Did you know that in 2019 on Google alone there were more than six million searches for CBD? Since then, the popularity of CBD without THC has exploded to new heights. But why is CBD so popular, and what's so great about it?
If you're new to the world of CBD without THC, you might think CBD is a fad. It's weed without the high, isn't it? What's so great about that?
In fact, CBD comes in many different forms and is full of health benefits, both mental and physical. If you don't know much about CBD, then you've come to the right place. Here, you'll have all of your questions about CBD answered.
You'll learn about CBD products, benefits, where to buy CBD, and why you should buy it. So, what are you waiting for? Keep reading and we'll get straight into the good stuff.
What Is CBD Without THC?
This is most likely your number one question, and it really is a good question. CBD's full and much less popular name is cannabidiol. CBD occurs along with THC in cannabis and hemp plants, although it is also created in a laboratory. Even though CBD occurs alongside THC, it is quite different from THC, as it is not psychoactive and does not produce the typical "high" associated with marijuana usage.
To avoid THC, CBD is often extracted from the hemp plant, which has very low concentrations of THC compared to cannabis plants. In order to completely understand what CBD is, let's take a closer look at where it comes from.
The Hemp Plant and Extraction Methods
As mentioned above, CBD comes from the hemp plant, but how? Interestingly enough, there are several different methods for extracting THC-free CBD from hemp plants. It's not so simple as squeezing a bunch of hemp plants and slapping "CBD" on whatever juice drips out.
This is because, if this were the case, the juice you would get would not be pure CBD. Rather, it would be a mix of CBD and other compounds found in the hemp plant, which is not desirable by CBD producers or consumers.
In fact, the process of CBD extraction is very detailed and controlled. CBD occurs throughout hemp plants, but it occurs in higher concentrations in the stalks, leaves, and flowers. The most popular method is CO2 extraction.
The CO2 Extraction Method
This is where it gets a little scientific. Parts of a hemp plant get placed inside a specialized pressurized chamber and pumped full of carbon dioxide. If you didn't know, pressurizing CO2 to a certain extent turns this gas into a liquid.
This liquid carbon dioxide then mixes with the oils of the hemp plant. By the way, this is the same method used for extracting essential oils from various herbs and other plants. At a certain point, this mix of CO2 and hemp oil relocates into another, less pressurized chamber where the CO2 returns to its gaseous state.
What are we left with? A very safely extracted form of CBD. But even at this point, CBD is not in its true, pure form, which is CBD isolate created with the use of solvents.
Alcohol Extraction Method
Another way of extracting CBD oils without THC is with the use of alcohol. You can't use any old brand of alcohol for this. This method uses very strong forms of alcohol such as ethanol or isopropyl alcohol.
This process involves heating and then soaking the hemp plant in alcohol (ethanol is most commonly used) for a period of time. This allows the CBD in the plant to separate from its surrounding components. After this step is complete, the extracted liquid from the hemp plant remains out in the open.
This allows the remaining alcohol to safely evaporate away from the product. While experts claim that this method is very easy to perform, there are some disadvantages in going this route compared to the CO2 extraction method. For example, some studies have found that not all the alcohol evaporates from the final CBD product.
This is not desirable, since most people don't prefer to ingest traces of high-profile alcohol. More than that, a plant component from the hemp called chlorophyll, which gives plants their green color, follows along with the CBD oil when using the alcohol extraction method.
This is also not desirable, since chlorophyll can give CBD oil an odd or unappetizing taste.
Creating CBD Isolate
Finally, we arrive at the point where we learn how to create the purest and most refined form of CBD. Creating CBD isolate requires solvents; there's no way around it. After extraction, the resulting CBD oil goes through winterization.
During winterization, the CBD extract cools down to freezing temperatures along with a solvent. By cooling the CBD, impurities such as plant fats and chlorophyll coagulate and separate from the CBD. Then comes the filtration step.
A vacuum and a press pull the CBD extract through a variety of filters. In this step, any fats and impurities remaining from the winterization step are removed. But, whether you believe it or not, there are still plenty of impurities at this step.
