Cannabidiol (CBD) products have been growing in popularity as a way to help manage many different conditions, including pain and anxiety. But since the world of CBD is relatively new and research is still ongoing, it can be a little overwhelming to navigate.
If you’ve already started looking for a CBD product to try, you might have noticed that some labels say they’re made from full-spectrum or whole-plant CBD. But what exactly does that mean?
Here’s what you need to know about full-spectrum CBD and how to decide if it’s right for you — plus, our picks for the best full-spectrum CBD products to try.
Full-spectrum CBD is a type of CBD that contains all beneficial compounds naturally found in the cannabis plant. These include:
CBD may be an effective remedy for a number of mental health and physical conditions. It’s important to remember that CBD products come in many different types. So you can choose the spectrum, method, and dose that fits your specific need.
If you want the full benefits of the entourage effect — particularly the chemical compound THC — then full-spectrum CBD may be the best option for you.
Andrew Kerklaan, DC, CEO of Dr. Kerklaan Therapeutics, explains the entourage effect is the idea that, “Multiple cannabinoids, flavonoids, and terpenes work together to potentially offer more benefits and therapeutic potential than isolated, individual cannabinoids on their own.”
If you want the broader effects of the entire cannabis plant, full-spectrum CBD may be the best fit for you.
The biggest difference is that while full-spectrum CBD products contain small amounts of THC, broad-spectrum and isolate products do not.
Broad-spectrum CBD removes THC, but it keeps other cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids. CBD isolate removes everything except CBD.
Full-spectrum CBD has a couple of benefits over broad-spectrum CBD and CBD isolate.
While a 2015 study suggests that CBD can be beneficial on its own, other research from 2017 suggests that CBD’s therapeutic effects are stronger when combined with other cannabis compounds, including terpenes, flavonoids, and lesser-known cannabinoids. This theory is called the entourage effect.
Broad-spectrum CBD does include other compounds, but the THC found only in full-spectrum products may amp up the anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving benefits of CBD.
Keep in mind that with very low levels of THC (less than 0.3 percent), full-spectrum CBD still shouldn’t cause you to feel “high.” However, this depends on the product’s potency and the amount you take at once. If you take a large dose of a high potency product, you may be ingesting enough THC to produce a euphoric effect.
Full-spectrum CBD is a popular option. It’s easy to find full-spectrum CBD edibles (gummies), topicals (creams or lotions), sublinguals (sprays or oils), and pills or capsules.
Despite the benefits of full-spectrum CBD, it does have a few drawbacks as well.
Not everyone wants THC in their CBD products. You may prefer to avoid it or you might worry about it showing up on a drug test. Depending on the test, this is a possibility, especially if you’re buying CBD products that are mislabeled and contain more THC than they claim.
The products we cover in this article are hemp-derived, which means the plants themselves contain less than 0.3% THC. Hemp-derived CBD products with less than 0.3% THC are federally legal, though they’re still illegal under some state laws.
Additionally, some CBD products may be made from what’s commonly referred to as “marijuana” and may have more than 0.3% THC. These products can be found at dispensaries in states where cannabis is legal.
If you’re shopping for a full-spectrum CBD product, check how much THC is in it so you can make sure it’s what you’re looking for.
If you’re interested in the potential therapeutic benefits of the entourage effect, full-spectrum CBD may be the best choice for you.
However, if you’re sensitive to THC or just want to avoid it, you might want to try broad-spectrum CBD. That way, you’ll still get some benefits of entourage effect but with no THC.
If you don’t want anything but CBD, isolate will be your best bet.
If you’re ready to dive in, here are a few great full-spectrum CBD products to get you started. The products on our list meet specific safety, quality, and transparency criteria. Each product:
We also considered: