Most people buy CBD products to experience the health benefits of consuming cannabis without getting high or failing a drug test. However, many CBD products still contain enough THC to show up on a drug test, causing a “false positive” (since the amount of THC in CBD is too low for intoxication).
If you want to virtually eliminate every possibility of using a CBD product and failing a drug test, we recommend CBD isolate.
What is CBD isolate? In short, CBD isolate (pure CBD) is a highly refined CBD product that contains a high concentration of cannabidiol (CBD) and none of the other compounds found in cannabis.
An Overview of CBD Isolate
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Cannabis (marijuana or hemp) contains over 60 cannabinoids and over 400 other chemical compounds. THC (the cannabinoid that gets you high) and CBD are the most popular of these compounds. Manufacturers make CBD isolate by thoroughly processing and refining cannabis extract to remove every compound except CBD.
Due to its extensive refinement, CBD isolate comes as crystals or a white powder made from grinding the crystals. Since it contains no terpenes or flavonoids, CBD isolate is odorless and tasteless.
How is CBD Isolate Made?
Every manufacturer has a preferred technique for making CBD isolate. Some use hemp plants, which already contain a high concentration of CBD and less than 0.3% THC. Others use marijuana plants that possess high levels of THC and other cannabinoids.
The manufacturing and refinement process is typically quicker when using hemp plants. That’s because hemp plants have fewer unwanted cannabis compounds to remove to create pure CBD. The steps involved in CBD isolate production typically include:
Extraction
Most manufacturers prefer using supercritical carbon dioxide (CO2) or ethanol-based extraction because they are highly efficient. The process extracts the essential compounds from the cannabis plant.
Winterization
The extracted fluids then undergo winterization to remove fats, chlorophyll, and waxes. Failure to remove these elements will lead to an impure product. Winterization involves freezing the extract until the fats and waxes coagulate and separate from the extract.
Filtration
After the fats and waxes coagulate, the extract undergoes filtration to remove unwanted elements. The extract passes through a filter press, and a vacuum pump forces it through multiple filter plates that catch the unwanted fats.
Decarboxylation
Decarboxylation uses heat to remove carboxylic acid and CO2 from the cannabinoids left in the extract. Removing CO2 from the extract facilitates forming a vacuum for the distillation process.
Distillation
If using wiped film distillation, the extract goes into a feed tank and passes over a heated plate. The heated oil goes into another vessel that uses heating, cooling, and various apparatuses to separate CBD from other compounds.
Crystallization
The crystallization process ensures that the finished product is 95 to 99% pure CBD. It involves pouring the distilled CBD oil into a vat and heating and stirring it. After a long period of stirring, the mixture undergoes cooling and nucleation, which triggers crystallization.
Another round of rigorous stirring separates the CBD crystals from the rest of the solution. The crystals then undergo rinsing with a chemical solvent that removes leftover impurities.
Note that the exact process of making CBD crystals varies between manufacturers. It’s why the purity of CBD isolates vary between brands. The best isolate products are over 99% pure CBD.
CBD Isolate vs. Full-Spectrum CBD vs. Broad-Spectrum CBD
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Most CBD products are either full-spectrum or broad-spectrum. Unlike CBD isolates, which contain only CBD, full-spectrum products contain all the cannabinoids and other compounds that you can find in a whole cannabis plant. Full-spectrum products are available as oils, pills, waxes, tinctures, and more.
A benefit of using a product that contains all the cannabis compounds is you get to experience the entourage effect. The entourage effect occurs when all the cannabis compounds work together to amplify the effects of one another.
Studies indicate that the entourage effect is real and boosts the potency of using CBD. Since CBD isolate contains only CBD, it cannot deliver the entourage effect.
Unlike full-spectrum products, broad-spectrum CBD undergoes some refinement during production. The refinement process eliminates select cannabinoids, such as THC, leaving you with a product that contains mostly CBD and some other essential cannabinoids and terpenes. It can trigger the entourage effect, but not as potently as a full-spectrum product.
Since full-spectrum CBD undergoes little to no refinement, it may contain higher THC levels, especially if the product came from a marijuana plant. However, to be federally legal, it must be less than 0.3% THC.
Check out our other article for more information on the difference between CBD isolate and full spectrum CBD.
Effects of CBD Isolate
CBD isolate effects vary between individuals, but the most commonly reported effect is a feeling of calm and relaxation. The feeling is different from the euphoria and typical high that consuming THC causes, and you don’t have to worry about side effects like paranoia.
Besides making you feel calm and relaxed, using CBD isolate daily has been reported to:
· Reduce nausea
· Aid nervous system regeneration
· Relieve pain
· Reduce nausea
· Counteract tumor growths
· Prevent seizures
Scientists believe that using CBD triggers these effects by influencing the naturally occurring cannabinoids in our bodies.
Side Effects of CBD Isolate
Though CBD is usually well-tolerated, it can cause side effects in some individuals. It doesn’t have addictive properties, and side effects are rare and mild. These side effects may include:
· Insomnia
· Fatigue
· Weight fluctuations
· Diarrhea
· Irritability
Note that you are more likely to experience side effects if you take too much CBD isolate. Side effects may also occur if using a low-quality product that contains impurities or using CBD isolate alongside certain medications.
