CBD oil types - Full Spectrum, Broad Spectrum & CBD Isolate
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a natural cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant. It is the second most well-known element in the chemical composition of the plant after tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Unlike THC, the phytocannabinoid CBD has no psychoactive components. CBD has earned recognition in the medical community for its ability to help with a variety of medical conditions. Many patients choose to take CBD oil to help relieve anxiety, has anti-inflammatory effects, and counteracts insomnia. In 2018, GW Pharmaceutical released Epidiolex, the first prescription cannabidiol oral solution derived directly from the cannabis plant for the treatment of Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS), a form of childhood epilepsy.
Is CBD oil derived from marijuana or industrial hemp?
CBD is found in varying amounts in cannabis plants. However, depending on where you live, CBD extracted from cannabis may not be legal. In the United States, a 2018 law signed by President Trump legalized CBD extracted from hemp with less than 0.3 percent THC. Industrial hemp is valued not only for its ability to produce abundant CBD while maintaining a low THC content, but also for industrial uses such as the production of hempcrete (a form of insulation), rope, textiles, bioplastics, biofuels, and as a food source.
Different forms of CBD oils
CBD oil is obtained through an extraction process. The oil extracted from the hemp plant fibre is then mixed with a carrier oil. CBD oils are usually not mixed with anything other than the carrier oil and are possibly flavoured if they are to be taken orally. There are three types of CBD oils: Full Spectrum, Broad Spectrum and Isolate.
What is Full Spectrum CBD Oil
Think of Full Spectrum CBD oil as containing the "whole plant". It contains all of the plant's potent natural cannabinoids such as CBN (cannabinol), CBG (cannabigerol) and THCV (tetrahydrocannabivarin), terpenes and flavonoids. CBD extracted from industrial hemp contains less than 3 per cent THC, but can contain more when extracted from recreational hemp. Many people believe that all the components of the plant work together to create what is called the "entourage effect" in the body. Full Spectrum is usually dark or golden in color.
What is Broad Spectrum CBD Oil
Broad Spectrum CBD oil contains terpenes, flavonoids and the lesser known cannabinoids of the hemp plant, but has absolutely no discernible THC content. Many of the cannabinoids found in broad spectrum oil are ideal for supporting the effects of an entourage. Broad spectrum oil has a dark to golden colour.
What is CBD isolate
CBD isolate is pure CBD with no other cannabinoids, terpenes or flavonoids. Usually very light in colour. CBD isolate that has undergone further processing may take the form of crystals or white powder.
CBD extraction procedures
The extraction processes used to extract CBD from the cannabis plant differ from each other. Learning the basics about the different extraction methods is important because it affects the final purity of the product. When purchasing CBD isolate, the oil undergoes further processing using chromatography equipment to produce pure CBD in the form of crystals or powder, which is then mixed with a carrier oil.
Common extraction methods:
Solvent
A liquid solvent such as isopropyl, butane, ethanol or alcohol is used to extract CBD from the plant. This is the least expensive method of extraction. It is quick and easy, but not without danger. Extraction solvents such as butane are highly flammable. In addition, solvents destroy highly beneficial plant waxes. While this method extracts CBD from the plant, it also removes chlorophyll, which many believe boasts its own health benefits. Even when the solvent evaporates, there is always some residue left over. Many people in the medical community turn up their noses at solvent extraction because the resulting product often contains residues of butane or ethanol.
Olive oil
The use of olive oil is perhaps one of the oldest methods of extraction, it is safe, effective and simple. However, the resulting product is perishable. It must be stored in a cool, dark place. These factors make it less suitable for commercial producers. The method using olive oil involves decarboxylation of the plant material. It is then heated to activate the chemicals in the plant fibres. This effectively extracts the cannabinoids. Olive oil does not evaporate in this process, as it does in alcohol extraction. You simply have a mixture of CBD oil and olive oil. However, if you are using the oil for food production, olive oil is perfectly safe.
CO2
The premium CBD is extracted using CO2 to ensure the highest purity of the final product. CO2 extraction is safe and delivers a potent product that is preferred by brands marketing high quality products. It leaves no residual solvent or contaminant. Throughout the process, a highly trained extraction technician monitors temperature and pressure. This allows specific cannabinoids such as CBD to be isolated and achieve maximum potency and purity. CO2 extraction requires a closed extractor with three chambers. The first chamber contains the CO2, the second chamber contains the plant material and the third chamber is the finished product. CO2 is pumped from the first chamber into the second chamber. It takes the form of supercritical CO2, which is midway between a liquid and a gas. The supercritical CO2 passes through the cannabis plant material and extracts the cannabinoids. It then flows into a third chamber where the CO2 rises to the top and the cannabinoids remain at the bottom. The CO2 can then be reused, making the extraction process environmentally friendly.
Dry ice extraction
CBD can be extracted using dry ice, but this is more of a DIY process and is not used by large producers. The process involves placing cannabis in bags and covering the bags filled with plant material with dry ice for a few minutes. This freezes the trichomes full of cannabinoids. The bags are then removed from the dry ice and the frozen plant material inside the bags is shaken. The CBD-containing trichomes are detached from the plant fibres and fall through the mesh of the sieve. The trichomes must then be heated to produce oil.
