Broad Spectrum or Isolate? What is the difference between CBD Oils in Japan?

Broad Spectrum or Isolate?

For those who want to incorporate CBD oil into their daily lives, there are several types of CBD oil to consider. Should you go with broad spectrum or isolate? It is said that you can get better results by choosing the one that suits your body, lifestyle, and purpose.

Of course, all CBD oil we speak about is made from natural hemp. What are the differences in the types and effects of oils made from the same plant? It’s actually very simple. In this article, we would like to help you choose the right CBD oil. For those of you who want to know what CBD oil is and how it works, check out HealthyTOKYO’s interview with Endocannabinoid Expert Dr. Blair.

What are the different types of CBD oils?

There are essentially three types of CBD oil:

1. CBD full spectrum
2. CBD broad spectrum
3. CBD isolate

To briefly describe the three major differences, we need to consider the ingredients, price range, and whether they are legal or illegal in Japan.
The number of ingredients generally decreases as you go from the top of the list down with CBD full spectrum containing the most ingredients and CBD isolate containing the least. The price is generally cheaper for CBD isolate than for broad-spectrum or full-spectrum.

CBD full spectrum is illegal in Japan, CBD, and CBD isolate are both legal in Japan if produced according to Japanese law. Let’s take a closer look at the differences.

The main ingredients in natural hemp

Before we move on, we can review some basic knowledge about hemp. Hemp (natural hemp), the raw material for CBD oil, contains more than 500 diverse compounds such as cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids. Well-known cannabinoids are CBD (cannabidiol) and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol).

THC is the so-called “high” ingredient that has the potential to bring on a feeling of euphoria In Japan, if THC is included, it is illegal even if very small amounts are detected.

CBD has a relaxing effect, is said to be effective for mental illness, suppress inflammation, and to have various other positive effects such as antiepilepsy, anticancer, and anticonvulsants. CBD is legal in Japan.

Terpenes are molecules with a “scent” that are found not only in hemp but also in various plants. An example of a type of terpene is the signature β-caryophyllene which is a compound that protects the stomach. It is prevalent in plants such as oregano, black pepper, and basil, and is accompanied by a spice-like herbal scent. It also has anti-inflammatory properties and is extremely effective in treating chronic intense pain. (From 2014 research)

Flavonoids bring vibrant colors to fruits and vegetables and are said to help with antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, and immune system enhancements. (From 2018 research)

According to a report from the British Journal of Pharmacology, it is more effective when these components such as terpenes and flavonoids are present than when CBD is used alone, and this is called the entourage effect. Entourage means “surrounding” in French. For CBD, the use of the word “entourage” describes the fact that the “surrounding ingredients can help to produce even more prominent effects.

In terms of the type of CBD oil, this “entourage effect” can be seen in (1) CBD full spectrum and (2) CBD broad spectrum dervitives.

Broad-spectrum or Isolate? Differences in CBD oil types

Now on to the main subject. Let us explain the difference between the three oils mentioned earlier.

CBD full-spectrum

CBD Full Spectrum extracts “all” ingredients from hemp (natural hemp), as the name “Full” implies. This includes not only CBD (cannabidiol) but also other cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids. CBD full spectrum is known for the “entourage effect” mentioned above. Many useful ingredients interact with each other and it is said to be the most effective CBD oil.

However, it contains a small amount of THC, which is illegal under current Japanese law. Products containing detectable THC are not approved for manufacture, sale or use in Japan. This means that CBD full spectrum is excluded from the CBD oil we can choose from in Japan.

However, THC is not necessarily a “bad guy”. It is praised by many for pain relief, nausea, cramping, and appetite promotion. It is said that if THC is 0.3% or less, it does not affect the mind. In addition, THC-containing CBD full spectrum may be more effective than THC-free CBD alone.

Please note that most CBD products manufactured overseas are illegal in Japan as they contain small amounts of detectable THC, which is legal in places.

