What Is The Difference Between Full-Spectrum CBD Oil And CBD Isolate?
Date Published: 2019-05-01
Date Updated: 2019-05-01
Firstly, let’s look at cannabinoids: the ‘active ingredients’ in cannabis and hemp plants.
There are over 60 cannabinoids known to scientists. Research shows that different cannabinoids affect our bodies differently. Cannabinoids affect all mammals, as all mammals have an endocannabinoid system. Interestingly, we can produce some cannabinoids naturally on our own.
The two most well-known cannabinoids are cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). CBD oil is associated with a range of medical benefits, and is non-intoxicating, meaning it can’t get you high. THC also has a number of health benefits, and it is intoxicating, which means it can make you high.
According to research, CBD can bring dogs relief from the following conditions:
- Pain
- Anxiety
- Inflammation
- Skin conditions
- Seizures
As a result, many people use CBD oil for their dogs or themselves as it is a proven remedy for many conditions.
You might come across CBD oil that is labeled ‘CBD isolate’. This means CBD is the only cannabinoid in the oil. Full-spectrum CBD, on the other hand, contains other cannabinoids. While CBD is the most concentrated cannabinoid in the oil, you’ll find small amounts of other cannabinoids in the oil.
Full-spectrum CBD oil often contains terpenes, which give cannabis and hemp plants their unique aromas. These terpenes also have a range of health benefits; for example, they’re associated with relaxation and relief from stress and anxiety.
Which Cannabinoids Are In Full-Spectrum CBD Oil?
In theory, full-spectrum CBD oil should contain traces of all cannabinoids while broad-spectrum CBD oil should contain traces of many cannabinoids. But – and this is an important caveat – since scientists aren’t sure that they’ve identified all the existing cannabinoids, we can’t confidently say any oil contains all cannabinoids.
Remember that labeling CBD is a tricky area, as it’s not totally regulated. We don’t have an official universal definition of broad-spectrum CBD oil or full-spectrum CBD oil, for example, which means that authoritative groups like the FDA can’t actually regulate these labels.
The cannabinoids in full-spectrum CBD oil can differ from brand to brand. You can only know for sure by looking at the lab results after the oil has been tested. Most reputable brands will have a link to their lab results on their website, or they’ll send it to you if you contact them directly.
However, most full-spectrum CBD oil contains the following cannabinoids:
- CBN (cannabinol), which could relieve pain, insomnia, and inflammation, as well as prevent seizures and stimulate appetite
- CBG (cannabigerol), which could soothe irritable bowel disease, treat glaucoma, protect against certain brain diseases, and slow the growth of cancer cells
- CBC (cannabichromene), which could reduce pain and inflammation, protect brain cells, and slow the growth of cancer
- THCV (tetrahydrocannabivarin), which can reduce panic attacks, stimulate appetite, and protect brain cells.
It will also contain trace amounts of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the intoxicating cannabinoid that can increase your appetite, help you sleep, and relieve pain. Usually, the THC in full-spectrum CBD oil is very very low – so low that you can’t get high from it at all. So, don’t worry – your dog won’t get high from full-spectrum CBD oil!
Bear in mind that the cannabinoids listed above aren’t as well-studied as CBD and THC, and there is still so much that needs to be researched. More scientific studies need to be conducted before we’re totally sure what CBN, CBG, and CBC do.
When it comes to CBD oil and dogs, we have a fair amount of research showing that CBD oil definitely benefits dogs, but there isn’t that much research that shows how other cannabinoids can help your dogs.
Is Full-Spectrum Cbd Oil Better Than Cbd Isolate?
There isn’t a straight-forward answer to this. Each consumer has their own preference, and more research needs to be done on the benefits of each kind of CBD oil.
In 2015, a study conducted at the Lautenberg Center for General Tumor Immunology in Jerusalem looked at the effects of full-spectrum CBD oil versus the effects of CBD isolate. The study found that mice given full-spectrum CBD oil seemed to experience more health benefits than mice that were given CBD isolate. In other words, the study suggested that full-spectrum CBD is better than CBD isolate.
Then, there’s the idea of the ‘entourage effect’ – the observation cannabinoids seem to be more effective when they’re used together. For this reason, many doctors recommend that people take full-spectrum CBD instead of CBD isolate.
Should I Give My Dog Full-Spectrum CBD Oil Or CBD Isolate?
Veterinarians have opposing opinions on this. Some believe the entourage effect is greatly effective for dogs, while others do not. It’s important to remember that most studies on CBD and dogs involve CBD isolate, not full-spectrum CBD oil.
Of course, it’s important to speak to your vet before giving your dog CBD oil. A veterinarian would be best equipped to advise you on whether to use CBD isolate or full-spectrum CBD oil. They can also help you find the best dosage and recommend a reputable brand.
You can always call your vet ahead of time to ask if they’re familiar with the benefits of CBD oil for dogs. Vets that refer to themselves as ‘holistic’ or advocate for ‘natural’ remedies are more likely to be knowledgeable about CBD oil for dogs.
Remember to always use high-quality CBD oil for your dog, no matter whether you choose full-spectrum CBD oil or CBD isolate. After all, your furry friend deserves the best quality!