CBD Oil, Prescriptions, The Cannabis Plant
Full Spectrum CBD vs Isolate CBD – What’s the Difference?
Understanding the legal status of CBD products in New Zealand
In New Zealand, a legal CBD product is one where THC (and other THC-derivatives) is less than 2% of the total amount of CBD. Read the exact definition of a CBD product here.
Patients can legally access full spectrum, broad spectrum, and isolate CBD products via a prescription from a doctor. This regulation ensures that all products meet stringent quality standards to ensure patient safety. Personal importation of CBD products is not allowed in New Zealand.
What is full spectrum CBD?
Full spectrum CBD represents CBD, Cannabidiol, that contains an array of cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, and other compounds found within the Cannabis Sativa plant, including trace amounts of THC. Other compounds included in this combination may also have medicinal benefits, such as CBN, CBG, and CBC. This combination of compounds is believed to enhance the therapeutic action of the CBD because of a phenomenon called the “entourage effect”.
This effect suggests that different compounds in full spectrum CBD work synergistically with one another to enhance therapeutic benefits. This may result in improved efficacy in the symptomatic relief of pain, inflammation, anxiety, and epilepsy management. In addition, terpenes and flavonoids in full-spectrum CBD can give the aroma and flavour of the product while also potentially extending further the health effects, which may include anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities.
Because it contains a complete profile, full spectrum CBD is the favourite among many patients prescribed medicinal cannabis. However, this small amount of trace THC could possibly trigger positive results in a drug test, which becomes an issue for some patients.
What is broad spectrum CBD?
Broad spectrum CBD is like full spectrum CBD, with the key difference being it excludes THC.
Broad spectrum CBD products aim to provide the benefits of all the additional phytocompounds and CBD, whilst avoiding the potential drawbacks of THC. Broad spectrum CBD still has the capacity to cause the entourage effect, but possibly in a more diminished capacity.
What is isolate CBD?
Isolate CBD is pure cannabidiol, with the other cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids missing. The high purity of this product is due to its intensive extraction and purification, whereby every compound of the cannabis plant is removed, except for CBD.
Most of the time, CBD isolate comes in a crystalline powder or oil-based tinctures. It is usually preferred by those who want to stay away from any THC or other cannabinoids. This makes it ideal for people who show high sensitivity to THC or are afraid of failing a drug test. Another critical feature of CBD isolate is that it has no taste or smell, making it easy to add to several products, from edibles and beverages to topicals.
While CBD isolate holds the benefits of CBD, such as potential symptomatic relief of anxiety, pain, and sleep, it lacks the entourage effect provided by full spectrum CBD. In the final analysis, patients might miss the experience of the therapeutic benefit that emanates from synergy with several cannabinoids and other compounds.
Comparing extraction methods: full spectrum vs. isolate
It all boils down to how a CBD product is extracted: full spectrum or isolate. The former is less refined, retaining the various cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids found in the cannabis plant.
In contrast, CBD isolate undergoes further processing to eliminate all the other compounds leaving 99% pure CBD. This is the method that ensures that isolated CBD does not contain THC at all. It’s ideal for users who are sensitive to THC or just concerned about drug testing.
Potential side effects: full spectrum vs. isolate
While both are generally well-tolerated, full spectrum and isolate CBD do have different side effects. On a single serving, full-spectrum CBD can contain trace amounts of THC. This can build up in the body and may show up on drug tests. Other sensitive patients may also face mildly psychoactive feelings from the tiny amount of THC present. On the contrary, CBD isolate does not host traces of THC or any other cannabinoids; hence, it maximises the safety against such side effects. However, users may miss the therapeutic benefits of isolates through the entourage effect.
Potential benefits: full spectrum vs. isolate
Although consultation with an experienced doctor will help determine the best course of treatment for your personal health challenges, there are a few factors to consider when comparing CBD products.
CBD isolate does not induce a ‘high’ and you will not test positive in a workplace drug test. Isolate CBD is a better choice for those people looking for the benefits of CBD without any psychoactive effects. People who take isolate CBD report a calming and therapeutic effect. Some studies also show that CBD isolate may have anti-inflammatory properties, may help relieve chronic pain symptoms and repair sore muscles, and may help with a good night’s rest. However, those using CBD isolate may be missing out on the potential benefits of the combination of other cannabinoids, flavonoids and terpenes.
As noted above, full spectrum CBD contains a full spectrum of CBD, terpenes and flavonoids, along with a small amount of THC meaning you may fail a workplace drug test. However, all these compounds are said to work together to make the positive effects of medicinal cannabis more effective. This is known as ‘the entourage effect’.
A study from 2018 also has shown that full-spectrum CBD was more effective for pain relief when compared to isolate CBD. Some of the health benefits people report experiencing with full-spectrum CBD include relief from symptoms of pain, anti-seizure effects, nausea and muscle spasm relief, less anxiety and anti-inflammatory properties. Some also see it as less processed and more natural than isolate CBD.
What is the Entourage Effect?
As noted above, the entourage effect describes how all the compounds that make up medicinal cannabis work in synergy to enhance the positive effects of medicinal cannabis. The theory behind the idea was first suggested in the late 1990s by researchers Shimon Ben Shabat and Raphael Mechoulam. They were looking at how the body’s natural endocannabinoids react with different non-active compounds.
This theory was further developed in the early 2000s by Elizabeth Wilson, who applied these findings to CBD and THC. Williamson found evidence that the whole plant or its partially purified extract was more effective than an isolate.
Testing for this theory is still ongoing, however, scientists now believe certain strains of cannabis are more effective for treating different conditions, based on the mix of terpenes in each strain.
Which CBD products are available in New Zealand?
Currently, you can access isolate, broad spectrum, and full spectrum CBD products in New Zealand with a prescription from a doctor.
Which type of CBD is suitable for me?
As you can see, some CBD oils are purified extracts meaning they contain nothing but CBD whereas others are closer to full/whole plant extracts. Although they may look similar on the outside, they are quite different products and speaking to an experienced doctor trained in the field will help you select the best one for you.
If you’d like to find out more about CBD and are wondering if it may help you with any troubling health symptoms you’re facing, book a consultation with us today to begin your medicinal cannabis journey.
REFERENCES
- https://cannabishealthnews.co.uk/2021/04/01/the-difference-between-full-spectrum-broad-spectrum-and-isolate-cbd/
- https://cannigma.com/treatment/what-is-the-entourage-effect/
- https://www.goodhemp.com/hemp-hub/cbd-isolate-vs-full-spectrum-cbd-oil-which-ones-right-for-you/
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/cbd-isolate-vs-full-spectrum-cbd#cbd-isolate-benefits
Disclaimer – medicinal cannabis and CBD oil are unapproved medicines in NZ which means that there is no conclusive evidence for their effect, apart from Sativex. Many doctors do not routinely prescribe cannabis medicines. The above article was written for general educational purposes and does not intend to suggest that medicinal cannabis can be used to treat any health condition. Please consult with your healthcare provider.
