Full-Spectrum VS Isolate CBD Oil in Canada, What Should You Buy?

Updated on March 23, 2024

No matter where you are in Canada, it is likely that you will have heard something about the buzz that is surrounding CBD at the moment. Many Canadians are asking what CBD oil to buy in Canada – full-spectrum or pure?

Part of the reason for CBD’s explosion onto the supplement scene in recent years is the emerging body of evidence that suggests that it is a good treatment for anxiety as well as a number of chronic auto-immune diseases. 

You may have been tempted to try some yourself – it is very safe with few known side-effects, so what is there to lose, right? – but when it comes to ordering THC and CBD products such as oils and capsules, the jargon that you are confronted with can be off-putting, to say the least.

There are a lot of CBD oil variants available in Canada like Broad-spectrum CBD, full-spectrum CBD cream, CBD gummies, oil from isolates—the list goes on, but what is the difference among these terms? 

It is likely that you will have to do a fair bit of research if you want to know exactly what it is that you are spending your money on. Since it’s legal, Canada has lots of high-quality options to choose from. Once you know if you want pure or full-spectrum CBD oil, shop around for the best prices and selection. 

In this article, we will answer one of the most common questions we get asked by people who are new to CBD: “Is there such a thing as pure CBD oil and how is it different to full-spectrum oil?” Read on to resolve any lingering doubts you may have about what’s best for you –  pure or full-spectrum CBD oil?

What is CBD?

The place to start in any explanation of the difference between the types of CBD oil is with an explanation of what CBD is in itself. CBD is an acronym that stands for cannabidiol, one of the 113 different cannabinoids that are found in the cannabis plant. 

You have probably heard of THC before as the compound that produces the ‘high’ sensation experienced by people who use cannabis for recreational purposes. CBD and the other cannabinoids are not known to produce the same psychoactive effects as THC. 

However, CBD and a number of other cannabinoids have in recent years come to be associated with some exciting potential health benefits. 

What Are the Benefits of CBD?

CBD is known to have some powerful health benefits. When introduced to the human body, it interacts with the endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS is responsible for maintaining a balance in a whole host of bodily functions, including appetite, digestion, immune function, inflammation, mood, sleep, libido, fertility, motor function, temperature regulation, memory, pleasure, and pain. 

A growing body of exciting research is rapidly revealing that CBD may be effective as part of the treatment of a wide variety of chronic diseases, such as epilepsy, fibromyalgia, Crohn’s disease and others. It is also being linked to a capacity to reduce anxiety and depression. 

Pure CBD Oil

What most people mean when they ask whether a CBD oil is ‘pure’ is whether it contains any other cannabinoids or products from the cannabis or hemp plant. While there are certainly a number of ‘pure’ CBD oils on the market, you should know that all CBD oils are made by diluting pure CBD isolate in a carrier oil. This carrier oil is typically coconut-derived MCT oil, hemp seed oil or olive oil. 

CBD isolate is extracted from cannabis or hemp plant material through a process that involves several steps. First, the crude plant material winterized to remove residual lipids and plant waxes before it is winterized to convert CBDA to CBD. It is then passed through a fractional distillation process and then a further isolation process to remove all other cannabinoids and terpenes other than CBD. The end result of this process is a crystal that is often up to 99 percent pure CBD. 

Full-Spectrum CBD Oil


Full-spectrum CBD oil is most often made using the CO2 extraction method. You can always find it online, searching for Full Spectrum CBD Oil Canada, from a reliable dispensary.

This first involves winterizing and decarboxylating the crude plant extract. The product of this process is then subject to the same fractional distillation method used to make CBD isolate. 

However, once distilled, nothing more is done to the solution, which still contains a full spectrum of cannabinoids and terpenes, including trace levels of THC. This product is then diluted in one of the same carrier oils used in CBD isolate oils so that it is ready for human consumption.

Pure CBD Oil vs. Full-Spectrum Oil

The main reason that people in Canada will opt for CBD oil made from isolate is that they do not want their product to contain THC. This is a reasonable consideration for people who are prone to mental illnesses and fear that even small levels of THC may be enough to trigger them.

Full-spectrum oil and CBD gummies have gained increasing popularity in recent years due to the emergence of a theory that points to the existence of something known as the ‘entourage effect’. The entourage effect is a mechanism by which the compounds (cannabinoids, terpenes, and essential oils) that occur naturally in the cannabis plant act synergistically with each other to accentuate the effects of CBD in the body. 

Looking to maximize the natural potential of the whole cannabis oil, and not concerned about taking trace levels of THC?  Full-spectrum CBD oil may be the best choice so you can take advantage of the entourage effect. It’s becoming increasingly popular across Canada while a few years ago pure CBD oil was the top choice.

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