The modern cannabis market can be overwhelming. Long gone are the days when consumers would simply smoke pot, eat a weed brownie, or have a hit of hash. Nowadays, there are cannabis goods for every type of person, all available in a wide range of formulations. But as it turns out, whole plant products may be the best.
RELATED: Which city smokes the most pot?
Goods that contain cannabis extracts, such as CBD oil, edibles, and topicals, fall into one of three categories: full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and isolate. Full-spectrum products contain all of the compounds that make cannabis what it is: cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, etc.
Broad-spectrum products are similar to full-spectrum products, except that any THC present is removed. Other less potent cannabinoids, like CBD, CBG, or CBN, are left behind. Isolates take things one step further, seeing all active compounds removed except for a single cannabinoid like CBD.
Most people who buy broad-spectrum or isolate products often do so because they don’t want to consume THC. Perhaps they are subject to drug tests or are concerned about psychoactive effects. However, THC may actually be the catalyst for making CBD oil or other cannabis products more effective.
The case for a full spectrum
According to research, the active compounds in cannabis may work better together. The phenomenon known as the entourage effect suggests that cannabinoids and terpenes have a synergistic relationship. Thanks to this harmonious relationship, full-spectrum products are potentially more effective than broad-spectrum or isolate products.
The “entourage effect” theory was introduced by famed cannabis researcher Dr. Raphael Meschoulam in 1998 and explored further by Dr. Ethan Russo. In a 2011 paper dubbed “Taming THC,” Russo suggested that full-spectrum cannabis could “improve the therapeutic index of cannabis extracts containing THC, or other base phytocannabinoids.”
RELATED: THC who? These compounds may be the most important part of weed
Russo presented further evidence in a 2019 study, in which he wrote that the benefits of cannabis are enhanced if all the active components are present. Remove THC or other natural compounds, and there’s a good chance the product will be less effective.
That’s not to say that broad-spectrum or isolate products are ineffective—it’s simply more likely that a full-spectrum product offers the most bang for your buck.
How to shop for (effective) CBD
When shopping for cannabis products, make sure to read the label carefully—especially when it comes to hemp. The 2018 Farm Bill states that legal hemp must contain 0.3 percent THC or less. This minuscule amount of THC is not enough to elicit a buzz in most people, but it may help the CBD or other cannabinoids work better.
If THC consumption isn’t a concern, seek out products that have the words “full spectrum” on the label. People who are subject to drug tests or can’t tolerate any THC may want something marked “broad spectrum.” Isolates are often the least desirable but are not completely ineffective. Just remember that “full” equates to as close to the plant as you can get.
