When it comes to hemp extracts and CBD products a broad-spectrum hemp product is one that has a bit more processing than the full-spectrum one. What does it all mean, though? Cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, what are they? Let’s lay it all out and take a closer look at the different spectrums of hemp extracts, and how they differ from each other.
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What’s In a Hemp Extract?
A hemp extract can be an oil or a tincture, depending on the method of the extraction. A hemp extract is the essential oil of the hemp plant. When you pull the essential oil out of something you pull the actual essence from the plant, then suspend it in a solution for further use. Within a hemp plant, there are several compounds that are pulled into the extract. There are over 100 different cannabinoids in a hemp plant, including THC and CBD. There are also a plethora of terpenes and flavinoids that come along with it. In a full-spectrum hemp extract, none of the cannabinoids, terpenes, or flavinoids are removed during the process. What this means is that a full-spectrum hemp product will contain all of the cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids that are in the hemp plant, including a small amount of THC.
Hemp, THC, and CBD
Hemp is an amazing plant that has been bred and crossbred over the centuries in order to create a cannabis variant that has a low amount of THC and a high amount of CBD. Industrial hemp, which is what most of the hemp products are made from in the United States, can only be grown legally if it has a 3% THC content, or less. Marijuana, keep in mind, has upwards of 20% THC. So, what this means is that hemp does have a small amount of THC, but generally has a high content of CBD.
The difference between CBD and THC is that although they are both cannabinoids, they interact satta with the brain in different ways. There is a lot more to be learned about how, specifically, CBD works with the endocannabinoid system, but THC definitely has a direct effect on the brain. CBD is believed to possess calming qualities, and THC has proven to have psychoactive effects on the human mind. Some agencies believe that THC is dangerous, while others do not. However, there is no doubt that CBD and THC are entirely different from each other in terms of how they affect humans and animals.
Broad-Spectrum Hemp Products
It is important to understand that hemp by itself is a plant, and is not grown in any sort of spectrum. However, there are different spectrums of hemp extracts. A full-spectrum hemp extract, as we mentioned above has the full spectrum of the hemp plant within the essential oil that is pulled from the plant. A broad-spectrum extract, on the other hand, has all of the components of the hemp plant, except for the THC. Within the broad-spectrum process, the THC gets stripped away from the extract so that there will not be any traces of it in the final product. Essentially, a broad-spectrum hemp extract is a hemp extract without the presence of THC. The reason why it is still referred to as “broad spectrum” is that the terpenes and flavinoids along with the rest of the cannabinoids are still present.
CBD Islolate Extracts
Since the majority of hemp lovers are more interested in CBD than the other cannabinoids in the plant, manufacturers will process hemp extracts in a way that completely isolates CBD from the rest of the components. This is what’s known as a CBD isolate extract. With CBD isolate products users never have to worry about having anything but pure CBD in their systems. People that are extremely sensitive to THC, or are worried about getting a positive drug test from using products with trace amounts of THC prefer to have the option of a pure CBD product.
The Quality of Hemp Matters
Regardless of your favorite way to use hemp, if you get it from a low-grade source it will not do you any good. Whenever you purchase your hemp products, make sure that you are getting them from a high-quality producer that cares about their products and the people that use them. High Falls Hemp NY grows high-grade hemp and ensures great care from the seed to soul.
