Knowledge is spreading like wildfire when it comes to cannabidiol. With education on the rise, companies are popping up left and right with new CBD products. It is essential to know where your CBD is coming from because there is no guarantee that the product content will match the label, given lack of federal regulations.

Because CBD is not an FDA-regulated product, low-quality supplements are available for purchase. You can even find CBD products in gas stations these days. With unregulated products on the market, how can you be sure you’re purchasing quality products?

What Is Hemp?

Hemp is one of the fastest-growing plants on Earth. It is a specific class of Cannabis Sativa plant that is grown for medical and industrial usage. Industrial hemp has been grown for hundreds of years. People have used hemp to make food, clothes, rope, and more.

Hemp seed oil is also regarded as a culinary oil. It can improve flavors and even be drizzled over vegetables as a salad dressing! Hemp seed oil also contains omega-3 and oleic acid. According to the American Petroleum Chemists’ Society, this oil is highly beneficial as it contains various vitamins and minerals. The hemp plant originated in central Asia, and cultivation for hemp fibers is recorded as early as 2800 B.C.E. Mediterranean countries adopted hemp cultivation during the Middle Ages and it eventually spread throughout Europe.

The plant has several varieties which include various amounts of THC (the psychoactive components), CBD (the non-psychoactive components), and other phytocannabinoids. Hemp is a genetically unique plant variety of Cannabis Sativa with a THC content of lower than 0.3%.

Hemp Plant vs. Cannabis Plant

CBD can be derived from both the hemp plant and the cannabis plant. The two plants differ in the amount of THC and CBD they produce. The cannabis plant produces more THC, while the hemp plant primarily produces more CBD. Despite the difference in the chemical composition of the plants, it does not take away from the benefits of CBD.

Methods Of Extracting CBD From Hemp Plants

There are several different ways to extract CBD from hemp plants. It is crucial that the extraction is done by a professional to ensure safe and quality products.

Extraction By Solvent

A solvent is a substance that dissolves a solute, resulting in a solution. During this method of extraction, a solvent such as ethanol, butane, or propane is drenched over the hemp plant leaves and trimmings. This method draws out the necessary chemical, which in this case is CBD. You are then left with a mixture of cannabinoids, terpenes, and solvent.

To draw most of the solvent out, you must refine the mixture. This refinement process varies based on the desired outcome. Once most of the solvent has been removed after refinement, you are left with concentrated CBD oil. This method is great for saving the plant’s flavor and smell.

Oil Extraction

If the idea of using butane to extract CBD doesn’t seem right for you, don’t worry! There is also a method of extraction using natural solvents, such as olive oil. First, the hemp trimmings are heated to be decarboxylated. Once decarboxylated, then the olive oil is added and heated again in order to extract the desired cannabinoids.

Solvents like butane and ethanol evaporate during the extraction process – this is where olive oil differs. Because olive oil does not evaporate the same way as hydrocarbon solvents, the end product is not as concentrated.

You are still left with quality CBD products, but it is more like a CBD-infused oil than a concentrate if using the oil extraction method. This means you may need to consume a higher dose of CBD to reap the full benefits. This extraction method may also offer a not-so-pleasant taste.

CO2 Extraction

Using carbon dioxide to extract CBD from hemp is precise but expensive. This method requires advanced scientific equipment, so you likely won’t be able to try this at home.

The CO2 extraction process typically includes three chambers. The first chamber contains CO2 in its gaseous state and converts it into a liquid form. This is completed by decreasing the temperature and increasing the pressure in the chamber until the liquified CO2 reaches the supercritical point. This supercritical point is basically just the CO2 being somewhere between a liquid and gaseous state. How cool! At this point, the CO2 can expand like a gas but is concentrated like a liquid.

Once it is in this state, it is pumped into the next chamber containing the hemp plant. CO2 then passes through the plant matter, separating the oil and plant matter. In the third chamber, the oil and CO2 are separated, and any excess CO2 evaporates. Once this extraction process is complete, you are left with a high-quality and concentrated CBD oil product.  This is an extremely eco-friendly extraction method, as it uses less plant material and energy than other methods.

