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CBD isolate is one of the most flexible forms of CBD, because of the production process used to extract the CBD from the plant, an extremely pure form of CBD is created. A core feature of CBD isolate is the tiny amounts of THC and cannabinoids, thus ensuring it’s legal in many countries and does not carry the strong hemp flavours and smells.

What is CBD Isolate? 

CBD isolate is a crystal extract that is more often than not ground into a powder to make it easy to use in a variety of CBD products. During extraction from the cannabis plant, THC, other phytocannabinoids are removed, leaving an incredibly pure product. These crystals or powders are essentially odourless and tasteless, making CBD isolate an ideal raw material to be used in CBD products such as oil drops or face creams. 

Why is CBD Isolate interesting?

Proper CBD isolate is very pure and does not contain THC, while this is more of a concern in countries (such as the US) where THC is legal, some consumers may not want any THC as it is a psychoactive substance. In the UK any CBD product has to be under 0.02% of THC content, though those that regularly undergo drugs test (sports players) may wish to use an isolate based product to ensure they always test negative for THC. 

Isolate is also interesting because of its flexibility, allowing it to be mixed with various products that make consumption easier. CBD isolate can easily be integrated into food and drink as well as other sprays and creams. Blending with other products is also simpler with CBD isolate because it’s purity ensures that getting the correct amount of CBD into the product is easier than full or broad spectrum. Unlike broad or full-spectrum CBD, isolate does not benefit from multiple cannabinoids working together when applied or consumed; essentially, the user is just limiting themselves to one cannabinoid.

How is CBD Isolate made?

There are numerous ways to create CBD isolate. Firstly you need your raw material, industrial hemp. These hemp plants have mainly been bred to have lower quantities of THC, thus reducing the amount of THC that needs to be removed. The two commercially viable methods of producing CBD isolate are:

• Supercritical C02 extraction
• Ethanol extraction

The initial extraction process strips out impurities, other cannabinoids, terpenes and various other compounds. Once complete, the CBD compound needs to be split from remaining elements left over from the extraction process. This is achieved through a series of washing processes; washing utilises other chemicals and acetic acid to create a solvent solution. Following this, winterisation is applied to the mixture, cooling the extract to extremely low temperatures, further removing impurities and other plant matter. By spinning the mixture at a high number of rotations this separates the CBD compound from the solvent mix, further steps to separate the cannabinoids are then employed that require the use of chemicals, which are then removed via distillation. Finally, the remaining compound is 99% pure CBD; this is allowed to crystalise ready for use. 

Uses For CBD Isolate

With CBD isolate being odourless and tasteless, CBD isolate is adaptive and can be used in many products. 

Sublingual Spray

CBD isolate can easily be blended with or without a flavour additive and sprayed onto your tongue. The CBD is absorbed by the membranes under your tongue, delivering the CBD directly to the bloodstream, bypassing the digestive system and liver, this increases the speed that the CBD acts on the body.  

CBD Oil drops or Topicals

CBD isolate can be mixed with a carrier product such as skin creams or massage oils. Easy to use and allowing you to directly treat an area, there are many specific CBD skin care products from tattoo care creams to facial products. 

Inhalation

CBD isolate can be mixed with vape oils and flavours allowing users to vape the CBD just like any other vape oil, available in varying strengths, users are advised to speak to a reputable vape retailer before purchasing.

Ingestion

CBD isolate can be encapsulated into capsules or pills, allowing direct ingestion. Similarly, it can be blended with various food and drink products allowing users to consume the isolate and enjoy a convenient product easily. It must be noted that this isn’t the most efficient way of intaking CBD as CBD does not absorb well through the gut.  

CBD Isolate in summary

CBD isolate is an incredibly pure version of CBD, while the user will not benefit from other cannabinoids found in broad or full-spectrum CBD. CBD isolate has its uses and obvious benefits for those looking to either avoid any trace of THC or have a flavourless CBD product that can be effectively blended with carrier products to aid in consumption.  

