD. 

1. Full Spectrum CBD

Full Spectrum is the name of the game when it comes to giving extracts their full potential so full spectrum CBD pretty much gives you a huge clue about what kind this is. Simply put, full spectrum CBD contains all the cannabinoids that are naturally found in the cannabis plant including other beneficial compounds like terpenes and flavonoids. It also contains small traces of THC or Tetrahydrocannabinol which is the main psychoactive compound in cannabis responsible for producing the high sensation. 

Full spectrum CBD is less processed as opposed to other forms of CBD which means it is less altered, more natural and of superior quality; however, its biggest benefit is what we call the “entourage effect” or a term used by researchers suggesting that CBD works better and is more effective when taken together with other cannabinoids and organic compounds. For this reason, full spectrum CBD is the most popular choice among CBD users and CBD brands who want to offer maximum benefit. 

If you want to reap the full benefits of the cannabis plant and don’t mind consuming some THC, opt for a full spectrum CBD product. High doses of CBD may mean greater exposure to THC so if you want to avoid any chance of experiencing the high sensation, make sure that the CBD product only contains a low level of 0.3% THC or less which is the legal limit. This amount of THC is not strong enough to generate significant psychoactive effects however, it is important to note that THC levels can rise when CBD converts into a concentrate so shoppers are encouraged to do their research and look up independent test results before purchasing a CBD product.

Because full spectrum CBD has all the benefits of the entire hemp plant and its quality more preserved, full spectrum CBD products are typically more expensive than broad spectrum or CBD isolate counterparts. 

2. Broad Spectrum CBD

If you’re iffy about consuming THC but looking for a health boost from CBD, broad spectrum CBD is the way to go. To put it simply, this type of CBD sits in the middle between full spectrum and CBD isolate. 

Like full spectrum CBD, broad spectrum contains other cannabinoids that are naturally found in the cannabis plant but contains zero traces of THC. Although broad spectrum CBD is THC-free, it only contains the minor cannabinoids and terpenes that make full spectrum CBD so great. 

CBD users who want to benefit from the entourage effect but want to avoid even the smallest chances of experiencing a ‘high,’ will go for a broad spectrum option. And because there are zero traces of THC, broad spectrum is more popular among athletes who routinely go for drug tests. 

3. CBD Isolate

As the name suggests, CBD isolate is an isolated form of CBD which means, it is the purest form of its kind. CBD isolate does not contain any other cannabinoids or naturally occurring compounds of the cannabis plant that are removed through an extensive extraction process. Depending on the extraction process type, quality CBD isolates are typically 99% pure and come in crystal form often grounded up and sold as powder. 

CBD isolate is most suitable for first-time CBD users who want to try CBD’s potential without other cannabis compounds interfering or altering its effects. Like broad spectrum, it is also popular among people who have to undergo drug testing as it contains zero traces of THC. 

A 2015 research concludes that while CBD isolate may provide certain health benefits, the effects are less notable compared to using full spectrum CBD. The same research also suggests that CBD isolate efficacy against pain only occurs at a specific dose as opposed to full spectrum CBD, where effects become stronger as the dosage increases. For this reason, you may want to consider CBD isolate only if you want to take high doses of CBD but prefer something THC-free.

Which is the best type of CBD?

Not enough scientific research has been done to determine the best type of CBD so your choice will completely depend on your lifestyle, personal preference and usage. 

Whether you choose full spectrum CBD, broad spectrum CBD or CBD isolate, CBD products are not an all-size-fits-all so it is imperative to experiment with various options until you find the one that works best for you. This also applies to finding the most optimal CBD dosage. Every person’s body is different and may respond differently to the cannabinoids in CBD so it’s not wise to dictate how much CBD dosage a person should take. 

While CBD brands may produce products with varying strengths, you will find that 35 milligrams CBD is an excellent strength to start. As far as CBD bath brands are concerned, since water may dilute the concentration, CBD bath bombs and CBD soaps aim for at least 50mg of CBD. It’s also important to note that the best CBD bath bombs and CBD soaps do not only feature high-potency CBD but also combine other beneficial organic ingredients and herbal extracts.

At Tub Therapy, we've chosen to use full spectrum CBD in our bath treats for a more holistic skin transformation. Each of our CBD bath bombs and CBD soaps contain up to 100mg which is not too low nor not too strong but a comfortable strength that caters to both the CBD first-timers and the CBD savvy. We’ve also carefully selected natural ingredients into the mix that homogenize well with CBD oil for a natural yet luxurious cleanse. 

To help you feel confident about choosing Tub Therapy CBD bath treats as part of your CBD wellness routine, each of our product variants are lab tested by an ISO certified laboratory to comply with the legal limit of 0.3% THC or less.

Again, determining which CBD is right for you comes down to personal preference and some trial and error. The differences among full spectrum CBD, broad spectrum CBD and CBD isolate will impact how you use the products so choose something that suits your needs. 

Sources: Healthline.com, medicalnewstoday.com