What Is CBD Extract?
CBD continues to soar in popularity among different products in a crowded marketplace. As one of the many compounds produced by the cannabis plant, it goes by the name of cannabidiol. Unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), however, CBD is a non-psychoactive compound, meaning it doesn’t make users “high.”
Here we’ll explain what CBD extract is, how cannabidiol is extracted, and provide more helpful information about the product.
CBD Extract 101
CBD extract also goes by the name of CBD paste. The paste is among the purest forms of CBD extract on the market. In a nutshell, CBD oil extract keeps all properties of the plant, is rich in cannabinoids, terpenes, and other materials that come from the hemp plant.
Since it’s ultra-concentrated, the CBD percentage is much higher than in other products. The production process makes sure the plant remains 100% intact, and nothing is taken away or added.
Manufacturers add CBD extract to creams, lotions, and other products that people use for treating inflammatory or skin problems and conditions caused by stress. Both researchers and consumers have become more interested in the potential benefits of CBD extract recently. Thanks to the promising research, the extract is being approved in more and more countries.
CBD Oil Extract Characteristics
Here are some essential characteristics of pure oil CBD extract:
- It’s made from a high-quality hemp plant containing plenty of cannabinoids
- It’s straightforward to use
- No side effects
- It can be used as a food supplement
- Has little to no THC traces
- Packed with viable nutrients for the body
How to Extract Cannabidiol?
The CBD derives from the cannabis plant and is typically extracted from the leaves or flowers. Different extraction types exist depending on the production capabilities. Large-scale manufacturers may use chemicals such as ethanol or carbon dioxide to separate the CBD from the plant.
If the extraction technique is wrong, the CBD content won’t be as effective. The goal when extracting CBD is to harvest the product in a concentrated form so that it’s possible to mix it into CBD oils, topicals, and e-liquids. As CBD is only a single constituent of hundreds of hemp plant compounds, extracting it is not always easy.
There are many methods to extract cannabidiol:
Solventless Extraction by Hand
To extract cannabidiol without solvents, heat, pressure, and friction is applied to the flowers and leaves. It’s best to freeze hemp flowers, shake the tiny trichomes loose, and group them together. The trichomes contain tons of cannabidiol and terpenes.
This method uses the whole hemp plant, it’s cheap and doesn’t require extra equipment. However, it has low yields, it’s impossible to control the purity, and the extract comes with unwanted cannabinoids.
Solvent Extraction Method
Solvent extraction adds ethanol or butane to the hemp plant matter. Doing so strips the cannabinoids into the liquid, evaporates it, leaving a concentrated oil residue. The main disadvantage of this method is that it also extracts chlorophyll from the plant, leading to side effects and a more bitter taste.
However, the solvent extraction method remains the cheapest and easiest technique, even though it often causes issues with the end product. It’s certainly not recommended to try this method at home.
Olive Oil CBD Extraction
The hemp plant needs to be decarboxylated before being extracted with olive oil, meaning it has to undergo the process of activating acidic cannabinoids using heat. This can be achieved when putting the plant in the oven. After that, the plant is mixed with olive oil and put on the stove for several hours. The CBD and other essential elements bind to the olive oil fats, resulting in an infused product. Ultimately, the mixture is left to cool down.
This method offers a higher purity level than the previous method, and it’s easily done at home. However, there’s little control over the end result, and it comes with unreliable CBD content.
CO2 Extraction
The most efficient way of extracting CBD from the hemp plant is using CO2. This method is primarily used by large manufacturers as it involves a plant oil extraction machine. The plant oil extraction machine pumps CO2, which has both gas and liquid characteristics, through the plant and strips away essential cannabinoids without causing damage.
This method allows for the safe and clean extraction of concentrates without using contaminants or additives. Plus, it’s a highly efficient yield extraction method that gets the most out of the plant, courtesy of the plant oil extraction machine. It’s also a sustainable and eco-friendly option.
In terms of the main downsides, it’s an expensive industrial process that only experts can perform.
CBD Oil Extract Benefits
CBD extract is packed with benefits. There’s still plenty of scientific research to be completed, but the product can treat pain, anxiety, insomnia, inflammation, and many other conditions. Some promising benefits also include acne treatment and cancer-curing possibilities.
Documented medical benefits of CBD include treating seizures, reducing heartburn and nausea, slowing cancer cell growth, managing chronic pain, and supporting mental health.
CBD Oil Extract Explained
This article has answered questions such as what is CBD extract, how to extract cannabidiol, and what are the positive effects of CBD oil. Overall, CBD extract is packed with potential health benefits that are yet to be proven. Thanks to its diverse use and the emerging evidence for overall health improvements, however, it’s becoming used more often across the population.