Full Spectrum Vs. Broad Spectrum CBD for Anxiety

CBD or cannabinoids is gaining popularity for its various potential health benefits. There’s been an increasing shift towards natural and organic products and CBD is currently dominating that space. 

It’s come in the form of gummies ies, tinctures, capsules, softgels, and hair care products. It’s a trending topic in the health and wellness space, and its adoption is increasing at a very fast pace. Taking CBD gummies a few hours before bed can calm your anxious thoughts, bring down your stress, and improve your sleep quality.

If you are a first-time buyer, you’ll notice that some products are labeled as either broad spectrum or full spectrum. But what’s the difference between them? Which one’s better for anxiety? Well, that’s exactly what we will try to figure out in this article. 

Source:freepik.com

Broad Spectrum Vs Full Spectrum CBD, What is the difference? 

Full spectrum products have all the compounds of hemp plants. This includes more than 110+ cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, and phytonutrients. The major differentiating factor between broad-spectrum and full-spectrum CBD is the presence of a certain cannabinoid THC. 

THC is highly psychoactive in nature, and in high quantities, it can make you trippy and mess with your cognitive functions. However, as per the 2018 farm bill, CBD products can not have more than 0.3% THC in them. So following this guideline, full spectrum CBD products have this trace 0.3% THC in them along with all other compounds that we discussed above. 

But what if you don’t want to take THC at all, not even in trace amounts? Maybe you have an upcoming blood report or you are sensitive to it. This is where broad-spectrum products come into the picture. Other than THC, they have all the cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, and phytonutrients.

So you can still experience the healing and therapeutic effects of hemp compounds without worrying about THC entering your body. It’s not that 0.3% THC will cause any harm as such, but some people simply prefer to avoid it, so for them, Broad Spectrum products are the go-to choice.

Which one is better for anxiety? 

Contrary to popular belief, both full-spectrum and broad-spectrum CBD are equally effective for anxiety. Here and there you’ll read that people find full spectrum more effective, but it’s just psychological. The trace amounts of THC are simply not enough to make a huge difference. 

What actually matters is how much CBD you are taking, the potency of the product, your tolerance levels, the severity of the underlying condition, metabolism, and body chemistry. Depending on these factors different people have different experiences in terms of the overall relief they feel and the time taken to achieve that phase.

CBD oils work much faster than edibles, usually in 10-15 minutes. Whereas gummies can take up to 2 hours. But one thing is for sure, if you incorporate CBD into your everyday wellness routine, it will reduce your anxiety regardless of which specific type you choose.

Just start with a small dose, keep a note of changes you feel, and gradually increase or decrease the amount depending on what’s the perfect amount for you. Both broad and full spectrum will create a synergic healing effect when taken regularly. Try to take your CBD gummy or oil with food, it will not only reduce the risk of nausea but will also improve cannabinoid absorption in the body. 

Choosing one over the other boils down to your personal preferences. Maybe you live in an area where THC is restrictive, or maybe you have blood screening for a job, in those cases, broad-spectrum CBD can be the safe choice. But if that’s not the case, you can simply opt for full-spectrum CBD.

How does CBD provide anxiety relief? 

So we have established that both full-spectrum and broad-spectrum CBD provide more or less the same anxiety relief. But how exactly does that happen? Let’s dig in. Our body produces two endocannabinoids called 2AG & Anandamide. 

Out of these two, Anandamide is responsible for maintaining various physiological systems like pain, pleasure, reward feeling, anxiety, and overall relaxation. When we take CBD, it increases the amount of anandamide produced by the body, which directly leads to better relaxation and a drop in anxiety and stress levels. 

There’s an endocannabinoid system present in all mammals, it’s responsible for maintaining homeostasis by controlling various physiological and cognitive functions. This modulation occurs with the interaction between cannabinoid receptors and endocannabinoids we discuss above. 

CBD makes the whole process more efficient, which leads to the user feeling more calm, focused, and at ease. So whether you are anxious about going in crowds, dental visits, or flights, taking a few drops of CBD oil will help you to relax and feel better. The effects can last between 4-8 hours, so plan accordingly. 

Are there any side effects of Full/Broad Spectrum CBD? 

Generally, CBD of any kind is well tolerated by the human body. Even at very high doses in clinical settings, it’s observed that participants did not feel any major effect that might require immediate medical intervention. 

However, at the beginning, there can be slight dehydration, nausea, dizziness, and headache. It will go away in some time, it’s just that your body needs a period to adjust to the new compound. If it gets too much, you should reduce the dosage, and maybe take a few days gap. 

Our Final Thoughts

To sum it up, both Broad Spectrum CBD and Full Spectrum are good for anxiety management. If you want a slightly potent synergic effect, opt for the full spectrum and if you don’t want any THC in your body, opt for broad-spectrum CBD. 

The actual intensity, onset time, and relief will depend on your frequency, method of administration, and individual body chemistry. So maybe try both and stick with the one that works best for you? Just make sure to buy it only from reputed and well-tested brands like Colorado Botanicals, and try to stack up during the upcoming Christmas sale for the best deals.