Next comes decarboxylation, which heats the CBD extract and removes excess CO2. This is important for the next and final step: distillation. Distillation involves heating the crude CBD oil to high temperatures, so it becomes a vapor, then cooling it down so it returns to a liquid state.
After distillation, we have pure CBD isolate oil full of potential. Some producers opt for an additional step, crystallization, which turns the CBD oil into solid crystals, but it is not necessary.
Buying Different CBD Products (And Benefits)
With CBD on the brain, you may be wondering where you can buy it. The good news for you is that since CBD contains no THC, it is perfectly legal and can be sold just about anywhere, even online.
But there is not just one kind of CBD. In fact, there is a variety of CBD products to choose from. With so many options, how can you choose?
Let's take a look at the most popular types of CBD and CBD products.
Broad-Spectrum CBD
Unlike CBD isolate which we previously discussed, broad-spectrum CBD does not go through such an extensive extraction process. As such, there is more than CBD alone. Usually, other cannabinoids are found along with CBD such as CBC, CBN, and terpenes, but there is still no THC.
Since there are not many scientific studies concerning the different types of CBD, it is not known whether one type is better than another.
Full-Spectrum CBD
Similar to broad-spectrum CBD, full-spectrum CBD is not as refined as CBD isolate and contains all the components found in hemp plants. Unlike broad-spectrum, full-spectrum CBD includes 0.3% of THC. This is still legal to sell, as long as the THC content is 0.3% or lower.
There is a theory that full and broad-spectrum CBD oils have more benefits than CBD isolates because of the increased number of natural components working together.
CBD Oil
Most CBD oil you buy at the store or online is mixed with a carrier oil. These carrier oils don't interfere with the CBD, though some may be added for flavor.
CBD oil is potent and can be costly. Because of its potency, it is common for people to mix CBD oil into foods or drinks.
The Benefits
Studies have shown that CBD oil has implications in pain relief. This is great news for those who want to stick to natural and holistic medicines. This pain relief occurs because of the way CBD interacts with certain receptors in the brain responsible for pain.
Many people also feel that CBD help with their stress levels. Since many have trouble finding the right prescription medications to improve their mental health, CBD can be a great alternative option.
CBD Topicals
CBD topicals can come in a wide variety of forms including creams, salves, lotions, ointments, and more. These topicals are often made from full or broad-spectrum CBD and therefore do not have more than 0.3% of THC, but some are made with CBD isolate.
While not many studies have been conducted on the effects of topicals, there may still be many benefits in their use.
The Benefits
Many assert that CBD topicals are great for treating specific areas of the body. For example, CBD lotions and salves are often used on joints that are swollen.
Topicals do not enter the bloodstream, so you may be wondering how they might work. They work because the skin itself contains cannabinoid receptors.
Besides joint pain, CBD topicals may also be used for skin conditions. Those who use CBD topicals with different skin conditions report that their symptoms have improved.
CBD Edibles
Let's not forget that CBD can come in many other forms than oils and tinctures. CBD edibles have become popular over the last few years. These edibles usually take the form of gummy candy, but they can come in other forms, such as cookies, chocolate, and honey.
Edibles are a great option for those who don't like taking CBD sublingually.
The Benefits
While edibles do not work instantly like vapes and can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours to work, once the effect kicks in, it lasts longer than vapes. This is because, since the edibles are being digested by your stomach, the CBD is slowly being released, rather than absorbed all at once. The effects of CBD edibles can last up to 4 hours.
When it comes to CBD edibles, you can easily tell how much CBD you're consuming. This can be hard to discern when vaping. You can be confident in your CBD dosages and enjoy your CBD effects for as long as you want.
A big benefit of edibles is that they are discreet. Edibles are nowhere near as obvious as vape pens or oils.
Everything You Need To Know About CBD Without THC
Now that you've read this article and have learned all about how CBD without THC is made, how to buy it, what forms it comes in, and its benefits, you can decide if CBD is right for you.
CBD is a safe and natural product that can offer many benefits to a variety of people. If you can't stop thinking about CBD, check out our page and learn more.
