Full vs broad spectrum CBD: the complete guide

Full vs broad spectrum CBD in short

The difference comes down to THC: full spectrum contains a small amount, broad spectrum is made to contain none, and isolate is CBD with no other plant compounds.

Here are the seven things worth weighing: THC content and what the label and COA show, other cannabinoids and terpenes, drug testing considerations, the quality of evidence behind any added benefit, taste and format, price per mg of CBD, and who each type suits. The table below covers each one.

Side by side table: full spectrum, broad spectrum and isolate

No type wins every row, and the right pick depends on how you feel about THC and what you want from the extract.

Where our products fit: cbdMD Full Spectrum CBD Oil Tincture and cbdMD Full Spectrum CBD Gummies are full spectrum. Binoid Broad Spectrum CBD Gummies, 10mg and cbdMD Broad Spectrum CBD PM Oil Tincture 1500mg, Mint are broad spectrum.

What is actually in each type

The type is defined by what the extract keeps: full spectrum keeps trace THC with other cannabinoids and terpenes, broad spectrum keeps those other compounds without THC, and isolate keeps only CBD.

To check what you are really getting, read the label and the certificate of analysis (COA) from the lab. Look for four things:

• The THC line and its unit. Lab reports often list THC in mg per gram or as a percent. Check which one, so you do not misread the number.
• The cannabinoid list. A full or broad spectrum product should show cannabinoids besides CBD. Isolate will show CBD only.
• Whether terpenes are reported. Some COAs include a terpene panel and some do not. A panel is useful if you want to see the aroma compounds.
• The wording on THC. "Non-detectable" (often shown as ND) means the lab did not find THC above the limit its method can measure. That is not the same as a promise of absolute zero. "THC-free" is a label claim, so confirm it against the COA for your batch.

For examples, the cbdMD full spectrum products state that the extract keeps a small amount of hemp-derived THC within the federal 0.3% limit. The Binoid gummies and the cbdMD PM tincture are labeled THC-free.

What the entourage effect research does and does not show

The entourage effect is the idea that CBD works better alongside other hemp compounds, and no human study has settled whether full spectrum beats broad spectrum.

The idea is popular, and every top page repeats it. Here is how to read the research behind it. Cell and animal research can suggest that compounds interact. That kind of work is a starting point, not proof of what happens when a person takes a gummy or a tincture. Human studies that compare matched full and broad spectrum products head to head are what would settle it, and none has done so.

So the honest takeaway is practical. Pick on your comfort with THC, the taste you like and the routine you will stick with, not on a promise that one type works better.

THC and drug testing: what to weigh

Full spectrum contains trace THC, so it carries more drug testing risk than broad spectrum or isolate, and no product can promise a test result.

Trace THC can build up in the body with regular use. Broad spectrum is made to avoid THC, but labels and batches vary, which is why the COA matters more than the front of the bottle. If testing matters for your job, take these steps:

1. Read your employer's policy, and ask them directly if it is unclear.
2. Open the COA for the exact batch and look at the THC line.
3. Talk to your doctor if the stakes are high. If you are unsure, skipping hemp products altogether is the only sure way to avoid the question.

Dose and cost: how to compare across types

To compare cost fairly, divide the price by the total mg of CBD in the container, then check how many mg you get per serving.

Price per mg of CBD = price of the product divided by total mg of CBD. Use the price on the product page for the size you are considering. A bigger bottle often costs less per mg, but only helps if you will use it.

Mg per bottle and mg per serving are different numbers. The cbdMD Full Spectrum CBD Oil Tincture comes in 1500mg, 3000mg and 6000mg bottles, and those figures are the total CBD in the bottle, not one dose. The cbdMD Full Spectrum CBD Gummies come in 1500mg, 3000mg and 6000mg jars, again the total per jar. By contrast, each Binoid Broad Spectrum CBD Gummy holds 10mg of CBD, so that figure is per piece. The low dose per piece means you take more gummies for higher amounts.

