What is Broad Spectrum CBD?

There are a wide variety of CBD products on the market, and many of them are labeled with terms like Broad Spectrum or Full Spectrum. What does Broad Spectrum and Full Spectrum CBD mean? The terminology used to describe these types of CBD is not obvious to first-time users, but it's actually fairly simple.

CBD, or cannabidiol, is a cannabinoid that is extracted out of the cannabis plant. The extraction process begins by soaking the plant material in a solvent which pulls out many substances from within it. We will provide more information on the extraction process later, but a variety of compounds, including other cannabinoids and terpenes, are pulled out (extracted) from the cannabis plant and are refined to make CBD oil. 

CBD oil that contains all of the cannabinoids from the cannabis plant is known as Full Spectrum. However, further refinement can be performed to remove unwanted cannabinoids, specifically tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC is the compound that produces psychoactive effects, causing a high feeling. A process called chromatography is used to remove THC, and only THC, from the CBD oil. The resulting material is called Broad Spectrum CBD. Alternatively, there is also CBD Isolate, which is highly purified CBD. Isolate is not an oil; it is a white powder that can be mixed into oils or lotions. 

The type of CBD you use is entirely up to you. It is widely believed that Full Spectrum CBD is most beneficial since it contains all the cannabinoids and a small amount of THC. The cannabinoids work together in your body to produce what's known as the entourage effect. Broad Spectrum CBD can also produce the entourage effect, but without the THC. The amount of THC allowed in CBD products is very small (0.3%) and will not cause a high, but for customers worried about the presence of THC, Broad Spectrum or Isolate products are recommended. For this reason, Maiz Extracts carries Broad Spectrum CBD Tinctures and Gummies. 

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