In 2018 the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved an anti-seizure medication called Epidiolex.

This landmark moment in cannabis history marked the first non-synthetic cannabinoid to gain FDA approval. The primary active ingredient in Epidiolex: the isolated cannabinoid, CBD.

How is Epidiolex Different from Full-Spectrum CBD?

Though the approval of Epidiolex is a step in the right direction for de-regulation of the cannabis industry, the drug is not to be confused with full-spectrum CBD. They are two different products that do not affect the endocannabinoid system equally. We'll explain below...

Oranges vs Vitamin C Supplements

Wondering what oranges have to do with CBD? Stay with us. There are multiple ways to receive adequate vitamin C in your diet. You can consume it through whole foods or you can take it in a supplement form. Both will get the vitamin C into your system. An orange can meet 139% of your daily vitamin C requirements. Supplements can also supply more than adequate vitamin C. The difference is that an orange also provides vitamin A, thiamine, folate, calcium, potassium and many different types of phytonutrients that contribute to your overall health. 

What are Phytonutrients?

Phytonutrients are plant-based compounds which are often responsible for the color and scent of the plant. These nutrients can assist in the absorption of other nutrients and contain powerful antioxidants which help to reduce inflammation, signs of aging and more. It is safe to say that there is more overall nutritional value and health benefit from an orange than there is in a tablet of vitamin C.

Understanding Full-Spectrum CBD

Like oranges and other plant based-foods, full-spectrum CBD also contains a plethora of phytonutrients that work together to increase the effectiveness of the cannabinoid and overall health benefits.

There are over 100 different cannabinoids in the cannabis plant. Each of these cannabinoids has a different interaction with the body. CBD oil is considered full-spectrum when extracted from the hemp plant with all additional cannabinoids and phytonutrients intact. 

If the individual CBD molecule is separated out from the rest it is considered to be a CBD isolate. 

The Entourage Effect

Isolating the CBD molecule from the other cannabinoids and phytonutrients such as terpenes and flavonoids may nullify a number of the benefits that CBD is known for.

A ground-breaking 2015 study from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem's Lautenberg Center for General and Tumor Immunology showed that full-spectrum CBD was more effective than isolated CBD. The concept of CBD functioning best along with other cannabis plant compounds is called the "entourage effect." Notably, this university has been the epicenter of CBD research since first identifying CBD in 1960. 

The Science Behind CBD

There are benefits from isolated CBD such as Epidiolex, but much like the case of the orange, many of the corresponding benefits are lost.  Epidiolex has only been researched and approved for two very specific types of epilepsy. They are Lennox Gastaut Syndrome and Dravet Syndrome. That is not to say that full-spectrum CBD could not also be effective. Everyone has their preferred type of CBD, there isn't really a right or wrong, but Receptra believes nature knows best!

If you have any questions about the difference between Receptra full-spectrum CBD, Epidiolex or other forms of CBD, we are always happy to help.