Worked method: if a product page lists a price for a 1500mg bottle, divide that price by 1500. Do the same for 3000mg and 6000mg and compare. For gummies, also divide the total by the number of pieces to see mg per gummy.

How to choose: full spectrum, broad spectrum or isolate

Choose by your comfort with THC first, then by taste and routine.

• Choose full spectrum if you are comfortable with trace THC and want the whole extract.
• Choose broad spectrum if you want to avoid THC but still want other hemp compounds.
• Choose isolate if you want CBD only and no hemp taste. This points away from our full and broad spectrum picks, so look for an isolate product if no other plant compounds is your goal.

If you want full spectrum

Choose cbdMD Full Spectrum CBD Oil Tincture for dropper dosing, or cbdMD Full Spectrum CBD Gummies for set servings.

The tincture is full spectrum hemp extract in MCT oil with nothing else added, in 1500mg, 3000mg or 6000mg bottles, natural or mint chocolate. The gummies use full spectrum hemp extract, a tapioca syrup base and natural tropical flavors, in 1500mg, 3000mg and 6000mg jars. The limit: both keep a small amount of hemp-derived THC within the federal 0.3% limit.

If you want broad spectrum and a gentle start

Choose Binoid Broad Spectrum CBD Gummies, 10mg if you are new to CBD and want an easy-to-adjust amount.

Each gummy has 10mg of THC-free CBD, in assorted fruit flavors. They are vegan, gluten free, non-GMO and kosher friendly, and made in the USA. The limit: 10mg per piece means more gummies for higher amounts.

If you want broad spectrum for evenings

Choose cbdMD Broad Spectrum CBD PM Oil Tincture 1500mg, Mint if you want an evening product that is THC-free.

It combines 1500mg THC-free CBD with 150mg melatonin and a blend of valerian root, chamomile and hops, in a mint-flavored 30mL bottle dosed by the dropper. The label suggests starting with half a dropper and adjusting over a few nights. The limit: it has added ingredients, so it is not a plain CBD oil. Check with a doctor or pharmacist if you take other products.

Safety questions buyers ask, tied to spectrum type

Spectrum type does not remove the need to ask a doctor or pharmacist, because CBD can interact with some medications.

Can I take CBD with other medications or if I have a health concern? Talk to a doctor or pharmacist first. This applies to full spectrum, broad spectrum and isolate alike. It matters most if you take prescription medicines, are pregnant or nursing, or have a health concern. Bring the product label so they can see every ingredient.

Will full spectrum CBD show up on a drug test? It might, because it contains trace THC, and no brand can promise a result. Check the batch COA and your employer's policy.

How much CBD should I start with? Start low and go slowly. A 10mg gummy or half a dropper of tincture is a gentle start. Increase only after a few days, and follow the label.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between full spectrum and broad spectrum CBD? Full spectrum keeps trace hemp-derived THC along with other cannabinoids and terpenes, while broad spectrum keeps other compounds but is made THC-free. The cbdMD full spectrum products stay within the federal 0.3% THC limit, and the Binoid gummies are labeled THC-free.

Is full spectrum or broad spectrum CBD better? Neither is proven better, because no human study has settled the question. Pick full spectrum if you are fine with trace THC, and broad spectrum if you want to avoid it.

Will full spectrum CBD show up on a drug test? It can, since it contains trace THC, and no product can promise a test result. Read the COA and check your employer's policy.

Can I take CBD with other medications? Ask a doctor or pharmacist first, because CBD can interact with some medications whatever the spectrum type.

How much CBD should I start with? A low amount is a sensible start, such as one 10mg Binoid gummy or half a dropper of the cbdMD PM tincture, then adjust slowly.

About the author: John Crawford, Head of Products at Top Hemp Brands. John has worked in the Hemp industry for 8 years and leads product sourcing for Top Hemp Brands, part of the Utoya family.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.