This might be an unpopular opinion amongst some circles, but we’re not big fans of CBD isolate and tend to think it’s a bit of a sham. *gasp*
Why? Personal experience, anecdotal stories and science have proven that this highly processed form of CBD just isn’t very effective.
Research suggests that isolate forms of CBD don’t offer the same therapeutic benefits as full-spectrum products, mainly due to the fact that all other naturally occurring beneficial compounds have been removed during the extraction process.
So what are the pros and cons of CBD isolate? And why are people taking it?
Let’s explore the research a little further.
If you’d like more information on full-spectrum CBD oil, enter your details above, and we’ll send you some important information. Furthermore, if you’d like to understand the pathway to access CBD here in Australia, this article explains everything.
What Is CBD Isolate?
CBD fall into one of 3 basic categories; full spectrum extracts, broad-spectrum extracts, and isolate extracts.
These categories refer to the range of chemical compounds from the plant that survive extraction and end up in the final product.
While full-spectrum and broad-spectrum CBD contain some or all of the compounds, CBD isolate contains only pure cannabidiol, and all other beneficial compounds have been removed through a process known as winterization.
Isolate is a flavourless and colourless form of CBD that contains zero traces of THC or any other cannabinoid.
However, some manufacturers will add terpenes and other essential oils back into the isolate product to enhance its effects.
One of the main reasons isolate forms of CBD appear less effective is the removal of critical plant compounds.
When CBD is combined with other cannabinoids and terpenes, it has a greater therapeutic effect and offers more potent results for a range of conditions, including pain and inflammation, anxiety, and insomnia.
Does CBD Isolate Get You High?
CBD isolate extracts do not contain any of the cannabinoids associated with the intoxicating effects of cannabis, such as THC. As a result, you will not feel high from consuming an isolate product. In fact, you may not feel much at all.
Pros and cons of CBD isolate
Pros
Given isolate CBD contains zero detectable THC, some people prefer this form if they undergo drug testing at work or spend a lot of time driving and don’t want to risk running into a roadside drug testing operation.
It’s entirely flavourless and ranges in colour from clear to very pale yellow. If you’re averse to the flavour of full-spectrum extracts, this may be a more suitable form. But you’re missing out on half the fun of savouring the natural flavours of cannabis.
Epidiolex, or Epidyolex as it’s registered in Australia, is a CBD isolate product that provides 100mg/ml of purified CBD.
A 2020 study found that Epidiolex may be effective in treating Parkinson’s Disease. However, all participants reported mild adverse reactions to the medication, with some participants also showing elevated liver enzymes due to the extremely high dosages used. [1]
An analysis from two randomised controlled trials found that Epidiolex reduced seizure frequency in treatment-resistant patients with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. [2
Cons
While it’s true that isolate is the purest form of CBD, this compound really doesn’t behave well on its own.
A 2015 Israeli study found that CBD isolate supplementation over a 24-hour period produced a bell-shaped dose-response which limits its clinical use. [3]
“Our findings that CBD in the presence of other plant constituents improve the dose-response are supported by some recent reports showing that CBD in a standardized Cannabis sativa extract is more potent or efficacious than pure CBD”
According to ProjectCBD, users generally require a much higher dosage of isolate to achieve therapeutic effects. This means you’ll burn through a bottle of isolate much faster than a whole plant extract product. [4]
A 2018 clinical study published in Frontiers in Neurology found that full-spectrum CBD was more effective than CBD isolate, or purified CBD, for those with treatment-resistant epilepsy. [5]
Types of CBD Isolate products
CBD comes in many different forms, from oils, capsules, and powders, to the full range of edibles, vape liquids, topicals, and more.
CBD Isolate Powder
CBD Isolate crystal, or powder, is usually the easiest way to get your CBD intake. The crystalline powder is an isolated cannabinoid extract with no additives.
CBD Isolate Oil
CBD isolate oil is made by adding the crystalline extract to carrier oil. The choice of carrier oil can affect how CBD is absorbed into your body and provide its own health benefits.
Oils that are commonly used as carrier oils for CBD isolates include: [6]
MCT oil
Also known as medium chain triglycerides, is derived from fractionated coconut oil or palm kernel oil. MCT oil aids your body’s absorption of CBD through digestion and through the skin. It is also flavourless, making it useful in a wide variety of products.
Hemp seed oil
Made from hemp seeds but does not contain any cannabinoids or terpenes. It provides many healthy nutrients, such as omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids.
Olive oil
Great for CBD absorption through the skin and is also commonly used for making homemade CBD oils. Its stronger flavour makes it less suitable for use as sublingual drops.
Nano CBD Isolate
Nano CBD isolate oils and powders are CBD extracts in which the cannabidiol has been broken down into smaller particles.
Smaller particles expose a greater surface area of CBD to your digestive system. This allows it to be absorbed into the bloodstream and through the skin faster and more effectively.
Typical CBD extracts have an absorption rate of about 50%. In other words, about half the CBD that you consume will pass out of your body without being absorbed into the bloodstream. Nano CBD extracts have an absorption rate closer to 100%. [7]
As a result, nano CBD isolate extracts are often used in the production of high-potency gummies, edibles, and tinctures.
CBD Isolate may be beneficial for some, but we’d much prefer full-spectrum
CBD isolate is generally seen as less effective than broad spectrum and full spectrum extracts. Irrespective of which form of CBD you consume, it’s always best to check with your doctor to see whether there’s any effect on anti-depressant, opioid, thyroid or heart medication.
Cannabinoids are thought to benefit from the entourage effect, a phenomenon that makes the effects of compounds in a plant more potent in the presence of other cannabinoids and terpenes.
By isolating CBD from those other cannabinoids, the therapeutic effect is weakened.
Most people get better results from using broad-spectrum or full-spectrum CBD extracts, which provide a much wider range of the compounds found in hemp.
In particular, pain and sleep issues respond well to the minute traces of THC contained in whole plant extracts.
If you want more information about accessing full-spectrum CBD oil, be sure to send us an email or leave a comment below.
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