Merit
・ It is easy to feel the effect due to the “surrounding entourage effect”

Demerit
・ Illegal in Japan
・ Higher price than CBD isolate

CBD Broad-spectrum

This is the same as CBD full spectrum with the exception that only the THC has been removed.

CBD broad spectrum also includes various other cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, etc. other than THC. This also promotes the “entourage effect” mentioned earlier. It is legal in Japan. The interaction of useful ingredients is also obtained, and it is said that the effect is easy to realize.

Most of Healthy TOKYO’s CBD oil products (tinctures) use premium high-purity broad spectrum CBD oil. The most popular among HealthyTOKYO’s CBD oil users is HealthyTOKYO Yuzu 6%, which is a mixture of CBD Broad Spectrum and natural Yuzu essential oil.

Merit

• Legal in Japan
• THC-free and safe to use
• High effect can be obtained by “entourage effect”
• Easy to feel the effect

Demerit

• Higher price than CBD isolate

CBD isolate

“Isolate” means to separate and to be independent. Pure CBD crystal powder (CBD crystal) with only CBD separated from hemp (natural hemp).

It does not contain any other cannabinoids, terpenes or flavonoids. Because it is a high-purity CBD oil that does not contain any ingredients other than CBD, it may be good for those who are uneasy because they are trying CBD oil for the first time, or who want to try CBD oil step by step.

HealthyTOKYO also sells CBD isolate such as CBDTokyo Isolate CBD Oil 10.4%. Hemp seed oil and MTC oil are blended with pure CBD extracted from organically cultivated hemp. It has a natural hemp taste and is easy to add to foods and drinks.

Merit

• Professional athletes can use it with confidence
• Cheaper than CBD Broad Spectrum

*The use of CBD isolate is approved by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the Japan Anti-Doping Agency (JADA).

Quality selection is also important for CBD oil

We have introduced three types, CBD full-spectrum, CBD broad-spectrum, and CBD isolate, but the quality of CBD oil varies greatly depending on the type of hemp (natural hemp), processing method, and factory quality.

The best quality CBD oil is extracted from high quality hemp using CO2 in a certified factory. Especially in Japan, be sure to choose a product from a company that has a Certificate of Analysis (COA) and is clearly guaranteed to be legal.

In addition, under the current Japanese law, only hemp and seeds can be used in products, and it is illegal to sell, use, or bring in processed products using other parts from overseas. Therefore, many foreign CBD oils that may be using other parts cannot be brought into Japan. Considering safety and compliance with the law, it is a good idea to choose CBD oil made in Japan.

HealthyTOKYO’s products are of the highest quality and in absolute compliance with Japanese law. All products are original, made in Japan, and either CBD Broad Spectrum (HealthyTOKYO brand) or CBD Isolate (CBDTokyo brand). All of the company’s CBD products are safely and carefully extracted using CO2 from specially cultivated high-quality organic hemp. Of course, the company also provides analysis certificates upon request. Click here for a complete lineup of Healthy TOKYO’s CBD oil products.

After all, which should you choose in Japan, Broad Spectrum or Isolate?

Both CBD broad spectrum and CBD isolate have different characteristics. There are individual differences in the effects of different types of CBD oil. Each CBD type has its place and are both effective. Finding the right CBD oil for you is important because different people have different priorities and expectations for CBD.

If you’re new to CBD oil and are worried, you may want to try CBD Isolate first, and if you don’t see the effect, switch to CBD Broad Spectrum.

However, as mentioned earlier, CBD Broad Spectrum can be expected to have an entourage effect due to cannabinoids other than CBD and other components such as terpenes and flavonoids.

If it suits your body and you can feel the effect, either CBD isolate or CBD Broad Spectrum are both good choices.

At Healthy TOKYO’s CBD shop and cafes, you can actually try out their CBD oils. If you are interested, please visit for a consultation with their knowledgeable staff.