Steam Distillation

Steam distillation is a solvent-free extraction method as well. To extract the needed cannabinoids, steam is used to loosen the cannabinoids from the plant trimmings. Once this steam or vapor is cooled and condensed, you must separate the oil and water.

Once separated, you are left with a concentrated CBD oil. While this method is straightforward and inexpensive, it is not always the most efficient. The steam distillation method requires more raw plant material than other methods and produces inconsistent results.

Different Routes of Administration

CBD is most commonly consumed orally, but there are several routes of administration. Sublingual, topical, whole flower smokeable, vapes, capsules, and suppository routes are available.  When it comes to cannabidiol, however, you can also choose more than one intake or use method, depending on your wellness needs.

Oral

When CBD is extracted from the hemp plant, you are left with concentrated oil. This oil can be consumed orally and added to food or drinks for a supplemental boost. Many companies infuse CBD concentrates into food, commonly referred to as edibles. Edibles can be a tasty way to receive your daily CBD dose and enjoy a treat.

Topical

Topical CBD creams are increasingly popular lately as people learn how to benefit chronic aches and pains. Though clinical studies are limited in showing how topical CBD lotions can aid with aches, word of mouth travels fast. Many patients have stated that they consistently experience long-lasting relief for up to 48 hours when using CBD topicals.

Suppository

Additionally, suppository CBD products are available for purchase. Though this method of administration is not as common as the others, it is beneficial. People suffering from menstrual cramps and Crohn’s disease have found relief from CBD suppositories.

Smoking and Vaping

A CBD whole flower and vaporization option has become a favorite in recent years. Though not recommended by doctors, smoking and vaping CBD offers quick onset to relieve stress, pain, and other ailments. Smoking and vaping CBD also offer high bioavailability at almost 25%.  Because the CBD flower must be heated and inhaled, you are susceptible to inhaling carcinogens. Doctors recommend other routes of administering CBD for this reason.

Potential Risks and Side Effects

It is not recommended to extract your own CBD at home as it is possible for you to poison yourself accidentally. You may become ill if the solvent residue is left over in your oil or concentrate. With trying any new supplement, risks and side effects must be made aware of. While the list of CBD side effects is short and minor, it’s essential to keep them in mind.

Unlike THC, CBD is non-psychoactive and non-addictive, making it the perfect supplement for everyday use. It is possible that if too high of a dose of CBD is taken, you may experience:

• Nausea.
• Diarrhea.
• Dry mouth.
• Fatigue.
• Reduced appetite.
• Worsened mood.

Similarly, these same side effects may become present if you suddenly stop taking the supplement. Though these side effects are relatively minor, they may be uncomfortable for some CBD users. There are no known reports of any THC or CBD-related fatal overdoses.

DocCBD – Quality CBD Products Shipped Right To You

At DocCBD, we’re excited to share our high-quality CBD products with you. With seven different products to choose from, we’re sure we have something to pique your interest. Our products include:

• 25 MG Broad Spectrum CBD Capsules.
• CBD Sleep Gummies with CBG and CBN.
• Fast Acting CBD Pain Roller.
• Mint Flavored CBD Calm Tincture.
• 25 MG CBD Softgel Capsules.
• CBD Pain Relief Cream.
• 12.5 MG CBD Softgel Capsules.

DocCBD offers a monthly subscription in which your favorite products are shipped directly to you at a discounted rate. All DocCBD products are domestically sourced from American agricultural hemp. All CBD products are complete with a certificate of analysis. Our supplements are created with patented bio-enhanced technology to optimize bioavailability and absorption. This allows for the maximum benefit from natural cannabinoids that survive the digestive process to provide the best value for wellness.

If you have any questions on how DocCBD may be able to help you reach total wellness, we are happy to help! Please feel free to call our office at (888) 316-6659 or email us at [email protected].