The cannabis plant contains about 500 known compounds, of which a little over 100 are cannabinoids. As we have already discussed in other articles, THC and CBD are the most popular, although CBD does not produce psychoactive effects, while THC is responsible for the effects of marijuana that we all know.

For this reason, it could be argued that the presence or absence of THC (even in minimal amounts) is what, in some way, determines the two basic forms in which CBD is marketed.

This means that when you buy CBD you must choose between two essential categories of products: full-spectrum CBD, which could contain TCH even in a small proportion, and isolated CBD, which is completely lacking in that compound. There is a third form, which is the broad-spectrum CBD, whose fundamental difference from the full spectrum is the absolute absence of THC, although it maintains the rest of the substances.

How are they made?

Full-spectrum CBD is made from an extract that contains all or almost all of the compounds naturally found in a cannabis plant. This means that CBD and other cannabinoids such as CBN, CBC, CBG, and THC are present, although, at minimal levels, a large number of characteristic substances of the plant such as terpenes, flavonoids, chlorophylls, waxes, and many others are also present.

For its part, isolated CBD contains only CBD, which is achieved by isolating the CBD from the cannabis extract or by artificially manufacturing it in a laboratory.

The difference between the two forms of CBD has to do with the manufacturing process of the extract. Full-spectrum ones are produced by extracting all of the medicinal compounds from the cannabis plant, leaving behind only fibers, large proteins, and cellular structures.

The CBD isolates are much more refined extracts: they contain around 99% CBD in crystal form and minimal levels of terpenes. Its manufacture begins in the same way but has additional processing stages where all non-CBD compounds are removed.

Entourage effect

The Entourage Effect is a theory according to which the joint action of the different compounds of the cannabis plant is more effective than that produced by a cannabinoid in isolation, which would be explained because a complex synergistic interaction is generated between them that produces unique favorable effects in the organism. The theory would be reinforced by several robust studies indicating that the varieties of effects of cannabis do not come simply from the individual compounds it contains, but from how those compounds interact in the body. Although it is an unproven theory, it would imply that this effect would be lost when CBD is ingested in an isolated form.

This could mean that broad-spectrum extracts would play an important role when deciding on a form of CBD, since because they are similar to full-spectrum extracts ―in the sense that they contain several different molecules― they would offer the advantages of CBD entourage effect to the consumer, without the presence of THC. That is, they would be ideal for those who, in addition to CBD, seeks significant terpene content, while avoiding the residual levels of THC that could be detected in drug tests.

NOTE: The CBD products sold by the Open Hemp Shop come only from hemp, the genetic line of cannabis that is legally marketed.