KC Hemp Co.® is a leading CBD Kansas City merchant. We supply a full range of full-spectrum CBD products, broad-spectrum CBD products, pure CBD isolates, and minor cannabinoid blends in our famous online CBD store. But if you’re new to the different CBD categories, then this list might not mean anything to you. That’s why we’ve created the ultimate guide to understanding the different types of CBD.
This guide is going to help answer the question: full-spectrum vs. broad-spectrum CBD - which one is right for you?
THC Or Not To THC: That Is The Question
When you’re browsing CBD products, you may see the term THC pop up. THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, causes the psychoactive effects that are often associated with cannabis products. As a matter of fact, THC is what creates the difference between full-spectrum CBD products and broad-spectrum CBD products.
CBD
Cannabidiol, also known as CBD, is a chemical compound that is found in cannabis plants that has adaptogen qualities. This means that it stimulates the ability of your body to reach a natural state of homeostasis. CBD is believed to help treat a range of conditions, including chronic pain, anxiety, and insomnia, among others.
Cannabis sativa plants with less than 0.3% THC in them are legally sold as hemp products, most commonly in the form of CBD. At KC Hemp Co.® We sell products derived from Hemp, not marijuana which is above 0.3% THC. The plants we grow are known to have higher amounts of CBD, CBG, CBN and a slough of other minor cannabinoids with their own list of potential health benefits.
Full-spectrum CBD products are mostly CBD; however, they are made from all the parts of the cannabis sativa plant that we cultivate. This means that they contain 0.3% or less THC (the federally legal limit), as well as other cannabinoids from the plant. THC is the psychoactive ingredient in cannabis, but a small dose of 0.3% can bring many of the calming properties of the cannabinoid without producing a "high."
Broad-Spectrum CBD products are made from almost all parts of the cannabis sativa plant except THC. These products are perfect for those taking regular drug screenings or actively avoiding THC.
CBD isolates are made only from CBD and contain no other cannabinoids from the plant. Examples include our best vegan CBD gummies, made from pure CBD isolate.
Minor cannabinoid blends are blends that focus on cannabinoids from the plant in addition to CBD. These include the following:
- CBDa - cannabidiolic acid is the acidic form of CBD. It is therefore considered a more active ingredient and can help combat nausea better than CBD itself, and is 10x more bioavailable in our endocannabinoid system. Try our Clarity tincture a combination of 300mg each of CBDa and CBD. With added terpenes limonene and citral, this tincture is as uplifting and head clearing as its name describes!
- CBN - CBN is the more mature and more refined version of THC and is commonly found in older plants. It contains none of the psychoactive ingredients of THC but has many calming properties.
- CBG - CBG is a cannabinoid that interacts directly with the body’s receptors. It may help with appetite, relaxation, and stress relief. If relaxation is what you're looking for try the KC Hemp Co.® Serenity tincture. A combination of 300mg each CBN and CBD with an added touch of watermelon zskittlez terpenes profile: beta-caryophyllene, humulene, and linalool. This tincture tastes as good as it will make you feel.
When Would I Choose Full-Spectrum CBD Products?
Full-spectrum CBD products have a variety of positive effects caused by the presence of THC and other beneficial cannabinoids. Just some of the benefits include:
The Entourage Effect
The entourage effect combines terpenes (chemical compounds), cannabinoids, and flavonoids (naturally occurring substances found in the plant). Several studies show that taking full-spectrum CBD products may have a positive impact on the body as these natural products interact with each other. They have even opened up a promising new avenue into alleviating symptoms of treatment-resistant depression and other mental health disorders, including anxiety.
Benefits of THC
Small quantities of THC might be good for you. In fact, it might have a positive effect if you are trying to increase your food intake or stimulate your appetite. CBD on its own does not influence appetite, but when combined with THC it can help you improve your willingness to eat.
Which Full-Spectrum CBD Products Should I Consider? You can take our quiz to help find the best CBD products for you, or read on below for a complete summary of some of our full-spectrum CBD products.
Full-Spectrum CBD oil is the most popular of our full-spectrum products. CBD oil travels quickly to the body’s receptors and the brain, allowing you to feel the product's positive effects rapidly. The fast-acting oil carries all the benefits of the entourage effect, allowing the plant’s natural compounds to interact with each other in a positive way.
Turmeric CBD capsules help strengthen your body’s immune response against free radicals (unstable atoms in the body that can cause aging and illness). The capsules are rich in omega fatty acids, and turmeric may help fight against cancer and even Alzheimer's. All this is combined with the positive effect of a full-spectrum product.
Minor Cannabinoid Blends
Our minor cannabinoid blends offer a full-spectrum CBD Kansas City product with a particular focus on another beneficial cannabinoid. KC Hemp Co.® offers 3 different minor cannabinoid blends. CBN CBG, and CBDa
Serenity, CBN tincture, a cannabinoid that initially started life as THC before maturing into a more stable component as the plant ages. CBN is not psychoactive but carries similar benefits much like THC.
Vitality tincture pairs CBD with CBG or cannabigerol, considered the “Mother of all cannabinoids” CBG is the very first cannabinoid to present itself in a cannabis plant. All subsequent molecules evolve from CBG. Combining CBD with CBG and an added touch of Strawberry cough terpenes profile consisting of mycene, limonene, humulene and beta-caryophyllene this tincture tastes like a juicy fruit and will liven your day and your appetite. Take directly under the tongue or add it to your favorite recipe.
