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CBD Isolate: What It Is, Purity, Benefits, And How We Make It
Key Takeaways:
- CBD isolate is a unique hemp extract that consists of crystallized “Pure CBD”
- All other cannabinoids, terpenes, and plant compounds are removed during the extraction and distillation process.
- You can use CBD Isolate in a number of ways, but it excels as an edible or oil additive.
Table of Contents
CBD isolate is the purified form of cannabidiol (CBD) from which all other compounds like cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids, are removed. Compared to full-spectrum and broad-spectrum CBD, which contain other cannabinoids, isolate is a crystalized single-molecule material that shares some of the same benefits.
In this post, we’ll cover why CBD isolate is unique, how it’s made, and how it may benefit your situation.
CBD Isolate Purity vs. Other Extracts
CBD isolate is a type of hemp extract that exclusively contains crystallized CBD. Because it doesn’t contain any other compounds from the hemp plant, it won’t appear on any drug tests for THC.
Because of its makeup, CBD isolate also looks different than other hemp extracts. Whereas full-spectrum and broad-spectrum are viscous liquids, CBD isolate looks more like table salt, a crystalline white powder.
However, because of its structure, purity, and oil solubility, CBD isolate makes for a great edible additive.
Does CBD Isolate Contain THC?
No, CBD isolate does not contain any THC.
During the extraction and distillation process, extractors pull CBD out of hemp extract and leave the other cannabinoids, including THC, behind.
How Is CBD Isolate Made?
Distilling CBD isolate from hemp plants involves a few extractions, some of which utilize solvents like ethanol or super-cooled carbon dioxide. Solvents help isolate CBD by stripping away terpenes and fatty acids common in plant material.
Cured Resin Extraction: The first step in making CBD isolate involves a full biomass extraction using either ethanol or carbon dioxide. With these solvents, we separate the terpenes, cannabinoids, and more from the plant matter.
Winterization: After extraction, we have to winterize our cured resin. That involves mixing the extract with ethanol alcohol and freezing it. The cold temperature causes unwanted compounds like fats, waxes, and chlorophyll to solidify and separate from the oil. We then filter the mixture to remove impurities.
Decarboxylation: During decarboxylation, we turn all of our CBDa into active CBD. We heat our winterized oil for a few hours, taking care not to burn any of our active cannabinoids.
Distillation: We can further distill our decarboxylated, winterized oil to further purify it. During this process, we remove CBD from our other cannabinoids and any remaining terpenes and plant compounds by boiling the oil at a hyper-specific temperature.
Crystallization: Finally, we mix our purified CBD with a solvent and allow the mixture to crystalize. We then evaporate the solvent and leave behind CBD crystals. We can either leave this CBD isolate in large crystal form or grind it down into a workable powder.
How Does CBD Isolate Work?
CBD isolate works with your body’s endocannabinoid system the same way that other hemp extracts do. CBD facilitates the uptake of more beneficial endocannabinoids to promote homeostasis in our body.
Unlike other cannabinoids that bind with our cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2, CBD ensures that our body can take care of itself.
Please see our blog about the ECS here for more about the endocannabinoid system and how it regulates bodily functions.
Potential Benefits
Although CBD isolate products won’t produce the entourage effect, they will share similar benefits to full- and broad-spectrum CBD products.
The biggest benefit of CBD isolate products is the complete lack of THC. That means if you’re a teacher, a driver, or a government worker, you should be able to use products made with CBD isolate without any repercussions.
Be careful, though; you’ll always want to see certificates of analysis before you trust a product. This third-party technical document will tell you exactly what cannabinoids are in your product and in what concentrations.
FAQs About CBD Isolate
Can You Smoke CBD Isolate
Yes, you can smoke CBD isolate. You can use CBD isolate with your dab rig or vaporize it using a vape pen. Both methods provide quick effects as CBD is absorbed through the lungs.
Can You Eat CBD Isolate?
Yes, you can eat CBD isolate. Because it’s decarboxylated, it’s active and can be consumed. We recommend using a dosing calculator and adding it to an edible or hot beverage.
How Much Does CBD Isolate Cost?
The cost of CBD isolate can vary based on factors like quality, brand, and quantity. On average, it ranges from $20 to $50 per gram. Bulk purchases often offer lower per-gram prices. Always consider third-party testing and product reviews to ensure quality and value.
How To Dissolve CBD Isolate In Oil?
Once you know which oil you want to mix your isolate into, heat it on the stovetop on low until it reaches 140F. Use a digital thermometer to measure your progress. Add your premeasured amount of isolate, turn off the heat, and stir until your mixture is completely incorporated.
Let your homemade CBD oil cool completely before you store it in an airtight container.
Before You Take CBD Isolate…
Your experience with CBD depends on finding the right product for you. For this reason, we recommend asking your healthcare provider or pharmacist before you add CBD to your daily regimen.
They should also tell you if any products will interfere with the medications that you’re currently taking. Once you’re sure, be sure to check out Sunset Lake’s lineup of farm-direct CBD products here.