Nowadays, you can find CBD in almost anything: From chocolate bars and energy drinks, to skincare products and easy to swallow capsules.
For the most part, these CBD products are effective and actually serve a purpose. But there are some companies out there that are only in the CBD market to turn a profit.
And because creating high-quality CBD products requires so much money, state of the art equipment, and legal permits and licenses… Many companies find ways to create gimmicky CBD products like CBD-infused pillows, leggings, and eyeshadows.
While some of these gimmicky CBD-infused products are fun gift ideas, they don’t necessarily work. And for that reason, some people find CBD to be a “scam”.
Donald Levy, medical director at the Osher Clinical Center for Integrative Medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and assistant clinical professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, said it best:
"The marketing has gone way ahead of the science and the law when it comes to CBD products…”
But the real question is…
Does CBD oil really work?
According to multiple studies, scientists, renowned doctors, and other experts agree that CBD oil and other high-quality CBD products do actually work.
"The most benefit I have seen as a physician is in treating sleep disorders, anxiety, and pain… many people report a definite response when it comes to anxiety,” a statement made by Donald Levy.
In fact, there’s a mountain of evidence that showcases just how effective and therapeutic CBD oil and other CBD-infused products are. Here’s a summarized list of benefits…
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CBD helps reduce inflammation
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CBD is more effective than Vitamin C and Vitamin E for skin conditions
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CBD contains anti-anxiety, antidepressants, and anti-stress properties
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CBD helps reduce intestinal damage
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CBD is known to block acute inflammation and pain in Osteoarthritis models
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Topical CBD is known to relieve arthritic pain
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CBD helps reduce pain by stimulating endorphins
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CBD can improve mood by preserving Anandamide
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CBD improves the state of wellbeing and reduces anxiety
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CBD may be able to improve sleep and Post Traumatic Syndrome Disorder (PTSD)
The most compelling evidence, however, is that CBD oil has been shown to reduce the frequency of seizures.
In fact, anecdotal evidence, as well as a study conducted by GW Pharmaceuticals, paved the way for the first synthetic-free, plant-derived, cannabinoid-based drug to be approved by the FDA: Epidiolex, which is a prescription oral medication designed to treat rare forms of epilepsy and seizures, especially in patients who suffer from Dravet Syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome.
But none of these benefits can be achieved if the CBD oil or CBD infused product you are consuming is not formulated properly or derived from high-quality, American-grown hemp.
How CBD oil is made
To really understand how high-quality CBD oil is made, we need to look at a few key factors.
First, we need to look at where the hemp is sourced.
As we mentioned earlier, high-quality hemp is usually grown in America, but even then, hemp farmers aren’t always cultivating top of the line hemp.
In order for you to have truly beneficial hemp, you’ll need to ensure the following factors:
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The hemp crop is planted in nutrient-rich soil –– the soil should not contain any harmful contaminants, GMO’s, heavy metals, or toxic carcinogens.
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The hemp crop should not be sprayed with harmful pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, radioactive elements, and other toxins.
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The hemp crop should be well taken care of with adequate water and sunshine.
Now you might be thinking: Why so much attention to detail when growing hemp?
Well, the Molecular Diversity Preservation International (MPI) Agriculture Journal stated that, “Hemp has a high potential to absorb and accumulate heavy metals like lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), cadmium (Cd), etc., through its roots and then store them, thus, making it possible to harvest the hemp plant alongside the hazardous compounds.”
So you see, buying just any ol’ hemp-derived CBD product isn’t going to provide you with the same therapeutic properties.
But where and how the hemp is grown isn’t the only thing you need to focus on when learning how high-quality CBD oil is made.
Now we need to look at another important factor…
Best CBD extraction methods
Believe it or not, extraction methods help create high effectiveness and bioavailable, i.e. how quickly the body can absorb and use a substance.
The truth is, extracting CBD requires proper equipment and technique. That said, there are several ways in which companies, and even individuals, can extract CBD from the hemp plant.
1. CBD extraction using solvents
One of the ways to extract CBD from hemp flowers is by using solvents like:
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Alcohol
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Butane
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Ethanol
Using poor-grade alcohol isn't the safest or the purest way to extract CBD from hemp. However, Ethanol, which is a low-grade alcohol, is one of the most popular solvents used to extract CBD.
And here’s why…
Ethanol extracts all of the cannabinoids and terpenes found in the hemp plant. However, ethanol also extracts chlorophyll from the hemp, which can cause side effects.
While chlorophyll can be filtered out of the final CBD oil extract, it does reduce its potency and effectiveness.
Butane, on the other hand, provides a more potent CBD oil extract, but the final product will contain much higher contents of solvents which can cause an array of side effects and lung irritations.
Additionally, butane and ethanol are both extremely flammable.
For these reasons, people tend to steer clear from solvent extraction methods. However, it should be noted that ethanol is considered the safest solvent to use in the extraction process according to the FDA, regardless if it loses some potency when chlorophyll is filtered out.
Never purchase a CBD oil that has been extracted using heptane, which is very toxic.
2. CBD extraction using Supercritical CO2
CO2 extraction, otherwise known as carbon dioxide gas, is the most popular method to extract CBD from hemp.
