Full-Spectrum vs. Broad-Spectrum CBD: Which One Is Right for You?

Full-spectrum CBD. Full-spectrum CBD contains several components of the cannabis plant, including trace amounts of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Federally legal full-spectrum products will always have less than 0.3 percent THC. In states where cannabis is fully legal, you may also be able to find full-spectrum products with higher THC levels.
Broad-spectrum CBD. This type of CBD does not contain THC. It does contain other components of the cannabis plant, though, so it won’t be 100 percent CBD. Consider it the middle child of the three CBD choices.
CBD isolate. Your pure CBD product, isolate contains no other compounds found in cannabis, except for the CBD itself.

entourage effect. This is a theory that says when multiple components of cannabis work together, you reap more benefits than when taking each individually.
These components include:
phytocannabinoids (like CBD and THC)
flavonoids
terpenes (compounds that affect cannabis’s scent and flavor)
If you want to maximize the benefits of cannabis, full-spectrum CBD could be your best bet.
One 2011 reviewTrusted Source
found that phytocannabinoids and terpenes taken together may help with pain, inflammation, and anxiety. Researchers noted that CBD showed the most promise for certain brain-related disorders and skin conditions.
However, a potential downside to full-spectrum CBD is that if you take a large enough dose of a potent enough product, you may feel “high” due to the THC.
But that does not mean that all full-spectrum products will make you feel intoxicated. Small doses of lower potency products are unlikely to produce any euphoric effects.

Pros and cons of broad-spectrum CBD
One potential plus of broad-spectrum CBD is that you have the highest chance of keeping a clear mind — no THC means no “high” feeling.
A drawback, though, is that CBD sans THC may not be quite as effective as the two together. More research is needed, but the entourage effect suggests they may work best together.
That’s not to say broad-spectrum products won’t give you any of the entourage effect benefits at all. Broad-spectrum CBD still contains some other cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids, which may offer benefits beyond the CBD alone.

Which type of CBD is right for you?
If you’re looking for a health boost from CBD but want to skip the THC effects, broad-spectrum is probably your best bet.
If you don’t mind THC and want to potentially get more benefits out of your CBD product, full-spectrum is probably the way to go.