What Does Optimal Spectrum CBD Mean?

It sounds fancy and all… but what is it?

Within the buzzing cannabidiol (CBD) market, terms like full spectrum CBD, CBD isolate, broad spectrum CBD, and others are popping up left and right.   Each of these terms provide their own unique twist on hemp extract while creating confusion for the consumer over what it all means.  Keep reading below to gain insight into these terms and why we consider our Optimal Spectrum variety “a cut above” the rest.

A Quick Definition: Optimal Spectrum CBD

Optimal Spectrum CBD means precise, scientific balancing of the naturally occurring chemical compounds found in the hemp plant, including cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids.

Taking a step back: What are cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids?

Cannabinoids, or phytocannabinoids, are natural chemical compounds found in the resin glands, Trichomes, that coat the flowers of the cannabis plant. While CBD and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) are two of the most commonly known cannabinoids, the cannabis plant is understood to produce over 100 different types of cannabinoids. These chemical compounds serve a variety of purposes for the plant, such as protection against frost, drought, predatory dangers, and the attraction of pollinators. Research currently focuses on the most prominent cannabinoids that exhibit several effects on the human body directly and indirectly through the endocannabinoid system, helping to regulate homeostasis of things like mood, sleep, and inflammation.

Terpenes are a diverse class of organic, aromatic compounds secreted by the same glands on the cannabis plant that produce cannabinoids. These compounds often have a strong odor and serve to protect plants by deterring herbivores or attracting natural predators of herbivores. Terpenes are responsible for the characteristic smell that we associate with cannabis.  These essential oils contribute to different effects when ingested into the human body. For instance, Linalool is relaxing. Myrcene is a sedative. Pinene and limonene are mood enhancers. Many terpenes have been found to have anti-inflammatory effects on the human gut and joints. Some appear to have the potential to regulate cancer cell proliferation.

Flavonoids are pigment molecules found abundantly in plants, including fruits and vegetables, and are responsible for a variety of functions. In many plants, they produce colors needed to attract pollinating insects. Flavonoids assist other plants in processes like UV filtration and cell cycle inhibition and can serve as chemical messengers. Because of their low toxicity, they can be ingested in large quantities by humans and other animals and have shown to exhibit antiviral, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and anti-allergic benefits. Foods that are rich in flavonoids include tea, citrus fruit, berries, bananas, legumes, and red wine.

The concept of Optimal Spectrum CBD is designed to ensure consistency of these three types of essential compounds delivering  ideal, reliable effects every time. The synergy of cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids working together is often referred to as the entourage effect.

What is the entourage effect?

The entourage effect describes the desired outcome of ingesting a full and balanced combination of the different chemical compounds from the cannabis plant, as they work together to provide maximum therapeutic benefits. The terpenes and flavonoids are beneficial in and of themselves, but in combination with CBD and lesser amounts of other cannabinoids such as CBG, CBC, CBA, and THC, these compounds improve the effectiveness of CBD in our bodies.  This precise balance provides the optimal experience for CBD users, taking full advantage of what the hemp plant has to offer.

What is full spectrum CBD, broad spectrum CBD, or CBD isolate?

With the immense popularity of CBD, tons of companies pop up left and right and swear by their specific chosen style of CBD. You’ve probably heard the terms: Full spectrum CBD, broad spectrum CBD, and CBD isolate. These terms refer to the different ways of breaking down and prepping CBD for ingestion. 

Full spectrum CBD refers to an extraction method that extracts the CBD including all cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids from the hemp plant, including trace amounts of THC. This full range extract is then formulated into a consumable format, such as oil tinctures, without processing that would remove the minor cannabinoids like THC.   All full spectrum products contain a small amount of THC.

Broad spectrum CBD is actually very similar to full spectrum CBD and is more of a linguistics battle in the industry than anything else. However, most of the time, broad spectrum CBD refers to a product that contains the full range of cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids with the intentional removal of THC.

CBD isolate refers to what companies like to call “pure CBD.” This simply means that all terpenes, flavonoids, and cannabinoids other than CBD have been removed by a process that precipitates crystalline CBD out of the extract. The crystalline CBD is then dissolved in a carrier oil, such as MCT, and provided as a tincture.

Okay, so what is Optimal Spectrum CBD, then?

Optimal Spectrum CBD is Redeem Therapeutics’ honest, brilliant solution to the muddied waters of this saturated industry. We know and accept that no two hemp plants are exactly alike. In fact, two plants with identical genetics grown in different areas in a field can have a wide variation in cannabinoid, terpene, and flavonoid concentrations. Soil conditions, shade, wind exposure, and rain all impact the plants–not to mention the variation that occurs from hemp strain to hemp strain, season to season, or farm to farm. Call it full spectrum all you want, but when natural variance falls short of the optimal mix, it’s not full of anything, except inconsistency.  

So, how could anyone guarantee consistency given all the potential variables?  Our Optimal Spectrum products are intentionally crafted to fully leverage the entourage effect. We analyze and measure each extract batch, and when they come up short of our standards, we redeem the product by adding natural cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids. With the perfect marriage of nature and science, we keep the cannabinoid, terpene, and flavonoid levels in our hemp extract consistent and can guarantee robust potency, batch to batch uniformity, and a safe final CBD product, every time.  At best, other manufacturers test and adjust the concentration of CBD only.

Redeem Therapeutics remains committed to helping you take back your health, and we maintain that optimal spectrum CBD is the right tool for the job. We pledge to provide a safe, high-quality product every time to guarantee an exceptional experience for your body and revitalize your system. Check out our optimal spectrum hemp extract to see how Redeem can help you find your natural balance.