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3 Differences Between Whole Flower and Isolated CBD

People across the country are turning their attention to CBD. Each passing day, hemp is becoming a staple natural alternative to a variety of treatments from chronic pain to anxiety. Yet, many of these newcomers aren’t aware of the terms used to differentiate products.

For example, you may run across a CBD product that labels itself as whole flower, whole plant, and/or full spectrum. These products use the entirety of the hemp plant as there are many other benefits outside CBD itself. Whereas products labeled isolated CBD only utilizes the stalk of the plant – that which contains cannabidiol.

In fact, hemp offers a variety of different cannabinoids which each serve a different purpose.

1About Isolated CBD

To get a sense of the differences between whole flower and isolated CBD, it’s important to understand the chemicals in each.

When a product is labeled as isolated, it ONLY offers CBD. After hemp is cultivated, cannabidiol alone is extracted to make full use of its many benefits which include¹:

  • Alleviates anxiety
  • Alleviates pain
  • Antibacterial
  • Decreases blood sugar levels
  • Decreases chance of artery blockage
  • Decreases function in the immune system
  • Decreases inflammation
  • Decreases seizures and convulsions
  • Decreases small intestine contraction
  • Decreases vomiting and nausea
  • Impedes cancer growth
  • Neuro-protective
  • Promotes bone growth
  • Slows bacterial growth
  • Tranquilizing
  • Treats psoriasis
  • Vasorelaxant

2About Whole Flower CBD

Whole flower CBD works in a similar method. After hemp’s cultivation, cannabidiol is extracted. However, the biggest difference is other cannabinoids are also extracted. These include (but aren’t limited to)²:

Cannabichromene (CBC)

  • Alleviates pain
  • Decreases inflammation
  • Impedes cancer cell growth
  • Promotes bone growth

Cannabigerol (CBG)

  • Aids sleep
  • Impedes cancer cell growth
  • Promotes bone growth
  • Slows bacterial growth

Cannabinol (CBN)

  • Decreases inflammation
  • Promotes bone tissue growth
  • Sedative

Tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV)

  • Decreases seizures and convulsions
  • Promotes bone growth

3Choosing The One For You

For some time, it was believed that CBD in it’s isolated form was more effective. Understandably, people felt that if the CBD was pure, it would be much more potent. Yet, a study from the Lautenberg Center for General Tumor Immunology in Jerusalem³ confirmed this to be inaccurate.

Within the study, researchers dispensed full spectrum CBD and isolated CBD onto two different sets of mice. The mice that received the full spectrum CBD were found to have much higher levels of relief.

More so, those same mice benefited further as doses of full spectrum CBD were increased. Whereas, the mice who received isolated CBD didn’t benefit further in any way.

Still, that isn’t to say there’s no reason not to use isolated CBD. In fact, there are specific situations where you’d rather use isolated CBD rather than whole flower. For example, certain diseases can be negatively affected by certain cannabinoids whole flower CBD offers. While those same diseases can benefit from CBD alone.

Final Thoughts

Whole flower and isolated CBD both have benefits. The choice is always yours. You can visit our products page to see our CBD options, and if you wish to learn more about whole flower CBD vs. isolated CBD or our products, we invite you to contact us for further information.

Reference Sources

¹ Dialogues in clinical neuroscience: Cannabinoids in health and disease

² NIH: Marijuana and Cannabinoids

³ Scientific Research Publishing: Overcoming the Bell-Shaped Dose-Response of Cannabidiol by Using Cannabis Extract Enriched in Cannabidiol

4 Tips For Taking CBD If You Get Drug Tested

Cannabidiol (CBD) should not appear on a drug test as hardly anyone (if anyone) in the country tests for CBD itself. However, those same people do often test for delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. Since CBD products contain a small amount (less than 0.3%) of THC, it is possible this will appear on a drug test.

Throughout this article, we’re going to observe why you may fail a drug test due to CBD and what you can do in order to avoid potential consequences.

1Find A Manufacturer You Trust

As mentioned, some CBD products contain trace amounts of THC and, due to this, it is possible for people who take these products to fail a drug test.

However, not all products contain CBD. It’s often difficult to tell which do and which don’t as the industry isn’t currently regulated by the Federal Drug and Food Administration (FDA).¹ Therefore, some businesses currently in the market have gotten away with either not labeling or mislabeling THC count.

This is why it’s important to find a CBD manufacturer you can trust. There are plenty of legitimate companies out there who properly label their products and offer CBD without any THC in it.

2Try CBD Isolate

It should be noted, all full-spectrum (or whole flower) CBD will contain trace amounts of CBD. This is due to the fact that full-spectrum CBD offers all the cannabinoids found in the hemp plant the CBD is harvested from.²

If you want CBD without the chance of failing a drug test, keep an eye out for products labeled CBD isolate. Still, plenty of people still want to opt for full-spectrum CBD as it still won’t get them “high” and there are a lot more health benefits.

3Trying To Keep THC Low Probably Won’t Work

You might be asking, “How much THC needs to be in my system in order to appear on a drug test?”

It’s a difficult question to answer. Most drug tests are seeking out marijuana smokers, not CBD consumers. With that, they’re looking for high levels of THC rather than small amounts.³ Many people with trace amounts of THC in their system have still passed a drug test.

Furthermore, it’s even more difficult to measure the amount of THC you intake while trying to keep remain at a passing level. For example, in order for THC to show up positive on a urine drug test, you need to have a concentration of 50 nanograms per millilitre.⁴

“How am I supposed to measure that?” you may be now wondering.

The truth is, you’re not supposed to measure it. A drug test is supposed to catch users off-guard.

4Talk To Whoever Requires The Drug Test

Be honest with your supervisor (or whoever is conducting the drug test) that you’re taking a CBD product (which is completely legal!) that contains trace amounts of THC. It could be beneficial and shine a light on your honesty.

Wrapping Up Your Options

It may be in your benefit to take the test and see what happens. If you show up positive for THC, then you can come forth with your honesty. Or you can avoid the risk altogether by only taking CBD isolate. The decision is up to you. For those who want to get the full benefit of using CBD we suggest using full spectrum or whole flower products such as our Whole Flower Myst that you can find here.

Reference Sources

¹ FDA: FDA Regulation of Cannabis and Cannabis-Derived Products

² MDPI: Quality Traits of “Cannabidiol Oils”

³ Mayo Clinic Proceedings: Clinical Interpretation of Urine Drug Tests 

⁴ Springer Journal of Medical Toxicology: Interpretation of Workplace Tests for Cannabinoids

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