CBD and CBD products are relatively new to the health market; for years, the potential benefits have been known by a smaller number of users. However, recent press and media coverage has vastly increased consumer awareness of CBD, and it’s related compounds. CBD is a big topic, at first, it can be confusing, but with a little bit of help and research, users can quickly get a grasp of the subject area. 

CBD in its raw form is available in various formats; these occur due to the desires of the producer and the production method utilised to extract the CBD compound from the hemp plant. 

Cannabidiol is shortened to CBD, CBD is a compound naturally found in the cannabis plant often referred to as marijuana or hemp. In the UK, CBD is a legal product if there is less than 0.2% of THC. The reason behind this is that THC is the controlled substance, THC is a psychoactive compound that affects the user’s mental state and is, therefore, falls under the Misuse of drugs act 1971. CBD, on the other hand, has no psychoactive qualities and remains legal for use in the UK.

While not currently medically, at least openly, supported, it is believed that CBD has many various potential health benefits. Those that suffer from conditions such as insomnia, depression, anxiety, nausea and many other neurological conditions are known to benefit from CBD. Its uses are not limited to the above conditions, CBD has been shown to have positive effects on pain as well a possibly helping with some cancer treatment. Unlike many traditional therapies for these conditions and illnesses, CBD is not addictive and has little to no side effects. Please note we would always recommend speaking to your GP before taking CBD. 

As referenced, several different types of CBD can be utilised in product creation. 

CBD Isolate

CBD isolate is a common form of CBD, because of how it is produced it contains the least amount of impurities or other compounds meaning that it is a flexible type of CBD for use in CBD products. Using Supercritical C02 extraction; extremely cold high-pressure C02 is passed through the hemp to separate the compounds, while an expensive method of production, the purest form of CBD is produced. Tests show that the CBD Isolate is 99% or higher pure, the process results in CBD crystals, these are crushed down to create a powder allowing for ease of blending with carrier products (creams or oils for example). 

 Isolate products don’t usually contain any terpenes though some brands add flavours to enhance the consumer experience without this, isolate has little to no taste or smell. 

CBD Distillate 

CBD distillate contains various other cannabinoids, terpenes (the natural flavourings), vitamins and fatty acids. Small amounts of THC does remain in the distillate, but again the levels remain legal for use in the UK. The other compounds left within the distillate are believed to have other health benefits. These other cannabinoids are:

Cannabichromene (CBC)

CBC has antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, anti-proliferative (anti-cancer) and pain-relieving properties. This compound is useful for cancer treatment, pain caused by osteoarthritis and even acne. CBC, while relatively unknown, they work well when combined with other cannabinoids.

Cannabinol (CBN)

CBN is a non-psychoactive, it usually occurs when THC ages, specifically when THC oxidises. It is therefore closely associated with THC but can be extracted separately from THC. CBN has been found to be a strong antibacterial agent, as well as helping those with conditions like ALS. Studies have also found that it can be used as an appetite stimulator.

Terpenes 

Terpenes are the natural oils that give plants their unique smell and flavours. Just like the aroma and smell found in many herbs, these are chemicals can have many benefits in aiding to heal the body, this knowledge isn’t something new, herbal remedies have been around for many hundreds of years. There are different types of terpenes within the hemp plant. A great example is Linalool. This particular terpene has the aroma of lavender which helps regulate sleeping patterns and the sense of calm.

Full-spectrum CBD

Full-spectrum CBD houses all the compounds contained in the whole hemp plant just with the THC removed. This product isn’t quite as pure as CBD isolate or distillate. This is because it contains nearly every attribute of the cannabis plant, including; all cannabinoids, terpenes, plant materials and small amounts of THC (remaining legal in the UK). Everything found in full-spectrum CBD is believed to be beneficial, with it containing all the compounds found in hemp it’s not always useful for all product types.