For example, CBD isolate interacts poorly with blood thinners and some prescription medication for high blood pressure and cholesterol. It also interacts with grapefruit, so avoid using CBD isolate alongside any dietary supplement that contains grapefruits. To be safe, consult your doctor before using CBD isolate.
How to Consume CBD Isolate
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If you are wondering how to use CBD isolate, you’ll be happy to know that you have several options. Some of the most popular ways to consume CBD isolate are:
Pure CBD Isolate Crystals
CBD isolate originally comes in crystal form. Some manufacturers crush the crystals into powder for easier consumption.
To smoke CBD isolate, all you need to do is crush it and sprinkle the powder on your hemp flower joint. Alternatively, you could use a bong for a much cleaner smoking experience. Note that smoking CBD isolate offers the highest bioavailability, meaning more CBD enters your bloodstream and gets there faster.
CBD Isolate Oil
CBD isolate oil is pure CBD, which you can use topically or orally. You can rub the oil on aching joints or muscles for relief or rub it to treat inflamed skin (acne, eczema, and so on). Since CBD isolate is tasteless and odorless, swallowing it on its own isn’t a problem. You can also mix it with food or drink without ruining the flavor. Using CBD isolate oil orally or topically has the lowest bioavailability.
CBD Isolate Tinctures
CBD isolate tinctures are water-based products with high bioavailability. You use a tincture sublingually by placing a few drops beneath your tongue for about 30 seconds. The glands beneath your tongue absorb the CBD and send it straight to your bloodstream.
CBD Isolate Edibles
CBD isolate edibles come in various forms, including gummies, beverages, capsules, and more. Edibles are convenient and fun. Also, unlike other forms of CBD isolate, measuring accurate CBD dosage is easy with edibles like capsules and pills. Unfortunately, since edibles have to first pass through the stomach, they have a relatively low bioavailability.
Vaping CBD Isolate
Vaping CBD isolate is a safer alternative to smoking CBD. Unlike smoking, vaping involves inhaling vapors instead of actual smoke, making it a cleaner experience. Nonetheless, inhaling anything but oxygen into your lungs poses health risks. On the upside, vaping CBD isolate has a high bioavailability. You can vape CBD isolate by dabbing crystals with a traditional oil rig.
Reported Benefits of CBD Isolate
The answer to what is CBD isolate used for depends on who you ask. Some physiotherapists use it to treat joint and muscle inflammation, while other medical practitioners recommend CBD isolate for anxiety treatment.
Below are some CBD isolate effects and how they can help improve your quality of life:
Anti-Anxiety
Multiple clinical studies have shown that using CBD can help treat anxiety and stress. It accomplishes this by triggering feelings of relaxation and improving sleep. Studies also indicate that CBD can help anxiety disorder patients of all ages without many of the unwanted side effects of pharmaceuticals that treat the same condition.
Pain and Inflammation Relief
Pain relief is one of the most widely documented CBD isolate benefits. CBD is used to treat various types of pain and inflammation, including:
· Arthritis
· Neuropathic pain
· Cancer pain
· Chronic back pain
· Fibromyalgia
CBD treats pain by interacting with your body’s endocannabinoid, inflammatory, and nociceptive (pain-sensing) systems. However, some studies indicate that full-spectrum CBD is better for pain relief because CBD combined with THC delivers a more potent analgesic effect. Plus, if your goal is alleviating pain and swelling, you must use CBD isolate at a specific dose to achieve your desired results.
Anticonvulsant
According to the American Epilepsy Society and various studies, CBD shows great potential for treating specific types of epilepsy. The FDA has even approved Epidolex, a prescription CBD drug for treating rare forms of epilepsy, such as Lennox-Gastaut, Dravet syndromes, and seizures caused by tuberous sclerosis complex.
How CBD treats epilepsy is still under research, but scientists believe the cannabinoid reduces epilepsy symptoms by decreasing neuron excitability.
Cancer Treatment
Multiple studies indicate that CBD has an anti-tumorigenic effect that prevents cancer cell growth. CBD is also antiemetic (prevents vomiting), which can ease the recovery of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.
Autoimmune Disease Treatment
If you have an autoimmune disease or an overactive immune system, CBD can suppress your immune system’s inflammatory response. People that possess healthy immune systems can also benefit from using CBD isolate because it regulates the immune system and boosts homeostasis.
CBD Isolate Dosage
The optimal CBD isolate dosage will vary between individuals based on their weight and reason for using CBD.
The right dose will also depend on the type of CBD isolate you are using. For example, compared to vapes or tinctures with high bioavailability, you will need a higher dose if you’re using CBD oils or edibles.
If you’re new to using CBD, start with a small dose and increase it over time until you experience your desired effects. If the product comes with a prescribed dose on the label, it’s best not to exceed it, or you might experience side effects like diarrhea or dizziness.
Where to Buy CBD Isolate
Now that you know the basics of CBD isolate, you might want to try some. If so, make sure you get your product from a licensed and reputable brand that undergoes product testing by a recognized third party. We’ve done your research for you by putting together a list of the best CBD isolate products on the market. Check it out.
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