Three labels, three compositions, three market positions. Everything to choose between full spectrum, broad spectrum and isolate — and stop drowning in marketing.
Clear definitions
- Full spectrum
- All hemp compounds preserved: CBD, CBG, CBN, CBC, terpenes, flavonoids, and a THC residue ≤ 0.3% compliant with French law.
- Broad spectrum
- All compounds except THC, removed via chromatography or other purification. Safer if subject to drug tests, loses a bit of full-spectrum depth.
- Isolate
- 99-99.9% pure CBD. No terpenes, no other cannabinoids. Neutral taste, precise dose.
Comparative pros
| Criterion | Full spectrum | Broad spectrum | Isolate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entourage effect | ++++ | +++ | — |
| Taste | marked | light marked | neutral |
| Saliva-test risk | low, non-zero | none | none |
| Dose reproducibility | +++ | +++ | ++++ |
| For formulated cosmetic | — | + | ++++ |
| For aromatic experience | ++++ | +++ | — |
Which format for which use?
Starting and wanting « the most natural version »
→ Full spectrum. What the plant expresses with minimal intervention. 10% full-spectrum oil = ideal entry.
Subject to workplace / driving tests
→ Broad spectrum. Other cannabinoids stay, THC neutralized.
Formulating your own cosmetic or neutral e-liquid
→ Isolate. Milligram-precise dose, no terpenic interference.
Aiming for a rich aromatic experience
→ Full spectrum, or go straight to flowers and resins.
How to check what you're buying
Three things to demand:
- Certificate of analysis (COA) for the batch — listing measured cannabinoids and terpenes.
- Coherence of stated levels — a « full spectrum » whose COA shows only CBD (no CBG/CBN/THC) is in fact a relabelled isolate.
- Origin — producing country, extraction method, recent analysis date (< 12 months).
At Horus, these three points are systematically verified. To consult a specific COA, write to contact@horus-sas.com with the batch number.
What if I want to switch format?
Easy: test in parallel over 5-7 days each, at equivalent CBD-mg dosing. You'll quickly perceive the differences — especially between full spectrum and isolate. The broad-spectrum nuance is subtler and may take weeks to form an opinion.