When Would I Choose Broad-Spectrum CBD Products?
The primary reason for choosing broad-spectrum CBD Kansas City products is the fact that they are free from THC. Read on for some of the other benefits of this CBD category.
1. Won’t Show Up On A Drugs Test
Full-spectrum CBD products can show up on a drug test, even with a low quantity of THC. This means if you are required to take regular drug tests, you should choose a broad-spectrum CBD product for the benefits of CBD without the issue of failing a drug test.
2. Helps You Avoid THC
Some individuals are particularly vulnerable to THC’s psychoactive effects, even in low doses. If you have a pre-existing health condition that excludes you from taking THC, you should take broad-spectrum CBD products instead.
3. Not Exempt From The Entourage Effect
Broad-spectrum CBD products still contain a vast range of terpenes and other cannabinoids. This means you can still benefit from the entourage effect without taking THC.
4. Step Up From CBD Isolates
If you’ve tried CBD isolates and powders and have felt no positive effects from taking them, you might want to try broad-spectrum CBD. Broad-spectrum CBD Kansas City products allow you to enjoy the entourage effect without the presence of THC.
Which Broad-Spectrum CBD Products Are Right For Me?
Broad-spectrum CBD products are extremely popular in oil products because of the way they interact quickly with the body. Read on to find out about the KC Hemp Co. range of products.
Organic Peppermint Tincture Our THC-free mint tincture is infused with certified organic peppermint. The peppermint must be certified as it offers a massive range of health benefits, including potential digestive assistance for disorders like IBS or Crohn’s disease, anti-nausea, pain relief, and restorative properties for skin and hair.
THC Free Natural CBD Oil
Our natural flavor CBD oil is THC-free and combined with both MCT oil and certified phytocannabinoid-rich distillate. MCT oil has many potential health benefits, including a weight-loss promoter, preventing a lactic build-up during exercise, managing epilepsy, preventing Alzheimer's, and even preventing harmful bacteria from entering the body.
When Should I Consider CBD Isolates Over Spectrum Products?
Pure CBD isolate is extremely useful when you want a THC-free product that doesn’t contain any of the other items from the plant. It also completely removes the risk of any trace THC being present in the product. Pure CBD isolates often come in a powder form because of the method of extraction from the plant. Our pure CBD powder is 99% pure CBD and can be put into food, drinks, or consumed under the tongue. We also have the best vegan CBD gummies in KC that are made from pure CBD isolates.
How Do Full-Spectrum CBD Products Work?
THC and CBD are proven to stimulate different areas of the brain. Studies into CBD have been proven to modulate brain activity and have a completely different effect on the brain compared to THC. This means that full-spectrum CBD products will fulfill different roles from broad-spectrum CBD. Scientists are still working out exactly how THC influences the brain. However,
cannabinoids as a whole interact with the body using our endocannabinoid system. Read on to find out what this system is and how it helps the body.
What Is The Endocannabinoid System?
The endocannabinoid system is a complex internal system that helps the body maintain homeostasis (self-regulation). It was first discovered in 1992, and the discovery proved that our body had cannabinoid receptors that helped maintain sleep, mood, fertility, and even appetite.
Endocannabinoids are the body’s own form of cannabinoids, and they bind to cannabinoid receptors in the body to fulfill specific functions. There are currently two known endocannabinoids in the body, anandamide, and 2-AG. They might bind to receptors in nerves to relieve pain or to immune cells to signal that your body is experiencing inflammation. Through binding to these receptors, they help signal to the body that a specific function is required to maintain internal system regulation.
How Do Cannabinoids React With The Body?
Although further research is needed into how the body processes cannabinoids, researchers believe they do this by interacting with the body’s own endocannabinoid system. The cannabis plant has its own form of system that interacts with cannabinoids, but our bodies and those of other animals have a more complex system which CBD and THC interact with.
The theory of CBD interaction with the endocannabinoid system is that it somehow inhibits receptor activity without binding to them directly, as our body’s own endocannabinoids do. This may mean that we have a build-up of our own endocannabinoids in our body, which are then used for a positive effect like reducing pain or regulating mood.
Research suggests that, unlike CBD, THC more strongly binds to our receptors, which is responsible for the hallucinogenic and psychoactive properties associated with cannabis. Luckily, you can enjoy the benefits of full-spectrum and broad-spectrum CBD products without feeling the full effects of THC.
How Else Does CBD Interact With The Body?
CBD also interacts with several other cells in our body in addition to working with our cannabinoid receptors. It interacts with our serotonin receptors which can trigger feelings of happiness, relieving anxiety and boosting mood. It also interacts with receptors that affect inflammation, leading to pain relief. It may also stop the breakdown of certain neurotransmitters in the brain, leading to the build-up of these positive natural chemicals. This may directly lead to improving certain mental health disorders.
Conclusion
There is a vast range of different types of CBD that can benefit every individual. The type depends on your current experiences and needs.
As a quick summary, you might consider full-spectrum CBD if:
- You want to benefit from its use as an appetite stimulant
- Broad-spectrum or CBD isolates have had no effect
- You still want to benefit from the effects of THC without getting 'high'
And you might want to try broad-spectrum CBD if:
- You want to or need to avoid THC completely
- You regularly take drugs tests
- You want to try something more robust than CBD isolates
- You still want to benefit from the entourage effect
There is no right or wrong answer to which one is right for you - it will depend entirely on your background and needs. Read our FAQ center if you have any more questions about the different types of CBD.