There is no difference between full-spectrum Hemp oil and CBD isolate for many of us when it comes to choosing CBD products. This is especially true if you are familiar with the medicinal properties of the hemp plant. You probably know about its long history and healing powers.
However, you may be surprised to find out that both CBD isolate and plant hemp oil are not the same. To understand their benefits, you must have the right knowledge about how they are different botanically and scientifically.
What is Hemp Oil and Single CBD Molecule
The hemp plant is deeply revered for its potent healing qualities in many cultures. The plant is not only used as food but also as fuel, medicine, and fiber. Interestingly, the whole hemp plant is loaded with hundreds of essential and active compounds, in which cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the primary and natural components. With its beneficial terpene, the plant has become the focus of medical science due to the presence of CBD, CBN, and CBDV.
Full Spectrum Oil
As its name suggests, whole-plant extract and full-spectrum oil are extracted from the plant. It contains all the CBD components. In addition to that, the extracted oil contains essential minerals, vitamins, chlorophyll, omega fatty acids, and flavonoids.
CBD Isolate
CBD Isolate or molecule, on the other hand, is the purest form of cannabidiol. The only similarity is that it is also extracted from the hemp plant. Once extracted, it’s processed in various machines to remove oil, waxes, plant material, chlorophyll, and leaves behind just pure CBD isolate.
It comes in white powder form. The CBD- centric focused studies have lead scientists to develop some effective products that include cannabis-derived drugs and Epidiole. They are FDA approved to treat pediatric refractory epilepsy.
However, CBD has limited part in hemp plant’s healing properties and has limitation of using active ingredient model.
Comparison between Single Compound Formulation and Full Spectrum Hemp Oil
Plant Based Model vs. Isolated Active Ingredient
‘Benefits of Full Spectrum Hemp vs. benefits of Isolate CBD’ has been the topic of debate among researchers. Typically, the nutraceutical industry emulates the pharmaceutical model and focuses on identifying a single CBD molecule to standardize and study to determine its relative safety and efficacy. The focus is on the effectiveness and delivery of each ‘active ingredient’ one takes within each serving, considering it a pharmaceutical drug.
Mainly, it ignores the overall benefits of hemp plant medicine, which is a combination of several other active ingredients and includes essential molecules. This plant-based medicine interacts synergistically with other molecules and produces some effective outcomes, undeniably greater than each CBD ingredient.
The isolation of this purported active ingredient is combined with proprietary formulations, which serve the purpose of manufacturers but not the consumers. In contrast, some products have the perfect proprietary blend of cannabis and hemp extracts. They are specially developed to deliver the therapeutic advantages of essential oils and active parts of Hemp.
The fact of the matter is that no herbal supplement contains a magic bullet for holistic medicinal benefits. On the other hand, medicinal plants have plenty of active components, which synergistically interact with each other to multiply the health benefits.
Scientific Perspective about Superior Therapeutic Properties of Plant Hemp Oil vs. Single CBD Molecule
The full-spectrum hemp plant’s holistic medicinal benefits were scientifically surfaced after a groundbreaking study in 2015. The research showed the superior therapeutic properties of full-spectrum hemp plant extracts and compared them to isolate- molecules of CBD.
Journal of Pharmacology and Pharmacy 2015 published a study that directly challenged allopathic medicines and many ‘Big Pharma.’ The research also debunked that botanical preparations are less effective than the purified formulation that contains a single molecule with its function and structure.
The study highlighted the contributions of Lumir Hanus – a Jewish scientist from the Hebrew University. He surveyed and studied scientific literature and concluded that most preclinical studies had only focused on various anti-inflammatory effects of CBD isolate molecule, which is used in Vivo and Vitro animal models of diseases.
The study found that when a single-molecule CBD is administered, it results in a bell-shaped dose-response curve. That means when the CBD dose is given in an exceeded amount. Its therapeutic effects are diminished at a certain point.
Some characteristics of CBD isolate molecule to act as serious obstacles that limit the usefulness of its ingredients, particularly in a clinical context.
To rectify this limitation, the Israeli researchers compared single-molecule CBD with full Hemp plant extract that contained several minor cannabinoids and various other constituents. They aimed to find out a source that could eliminate this bell-shaped CBD response.
Surprisingly, upon comparison, the full spectrum CBD plant showed the presence of rich extracts, along with dose-dependent inhibition of inflammation, pain, and TNF production. The bell-shaped dose disappeared, making plant-based medicines ideal for use.
