What is CBD Isolate?
Everyone’s heard of CBD by now. Short for cannabidiol, CBD has been making huge waves in the health and wellness industry for its potential health benefits like helping manage day-to-day stress and promoting relaxation*.
As the popularity of CBD skyrockets, so does the range of CBD products available to us all. One such product is CBD isolate, the purest form of CBD. But what exactly is it? What makes it so special, and how is it made? In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at CBD isolate and shed some light on its use.
What Is CBD Isolate?
CBD isolate is the purest form of cannabidiol, devoid of other cannabinoids, terpenes, or plant compounds. It is extracted from hemp plants using various methods, resulting in a crystalline powder or solid form containing up to 99% CBD.
Unlike full-spectrum CBD products, which retain other beneficial compounds, CBD isolate focuses solely on delivering the potential effects of CBD.
How Is CBD Isolate Extracted?
There are a few ways of extracting CBD isolate, but the most common is with carbon dioxide (CO2). It is usually done in a laboratory, requiring industrial equipment like a CO2 extraction machine, solvent, evaporators, and chromatography equipment.
The hemp gets loaded into the extraction machine, which uses pressurized CO2 to extract CBD. The mixture then goes to a chromatography machine which separates the CBD from other compounds like terpenes and cannabinoids.
To purify the CBD, a rotary evaporator removes any lingering solvents, resulting in a thick, dark CBD oil.
The final product obtained after the complete process is pure CBD isolate, a crystalline powder containing 99% or more CBD, free from THC and other plant compounds. It’s now ready to be used in various CBD products or as a standalone ingredient for custom formulations.
Potential Benefits Of CBD Isolate
There are many potential benefits of CBD isolate, which is the primary reason for its popularity. Here are some of the commonly known ones.
Supports Relaxation: CBD may help support a sense of calm and relaxation*.
Stress Management – CBD may help manage day-to-day stress*.
Support of Healthy Sleep Cycles – A healthy sleep cycle is crucial to overall wellness.
How To Use CBD Isolate
Using CBD isolate is straightforward and offers a high level of versatility. Its neutral taste and lack of odor make it easy to incorporate into various products. Here are a few ways you can consume CBD isolate.
Ingest It – You can take CBD and place it under your tongue. Hold it there for about a minute and allow it to be absorbed. You should be feeling the effects in about half an hour.
Mix With Carrier Oils – Some oils like MCT and olive can help deliver the CBD more easily. You can mix your isolate with the oil of your choice and store the tincture, using a dropper to dose yourself when needed.
Add It To Foods – Since CBD is flavorless, it also can be added to your food or drinks. However, remember that heating CBD can cause it to lose potency, so adding it to the food after cooking would be best. CBD gummies are also popular; you can get them from any online store!
Topicals – You can also mix CBD with carrier oils like coconut or shea butter to create topical creams and apply it directly on your skin to target specific target areas.
Vape – Some vaporizers are designed to work on isolate, allowing you to add the powder and vape from it.
Legal Status of CBD
While THC continues to be illegal in many states and other parts of the world, CBD enjoys legal status in several countries, such as Canada, the UK, the US, and most countries in the European Union.
According to the 2018 Farm Bill, CBD is legal in the US if the product contains less than 0.3% THC. CBD isolate should contain no THC and is legal in most states. Currently, the only states where any cannabis-derived product is illegal are Idaho, Nebraska, and South Dakota.
In the EU and UK, products below 0.2% THC are legal.
How To Pick CBD Isolate
With so many CBD products on the market, choosing the best ones for you might be difficult. Some factors to consider when shopping for CBD isolate are:
Source and Extraction Method – Look for CBD isolate derived from organically grown hemp or cannabis (where legal) to minimize the risk of harmful chemicals or pesticides.
Purity – Opt for CBD isolate with a 99% or higher purity level. Reputable sellers will provide lab reports verifying the purity and absence of contaminants.
Third-Party Testing – Third-party testing by independent laboratories ensures transparency. It confirms the accuracy of the product’s CBD content, as well as the absence of THC and other unwanted compounds.
THC Content – CBD isolate should contain 0% THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) to ensure it is non-psychoactive and complies with legal regulations. Verify that the product’s lab report confirms the THC-free CBD product.
Reputation and Reviews – Purchase CBD isolate from reputable and well-established brands with customer reviews and a track record of producing high-quality products.
Final Thoughts
CBD isolate is a pure, versatile substance that has many potential benefits. However, you should check with your medical practitioner if you’re starting a new regimen and incorporating CBD into your routine.
All the best to your health!
*This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.