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Broad-spectrum or Full-spectrum: CBD extraction
CBD is one of the main active compounds in hemp. It is also becoming increasingly popular and increasingly widely used. On the current market, CBD is available in a wide range of products, including CBD oil.
Certain characteristics of this product can be confusing when purchasing, particularly "the oil spectrum". Don’t worry, we won’t be talking about ghosts, but about the extraction processes used to make CBD oil.
To help you understand this better, we’ll explain it all in this article.
How is CBD oil produced?
Although we often hear the terms “full spectrum” and “broad spectrum” when discussing CBD oil, we don’t always know where they come from or what they mean.
To better understand these terms, it is worth looking at how CBD oil is produced and its various characteristics...
CBD oil: what are the different extraction methods?
To produce CBD oil, the first step is to extract the cannabidiol molecule present in the hemp plant. There are several ways to do this (please note, however, that the method chosen will affect the product’s potency and purity).
The different CBD extraction processes are as follows:
• Oil-based extraction;
• Solvent-based extraction;
• Supercritical CO2 extraction.
=> What is oil-based extraction?
The first is the most common; it has the advantage of being simple and quick, without the use of chemicals. However, with this method, the cannabidiol content is lower and the shelf life is shorter. Nevertheless, it allows for the creation of an edible oil suitable for personal use.
=> What is solvent-based extraction?
The second method is inexpensive and suitable for small-scale producers. However, it is not edible, and the use of solvents carries a risk of explosion that should not be overlooked.
=> What is supercritical CO2 extraction?
Finally, the third method is the most advanced way of extracting CBD from hemp to create a very pure oil. This requires highly complex and very expensive equipment.
What is the spectrum of a CBD oil?
The spectrum of a CBD oil is essential information for understanding its quality and effects.
As you probably already know, hemp contains several active molecules:
• Cannabinoids: The best known are THC and CBD, although there are many others ;
• terpenes: Responsible for the plant’s scents and flavours;
• Flavonoids: Responsible for the brown, red and blue hues of the flowers.
The presence or absence of these molecules in the oil’s composition will therefore influence its spectrum and its effects. But what spectra are we talking about?
• Full spectrum, or complete spectrum: when an oil contains all the active compounds derived from hemp, it is referred to as a full-spectrum oil (this is an oil of optimal quality, more effective thanks to the entourage effect, which we will discuss later in this article);
• broad spectrum: a broad-spectrum oil contains almost all of the active molecules in hemp, except for THC (therefore, people who are sensitive to this cannabinoid should opt for an oil that does not contain it) ;
• The isolate: an isolate oil will contain only cannabidiol and no other compounds from hemp.
>>Browse Sixty8 oils in our online shop<<
Full spectrum vs broad spectrum: what are the differences?
The main difference between full spectrum extraction and broad spectrum lies in whether or not the product contains THC.
In the first case (full-spectrum oil), you’ll find all the active molecules in hemp; in the second (broad-spectrum oil), there are all the cannabinoids except THC.
How do you know which one to choose?
Focus on full-spectrum extraction.
Why choose a full-spectrum CBD oil?
As we saw earlier, full-spectrum extraction involves extracting all the molecules from the hemp so that they are present in the CBD oil.
This combination causes the phenomenon known as the “entourage effect” (explanations below). Furthermore, the full spectrum requires a less extensive refinement process.
Why is the presence of all cannabinoids in a CBD oil more beneficial for the consumer?
Well, numerous scientific studies have shown that these molecules interact with one another to provide an enhanced effect when consumed. If you are interested in this topic, we invite you to find out more about the work of Dr Ethan Russo, a psychopharmacologist who has conducted several studies on the entourage effect.
Therefore, anyone wishing to benefit from the optimal effects of CBD oil would be well advised to opt for a full-spectrum oil.
Without a doubt, the best products available on the CBD market: full-spectrum oils, designed and selected by our teams and our expert laboratory, offer impeccable quality so you can enjoy the best effects of hemp with just a few drops.
>>Sixty8’s full-spectrum CBD oil<<
Why choose a broad-spectrum oil?
There’s a reason why all reputable CBD producers offer both full-spectrum and broad-spectrum CBD oils!
THC-free broad-spectrum oils are aimed at a group of users who still want to benefit from the entourage effect of the many cannabinoids present in the oil, but without the risk of having traces of THC in their blood.
These oils are therefore mainly aimed at people who do not tolerate THC well, at athletes for the muscle recovery effects after a session, and at people who do not want to run the risk of being tested by the authorities.
Indeed, with a THC content of 0%, there is no discomfort associated with THC use, no doping control issues for athletes, and no chance of testing positive for THC during a roadside check, for example.
>>Sixty8’s broad-spectrum CBD oil<<
The entourage effect: what on earth is it?
Discovered as recently as 1998, theentourage effect, also known as thesynergistic effect, is a principle that describes the interaction between all the molecules in hemp to produce different effects. The compounds in hemp and the consumer’s endocannabinoid system therefore work in synergy to produce the final effect felt when taking cannabis or CBD.
The entourage effect is based on three mechanisms:
1. The compounds bind to several receptors in our body to enhance the effects of cannabinoids;
2. One molecule can influence the movement of another within the body;
3. The compounds interact with one another to eliminate or reduce any potential side effects.
Understanding the overall effect is a definite advantage when choosing a CBD oil. Indeed, this will allow you to select a suitable oil based on its cannabinoid profile, its extraction process, and the desired effect.
To conclude, before choosing a CBD oil, you must define the purpose for which you intend to use it. Depending on this, you can then focus on the main criteria for making the right choice, namely: the THC content, the CBD percentage, the taste of the product, and also the extraction method.
If you’d like to find out more about CBD, its cultivation and methods of consumption, we recommend the following related articles:
- What is indoor cultivation?
- Cannabidiol: What is the effect of CBD?
- How many drops of CBD for sleep?
- 3 simple tips for finding the right dosage
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