CBD has recently enjoyed a surge in popularity, especially in the wellness industry, thanks to its potential benefits for everything from stress relief to focus. But with so many different types of CBD available, including full-spectrum, broad-spectrum and isolate, how can you be sure you’re choosing the right type for your needs?
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at CBD isolate, the purest form of cannabidiol. We’ll explore how it’s made and how it compares to other types of CBD. Whether you’re new to the world of CBD or you’re looking for a THC-free option, CBD isolate could be the perfect choice. Here’s what you need to know:
What is CBD Isolate?
CBD isolate is the purest form of CBD or cannabidiol. It contains only the cannabidiol compound and no THC or other cannabinoids or terpenes. CBD isolate is ideal for anyone who wants to experience the benefits of CBD without exposure to THC or any other hemp-derived compounds.
How Is CBD Isolate Made?
CBD isolate involves extracting the cannabidiol from the hemp plant and then refining it to eliminate any other plant components or byproducts. Generally-speaking, it’s a five-step process:
Step 1: Extraction
First, the CBD is extracted from the hemp plant. This can be done in one of two ways:
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Using pressurized carbon dioxide which pulls CBD and other cannabinoids from the plant. This method is clean and uses no solvents in order to maintain the purity of the cannabidiol.
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Soaking the hemp in high-proof ethanol to dissolve the cannabinoids. This is then followed by filtration and evaporation to remove any unwanted material.
We use advanced carbon dioxide extraction to produce our own CBD products. However, ethanol extraction also has a place in the industry, particularly when producing crude CBD oil which can then be refined into other products.
At the extraction stage, the CBD still has several components in it that need to be removed, including THC.
Step 2: Winterization
Winterization removes unwanted substances including fats, waxes and lipids. To get these out, the extract is mixed with alcohol and then frozen at extremely low temperatures. This solidifies the waxes and fats and makes it easier to filter them out. The product is cleaner at this stage but there are still multiple hemp compounds inside. THC is still part of the extract at this stage.
Step 3: Filtration and Purification
To continue refining the CBD, the extract goes through filtration and distillation stages to separate the cannabinoids from any other substances. Specialized filters are used to remove any leftover plant material. Distillation is then used to isolate the CBD part of the extract while eliminating most of the other terpenes, flavonoids and other cannabinoids. At this stage, most of the THC is removed.
Step 4: Decarboxylation
At this stage, we now have to activate the CBD. In its raw form, CBD is cannabidiolic acid, which is inactive. In order to bring its full effects to life, we need to make the extract undergo decarboxylation, a fancy term that involves applying heat at controlled temperatures and converting cannabidiolic acid into usable CBD. This process makes sure we essentially unlock all of the full potential benefits of CBD in its most natural form.
Step 5: Crystallization
The last step is crystallization, where the CBD is purified into solid crystal or powder form. The purified extract is mixed with a solvent along with controlled temperature and pressure. This makes the CBD molecules bind together and form pure, white crystals. Those crystals are then filtered, dried and ground into a fine powder—the final CBD isolate product.
Why Choose CBD Isolate?
Perhaps the most important benefit of CBD isolate is that it’s THC-free, for those users who are subject to drug testing or who simply want to avoid the psychoactive effects of THC. The resulting crystals or powders are also incredibly versatile and can be added into different products like edibles, oils and topicals. The controlled dosing of CBD isolate also allows for precise measurement without worrying about other compounds.
How Does CBD Isolate Compare to…
Wondering how CBD isolate compares to other types of CBD like full-spectrum and broad-spectrum?
Full-Spectrum CBD
Full-spectrum CBD has all of the natural occurring compounds in the hemp plant including the cannabinoids, terpenes and trace amounts of THC (up to 0.3% as permitted by law). This combination can produce the “entourage effect” which can enhance the overall therapeutic benefits of the product.
Broad-Spectrum CBD
Broad-spectrum CBD includes multiple cannabinoids and terpenes but is processed in such a way as to completely remove the THC. This option is ideal if you want to avoid THC entirely in your CBD products.
Choosing the Right CBD Isolate Products
Plain Jane offers a variety of high-quality CBD isolate products. In order to determine which is right for you, consider the following:
If you’re interested in trying out various strengths and flavors of CBD, Isolate CBD oil is a simple, convenient way to discover the effects of pure CBD for yourself. If you’d rather have a more flexible form that can be added to food or drink or used in DIY CBD products, we recommend our Pure CBD Isolate Powder. If you’d rather have the full effects of all of the terps and the fully enhanced sensory experience that goes along with them, we recommend CBD Terpsolate.
Each one of our products is crafted to deliver the purest form of CBD, helping you to enjoy the benefits to the fullest without worrying about unwanted compounds or THC.
Now that you know what to look for, we invite you to explore the full range of CBD isolate products in our online store. Thanks to the versatility and purity of CBD isolate and its ease of use, it has never been easier to make CBD a part of your everyday wellness routine.