How to separate CBD and THC
Producers take the removal of all THC from broad spectrum oil and isolate seriously. CBD oil undergoes further processing to filter out virtually all traces of THC. The CBD is further isolated using lower temperatures and pressures with a closed-loop CO2 extractor. The required technical equipment and skills needed to further purify CBD are why broad spectrum oils and isolates are expensive. Broad spectrum oils remain rich in other cannabinoids (excluding THC), flavours and terpenes. An isolate is 99+ percent pure CBD with no other cannabinoids, terpenes or flavonoids. Broad spectrum oil and isolate are the perfect choice for anyone who can't have any THC in their system.
Advantages and disadvantages of different CBD extraction methods
|
Type of extraction |
Benefits |
Disadvantages |
|
Solvents |
Cheap Easy Quick Effective |
Some solvents, such as butane, are flammable. They often leave residues. |
|
Olive oil |
Suitable for food |
Perishable Requires a dark and cool place for storage |
|
CO2 extraction |
Creates a pure product that contains no residues Ecological CO2 is recyclable |
Expensive Requires specialized training |
Best carrier oil for CBD
The carrier oil (base oil) carries CBD oil. Pure CBD is very strong, so it requires a carrier oil. In addition, the carrier oil helps the body absorb CBD easily. Typically, carrier oils are fatty vegetable oils that also provide additional health benefits
Best carrier oils for CBD
|
Type of oil |
Benefits |
Disadvantages |
|
MCT oil / Unrefined |
Antibacterial properties Contains essential fatty acids |
No significant disadvantages |
|
Hemp oil |
Contains essential fatty acids |
In most cases, it should be mixed with other carrier oils such as MCT oil because it is insufficient when used alone. |
|
Sunflower oil |
Cheap Contains vitamins and minerals |
It is high in polyunsaturated oils, so it is not the best carrier for Increases blood sugar levels May cause an allergic reaction. |
|
Olive oil |
It provides a more palatable and almost fruity taste. Contains healthy monounsaturated fats |
Too thick, which makes dosing difficult. It requires further processing to reduce the amount of CBD the body can absorb. |
|
Grapeseed oil |
Lightweight Blends well in lotions, creams and ointments with CBD |
It consists of polyunsaturated fats, which make it less suitable for orally administered CBD oil. |
|
Pomegranate oil
|
Binds well with CBD isolate Popular carrier oil for CBD skin care products Non-comedogenic |
Dear |
|
Avocado oil |
Increases viscosity It has a pleasant fruity taste |
Too thick, which makes dosing difficult. Dear |
Advantages and disadvantages of full spectrum oil, broad spectrum oil and isolate
Everyone has their own personal preference as to the type of CBD oil they use. However, new users may be confused when choosing between the three types.
|
Type of CBD oil |
Benefits |
Disadvantages |
|
Full Spectrum |
It contains varying levels of natural cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids. The human body's endocannabinoid system readily binds to all aspects of the oil, creating a beneficial entourage effect. |
Can cause |
|
Broad
|
It contains all the cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant, but has zero THC levels that trigger the entourage effect in the body. |
Hemp-derived broad-spectrum CBD oil is often considered inferior because it lacks all the THC that is necessary for the entourage effect. |
|
CBD isolate |
Pure CBD with no other cannabinoids, terpenes or flavonoids. |
The isolate is quickly absorbed by the body. It creates no accompaniment effect. All the natural |
What to consider before buying CBD oil
The taste of CBD oil
Many consider the taste of CBD to be "earthy" or "vegetal". Often this characteristic is enhanced by the addition of flavour. Mint, citrus, and strawberry are three popular CBD oil flavors. Flavor in no way diminishes the effectiveness of CBD. Some companies produce oils from natural sources and others are chemical compounds produced in laboratories.
Where and how was cannabis grown?
Cannabis is a bioaccumulator. It purifies the soil by absorbing both good and bad elements. In fact, hemp has been used to clean chemical stains and radiation from the soil. All hemp grown for CBD extraction should be free of herbicides, pesticides and heavy metals. Ideally, only organic growing practices should be used.
How much THC is in CBD oil?
CBD extracted from industrial hemp should contain less than 0.3 per cent THC if it is full-spectrum, but CBD extracted from different varieties may have different levels.
What is the concentration of CBD?
Not all brands of CBD oils are as potent as those with high concentrations. The user should find out for themselves what concentration gives them relief.
What extraction method was used?
Premium CBD oil has usually been extracted using CO2. However, some brands rely on solvents such as butane or hexane. Extraction using CO2 is ideal because it leaves no solvent residue, so the CBD oil obtained is always pure. In addition, CO2 extraction is environmentally friendly.
Are there analyses from third-party labs?
Most reputable CBD oil manufacturers have undergone third-party laboratory testing to guarantee the purity of their products. Manufacturers post the lab results on their website or distribute paper pamphlets along with the product. Many companies also insert a QR code into the package.
Different forms of CBD
CBD comes in many forms, not just in oil form. Ideally, you should know about each type of CBD and figure out which one best suits your needs:
- Orally administered CBD oils
- Tinctures - alcohol-based CBD products
- Ointments or creams containing CBD oil
- Foods, such as gummy bears, containing CBD oil
- Vaping CBD oil (pre-filled cartridges for vaporizers containing CBD oil)
- Dab (CBD resin or wax)
- Capsules or pills containing CBD oil
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