Types of CBD Oil Explained: Full and Broad Spectrum, Isolate

Types of CBD Oil Explained: Full and Broad Spectrum, Isolate

When shopping for CBD products, you’ll notice there are different types of CBD oil. It can be confusing when you’re looking to make a purchase, because there are many similarities but also subtle differences between types of CBD oil.

Before you consume any type of CBD, it’s important to know which type of oil you’re purchasing. While all forms of CBD dealt by reputable companies are safe, there are differences that are important.

Let’s dive into the types of CBD oil, as well as the differences between them!

What are the different types of CBD oil?

There are three main types of CBD oil:

  • Full-spectrum CBD
  • Broad-spectrum CBD
  • CBD isolate

These types of oils are made through variations in the distillation process, and they differ primarily in their CBD content, as well as the presence of other compounds that are naturally found in the cannabis or hemp plant.

Full Spectrum vs Broad Spectrum vs Isolate

Once the cannabis or hemp flowers reach the extraction facility, there are three different ways the CBD can be extracted. The final products are Full Spectrum CBD, Broad Spectrum CBD, and CBD Isolate, each having a different cannabinoid profile. When shopping for CBD, make sure the product has the type of CBD you’re looking for—not all are created equal. Read on to discover the differences, and decide which best fits your needs.

Full-Spectrum CBD

The cannabis plant has over 100 different compounds, but not all of them are cannabinoids. Another healthy chemical compound that is naturally found in the plant is terpenes. Full-spectrum CBD keeps all those beneficial cannabinoids and terpenes in the product, including THC. The final product will only contain trace amounts of THC—less than 0.3%—which is not enough to give you a high.

Because of the THC content, it is possible to fail a drug test if you’re consuming full-spectrum CBD products regularly. The trace amount of THC can build up, upping the chances of a possible failed test.

Broad-Spectrum CBD

This type of CBD is very similar to full-spectrum with one major difference—a refinement process removes all THC compounds, while keeping terpenes and the rest of the cannabinoids in the final product. Highline Wellness sells broad-spectrum CBD products because we believe this is the best option for many of our consumers.

With broad-spectrum CBD, you get the health benefits of terpenes and cannabinoids without the risk of THC. This is a great option if you want the benefits of the additional compounds without any THC.

CBD Isolate

This CBD product is, as the name suggests, CBD that’s completely isolated from any other chemical compounds in the plant—just pure CBD. CBD Isolate products can test as high as 99–100% CBD. But this doesn’t mean they are more effective. CBD isolate alone is much less effective then full spectrum and broad spectrum because it lacks the entourage effect of working with additional cannabinoids.

The benefit of CBD isolate is that, like broad-spectrum, there is absolutely no THC in the final product. But we still recommend broad-spectrum so you can enjoy the benefits of the entire plant, minus the THC.

Which Type of CBD Oil Should I Buy?

As stated earlier, that depends on what benefits you’re looking to get. Read below for a short breakdown of which type of CBD you should buy.

Full-Spectrum CBD

If you don’t need to worry about testing positive for a drug test, full-spectrum CBD is a great option. It contains traces of THC, which over time could build up in your system and cause you to fail a drug test.

Broad-Spectrum CBD

Broad-spectrum CBD is a great option for beginners, as it contains no THC (so you’ll pass a drug test) but retains all of the other natural cannabinoids, which give the entourage effect and are believed to help boost the properties of CBD.

CBD Isolate

If you’re just looking to take CBD, not any other compounds naturally found in the hemp plant (such as terpenes), CBD isolate is a good option for you, especially if you are sensitive to strong smells.

Katie Salvi
Marketing Manager, Email Marketing Santa Monica, CA