Now, it’s important to note that because CO2 is a gas, when it’s heated and then pressurized, it then turns to a liquid, which becomes a natural solvent.
But this solvent is much safer.
In fact, supercritical CO2 extraction yields the highest concentration of CBD. However, because CO2 is heated, it can damage the cannabinoid profile to some degree.
Still, CO2 extraction remains the most common method among many reputable hemp companies. After all, it does give extremely high yields of pure CBD and it doesn’t contain toxic contaminants.
3. CBD extraction using Vapor Distilled
Vapor distilled extraction is a fairly new method in extracting CBD from the hemp plant.
Other extraction methods take a significant amount of time to yield high concentrations of cannabinoids and other phytochemicals.
And even then, other extraction methods have to use extreme heat to activate those phytonutrients. Which, as we mentioned earlier, can decrease the final cannabinoid profile and their potency.
But the vapor distilled method activates the cannabinoids while they are being extracted from the hemp plant. Not to mention, the cannabinoid profile is not harmed in any way, thus creating an extremely potent and effective CBD oil extract.
Amazingly, more and more reputable hemp companies are turning to vapor distilled extraction, as it is solvent free and even has a less bitter taste in the final product.
If you happen to come across a CBD oil that’s been extracted using vapor distillation, then you may have struck gold, as it is a fairly new extraction method.
This is besides the fact that extraction methods determine how potent and safe your CBD oil or CBD-infused products will be.
But that’s not all…
Extracting full spectrum, broad spectrum, and CBD isolate
The extraction process is what determines which form a CBD product will take.
Let us explain....
Extracting Full Spectrum CBD
Full spectrum CBD is the least processed and unfiltered form of hemp-derived CBD. It not only contains all parts of the hemp plant, but all the therapeutic and beneficial compounds as well, like:
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Terpenes
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Essential oils
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Cannabinoids, including a tiny amount of THC
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And all other phytonutrients that exist in the hemp plant
Because of this, researchers believe the entourage effect can take place within the body. This means the therapeutic effects of hemp are most powerful when all phytonutrients and compounds of the hemp plant are synergistically working together.
Not to mention, full spectrum CBD is the form most often used in scientific studies.
The one downside of full spectrum CBD is that it does contain trace amounts of THC.
Thankfully, the amount of THC found in full spectrum CBD products isn’t nearly enough to be intoxicating (meaning it won’t get you ‘high’). Still, some users may need to steer clear, as it could show up on a drug test. For that reason, it might be beneficial to look at other forms of CBD.
Extracting CBD Isolate
CBD Isolate is exactly how it sounds… the CBD is isolated from the rest of the compounds and other phytonutrients of the hemp plant.
This includes all terpenes, flavonoids, and of course any other cannabinoids other than CBD.
Some would say that CBD isolate is the purest form of CBD, and they’re not wrong. However, it’s important to note that CBD isolate is a little more processed than other forms. So it takes a few extra steps to achieve it.
It’s also been theorized that CBD isolate isn’t quite as effective as it would be if it contained all other phytonutrients. That’s not to say CBD isolate isn’t effective; it most definitely is. It just means that not everyone will find it as effective as its full spectrum or broad spectrum counterparts.
Still, one of the perks about CBD isolation is that people who are sensitive to terpenes and other cannabinoids (like THC) could really benefit from the isolated form of CBD.
And because everyone’s experience with CBD is different, some people may find that CBD isolate meets their needs better than full spectrum or broad spectrum.
Not to mention, since there is absolutely no THC in CBD isolate, it will not cause a failed drug test. And no, CBD does not convert to THC in the body, despite what some people might think.
Extracting Broad Spectrum CBD
Broad spectrum CBD sort of lies in the middle of full spectrum and CBD isolate. While it contains most of the beneficial nutrients of the hemp plant, it’s completely free from any and all trace amounts of THC.
Broad spectrum CBD actually starts out as a full spectrum product, as it contains the full range of the therapeutic nutrients of the hemp plant: terpenes, cannabinoids, etc.
But before it hits the market, it goes through an additional process that removes all THC.
This is great for those who want to steer clear from THC but still want to benefit from all the other phytonutrients.
It’s also been said that the entourage effect can be achieved with broad spectrum CBD as well.
Still, it’s important to note that while broad spectrum CBD is free from all THC, it still could potentially cause a failed drug test. Many CBD advocates claim that broad spectrum will not show up on a drug test, but others have experienced otherwise.
Which brings us to our final point…
Not all CBD is created equally
As we’ve mentioned several times throughout this article, high-quality CBD should be sourced from high-quality hemp and extracted using only the best and purest extraction methods.
But there’s one other factor we must touch on.
To ensure that your CBD products are of the highest quality and safe to consume, be sure to only purchase CBD products that have been thoroughly tested by accredited, independent third party laboratories.
Third party testing ensures that the final CBD products are free from toxic contaminants and are completely safe to consume.
The more you know about how your CBD products are produced, the better you can make a proper decision in purchasing the safest and best CBD oils and products on the market today.
Still, we want to encourage you to consult a doctor before you consume CBD, especially if you’re on any prescription medications. Just be sure you take things slowly, be consistent, and give CBD plenty of time to actually work within your body.
